cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in maternal plasma and epigenome-wide placental DNA methylation

Prenatal maternal plasma persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations have been associated with neonatal outcomes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Placental epigenetic mechanisms may be involved, but no prior epigenome-wide studies have investigated the impact of maternal POPs on placental DNA methylation. We studied the association between maternal plasma POP concentration in early pregnancy and epigenome-wide placental DNA methylation among 260 pregnant women from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies. Our analysis focused on POPs with more than 80% plasma concentrations above the limit of quantification, including 3 organochlorine pesticides (hexachlorobenzene, trans-nonachlor, p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), 1 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE 47), 3 polychlorinated biphenyls (138/158, 153, 180), and 6 poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) (perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA)). Using 5% false discovery rate, POPs were associated with a total of 214 differentially methylated CpG sites (nominal p values ranging from 2.61 × 10−21 to 2.11 × 10−7). Out of the 214 CpG sites, 24 (11%) were significantly correlated with placental expression of 21 genes. Notably, higher PFUnDA was associated with increased methylation at 3 CpG sites (cg13996963, cg12089439, cg18145877) annotated to TUSC3, and increased methylation at those 3 CpG sites was correlated with decreased expression of TUSC3 in the placenta. Increased methylation at cg18145877 (TUSC3) and decreased expression of TUSC3 were correlated with shorter birth length. Out of the 214 CpG sites, methylation at 44 CpG sites was correlated (p value < 0.10) with at least one neonatal anthropometry measure (i.e., birth weight, birth length, and head circumference). Seven CpG sites mediated (p value < 0.05) the association between PBDE 47 and neonatal anthropometry measures. Genes annotating the top differentially methylated CpG sites were enriched in pathways related to differentiation of embryonic cells (PBDE 47) and in pathways related to brain size and brain morphology (PFASs). DNA methylation changes in the placenta were significantly associated with maternal plasma POPs concentration. The findings suggest that placental DNA methylation and gene expression mechanism may be involved in the prenatal toxicity of POPs and their association with neonatal anthropometry measures.
Expansion and Evaluation of Pharmacist Services in Primary Care

Challenges with primary care access and overextended providers present opportunities for pharmacists as patient care extenders for chronic disease management. The primary objective was to align primary care pharmacist services with organizational priorities and improve patient clinical outcomes. The secondary objective was to develop a technological strategy for service evaluation. An interdisciplinary workgroup developed primary care pharmacist services focused on improving performance measures and supporting the care team in alignment with ongoing population health initiatives. Pharmacist collaborative practice agreements (CPAs) were developed and implemented. An electronic dashboard was developed to capture service outcome measures. Blood pressure control to <140/90 mmHg was achieved in 74.15% of patients who engaged with primary care pharmacists versus 41.53% of eligible patients electing to follow usual care pathways. Appropriate statin use was higher in patients engaged with primary care pharmacists than in eligible patients electing to follow usual care pathways both for diabetes and ischemic vascular disease (12.4% and 2.2% higher, respectively). Seventeen of 54 possible process and outcome measures were identified and incorporated into an electronic dashboard. Primary care pharmacist services improve hypertension control and statin use. Service outcomes can be measured with discrete data from the electronic health record (EHR), and should align with organizational priorities.
What We Don't Know About Diet-Breadth Evolution in Herbivorous Insects

Half a million species of herbivorous insects have been described. Most of them are diet specialists, using only a few plant species as hosts. Biologists suspect that their specificity is key to th...
Comparing upper arm and trunk kinematics between manufacturing workers performing predominantly cyclic and non-cyclic work tasks.

Abstract Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common among manufacturing workers. Exposure to non-neutral postures and high movement speeds associated with MSDs among manufacturing workers may depend on the extent of the variability in the work tasks performed (i.e., predominantly “cyclic” versus “non-cyclic” work). The objectives of this study were to (i) compare mean levels of full-shift exposure summary metrics based on both posture and movement speed between manufacturing workers performing predominantly cyclic (n = 18) and non-cyclic (n = 17) tasks, and (ii) explore patterns of between- and within-worker exposure variance and between-minute (within-shift) exposure level and variation within each group. Inertial sensors were used to measure exposures for up to 15 full shifts per participant. Results indicated (i) substantially higher upper arm and trunk movement speeds among workers performing predominantly cyclic tasks relative to workers performing non-cyclic tasks despite similar postures, and (ii) greater exposure variability both between and within workers in the non-cyclic group.
Photoenhanced Degradation of Sarin at Cu/TiO2 Composite Aerogels: Roles of Bandgap Excitation and Surface Plasmon Excitation.

Multifunctional composites that couple high-capacity adsorbents with catalytic nanoparticles (NPs) offer a promising route toward the degradation of organophosphorus pollutants or chemical warfare ...
Congressional Lions: Trailblazing Members of Congress and How They Shaped American History

In his new book, J. Michael Martinez attempts to enhance our understanding of the workings of Congress by examining the role of “trailblazing” members of Congress. These key members have played an ...
China's climate ambition: Revisiting its First Nationally Determined Contribution and centering a just transition to clean energy

Abstract In 2016 and as part of its commitment under the 2015 Paris Agreement, China submitted its First Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), outlining its ‘best efforts’ to limit greenhouse gas emissions. In 2017, the country accounted for 26% of global carbon emissions, stemming mostly from coal-based electricity generation and mining. The United States, by comparison, accounted for nearly 14%, and the European Union, almost 10%. In view of this disparity and the significance of China's contribution to achieving global emissions targets and sustainability, we revisit its First NDC. We argue that, while China is set to meet its non-fossil fuel targets, progress on its fossil fuel targets is stymied by continual coal development, which has negative implications for the Paris 2 °C limit. We contend that the country's focus on carbon-intensive economic expansion is a major barrier to greater climate ambition, especially when considering its growing portfolio of overseas investments in fossil fuel-dependent sectors. In bringing together disparate arguments from across the energy policy literature and looking ahead to its Second NDC, we conclude by making four recommendations for increasing China's climate ambition and centering a just transition to clean energy.
Understanding Tilt in Esports: A Study on Young League of Legends Players

Tilt as a gaming term is associated with frustration, rage, and deterioration of gameplay ability. In this exploratory study, we surveyed 95 esports players in a high school esports league on their definitions of tilt, triggers for tilting, responses to tilt, and perception of its malleability. We found that players are tilted most commonly by their own teammates rather than opponents, with their most negative tilt responses reserved for themselves. The majority surveyed believe that they can change how easily they are tilted and believing so was found to lead players to choose more positive responses to tilt. In contrast, perceiving tilt as malleable was found to increase the probability that participants respond with positive strategies. Implications for efforts to improve esports culture and community are discussed.
Unintended Consequences: Understanding the Relationship Between Dual Enrollment Participation, College Undermatch, and Bachelor’s Degree Attainment

Recent research suggests that dual enrollment programs are a useful recruiting tool for colleges and universities as many high school students remain at their dual enrollment institution after high school graduation. Students staying enrolled at their dual enrollment institution for college may be beneficial for institutions, but is it beneficial for participating dual enrollment students? We find that students who participate in dual enrollment in high school are more likely to experience college undermatch than similar students who do not participate in any postsecondary acceleration opportunities. Students who participate in a dual enrollment program at a 2-year institution and stay at the institution after high school graduation are up to 29% points more likely to undermatch than the average dual enrollment student enrolling in a different postsecondary institution after high school graduation. The difference is reduced to 9% points for dual enrollment students who stay at a four-year institution. Most significantly, our research shows that the decision to stay at a 2-year dual enrollment institution has negative consequences for bachelor’s degree attainment. Students who stay at a 2-year dual enrollment institution where they are undermatched have about a 33% point lower probability of completing a bachelor’s degree when compared to similar 2-year dual enrollment students who move to a 4-year institution where they are not undermatched after high school graduation.
Focus Note: The Role of Digital Financial Services in Humanitarian Crises Responses

The humanitarian aid sector is increasingly using digital financial services (DFS) – also known as mobile money – to further its cash-based assistance to crisis-affected populations. Whilst delivering humanitarian aid, DFS adoption can also further financial inclusion if developed and implemented properly. This focus note describes the state of DFS use in humanitarian crises responses, available DFS solutions, and strategies to achieve both humanitarian and financial inclusion goals and common barriers to address for successful deployment. While it has proven its utility in many parts of the developing world, in some crises areas where technology infrastructure is often lacking, DFS may however only provide limited utility. In these cases, cash disbursements may provide a better solution by rapidly providing for the needs of those in crises areas. A cost-benefit analysis of available response solutions is also provided. We provide a table of benefits and challenges of different types of humanitarian assistance: In-Kind, Cash only, DFS only, and Cash and DFS.
Blocking the Flow: Texas Faces New Challenges in Its Water Crisis after an Unfavorable Ruling in Tarrant

As Texas’s population continues growing, the state is struggling to forestall a looming water crisis. Tarrant Regional Water District, a Texas state agency, sought to purchase some of Oklahoma’s water from the Red River, which forms a boundary between the states. Tarrant’s efforts failed because Oklahoma’s water permit laws disfavor out-of-state purchasers. Tarrant sued the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and claimed in part that Oklahoma’s laws create an unconstitutional restriction on interstate commerce. In Tarrant Regional Water District v. Herrmann, the Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and dismissed Tarrant’s Commerce Clause claim as meritless. This Comment argues that the Supreme Court’s holding could hinder interstate cooperation in solving water shortages.
Bully/victim profiles' differential risk for worsening peer acceptance: the role of friendship

Study aims were to: (1) evaluate the association between bully/victim profiles, derived via latent profile analysis (LPA), and changes in peer acceptance from the fall to spring of 7th grade, and (2) investigate the likelihood of friendlessness, and the protective function of mutual friendship, among identified profiles. Participants were 2,587 7th graders; peer nomination and rating-scale data were collected in the fall and spring. Four profiles, including bullies, victims, bully-victims, and uninvolved adolescents, were identified at each time point. Findings showed that for victims, more so than for bullies and uninvolved profiles, acceptance scores worsened over time. Results further revealed that bully-victim and victim profiles included a greater proportion of friendless youth relative to the bully profile, which, in turn, contained a greater proportion of friendless adolescents than the uninvolved profile. Findings also provided evidence for the buffering role of friendship among all bully/victim profiles and among bully-victims especially.
The Sources of Power between Information Systems Developers and End Users

Information Systems (IS) researchers have searched diligently for the factors critical to the success of the information systems development (ISD) process. To date these factors remain elusive. DeLone and McLean (1992) reviewed literature in this area with the goal of converging on a definition of “IS success,” and in the process identified the breadth of reference disciplines used to examine the issue. Within the 180 articles reviewed were fields such as organizational behavior, economics, cognitive psychology, computer science, and engineering. Contributing to this large body of research, the current paper examines the information systems development process through the lens of organization theory. The primary focus is the power relationships implied by resource dependence theory.
What Are the Sources of Patent Inflation? An Analysis of Federal Circuit Patentability Rulings

Professor Jonathan Masur’s recent article, Patent Inflation, argues that the expansion in the boundaries of patentability that has occurred since the creation of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is caused by cases in which the court reverses patent rejections by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). This Essay examines every Federal Circuit patentability ruling over five different years and shows that reversals of PTO rejections are few in number and doctrinally insignificant. Instead, patentability rulings in infringement suits — which should have no net effect under Masur’s model — likely play an important role in patent inflation because of the presumption of patent validity and the higher stakes in patent litigation. Masur also underestimates the role of the Supreme Court in redrawing patentability boundaries. Although Masur’s simple model is elegant, this Essay argues that it cannot accurately capture the complex phenomenon of patent inflation.
Some Inelastic Effects of Thermal Cycling on ZrO2‐Y2O3 Materials

An analysis has been developed which relates the effects of inelastic behavior of Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) materials. The results show these materials to be sensitive to small changes in temperature and are supported by measurements of inelastic behavior in disk and bar specimens at temperatures as low as 1010 C (1850 F). At higher thermomechanical loads, the test specimens can deform to strains greater than 1 percent and for bar specimens, with sufficient strength, to remain bonded to the metallic substrate.
Active-element, phased-array radar: affordable performance for the 1990s

Active-element, electronically scanned, phased-array (AESA) radars have been shown to offer unique solutions for future airborne weapons systems. Flight demonstrations have validated AESA technologies and have clearly shown the advantages of AESA radars. These technologies are the product of research programs carried out over the past 25 years that led to airborne demonstration of AESA radars in 1989/90. Substantial performance and reliability improvements over conventional radars can now be realized. In-flight operational performance has been demonstrated. Reliability demonstrations for microwave transmit/receive (T/R) modules, digital control circuitry, and low-voltage power supplies have been completed successfully. Recent developments in monolithic microwave integrated circuit components provide the final link in the practicality of AESA radar-affordability. >
Investigation of current flow during wafer-level CDM using real-time probing

Using real-time voltage probing and circuit simulation, the stress induced by wafer-level CDM test methods is compared to that of package-level FICDM testers. It is shown that while wafer-level testers can replicate I/O failures, they may not replicate core failures because of differences in the induced current stress.
Exposed Points in H1, I

The spaces \(\mathcal{H}\) (b) of L. de Branges are used to study the exposed points of the unit ball of H 1.
Pakistan's lady health worker labor movement and the moral economy of heroism

In December 2012, militants began targeted attacks on workers going door to door in Pakistan delivering polio vaccine, including members of a community health worker cadre called Lady Health Workers (LHWs). Over the next several years, more than 50 workers, most of them women, were murdered as they worked. Media accounts frequently refer to these workers as “aid workers” or “heroes.” This paper complicates and theorizes this conception. Two conflicting moral economies around the work of LHWs existed before the targeted killings began; both have amplified since. One, shared among the LHWs themselves, centers around ideas of community health work as deserving of remuneration just like other government work. The other, promoted by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative at the international level, conceptualizes ground level workers like LHWs as “heroes,” not as labor—eclipsing the LHWs’ own discourse in the international sphere.
Between the local-mode and normal-mode limits

Abstract A simple model system is introduced for the vibrational analysis of polyatomic molecules. This classical system is based on complex mode amplitudes and reduces to either the normal-mode (NM) or the local-mode (LM) description in appropriate limits. Upon analysis without perturbative assumptions, the system exhibits sinusoidal, periodic, quasi-periodic and chaotic behaviors between the NM and the LM limits.
Straw and forage material ameliorate abnormal behaviors in adult chimpanzees

In an effort reduce abnormal behaviors, especially regurgitation and reingestion, and promote higher activate levels, straw and scattered forage material were added to the enclosures of 13 indoor-housed chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) living in pairs and trios. Behavioral effects were examined by comparing 65 hr in the baseline condition with 65 hr in the experimental condition. Subjects spent 8.7% of observed time foraging or otherwise manipulating the straw, and no evidence of habituation was found over 9 weeks. Males foraged at a rate three times that of females. Overall, abnormal behavior was significantly reduced. Examined alone, regurgitation and reingestion levels fell to less than one-third their former level and ceased to rise with elapsed time since feeding. Subjects spent less time displaying and more time locomoting and playing. This enrichment option was found to be practical in terms of caretaker effort and expense and caused no health problems. Zoo Biol 16:225–236, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Quasiparticle tunneling through rare earth trihydroxide barriers

Symmetric tunneling junctions with 4000-A-thick Pb electrodes and polycrystalline insulating barriers of Lu(OH)3, Er(OH)3, and Ho(OH)3 have been fabricated. In bulk, these three rare earth trihydroxides are nonmagnetic, antiferromagnetic (TN<1.1 K), and ferromagnetic (Tc=2.54 K), respectively. Tunneling resistances ranged from 600 to greater than 40,000 Ω with a junction area of 6.25×10−2 cm2. Single-particle tunneling characteristics of these junctions were always broadened relative to the characteristics of Pb-PbO-Pb junctions, although the ratio of the zero-bias tunneling resistance to the normal tunneling resistance in some instances was of the order of 1000. A threefold splitting of the conductance peak at the gap was observed only in junctions with Ho(OH)3 barriers. The gap peak of junctions with Er(OH)3 barriers was broadened significantly relative to that of junctions with Lu(OH)3 barriers. From measurements of the temperature and magnetic field dependences of the tunneling conductance it is argued that the splitting in junctions with Ho(OH)3 barriers is consistent with the existence of a peak in the electronic density of states at an energy below that of the gap of each of the electrodes. This peak is believed to be the signature of a bound state near the barrier where the pair potential is depressed by virtue of the exchange coupling between the spins of the superconducting electrons and the localized spins of the barrier. Qualitative interpretations of the data support the view that the observed structure in Ho(OH)3 barrier junctions is neither a consequence of intrinsic gap anisotropy in Pb nor of inelastic magnon-assisted tunnelling.
ABSORPTION IN HIGH-ENERGY PHOTOPRODUCTION.

Absorption in high-energy photoproduction has been derived using a Regge amplitude. It is found that this depends strongly on the square of the four-momentum transfer $t$, smaller values of $|t|$ giving much less absorption. This behavior differs markedly from that of the Drell peripheral model with a constant absorption factor. The absorption is calculated for $s$ and $t$ values corresponding to energies encountered in a recent SLAC experiment, and is seen to reduce the cross section by factors of $\frac{1}{220}$ to $\frac{1}{25}$, depending on $t$. Factors of this order are needed to bring experiment and theory into agreement. The high-energy asymptotic behavior of the amplitude with absorption is found to differ from the usual Regge behavior. The usual absorption using a Born amplitude is also elaborated and generalized and is compared with recent DESY data. The well-known high-energy Regge behavior of the cross section without absorption, $\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{\mathrm{dt}}=C(t){s}^{2\ensuremath{\alpha}(t)\ensuremath{-}2}$, is derived for all spins in an Appendix.
Interleukin-7–treated naive T cells can be productively infected by T-cell–adapted and primary isolates of human immunodeficiency virus 1

Although human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gag / pol DNA can be detected in naive T cells, whether naive T cells can be productively infected by HIV is still questionable. Given that interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a prospective therapeutic immunomodulator for the treatment of HIV, we evaluated the effect of IL-7 on promoting naive T-cell infection of laboratory-adapted (IIIB), M-tropic, and primary isolates of HIV. Initially, we determined that the 3 cell surface markers widely used to identify naive T cells (CD45RA+CD45RO−, CD45RA+CD62L+, and CD45RO−CD27+CD95low) are all equivalent in T-cell receptor excision circle content, a marker for the replicative history of a cell as well as for de novo T cells. We therefore used CD45RA+CD45RO− expression to define naive T cells in this study. We demonstrate that although untreated or IL-2–treated naive T cells are not productively infected by HIV, IL-7 pretreatment mediated the productive infection of laboratory-adapted, M-tropic, and primary isolates of HIV as determined by p24 core antigen production. This up-regulation was between 8- and 58-fold, depending on the HIV isolate used. IL-7 pretreatment of naive T cells also potently up-regulated surface expression of CXCR4 but not CCR5 and mediated the expansion of naive T cells without the acquisition of the primed CD45RO phenotype. Collectively, these data indicate that IL-7 augments naive T-cell susceptibility to HIV and that under the appropriate environmental milieu, naive T cells may be a source of HIV productive infection. This information needs to be considered in evaluating IL-7 as an immunomodulator for HIV-infected patients.
Synthesis of an Alkyne-Bridged Decamethylhafnocene Dimer and Related Alkyne-Substituted Monomers

Reaction of Hf*Cl2 (1; Hf* = decamethylhafnocene), with excess sodium acetylide at room temperature results in the synthesis of Hf*(CCH)2 (2). The identical reaction in refluxing THF results in the dimeric product [(μ2-C2)(Hf*CCH)2] (4). Subsequent reaction of 2 with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) in the presence of trimethyltin chloride resulted in the trimetallic Hf*(CCSnMe3)2 (3).
Longitudinal Profiling of Inflammatory Cytokines and C‐reactive Protein during Uncomplicated and Preterm Pregnancy

Problem Previous studies have investigated the utility of inflammation markers as predictors of preterm birth, but none have compared trends in levels between uncomplicated and preterm pregnancy. Method of study We explored longitudinal changes in plasma cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α, as well as C-reactive protein in pregnant women from a nested case–control study. Results IL-6 was associated with increased odds of spontaneous preterm birth, defined by presentation of spontaneous preterm labor and/or preterm premature rupture of the membranes. Associations were strongest later in pregnancy. IL-10 was associated with increased odds of placentally mediated preterm birth, defined by presentation with preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction, and odds ratios were also highest near the end of pregnancy. Conclusion Maternal inflammation markers were associated with increased risk of preterm birth, and relationships differed by etiology of preterm delivery and gestational age at sample collection.
Quench-hardening gradients near vacancy sinks in crystals of zone refined lead

Abstract Microhardness studies were carried out using a very light load on quenched single crystals and bicrystals of zone-refined lead. The results indicate that the microhardness test is a suitable probe technique for revealing local changes in defect concentration near free surfaces and grain boundaries in pure metal crystals.
THE EFFECT OF PURIFIED BOVINE THYROIDSTIMULATING HORMONE IN MAN. 1. DOSERESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS STUDIED WITH I132

The effect of a highly purified bovine thyrotropin (TSH) was studied in 12 human volunteers. The response was measured by the rise in the two-hour thyroidal uptake of I132. Dose-response curves for purified TSH, and for a commercial preparation (Thytropar) given in equivalent units, did not differ significantly. After TSH stimulation, the thyroidal I132 uptake following intravenous administration of I132 showed an increase of borderline significance compared with the uptake following oral administration, whereas control uptakes did not differ significantly for the two routes. The refrigerated purified preparation of TSH maintained its potency for as long as a month after reconstitution.
Development of high performance Ag sheathed Bi2223 wire

Abstract A silver sheathed Bi2223 wire is widely used to build various prototype models taking advantage of longer length wires with a relatively high critical current. The Bi2223 wire is expected to early realize full-scale practical use in the area of cables, magnets and so on. However, further improvements in some aspects of performance are required to realize commercial products. In view of critical current ( I c ), I c at around 77 K in lower magnetic fields and at a lower temperature in higher magnetic fields are important for a cable system and a magnet system, respectively. The improvements in phase homogeneity, grain alignment and good connectivity between grains are mainly necessary for I c at a higher temperature. For I c at a lower temperature, the improvement in the property of grain boundary is considered to be effective due to the decrease of the coherent length. In order to drastically change the above factors, we have been studying a new sintering process under a pressurized atmosphere. This new process has a significant effect on the increase of the critical current, and further on the enhancements of mechanical properties and reliability in thermal cycles.
Helping Older African American Homeless Women Get and Stay Out of Homelessness: Reflections on Lessons Learned From Long-Haul Developmental Action Research

Inspired by narrative theory, the authors offer a storied perspective on collaborative developmental action research in which, over a ten-year period, they designed, tested, and refined practices and tools useful in addressing homelessness among older African American women in a Midwestern city. We consider how progressive ideas interacting with social and organizational learning guided our efforts to translate an understanding of homelessness among older minority women into personal support and social action that the women found beneficial. By prototyping advocacy, group work, and community building and by employing the arts in social action, the project created a distinctive participatory practice knowledge base.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 205*

Abstract The available experimental data pertaining to the nuclear structure of nuclei with A = 205 are compiled; the results from various decay and reaction measurements are compared and evaluated. Inconsistencies and discrepancies in the level schemes are discussed. Level properties, gamma-ray properties, and comments are presented following the data on the relevant nucleus.
Nonparametric Prediction in Measurement Error Models.

Predicting the value of a variable Y corresponding to a future value of an explanatory variable X, based on a sample of previously observed independent data pairs (X1, Y1), …, (Xn, Yn) distributed like (X, Y), is very important in statistics. In the error-free case, where X is observed accurately, this problem is strongly related to that of standard regression estimation, since prediction of Y can be achieved via estimation of the regression curve E(Y|X). When the observed Xis and the future observation of X are measured with error, prediction is of a quite different nature. Here, if T denotes the future (contaminated) available version of X, prediction of Y can be achieved via estimation of E(Y|T). In practice, estimating E(Y|T) can be quite challenging, as data may be collected under different conditions, making the measurement errors on Xi and X nonidentically distributed. We take up this problem in the nonparametric setting and introduce estimators which allow a highly adaptive approach to smoothing. ...
Biomimetic hair sensors: Utilizing the third dimension

Nature and biology utilize a myriad of structures, materials, and schemes to achieve superb sensing performance with extreme reliability and robustness. One structure used more commonly in nature is the “hair”. Hair-like sensors are used for acoustic, chemical, flow, pressure, and gas sensing, among others. Hair-like actuators and passive structures are also used for thermal management, filtering, fluid flow control, etc. This paper discusses opportunities and approaches for developing hair-like biomimetic structures for sensing. It discusses fabrication technologies for formation of 3-dimensional structures and creation of transduction functions on these hair structures, and proposes how electronics can be utilized to further improve the functionality of these sensors. A micro hair sensor for measuring air flow speed and direction based on hydraulic amplification is presented as an example of a biomimetic hair sensor.
Subsidence of Reclaimed Coal Mine Spoils, Colstrip, Montana

Precise leveling surveys and ground and aerial inspections were conducted to determine the nature and practical effects of surface subsidence due to consolidation of reclaimed spoils at the Rosebud Mine, Colstrip, Montana. In spoils 30 to 40 yr old, total surface subsidence occurring since 1968 in reclaimed spoil averages 0.1 m and is of no practical effect. In 30- to 40-yr-old spoils rehandled in 1968 to form smooth fill, subsidence approaches 0.25 m and is due to consolidation in response to saturation. Total differential surface subsidence in areas strip mined and reclaimed since 1971 is as great as 0.6 m in restricted areas subject to ponding from runoff, but apparently is confined to the redistributed topsoil.
Fuel Cells vs. Competing Technologies

Investments of over $1 B have been made for Fuel Cell RD the latter includes military, residential power and heating, transportation and remote and portable power. The types of fuel cells investigated for these applications are PEMFCs (proton exchange membrane fuel cells), AFCs (alkaline fuel cells), DMFCs (direct methanol fuel cells), PAFCs (phosphoric acid fuel cells), MCFCs (molten carbon fuel cells), SOFCs (solid oxide fuel cells). Cell structure, operating principles, and characteristics of each type of fuel cell is briefly compared. The performances of fuel cells vs. competing technologies are analyzed. The key issues are which of these energy conversion systems are technologically advanced and economically favorable and can meet the lifetime, reliability and safety requirements. This paper reviews fuel cells vs. competing technologies in each application category from a scientific and engineering point of view.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Mass-Mediated Social Terror in Spain

In his paper, "Mass-Mediated Social Terror in Spain," Nicholas Manganas explores mass-mediated narratives associated with social terror. Manganas posits that one approach to understanding social terror is to conceptualize it as a process of narrativization. Manganas takes a global view while at the same time applying that approach to the contemporary Spanish political and cultural context following the 11 March 2004 terrorist attacks in Madrid. He views the current social and political panorama of Spain as an example of social terror in dialogue with both current and historical national discourses. Manganas details the events surrounding the March 11 attack in Madrid in 2004 and posits that mass-mediated narratives of social terror can be both a struggle to negotiate current political battles of (national) identity, and also a struggle to renegotiate historical pacts that emerged from regimes of social terror such as the Franco dictatorship (1936-1975). The tensions between the image of the nation during Franco and after the attacks are understood in relation to the role of the mass media in reflecting, shaping, and fostering a state of social terror. Nicholas Manganas, "Mass-Mediated Social Terror in Spain" page 2 of 14 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 9.1 (2007): Thematic Issue, Representing Humanity in an Age of Terror. Ed. Sophia A. McClennen and Henry James Morello
N-confused calix[4]pyrroles

Abstract This is a first review devoted to N-confused calix[4]pyrroles (NCCPs). NCCPs are a relatively recent arrival to the family of the pyrrole-based anion binding macrocycles, being for the first time identified in 1999. Yet, in a relatively short time these calix[4]pyrrole (CP) isomers attracted attention of the community of research groups interested in anion binding and sensing. This is because they are relatively easy to synthesize, but mainly because they posses anion-binding properties that are different from that of regular calix[4]pyrroles. The difference in anion-binding properties stems from a different binding mode between the NCCP and anion. While the regular CPs adopt in the complex an ideal cone-like conformation where all four pyrroles-NHs engage in hydrogen bonding to the anion, the inverted pyrroles do not allow forming the cone. NCCPs bind anions via a confused cone (CC), by three NH hydrogen bonds with an anion and a CH–anion contact. This different binding mode results also in different anion-binding affinity and selectivity compared to regular CPs. Also, the inverted pyrroles offer a unique possibility for selective chemical modification of the receptor. The corresponding colorimetric sensors were tested for anion binding applications. The results of colorimetric assays for anions are presented and potential applications discussed.
Balanced InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiodes for single photon detection

Abstract—We demonstrate a sinusoidally-gated InGaAs/InP photodiode pair operated at wavelength of 1310 nm with high photon detection efficiency (PDE) and low dark count rate (DCR). The photodiode pair is biased in a balanced scenario so that the common component of the output signal is cancelled. The concept of balanced photodiodes helps improve detection efficiency while canceling the common mode signal, which, in this case, is the capacitive response of the photodiodes. In conventional sinusoidal gating, an extra component, – an RF filter (or several) at the gating frequency, is utilized to filter out the gating signal and leave the avalanche signal for detection. For this configuration, sinusoidally-gated counting systems are restricted to a single frequency. With the balanced single photon diodes (SPAD), sinusoidal gating within a continuous frequency range is feasible. A printed circuit with symmetric layout of two bias tees was fabricated on a duroid board to enable the application of AC and DC signals for the dual SPADs. At a laser repletion rate of 1 MHz and temperature of 240 K the DCR and PDE were 58 kHz and 43%, respectively. Afterpulsing probability was lower compared with a sinusoidually-gated single SPAD. Jitter of 240 ps was achieved with 1 photon per pulse for an excess bias of 1.6%.
Phase II clinical trial using californium 252 fast neutron brachytherapy, external pelvic radiation, and extrafascial hysterectomy in the treatment of bulky, barrel-shaped stage IB cervical cancer

Abstract From June 1977 to June 1983, 32 patients with bulky (greater than 4 cm diameter), barrel-shaped Stage IB cervical cancer were treated at the University of Kentucky Medical Center by a combination of outpatient neutron brachytherapy using californium 252 (252Cf) and external pelvic radiation followed by extrafascial hysterectomy. Nineteen patients had cervical tumors 4 to 6 cm in diameter, and 13 patients had lesions in excess of 6 cm in diameter. A dose of 4500 rad external photon therapy was given from a linear accelerator, and one or two 6-hour 252Cf implants were given during or immediately after external radiation. Extrafascial hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed 6 weeks after completion of radiation therapy. Complications during and after radiation were minimal and included vaginal stenosis (three) and proctitis (two). Tumor clearance in the hysterectomy specimen was complete in 23 patients (72%) and residual cervical tumor was present in 9 patients (28%). Two patients developed tumor recurrence and died of disease 15 and 27 months after therapy, respectively. Thirty patients remain free of disease 26 to 96 months (median, 52 months) after treatment, and none have been lost to follow-up. The actuarial survival of these patients is 97% at 2 years and 94% at 5 years. Intracavitary neutron therapy is well tolerated and is effective when combined with external radiation and hysterectomy in the treatment of bulky, barrel-shaped Stage IB cervical cancer.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN CORN BORER, DIATRAEA GRANDIOSELLA1

The southwestern corn borer was reared on a meridic diet containing wheat germ and wheat germ oil as its only plant adjuvants. The insect's requirements for protein, a mineral mixture, and L-ascorbic acid were studied using a bioassay based on larval growth rate and adult wing condition. The principal results showed that dietary supplements of casein (5.0%), a mineral mixture with nine components (0.9%), and L-ascorbic acid (0.5%) were essential for optimum growth and development of the insect. RESUME OBSERVATIONS SUR LES BESOINS NUTRITIONELS DE DIATRAEA GRANDIOSELLA (SOUTHWESTERN CORN BORER) Diatraea grandiosella ou «Southwestern Corn Borer», a ete eleve sur un aliment de type meridique et on a determine ses besoins quantitatifs en proteine, en sels mineraux et en acide ascorbique. Un test biologique a ete concu, base sur le pourcentage de chrysalides obtenues et sur les conditions de developpement des ailes, cela dans chaque test et dans le groupe temoin. Un supplement alimentaire de 5% de vitamine sans caseine, a permis une croissance et un developpement optima. Une modification de la teneur en caseine de 2% a un effet defavorable sur la vitesse de la croissance larvaire. L'insecte exige un melange de sels mineraux: une concentration de 0,9% de ce melange est optima. En l'absence de ce supplement, la croissance larvaire est significativement ralentie. L'acide L. ascorbique a aussi ete reconnu indispensable, sa presence, au taux de 0,5%, donne les meilleurs resultats. La plupart des larves elevees sur milieux manquants d'acide L. ascorbique meurent au cours de la mue, entre le 4eme et le 5eme stade. La comparaison entre les presents resultats et deux d'autres chercheurs sont discutes.
Role of Intraoperative Esophagogastroenteroscopy in Minimizing Gastrojejunostomy-Related Morbidity: Experience with 2,311 Laparoscopic Gastric Bypasses with Linear Stapler Anastomosis

Anastomotic leaks and strictures of the gastrojejunostomy are a cause of major morbidity following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Reported rates of leaks vary between 0 and 5.2 %. This has led bariatric surgeons to use a variety of intraoperative methods to detect incompetent suture lines. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of intraoperative endoscopy in reducing the rate of postoperative anastomotic complications. The setting of this study is in a community teaching hospital. Medical records of 2,311 patients who underwent a LRYGB from 2002 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed utilizing the hospitals’ bariatric surgery database. Demographics, weight, body mass index, intraoperative endoscopy results, and postoperative outcomes within 90 days after surgery were analyzed. Endoscopy was attempted in 2,311 patients and completed in 2,308 (99.9 %). Intraoperative leak was detected in 80 (3.5 %) patients; suture line was reinforced in 46 patients (2 %), while in the other 34 patients the leak was transient at only high insufflation pressure. Postoperative clinical leaks were detected in four cases (0.2 %) two of which had initial leaks intraoperatively. In two cases, the anastomosis was too tight and required reconstruction. Twenty-five patients (1.1 %) developed early postoperative strictures requiring endoscopic dilatation within 90 days. Three patients (0.1 %) had iatrogenic injury at the time of intraoperative endoscopy, all three healed without delayed morbidity. The routine use of intraoperative endoscopy in LRYGB with the linear stapler anastomosis technique is associated with a complication/failure rate of 0.3 % and low gastrojejunostomy-related morbidity after LRYGB within 90 days (leak rate of 0.2 % and stricture rate of 1.1 %).
Meson-meson interactions and the equation of state for dense nucleons

Abstract The effect of the interaction among mesons upon the equation of state for a high-density system of nucleons is studied, and it is found that such interactions do not significantly alter the asymptotic behaviour of the equation of state.
SHORT-RANGE SPIN CORRELATIONS IN THE CMR MATERIAL LA1.4SR1.6MN2O7

Abstract The (La1−xSrx)2Mn3O7 compounds are layered materials that exhibit higher magneto-resistance than the corresponding 3D manganite perovskites. Quasi-elastic neutron scattering on a polycrystalline sample of La1.4Sr1.6Mn2O7 shows that the spin-fluctuation spectrum of these layered CMR materials is qualitatively similar to those found in the perovskite manganites (La, Ca)MnO3; their concentration, lifetime, and coherence length increase as T decreases to TC. Unlike the perovskites, we find a lower spin-diffusion constant above T C of ∼ 5 meV A 2 .
Synthesis and chemical characterization of diazenido derivatives of oxomolybdate clusters: The structures of the tetranuclear complexes [Mo4O8)(OR)2(NNC6H5]2- (R = CH3 OR C2H5)

Abstract α-[Mo 8 O 26 4− reacts with phenylhydrazine in alcohols to yield tetranuclear clusters of the type [Mo 4 O 8 (OR) 2 (NNC 6 H 5 ) 4 ] 2− , with R = CH 3 , C 2 H 5 or CH(CH 3 ) 2 , depending on the solvent alcohol employed. The crystallizations from alcohol-ether mixtures afford single crystals of the various derivaives. (HNEt 3 ) 2 [Mo 4 O 8 (OCH 3 ) 2 (NNC 6 H 5 ) 4 ] ( 1 ) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 , a = 12.326(3) A, b = 12.799(3) A, c = 16.190(3) A, α = 83.56(1)°, β = 83.94(1)°, γ = 83.67(1)°, V = 2521(1) A 3 , Z = 2. Refinement based on 4243 reflections converged at a residual of 0.050. One form of ( 1a ) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P P 1 / c, a = 19.735(4) A, b = 16.222(3) A, c = 23.802(4) A, β = 111.92(1)°, V = 7069(2) A 3 , Z = 4. Refinement was based on 3390 reflections and converged at a residual of 0.050. One form of ( 2 ) is isomorphous with 1a , crystallizing in the monoclinic space group P 2 1 / c , a = 19.840(3) A, b = 16.445(3) A, c = 24.074(4) A, β = 112.39(1)°, V = 7264(1) A 3 , Z = 4; refinement converged at a value of 0.060 for the conventional R factor. A second modification of (NBu n 4 ) 2 [Mo 4 O 8 (OC 2 H 5 ) 2 (NNC 6 H 5 ) 4 ] crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I 4 1 / a , a = 35.236(6) A, b = 35.236(6) A, c = 12.137(4) A, V = 15066.0(13) A 3 , Z = 8. Refinement based on 1734 reflections converged at a residual of 0.082. The structures consist of discrete tetranuclear units, presenting cis -bisdiazenido moieties, [Mo(NNC 6 H 5 ) 2 ] 2+ , bridged by two alkoxy groups and two tetra-oxomolybdate, [MoO 4 ] 2− , fragments.
Using the Antenna Effect as a Spectroscopic Tool: Photophysics and Solution Thermodynamics of the Model Luminescent Hydroxypyridonate Complex [EuIII(3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO))]−

While widely used in bioassays, the spectrofluorimetric method described here uses the antenna effect as a tool to probe the thermodynamic parameters of ligands that sensitize lanthanide luminescence. The Eu3+ coordination chemistry, solution thermodynamic stability and photophysical properties of the spermine-based hydroxypyridonate octadentate chelator 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) are reported. The complex [EuIII(3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO))]- luminesces with a long lifetime (805 mu s) and a quantum yield of 7.0percent in aqueous solution, at pH 7.4. These remarkable optical properties were exploited to determine the high (and proton-independent) stability of the complex (log beta 110 = 20.2(2)) and to define the influence of the ligand scaffold on the stability and photophysical properties.
Acceptance Sampling of Finished Pharmaceutical Products

In this paper we describe some problems inherent in acceptance sampling of finished pharmaceuticals, and provide an expository account of the power and effectiveness of modern statistical methods in the solution of these problems.