cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extending sport-based entrepreneurship theory through phenomenological inquiry

Abstract This paper adopts a process perspective on sport entrepreneurship in the fitness industry, utilizing phenomenological inquiry into the entrepreneurial lives of eleven fitness entrepreneurs. The purpose of this paper is to reveal how fitness entrepreneurs strategize and pursue competitive advantage in a non-traditional industry. Our findings show that while fitness entrepreneurs share many similarities with non-sport entrepreneurs, fitness entrepreneurs are affected by a variety of factors attributable to working in a non-conventional industry. The present study contributes to the emerging theoretical discussions surrounding the concept of sport entrepreneurship and highlights the value of process perspectives when examining entrepreneurial activities. No empirical studies thus far exist that seek to illuminate the exact nature of individual sport entrepreneurship. This study is a first step in developing testable hypotheses and to contrast sport entrepreneurship to non-sport entrepreneurship. Additionally, our research provides fitness entrepreneurs in the industry with information on what they may face when pursuing their own business objectives. Finally, sport management and entrepreneurship curricula can be enhanced based on information gathered in this study.
Defining and achieving permanency among older youth in foster care.

Abstract Permanency is a key child welfare system goal for the children they serve. This study addresses three key research questions: (1) How do older youth in foster care define their personal permanency goals? (2) How much progress have these youth made in achieving their personal permanency goals and other aspects of relational permanency, and how does this vary by gender, race, and age? and (3) What transition-related outcomes are associated with relational permanency achievement? Surveys were conducted with 97 youth between the ages of 14 and 20 currently in care. Over three-fourths of participants had an informal/relational permanency goal; however, only 6.7% had achieved their goal. Of eight additional conceptualizations of relational permanency assessed, the one associated with achievement of the highest number of key transition outcomes was Sense of Family Belonging. The transition outcomes with the most associations with permanency achievement were physical health and mental health. Relational permanency is a highly personal part of the transition process for youth in care, warranting personalized supports to ensure individual youths' goals are being addressed in transition planning. Permanency achievement may also provide a foundation for supporting youth in achieving other key transition outcomes.
Marital Dialogue in extremis

This chapter begins with marriage sequences that bring the dead back to speak with the living: Thomas Hardy’s Poems of 1912–13 and Ted Hughes’s post-mortem dialogue with Sylvia Plath in Birthday Letters. The second half of the chapter looks at two late-twentieth-century divorce sequences that depict the marital dialogue in extremis as a couple dance, a war game, and/or a sporting event: Louise Gluck’s Meadowlands and Anne Carson’s The Beauty of the Husband.
Signaling and optimal sorting

I consider educational signaling of inherent ability that facilitates sorting of individuals between sectors. More able individuals are more productive in the primary sector, and less able individuals are more productive in the secondary sector. I find signaling may increase but never maximizes welfare, and is more likely to increase welfare the greater is productivity in the secondary sector, and, possibly, the lower is productivity in the primary sector. Consistent with recent increased undergraduate enrollment in the U.S, excessive signaling occurs by less able individuals. If education increases human capital, total welfare likely increases although more individuals may over-invest in education.
Anxiety in the Elderly: Course and Treatment

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the elderly. Few systematic studies of their course and treatment, however, have been performed in this patient population. This article summarizes the available information in the field and discusses its clinical relevance. The article also presents a systematic way of assessing and managing anxiety in the elderly and raises questions for future research.
Cultural/ethnic comparisons : A research agenda

This paper outlines some of the common problems encountered by researchers conducting ethnic or cultural comparisons. The problems are considered in relation to three linked questions that are considered with respect to a comparison of Irish-American and mainland Puerto Rican drinking behavior. With regard to the first question—whom to compare in such research— attention is drawn to the importance of selecting groups on conceptual grounds rather than on the basis of convenience or availability. The distinction between model- and meaning-driven choices is then highlighted. Problems associated with group designation, inclusion criteria, and confounding are also discussed in response to this first question. With respect to the second question—what to compare in such research—the discussion focuses on model-driven measures and generalization-driven measures and the issue of acculturation. The final question—how to insure measure comparability—is addressed with respect to measure equivalence, the problem of cross-cultural meaning and significance, and the use of backtranslation methods to insure linguistic equivalence.
Nonlinear Programming Formulations for Nonlinear and Economic Model Predictive Control

We present a framework for constructing robust nonlinear model predictive controllers (NMPCs) with either tracking or economic objectives. For this, we explore properties of nonlinear programming problems (NLPs) that arise in the formulation of NMPC subproblems and show their influence on stability and robustness properties. In particular, NLPs that satisfy the Mangasarian-Fromovitz constraint qualification (MFCQ), the constant rank constraint qualification (CRCQ), and generalized strong second order sufficient conditions (GSSOSC) have solutions that are continuous with respect to perturbations of the problem data. These are important prerequisites for nominal and robust stability of NMPC controllers. Moreover, we show that ensuring these properties is possible through reformulation of the NLP subproblem for NMPC, through the addition of l1 penalty terms. We also show how these properties extend beyond tracking objective functions to economic NMPC (eNMPC), a more general dynamic optimization problem, where further reformulation is required for stability guarantees. We present and discuss the relative merits of three alternative methods for stabilizing eNMPC: objective regularization based on the full state-space, objective regularization based on a reduced set of states, and the addition of a stabilizing constraint. Finally, we demonstrate these eNMPC formulations on a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) as well as a pair of coupled distillation columns.
Safe Teleoperation of Dynamic UAVs Through Control Barrier Functions

This paper presents a method for assisting human operators to teleoperate highly dynamic systems such as quadrotors inside a constrained environment with safety guarantees. Our method enables human operators to focus on manually operating and flying quadrotor systems without the need to focus on avoiding potential obstacles. This is achieved with the presented supervisory controller overriding human input to enforce safety constraints when necessary. This method can be used as an assistive training solution for novice pilots to begin flying quadrotors without crashing them. Our supervisory controller uses an Exponential control barrier function based quadratic program to achieve safe human teleoperated flight. We demonstrate and validate our control approach through several experiments with multiple users with varying skill levels for three different scenarios of a quadrotor flying in a motion capture environment with virtual and physical constraints.
PSPICE and MATLAB for Electronics: An Integrated Approach, Second Edition

Used collectively, PSPICE and MATLAB are unsurpassed for circuit modeling and data analysis. PSPICE can perform DC, AC, transient, Fourier, temperature, and Monte Carlo analysis of electronic circuits with device models and subsystem subcircuits. MATLAB can then carry out calculations of device parameters, curve fitting, numerical integration, nume
Use of InTeGrate Materials to Engage Instructors and Encourage Curriculum Change in the El Paso Higher Education Community

Over the past 5 years, the El Paso Higher Education Community implemented InTeGrate-based teaching materials to promote curricular and pedagogical change and alignment of courses between institutions. We introduced InTeGrate materials through a series of hands-on workshops, one-on-one consultations, and classroom observations. InTeGrate materials have reached over 3400 students from freshman to graduate level. Materials are predominantly used in face-to-face courses and laboratories, but 30–40% of online introductory courses also use the materials. Many senior instructors (>5 years teaching experience) were far less likely to adopt InTeGrate materials, citing lack of time, difficulty in using the active learning-based materials in large lecture sections, or misalignment of material with their courses. Over half the instructors using InTeGrate materials have been teaching assistants for Physical Geology laboratories at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The success in the adoption of InTeGrate materials in these introductory laboratories indicates the optimum way to reach the most students at UTEP is through their use in a laboratory setting. Material adoption across the community has been slow, but a core group of ~12 instructors use the materials on a regular basis and ~5 new instructors try the materials each fall semester.
The Weed Link in Zebra Chip Epidemiology: Suitability of Non-crop Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae to Potato Psyllid and “Candidatus Liberibacter Solanacearum”

Potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) is a vector of “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum”, the pathogen associated with potato zebra chip disease. While the psyllid apparently colonizes potato from non-crop Solanaceae or Convolvulaceae, the identity of these weed sources is uncertain. We examined susceptibility of ten non-crop species (one Convolvulaceae and nine Solanaceae) to potato psyllid and Liberibacter, with an emphasis on psyllid populations (northwestern and western haplotypes) and plant species that are present in the Pacific Northwest. Psyllids of the western haplotype survived and developed on all plant species, while psyllids of the northwestern haplotype survived on all species except Solanum physalipholium. All species except Lycium barbarum and Convolvulus arvensis were susceptible to Liberibacter. Results of our study provide the most extensive examination of plant suitability to potato psyllid and Liberibacter and will lead to improved capabilities of predicting which potato fields are at risk to arrival of infective psyllids.
Characterization of the Vibrio cholerae Phage Shock Protein Response.

ABSTRACT The phage shock protein (Psp) system is a stress response pathway that senses and responds to inner membrane damage. The genetic components of the Psp system are present in several clinically relevant Gram-negative bacteria, including Vibrio cholerae. However, most of the current knowledge about the Psp response stems from in vitro studies in Escherichia coli and Yersinia enterocolitica. In fact, the Psp response in V. cholerae has remained completely uncharacterized. In this study, we demonstrate that V. cholerae does have a functional Psp response system. We found that overexpression of GspD (EpsD), the type II secretion system secretin, induces the Psp response, whereas other V. cholerae secretins do not. In addition, we have identified several environmental conditions that induce this stress response. Our studies on the genetic regulation and induction of the Psp system in V. cholerae suggest that the key regulatory elements are conserved with those of other Gram-negative bacteria. While a psp null strain is fully capable of colonizing the infant mouse intestine, it exhibits a colonization defect in a zebrafish model, indicating that this response may be important for disease transmission in the environment. Overall, these studies provide an initial understanding of a stress response pathway that has not been previously investigated in V. cholerae. IMPORTANCEVibrio cholerae leads a dual life cycle, as it can exist in the aquatic environment and colonize the human small intestine. In both life cycles, V. cholerae encounters a variety of stressful conditions, including fluctuating pH and temperature and exposure to other agents that may negatively affect cell envelope homeostasis. The phage shock protein (Psp) response is required to sense and respond to such insults in other bacteria but has remained unstudied in V. cholerae. Interestingly, the Psp system has protein homologs, principally, PspA, in a number of bacterial clades as well as in archaea and plants. Therefore, our findings not only fill a gap in knowledge about an unstudied extracytoplasmic stress response in V. cholerae, but also may have far-reaching implications.
Can Torture Be Justified

Torture requires careful definition, because of the degree to which its definition often entails its moral condemnation. Torture involves the deliberate infliction of (intense) pain for coercive or...
3D Glass Package-Integrated, High-Performance Power Dividing Networks for 5G Broadband Antennas

This paper demonstrates package-integrated power dividers with footprint smaller than the free-space wavelength corresponding to the operating frequency of 28 GHz band for 5G Antenna-in-Package (AiP), by utilizing precision low-loss redistribution layers (RDL) on glass substrates for highly-integrated mixed-signal systems. Two configurations of power dividers with two-way and three-way equal power split are modeled, designed and fabricated on glass substrates with thin-film build-up layers. This approach combines the benefits of ceramic and low-loss polymers for electrical performance, and silicon-like dimensional stability of glass for precision panel-scale patterning. Multilayered RDL with sub-20 micron features are utilized to design innovative power divider topologies with benefits in terms of low added insertion loss (<0.8-dB) and minimal phase-shift between the output ports, due to high precision of distributed transmission lines and through panel vias (TPVs). These power dividing networks depict upto 25% lower added insertion loss as compared to similar structures on fine pitch InFO RDL. The power dividers are also configured as 2×1 and 3×1 antenna arrays using Yagi-Uda antennas which cover the entire 28 GHz 5G band. The performance of power dividers as well as corresponding antenna arrays shows an excellent correlation between simulated and measured results.
Disney-Fying Dixie: Queering the ‘Laughing Place’ at Splash Mountain

This chapter examines the Splash Mountain attraction. First tracing the origin and history of the attraction, including its roots in the racially problematic Disney film Song of the South, Bringardner examines Splash Mountain through the lenses of gender and sexuality. Bringardner intervenes in critical debate over whether the ride is a thinly veiled, racist journey in a plastic log, an overly sanitized, commodified excuse for a souvenir photograph, a discursive, subversive, embodied experience, or something completely different. In the rush to consider the ride from the more obvious (and of course necessary) perspective of race and racial representation, most analysis has unproductively shied away from a more intersectional approach. When looking at the ride through such an approach, it becomes clear that troubling racial narratives have been replaced with equally problematic depictions of queer sexuality.
Pilocytic astrocytomas in adults: A retrospective study of 125 patients.

2022 Background: Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are rare primary brain tumors in adults. The natural history is poorly defined with the largest published series including only 30-40 patients. To bett...
Dynamically tunable reflecting near-infrared bandpass filter based on a hybrid graphene–nanometallic structure

A dynamically tunable reflecting near-infrared bandpass filter based on a hybrid graphene–nanometallic structure is demonstrated by numerical simulation. The proposed filter is constructed by unit cells with a graphene monolayer embedded into the nanometallic grating structure. The gradual transition of the graphene monolayer from a very thin metal to dielectric plays the key role in tuning the reflection spectrum of the structure. Spectral analysis clearly shows a passband blueshift with increasing graphene Fermi energy. The filter parameters are investigated by varying graphene Fermi energy through external voltage gates. The modulation depth, center frequency, bandwidth, and quality factor of the filter could be tuned. We achieved stable modulation depth as high as 0.735, and a quality factor as high as 3.4. The center frequency can be tuned in a broad range from 210 to 230 THz and with bandwidth tuning from 60 to 95 THz. The effect of the nanogap size and environment refractive index is also numerically investigated. These results are very promising for future use and integration of the proposed filters as a key element of optical communication systems and infrared sensing.
Sorption and desorption study of a nerve-agent simulant from office materials for forensic applications

Abstract Dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) was used as a simulant to investigate the sorption and desorption of G-series nerve agents such as sarin (GB) released into an office space. DMMP was disseminated systematically as an aerosol and vapor on three common office materials, cardboard, polyurethane foam, and cured acrylic-based paint. The amount of DMMP initially captured on the office materials and the amount retained over a period of 10 h was tracked gravimetrically and by solvent extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Physicochemical properties of the office media including the surface area per mass, polarity, and Henry’s constant were determined to help explain the capture and release of DMMP that was observed. Polyurethane foam was found to have the largest sorption capacity for DMMP in a low-humidity setting, however, cardboard was found to have the largest sorption capacity at higher humidity. A fraction of the collected DMMP desorbed with first-order kinetics from all of the office materials in an open-air atmosphere over 8 h. However, importantly for forensic purposes relevant to an indoor attack, a significant quantity (most notably on cardboard) of the nerve agent simulant was retained after 6 weeks and could be analyzed efficiently using solvent extraction followed by GC/MS.
Academic gains in kindergarten related to eight classroom practices

Abstract The present study investigated whether eight specific classroom practices previously shown to be significantly related to children’s achievement in prekindergarten (pre-k) classrooms were also important in kindergarten classrooms. Students were assessed in math, language, literacy, and self-regulation at the end of their pre-k year (pre-test) and again at the end of their kindergarten (K) year (post-test). Daylong classroom observations using an observation tool comprised primarily of behavioral counts were conducted in 98 classrooms in the fall and spring of students’ K year. Results provide evidence that many of the classroom practices associated with children’s success in pre-k are also predictive of children’s continued academic gains in kindergarten. The strongest of these predictors were students’ engagement in sequential activities, the amount of math students experienced, and students’ involvement in learning. In addition, there was evidence that K students benefited from receiving less behavior disapproving, and interacting with teachers who displayed a more positive tone, and listened to children more. Interestingly, teachers’ level of instruction was not predictive of students’ gains, perhaps due to the fact that teachers were rarely observed using a level of instruction higher than basic skills. These practices are concrete enough to lend themselves to coaching but future research should determine whether experimentally manipulating them would lead to more positive outcomes for children.
Timing of Fluid Overload and Association With Patient Outcome.

Objectives To determine if the timing of excess fluid accumulation (fluid overload) is associated with adverse patient outcomes. Design Secondary analysis of a prospectively collected dataset. Setting PICU of a tertiary care hospital. Patients Children 3 months to 25 years old admitted to the PICU with expected length of stay greater than or equal to 48 hours. Interventions Patients were dichotomized by time of peak overload: peak fluid overload from ICU admission (Day0) to 48 hours (Day3-7) and peak fluid overload value after 48 hours of ICU admission, as well as time of first-time negative daily fluid balance: net fluid out greater than net fluid in for that 24-hour period. Measurements and main results There were 177 patients who met inclusion criteria, 92 (52%) male, with an overall mortality rate of 7% (n = 12). There were no differences in severity of illness scores or fluid overload on Day0 between peak fluid overload from ICU admission (Day0) to 48 hours (Day3-7) (n = 97; 55%) and peak fluid overload value after 48 hours of ICU admission (n = 80; 45%) groups. Peak fluid overload value after 48 hours of ICU admission was associated with a longer median ICU course (8 [4-15] vs 4 d [3-8 d]; p ≤ 0.001], hospital length of stay (18 [10-38) vs 12 [8-24]; p = 0.01], and increased risk of mortality (n = 10 [13%] vs 2 [2%]; χ2 = 7.6; p = 0.006]. ICU length of stay was also longer in the peak fluid overload value after 48 hours of ICU admission group when only patients with at least 7 days of ICU stay were analyzed (p = 0.02). Timing of negative fluid balance was also correlated with outcome. Compared with Day0-2, a negative daily fluid balance on Day3-7 was associated with increased length of mechanical ventilation (3 [1-7] vs 1 d [2-10 d]; p ≤ 0.001) and increased hospital (17 [10-35] vs 11 d [7-26 d]; p = 0.006) and ICU (7 [4-13] vs 4 d [3-7 d]; p ≤ 0.001) length of stay compared with a negative fluid balance between Day0-2. Conclusions Our results show timing of fluid accumulation not just peak percentage accumulated is associated with patient outcome. Further exploration of the association between time and fluid accumulation is warranted.
TF-containing MUC1 glycopeptides fail to entice Galectin-1 recognition of tumor-associated Thomsen-Freidenreich (TF) antigen (CD176) in solution

Aberrant Mucin-1 (MUC1) glycosylation with the Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) tumor-associated antigen (CD176) is a hallmark of epithelial carcinoma progression and poor patient prognosis. Recognition of TF by glycan-binding proteins, such as galectins, enables the pathological repercussions of this glycan presentation, yet the underlying binding specificities of different members of the galectin family is a matter of continual investigation. While Galectin-3 (Gal-3) recognition of TF has been well-documented at both the cellular and molecular level, Galectin-1 (Gal-1) recognition of TF has only truly been alluded to in cell-based platforms. Immunohistochemical analyses have purported Gal-1 binding to TF on MUC1 at the cell surface, however binding at the molecular level was inconclusive. We hypothesize that glycan scaffold (MUC1's tandem repeat peptide sequence) and/or multivalency play a role in the binding recognition of TF antigen by Gal-1. In this study we have developed a method for large-scale expression of Gal-1 and its histidine-tagged analog for use in binding studies by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and development of an analytical method based on AlphaScreen technology to screen for Gal-1 inhibitors. Surprisingly, neither glycan scaffold or multivalent presentation of TF antigen on the scaffold was able to entice Gal-1 recognition to the level of affinity expected for functional significance. Future evaluations of the Gal-1/TF binding interaction in order to draw connections between immunohistochemical data and analytical measurements are warranted.
Development of a four-fluid model for condensing steam flows

Abstract A new four-fluid model is proposed for condensing water-steam flows applicable to a wide variety of different flow conditions relevant for nuclear power plants. The model expands upon current state-of-the-art three-fluid models by adding a second droplet fluid phase to account for homogeneous nucleation of droplets from the bulk vapor field. Consistent with prior three-fluid models, liquid wall film and entrained droplet fluids share a common temperature and energy equation, resulting in a system of eleven conservation equations. An additional governing PDE is required for the nucleated droplet number density, for twelve total governing equations. A full set of closure relations for the interphase and wall interactions is given. An initial test of the model formulation in a quasi-one-dimsensional converging-diverging nozzle with condensing steam was carried out using a simple in-house solver as a proof of concept. Results showed qualitatively correct trends compared with experimental data.
A Preliminary Study on the Feasibility of Using a Knee Exoskeleton to Reduce Crouch Gait in an Adult with Cerebral Palsy

The most common gait pathology observed in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) is crouch gait, which is characterized by excessive knee flexion as well as other symptoms, such as spasticity and muscle weakness. A pair of bilateral knee exoskeletons can potentially reduce crouch gait in this population; doing so would presumably enhance mobility for such individuals. This paper describes the implementation of a knee exoskeleton and control approach intended to improve knee kinematics in an individual with CP. The knee exoskeleton provides extension torque to combat crouch during stance and employs trajectory control to encourage knee flexion and extension during swing. The device and controller were tested on a single adult individual with CP. Though the device and controller achieved the desired local effect, the step length and walking speed of the participant were reduced.
Effects of Surface Chemistry and Topology on the Kinesin-Driven Motility of Microtubule Shuttles

Nanoscale transport using the kinesin–microtubule system has been successfully used in applications ranging from self-assembly, to biosensing, to biocomputation. Realization of such applications ne...
Associations Between Video Evaluations of Surgical Technique and Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Importance In any surgical procedure, various aspects of technique may affect patient outcomes. As new procedures enter practice, it is difficult to evaluate the association of each aspect of technique with patient outcomes. Objective To examine the associations between technique and outcomes in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cohort study of bariatric surgery programs participating in a statewide surgical quality improvement collaborative, 30 surgeons submitted intraoperative videos from representative sleeve gastrectomies performed on 6915 patients with morbid obesity. These videos were reviewed by blinded peer surgeons on key technical elements, and 605 reviews were linked to sleeve gastrectomy outcomes of all of the surgeons’ patients from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2016. Exposures Surgeons’ technical approaches to 5 controversial aspects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: dissection of the proximal stomach, sleeve caliber, sleeve anatomy, staple line reinforcement, and leak testing. Main Outcomes and Measures The 30-day outcomes were rate of postoperative hemorrhage and staple line leak. The 1-year outcomes were percentage of total weight lost and reflux severity (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Health-Related Quality of Life instrument). Results A total of 30 surgeons submitted 46 videos of operations performed on 6915 patients (mean [SD] age, 45.4 [11.7] years; 5494 [79.5%] female; 4706 [68.1%] White). Complete dissection of the proximal stomach was associated with reduced hemorrhage rates (higher ratings for complete mobilization of fundus were associated with a decrease in hemorrhage rate from 2.1% [25th percentile] to 1.0% [75th percentile],P = .01; higher ratings for visualization of the left crus were associated with a decrease in hemorrhage rate from 1.5% to 0.94%,P = .006; and higher ratings for complete division of the short gastrics were associated with a decrease in hemorrhage rate from 2.8% to 1.2%,P = .03). The reduction in hemorrhage rates came at the expense of higher leak rates (higher ratings for complete mobilization of fundus were associated with an increase in leak rate from 0.05% [25th percentile] to 0.16% [75th percentile],P Conclusions and Relevance Variations in surgical technique can be measured by video review and are associated with differences in patient outcomes.
Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle

Stress fractures are relatively unique to the athletic population with up to 98.5% of all stress fractures occurring in the athletic population. However, stress fractures are a rare entity even in the athletic population, yet they can have a high morbidity. Stress fractures are the result of repeated submaximal loads without adequate recovery time or inadequate biologic repair. Multiple factors contribute to the etiology of these injuries including type and frequency of activity, shoe wear, playing surface, vascular supply, osseous anatomy and alignment, and endocrine abnormalities. Most stress fractures of the foot and ankle can successfully be treated nonoperatively with nonweightbearing for 4-6 weeks with provisions for early range of motion and progressive return to weightbearing in a fracture boot. Base of the fifth metatarsal, navicular and medial malleolus stress fractures have a higher risk of displacement, malunion, nonunion or delayed union and should be considered for early surgical fixation in the athlete to limit time away from play and ensure timely healing. Adjuvants to treatment including vitamin D and calcium supplementation, daily bone stimulator, and biweekly shockwave therapy should be used liberally in the athletic population if feasible. Early diagnosis and treatment can decrease the time away from activity, thus a high index of suspicion is critical in this population. Advanced diagnostic imaging should be used liberally in athletes to identify these injuries early. The following chapter will discuss the etiology, epidemiology, presentation, and management of specific stress fractures of the foot and ankle as they pertain to the athlete.
Pseudoelasticity in Fe3Ga with boron-A combined atomistic-micromechanical treatment

Abstract The Fe3Ga base alloy is known to exhibit pseudoelasticity and the solute hardened Fe3GaB holds considerable promise as well. The present work aims at developing a theoretical model to establish the critical twinning stress in Fe3Ga with varying boron concentration. The theoretical model is based on the atomistic–micromechanical approach where we utilize density functional theory and Peierls Nabarro formalism at an atomic scale and the Eshelbian anisotropic elasticity at microscale. Using local strain measurements at the grain scale, we also show the experimental evidence of effect of boron in elevating the twinning stress in Fe3Ga. The work calculates the interaction energies associated with the presence of boron in octahedral, tetrahedral and xenohedral sites in the D03 lattice and the transition from octahedral to xenohedral sites upon twinning. The model distinguishes the elevation of twinning stress depending on the interstitial site and the transition between the sites.
vls Antigenic Variation Systems of Lyme Disease Borrelia: Eluding Host Immunity through both Random, Segmental Gene Conversion and Framework Heterogeneity

Spirochetes that cause Lyme borreliosis (also called Lyme disease) possess the vls locus, encoding an elaborate antigenic variation system. This locus contains the expression site vlsE as well as a contiguous array of vls silent cassettes, which contain variations of the central cassette region of vlsE. The locus is present on one of the many linear plasmids in the organism, e.g. plasmid lp28-1 in the strain Borrelia burgdorferi B31. Changes in the sequence of vlsE occur continuously during mammalian infection and consist of random, segmental, unidirectional recombination events between the silent cassettes and the cassette region of vlsE. These gene conversion events do not occur during in vitro culture or the tick portion of the infection cycle of B. burgdorferi or the other related Borrelia species that cause Lyme disease. The mechanism of recombination is largely unknown, but requires the RuvAB Holliday junction branch migrase. Other features of the vls locus also appear to be required, including cis locations of vlsE and the silent cassettes and high G+C content and GC skew. The vls system is required for long-term survival of Lyme Borrelia in infected mammals and represents an important mechanism of immune evasion. In addition to sequence variation, immune selection also results in significant heterogeneity in the sequence of the surface lipoprotein VlsE. Despite antigenic variation, VlsE generates a robust antibody response, and both full-length VlsE and the C6 peptide (corresponding to invariant region 6) are widely used in immunodiagnostic tests for Lyme disease.
Secure Mobile Phone Access to Remote Personal Computers: A Case Study

Cell phones are assuming an increasing role in personal computing tasks, but cell phone security has not evolved in parallel with this new role. In the class of systems that leverage cell phones to facilitate access to remote services, compromising a phone may provide the means to compromise or abuse the remote services. To make matters concrete, SoonR, a representative off-the-shelf product is used to examine this class of systems from a security point of view. This paper identifies the shortcomings of existing solutions, and explores avenues to increase security without compromising usability. The usability of two proposed techniques is evaluated by means of a user study.
Grapevine breeding in the Midwest

Grape breeding in the Midwestern United States has been primarily concentrated in the northern part of the region, known as the Upper Midwest. Pioneering efforts by Elmer Swenson of Osceola, Wisconsin led to the development of numerous new cultivars with the cold hardiness needed to survive the harsh winters common to that part of the country. More recent work at the University of Minnesota has also been quite successful. In addition, several other public and private programs have also had an impact on the local industry.
DIFFERENCES IN EXERCISE PERFORMANCE AND LEISURE-TIME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER MEN AND WOMEN.

Purposes: (a) To compare exercise performance and leisue-time physical activity (LTPA) between older men and women, (b) to assess the relationship between exercise performance and LTPA, and (c) to determine whether group differences in exercise performance persist after controlling for LTPA. Methods: A total of 105 women and 155 men who were 65 years of age and older participated in this study. Subjects were characterized on exercise performance by a 6-minute walk test, and by a short physical performance battery (SPPB) consisting of a repeated chair rise test, a standing balance test, and a 4-meter walk test. Additionally, LTPA was assessed using the Minnesota LTPA questionnaire. Results: Women had a 7% lower SPPB value (P 0.001), a 12% shorter 6-minute walk distance (P 0.001), and a 28% lower LTPA value (P 0.011) than the older men. LTPA was signifi cantly related (P 0.01) to both SPPB and 6-minute walk distance in the older men and women. Group differences in SPPB and 6-minute walk distance between older men and women were no longer present (P 0.05) after controlling for LTPA. Conclusions: Older women have impaired exercise performance and lower LTPA compared to older men. Furthermore, sex differences in exercise performance no longer exist after controlling for LTPA.
B-Spline Registration of Neuroimaging Modalites with Map-Reduce Framework

In this paper, we propose an improved B-spline registration algorithm for feature fusion of images from different neuroimaging techniques. The current B-spline registration method generally consists of several steps: initial curve estimation, similarity estimation between the warped image and fixed image, gradient computation, optimization and curve re-estimation. We improved the accuracy and efficiency of gradient computation by introducing a map-reduce framework which partitions the volume into multiple subregions and each subregion can be processed independently and efficiently. Experimental results show that our method achieves higher accuracy than the traditional registration algorithm and computational burden is released for large scale neuroimages.
Improved delivery through biological membranes. XXII. Synthesis and distribution of brain-selective estrogen delivery systems

Abstract 1,4-Dihydrotrigonelline derivatives of the estrogens, estradiol (E 2 ), estrone (E 1 ) and estradiol-3-methyl ether (3 MeE 2 ) were synthesized as potential brain-selective delivery forms for these steroids. Initial in vivo screening showed that the estradiol chemical delivery system (E 2 CDS) was most appropriate for further in vivo study. Accordingly, when E 2 CDS was systemically administered to rats, sustained levels of the oxidized, trigonelline ester delivery system (E 2 Q + ) were found in the brain while peripheral levels of E 2 Q + rapidly fell. In addition, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and spectroscopic methods detected E 2 in the brain after administration of E 2 CDS. The undetectable levels of E 2 in the blood suggest that the E 2 found in the central nervous system (CNS) was derived from centrally delivered E 2 Q + and not from peripheral sources.
Optimizing multi-level combinational circuits for generating random bits

Random bits are an important construct in many applications, such as hardware-based implementation of probabilistic algorithms and weighted random testing. One approach in generating random bits with required probabilities is to synthesize combinational circuits that transform a set of source probabilities into target probabilities. In [1], the authors proposed a greedy algorithm that synthesizes circuits in the form of a gate chain to approximate target probabilities. However, since this approach only considers circuits of such a special form, the resulting circuits are not satisfactory both in terms of the approximation error and the circuit depth. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm to synthesize combinational circuits for generating random bits. Compared to the previous one, our approach greatly enlarges the search space. Also, we apply a linear property of probabilistic logic computation and an iterative local search method to increase the efficiency of our algorithm. Experimental results comparing the approximation errors and the depths of the circuits synthesized by our method to those of the circuits synthesized by the previous approach demonstrate the superiority of our method.
Composition and decomposition in US gender-specific self-reported health disparities, 1984-2007.

Abstract Variance function regression models and demographic decomposition methods are applied to identify two dimensions of changes in health disparities (SES-demographic effects vs. compositional effects, between-group disparities vs. within-group disparities) in the US from 1984 to 2007. Using National Health Interview Survey data on self-reported health, we find that disparities in men’s health increased, while those of women decreased, for the whole period. Widening men’s health disparities are largely driven by increases in the effects of SES-demographic statuses on within-group disparities. These increases are moderated by increasing levels of men’s college attainment. But decreasing middle and upper income attainment and a decreasing employment rate further increase men’s health disparities. For women, the effects of SES-demographic statuses on health disparities also increased over time. This, however, was outweighed by increases in women’s college attainment, middle and upper income attainment, and employment rate. The result is overall declining self-reported health disparities for women.
Semiparametric regression analysis for doubly censored data

SUMMARY We analyse doubly censored data using semiparametric transformation models. We provide inference procedures for the regression parameters and derive the asymptotic distributions of the proposed estimators. Procedures for model checking and model selection are also discussed. We illustrate our approach with a viral-load dataset from a recent AIDS clinical trial.
Production Pressure in Endoscopy: Balancing Quantity and Quality

"The best colonoscopist achieves effective and safe bowel preparation, and is sufficiently slow, careful, and compulsive during withdrawal to expose and scrutinize the maximum amount of colonic mucosa possible." 1
Contribution to the knowledge of the terrestrial slugs of Pakistan

Material collected during malacological surveys in Pakistan in 1990–1992 is discussed. Previously, only one slug species, Anadenus altivagus Theobald, 1862, was recorded from Pakistan. Deroceras laeve (O. F. Muller, 1774) and Candaharia rutellum (Hutton, 1849) are documented for the first time from the country. Distribution maps and ecological notes are provided for the Pakistan records of these three slug species.
THE USE AND ABUSE OF FACTOR ANALYSIS IN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH

This paper discusses several decisions that researchers must make in their application of factor analysis to data related to communication phenomena. Several suggestions are provided to aid researchers in reaching appropriate decisions.
Measuring and Modeling Apoptosis in Single Cells

Cell death plays an essential role in the development of tissues and organisms, the etiology of disease, and the responses of cells to therapeutic drugs. Here we review progress made over the last decade in using mathematical models and quantitative, often single-cell, data to study apoptosis. We discuss the delay that follows exposure of cells to prodeath stimuli, control of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, switch-like activation of effector caspases, and variability in the timing and probability of death from one cell to the next. Finally, we discuss challenges facing the fields of biochemical modeling and systems pharmacology.
Bedouin Rising: How Saudi Female Entrepreneurs are Leading Saudi Arabia into a Knowledge-Based Economy

Over the last decade, the unemployment rate of women has been triple that of men in Saudi Arabia. Cultural obstacles perpetuated by the conservative patriarchy of the Kingdom such as guardianship, gender segregation, and childcare options continue to obstruct the entry of Saudi women into the workforce. In response to these entrenched social practices, an increasing number of women have chosen to develop entrepreneurships as a way to circumnavigate these barriers. This essay examines how entrepreneurship has allowed Saudi women to transcend social barriers and achieve financial security and greater social freedom without compromising their traditional matriarchal roles. Specifically, Saudi women have employed four tactics to circumnavigate barriers and achieve greater freedom via entrepreneurships. These tactics include obtaining funding from family members, exploiting higher education opportunities, leveraging technology, and utilizing social networking. By employing creative problem solving strategies, Saudi women have entered the labor force and elevated their status beyond traditional roles. These female entrepreneurs have also secured a place for their families in the middle class and achieved work-life balance through flexible scheduling. This essay concludes with recommendations for specific actions that Saudi businesswomen can undertake to maintain their place in the labor market and aid Saudi Arabia in its transition into a knowledge-based economy. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n9p346
Reconstructing ternary Dowling geometries

We prove that the only geometry of rank n>4 all of whose proper contractions are ternary Dowling geometries is the ternary Dowling geometry. We use this to prove a stronger version of a conjecture of Joseph Kung and James Oxley.
Cytokinin Activity During Development of Cotton Fruit

Cytokinins in cotton fruits were detected by the soybean callus bioassay on the 1st day after anthesis. Peak cytokinin activity occurred from the 4th to the 9th day and then declined to little or none by the 18th day after anthesis. The principal cytokinin remained below Rf 0.2, when chromatographed on paper with water-saturated sec-butanol, and predominated throughout the period of cytokinin activity. Another cytokinin, migrating to Rf 0.8, remained less active.
A simplified kinematic wave model at a merge bottleneck

Abstract A merge is a point of a highway where two or more streams of traffic flow into one. It is always easy to solve the demand–supply problem at a merge when the merge is operating under uncongested condition. However, when congestion backs up exceeding the merging point where multiple streams of traffic meet, one is typically faced with splitting downstream supply among the merging branches. Solutions of this situation are multiple and several merge queuing models have been proposed in the past. To address the drawbacks of the past models, this paper proposes a capacity-based weighted fair queuing (CBWFQ) model that is characterized by its fidelity (approximation to real situation), simplicity, and extensibility. Based on the CBWFQ merge queuing model, a simplified kinematic wave model is formulated to model traffic operation at a merge bottleneck.
Structure and Site Evolution of Iron Oxide Catalyst Precursors during the Fischer−Tropsch Synthesis

The contacting of Fe oxide precursors with synthesis gas (H2/CO mixtures) leads to structural and chemical changes and to the formation of the active sites required for the Fischer−Tropsch synthesis (FTS). The local structure and oxidation state of the starting Fe2O3 precursors promoted by Cu and/or K were probed using in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy during these processes. The activation of these precursors occurs via reduction to Fe3O4 followed by carburization to form FeCx. FTS reaction rates increased markedly during the initial stages of carburization, suggesting that the conversion of near-surface layers of Fe3O4 to FeCx is sufficient for the formation of the required active sites. Thus, bulk structural probes, and any ex situ techniques without concurrent measurements of the products evolved during activation and FTS, can lead to misleading structure−function relations. The initial rate of carburization and the extent of carburization and the FTS rate at steady-state were higher for Fe2O3 pre...