cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Reflective Practices in Building Social Capital in Organizations From an HRD Perspective

Social capital has been receiving increasing attention in the field of human resource development (HRD). However, little is known as to how social capital has been formed or has grown over time wit...
Electronic Equalization of Multikilometer 10-Gb/s Multimode Fiber Links: Mode-Coupling Effects

This paper investigates the ability of electronic equalization to compensate for modal dispersion in the presence of mode coupling in multimode fibers (MMFs) at 10 Gb/s. Using a new time-domain experimental method, mode coupling is quantified in MMF. These results, together with a comprehensive link model, allow to determine the impact of mode coupling on the performance of MMF. The equalizer performance on links from 300 m to 8 km is quantified with and without modal coupling. It is shown that the mode-coupling effects are influenced by the specific index profile and increase the equalizer penalty by as much as 1 dBo for 1-km links and 2.3 dBo for 2-km links when using a standard model of fiber profiles at 1310 nm
Using nonlinear dynamics to understand spin wave interactions

It is pointed out that nonlinear interactions in yttrium-iron-garnet cause complex, low-frequency signals seen during ferromagnetic resonance experiments. Modeling this nonlinear behavior is difficult. Most attempts to model these low-frequency oscillations have attempted to reproduce quantities such as oscillation frequency or instability threshold. Methods from nonlinear dynamics have been used to characterize complex behavior measured in ferromagnetic resonance experiments. It is found that these quantities are useful in understanding the interactions in yttrium-iron-garnet. Simple numerical models are used to suggest which quantities are most important in characterizing these spin wave interactions. >
Polymer solar cells with enhanced open-circuit voltage and efficiency

Following the development of the bulk heterojunction1 structure, recent years have seen a dramatic improvement in the efficiency of polymer solar cells. Maximizing the open-circuit voltage in a low-bandgap polymer is one of the critical factors towards enabling high-efficiency solar cells. Study of the relation between open-circuit voltage and the energy levels of the donor/acceptor2 in bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells has stimulated interest in modifying the open-circuit voltage by tuning the energy levels of polymers3. Here, we show that the open-circuit voltage of polymer solar cells constructed based on the structure of a low-bandgap polymer, PBDTTT4, can be tuned, step by step, using different functional groups, to achieve values as high as 0.76 V. This increased open-circuit voltage combined with a high short-circuit current density results in a polymer solar cell with a power conversion efficiency as high as 6.77%, as certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Adding electron-withdrawing groups to the backbone of the polymer PBDTTT is shown to increase the open-circuit voltage of photovoltaic cells, resulting in a polymer solar-cell that has a certified power-conversion efficiency of 6.77%.
Eye Movement Abnormalities in a Family with Cerebellar Vermian Atrophy

We report the oculographic findings in a family whose members have a dominantly inherited, early onset, non-progressive syndrome which includes spontaneous upbeating nystagmus and mild cerebellar ataxia associated with cerebellar vermian atrophy seen on magnetic resonance scanning. Eye movements recorded with electro-oculography and a magnetic scleral search coil revealed severely impaired horizontal and vertical smooth pursuit, optokinetic nystagmus and visual-vestibular interaction, symmetrical horizontal but asymmetrical vertical vestibulo-ocular reflex, and normal saccades. The midline cerebellum appears to be essential for both horizontal and vertical visual tracking and visual modification of the vestibulo-ocular reflex in man.
Work in progress - Enhancing the functioning of undergraduate teams

Learning to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams is one of the skills identified as a primary learning objectives for the Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) program at Illinois Institute of Technology. There is little consensus about the best ways to develop teamwork skills, particularly among undergraduate students teams. We have adapted a set of "IPRO Olympics" games designed to emphasize teamwork and group communication We have 34-40 teams who have completed a Team Excellence and Trust Survey at week 5 and at the end of the semester, as well as multiple measures of team functioning, with data over two semesters. We have found that teams who had at least one participant in the IPRO games were not significantly more likely to feel that their team was functioning well at week 5. However, "participating" teams were more likely to submit good initial project plans, submit good meeting minutes, be evaluated more positively in their IPRO Presentation and Exhibit performances, and generally receive more positive evaluations from judges evaluating their projects.
Continuity and Change in Psychopathic Traits as Measured Via Normal-Range Personality: A Longitudinal–Biometric Study

The discriminant validity of the interpersonal-affective and social deviance traits of psychopathy has been well documented. However, few studies have explored whether these traits follow distinct or comparable developmental paths. The present study used the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (A. Tellegen, in press) to examine the development of the psychopathic traits of Fearless Dominance (i.e., interpersonal-affective) and Impulsive Antisociality (i.e., social deviance) from late adolescence to early adulthood in a longitudinal-epidemiological sample of male and female twins. Results from mean- and individual-level analyses revealed stability in Fearless Dominance from late adolescence to early adulthood, whereas Impulsive Antisociality declined over this developmental period. In addition, biometric findings indicated greater genetic contributions to stability in these traits and greater nonshared environmental contributions to their change over time. Collectively, these findings suggest distinct developmental trends for psychopathic traits from late adolescence to early adulthood.
Structural Changes in AMPA-Receptive Neurons in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The baroreceptor reflex is critical for homeostatic regulation of blood pressure and is initiated centrally by glutamate release from baroreceptive afferents onto neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract that activates AMPA-type glutamate receptors. The GluR1 subunit of the AMPA receptor is located at postsynaptic sites within the nucleus of the solitary tract, particularly in dendritic spines, which are important sites for synaptic plasticity. We tested whether the distribution of GluR1 changes after sustained hypertension, which alters baroreceptor afferent activity. We examined the distribution of GluR1 in the nucleus of the solitary tract of both hypertensive (spontaneously hypertensive) and normotensive (Wistar-Kyoto) rats at the light microscopic and electron microscopic levels. There were more GluR1-containing dendritic spines in the nucleus of the solitary tract of hypertensive rats compared with normotensive rats, which was attributable to an increase in the proportion of dendritic spines containing GluR1 as well as an increase in the total number of dendritic spines. The differences were only seen after the development of hypertension and were not seen in rostral regions of the nucleus of the solitary tract. In the spontaneously hypertensive rat, many synapses on GluR1-containing dendrites had the morphological features of synapses undergoing dynamic changes, including the presence of perforated synapses. These results suggest that changes in afferent activity to the nucleus of the solitary tract during sustained hypertension alter both the dendritic structure and AMPA receptor content of some neurons. These structural changes may be a substrate for central resetting of the baroreceptor reflex.
Taking Action Together: A YMCA-based protocol to prevent Type-2 Diabetes in high-BMI inner-city African American children

Background: Associated with a tripling in obesity since 1970, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children has risen 910 fold. There is a critical need of protocols for trials to prevent T2DM in children. Methods/Design: This protocol includes the theory, development, evaluation components and lessons learned from a novel YMCA-based T2DM prevention intervention designed specifically for high-BMI African American children from disadvantaged, inner-city neighborhoods of Oakland, California. The intervention was developed on the basis of: review of epidemiological and intervention studies of pediatric T2DM; a conceptual theory (social cognitive); a comprehensive examination of health promotion curricula designed for children; consultation with research, clinical experts and practitioners and; input from community partners. The intervention, Taking Action Together, included culturally sensitive and age-appropriate programming on: healthy eating; increasing physical activity and, improving self esteem. Discussion: Evaluations completed to date suggest that Taking Action Together may be an effective intervention, and results warrant an expanded evaluation effort. This protocol could be used in other community settings to reduce the risk of children developing T2DM and related health consequences. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01039116.
Interobserver variability of R.E.N.A.L., PADUA, and centrality index nephrometry score systems.

To assess interobserver variability of R.E.N.A.L., preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical classification system (PADUA), and centrality index (C-Index) systems among observers with varying degrees of clinical experience and each system’s subscale correlation with surgical outcome metrics. Computed tomography images of 90 patients who underwent open, laparoscopic, or robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy were scored by one radiology fellow, two urology fellows, one radiology resident, and one secondary school student. Agreement among readers was determined calculating intraclass correlation coefficients. Associations between radiology fellow scores (reference standard as reader with greatest clinical experience), ischemia time, and percent change in postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were evaluated using Spearman’s correlation. Agreement using C-Index method (ICC = 0.773) was higher than with PADUA (ICC = 0.677) or R.E.N.A.L (ICC = 0.660). Agreement between reference and secondary school student was lower than with other physicians, although the differences were not statistically significant. The reference’s scores were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with ischemia time on all three scoring systems and with percent change in eGFR at 6 weeks using C-Index (p = 0.016). Tumor size, nearness to sinus, and location relative to polar lines (R.E.N.A.L.) and tumor size, renal sinus involvement, and collecting system involvement (PADUA) correlated with ischemia time (all p ≤ 0.001). No R.E.N.A.L. or PADUA subscales significantly correlated with percent change in postoperative eGFR. Clinical experience reduces interobserver variability of existing nephrometry systems though not significantly and less so when using directly measureable anatomic variables. Consistently, only measures of tumor size and distance to intrarenal structures were useful in predicting clinically relevant outcomes.
The design of large waveguide arrays of shunt slots

It is shown that the method of moments (MM) solution can determine the active admittance of each slot in a finite array and that the infinite array model is quite accurate for the design of large waveguide arrays of shunt slots. Active admittances computed by an infinite array model agree favorably with that of slots in sufficiently large finite arrays. Measured results verify the MM solution, thereby validating the infinite array model accuracy. >
Unsuspected Cardiac Abnormalities in the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: An Echocardiographic Study

To investigate the frequency of unsuspected cardiac abnormalities in AIDS, M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiograms were performed on 27 homosexual males with this syndrome. Twenty-one homosexual males without the disease were used as controls. Subjects with clinical heart disease or a history of intravenous drug abuse were excluded. Fractional shortening was reduced in eight patients (30 percent) and in one control (5 percent) (p
‘Ultimate’ sponsorship: fan identity, brand congruence, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship

This study examines how one’s fan identification to a sport, in this case, mixed martial arts (MMA) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), impacts the evaluations of congruent and incongruent sponsors. An online questionnaire surveyed 911 participants, revealing that highly identified fans evaluated all sponsors of the UFC more favourably than those who were not highly identified. Results also showed that highly identified fans evaluated sport-congruent sponsors more favourably than incongruent sponsors, and less-identified fans evaluated incongruent sponsors more favourably, suggesting that fan identification and sponsor congruency is a critical factor to consider when examining the effectiveness of sport sponsorship.
Natural cytotoxic cells against solid tumors in mice. IV. Natural cytotoxic (NC) cells are not activated natural killer (NK) cells

Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC), measured against a variety of tumors, is mediated by at least two sub-populations of effector cells: natural cytotoxic (NC) and natural killer (NK). The studies described in this report show that target lysis by NC cells requires a prolonged (18- to 24 h) assay period, whereas NC-susceptible targets can be lysed in short-term (4h) [3H]-proline assays using allo-sensitized CTL or mitogen-activated cytotoxic populations. NC cells are not "activated" during the long-term assay as indicated by: (1) demonstrating that lysis of NC-susceptible targets in long-term (20 h) 51Cr assays is still the function of a Qa-5- effector cell (NC) and (2) the fact that preincubation of the NC effector cell with susceptible targets for 18 h did not result in the activation of an NK-like population (kinetics of target lysis were comparable to those noted with fresh NC cell preparations). We show that NC cell activity is preserved in both the beige mutant and the PL/J mouse strains, both of which exhibit low NK cell activity, even in long-term assays. These combined studies support the view that NC and NK cell activities are the function of distinct cell types and not the property of a single cell class under different states of activation.
Progress in Understanding the Thyroid Microsomal Antigen

Microsomal antigen has been recognized for nearly three decades as a component of the thyroid cell apical membrane and intracellular membranes reactive with sera from most patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. Although antibodies to thyroglobulin have been much more thoroughly investigated because of the readily available thyroglobulin antigen, there is considerable doubt that this antibody plays a pathogenic role in autoimmune disease. In contrast, antibody dependent cytotoxic reactions have been described using antibodies to the microsomal antigen, suggesting that this antibody-antigen system may be important in destruction of thyroid cells.I Several attempts have been made to solubilize and analyze the antigen in the past, usually using detergents, sonication, proteolysis, or high concentrations of salt. It was suggested that the antigen might be a lipoprotein.2
ONYGENALES (EUROTIOMYCETES, ASCOMYCOTA) QUERATINOFILICOS EN SUELOS DE ESTABLECIMIENTOS EDUCACIONALES URBANOS Y RURALES DE LA V REGION, CHILE.

Con la finalidad de estudiar la presencia de Onygenales queratinofilicas potencialmente patogenas para el hombre y los animales, se analizaron mediante la tecnica del anzuelo queratinico (Marzo – Diciembre, 2006), suelos de establecimientos educacionales urbanos y rurales de la V Region, Chile. Se colectaron un total de 64 muestras, de las cuales, la mitad se obtuvieron en Valparaiso-Vina del Mar (urbano) y la otra en Olmue-Limache (en zonas rurales). En zona urbana se aislaron 112 cepas (7 generos y 12 especies) y en la rural 147 (11 generos y 18 especies). Los generos de mayor prevalencia en la zona urbana y rural en orden decreciente fueron: Chrysosporium y su teleomorfo 32% versus 45%; Keratinomyces y su teleomorfo, 26%y 16%; Microsporum y su teleomorfo 23%y 16%y Myceliophthora y su teleomorfo con un 13 y 10%. Amauroascus mutatus , Auxarthron umbrinum , Gymnoascus reessii , Chrysosporium charmichaelii , Ch. merdarium , Ch. tropicum , Geomyces pannorum var. pannorum fueron detectados solo en la zona rural; mientras que Malbranchea flava solo en la zona urbana. Mediante la tecnica de Takashio, se pudo identificar separadamente las especies del complex Microsporum gypseum , determinandose que M. gypseum (Arthrodema gypseum) y M.fulvum (A. fulvum) obtuvieron una frecuencia de aislamiento similar en ambas zonas, siendo el primero un oportunista potencialmente patogeno para el hombre y los animales.
Services-Based Systems Architecture for Modeling the Whole Cell: A Distributed Collaborative Engineering Systems Approach

Modeling the whole cell is a goal of modern systems biology. Current approaches are neither scalable nor flexible to model complex cellular functions. They do not support collaborative development, are monolithic and, take a primarily manual approach of combining each biological pathway model’s software source code to build one large monolithic model that executes on a single computer. What is needed is a distributed collaborative engineering systems approach that offers massive scalability and flexibility, treating each part as a services-based component, potentially delivered by multiple suppliers, that can be dynamically integrated in real-time. A requirements specification for such a services-based architecture is presented. This specification is used to develop CytoSolve, a working prototype that implements the services-based architecture enabling dynamic and collaborative integration of an ensemble of biological pathway models, that may be developed and maintained by teams distributed globally. This architecture computes solutions in a parallel manner while offering ease of maintenance of the integrated model. The individual biological pathway models can be represented in SBML, CellML or in any number of formats. The EGFR model of Kholodenko with known solutions is first tested within the CytoSolve framework to prove it viability. Success of the EGFR test is followed with the development of an integrative model of interferon (IFN) response to virus infection using the CytoSolve platform. The resulting integrated model of IFN yields accurate results based on comparison with previously published in vitro and in vivo studies. A open web-based environment for collaborative testing and continued development is now underway and available on www.cytosolve.com. As more biological pathway models develop in a disparate and decentralized manner, this architecture offers a unique platform for collaborative systems biology, to build large-scale integrative models of cellular function, and eventually one day model the whole cell.
Thin TRC products: Status, outlook, and future directions

While textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) encompasses, in principle, all structural concrete applications using nonmetallic textile reinforcements, this chapter focuses on thin TRC products and suggests that their success is more likely to be achieved in the near future than thicker products. Thin TRC products are compared to conventional ferrocement and other laminate cement composites, and a possible working definition is suggested for their characterization and identification. In order to achieve a functioning composite, some practical guidelines for mechanical compatibility between textile reinforcements and cement matrices are proposed in this chapter. A framework for evaluating any product for mechanical performance, comparative cost effectiveness, and willingness-to-pay price is described and applied to real examples. A strong case is made for the development and use of pre-engineered 3D textiles in thin products particularly in order to minimize labor cost and improve composite reliability; the author further suggests that composite performance and cost can be improved by using discontinuous fibers in the matrix and possibly introducing self-stressing. Numerous areas of research for the near future are listed to ensure the success of thin TRC products.
Software Development Principles Applied to Graphical Model Development

The four fundamental principles of good software design—communicate clearly, think in modules, automate where possible, and test early and often—are as relevant today as they were thirty years ago. Until recently, however, they were confined to software development. Model-Based Design has broken down that barrier. Modeling and simulation have long been key components of aerospace vehicle development. The increasing complexity of aerospace systems is driving a need for high-fidelity simulations of the vehicle and the control algorithms during multiple program phases. By using graphical modeling techniques and Model-Based Design, design engineers can create dynamic system models for simulating the vehicle and the control algorithms and use those models at every stage of development— from requirements capture to design, implementation, and test. Companies that have adopted Model-Based Design report time and productivity increases as high as 60 percent. Model-Based Design brings dramatic results not only because it streamlines the workflow, but also because it brings the principles of good software design into the world of the control and signal processing engineer.
Comparison of Protein and Zinc Electrophoretic Patterns of Lobes of Rat Prostate.

SummaryElectrophoretic studies using Zn65 indicate the presence of several zinc components in secretions of lobes of rat prostate. The distribution of zinc complexes and the types of protein migratory patterns noted emphasize the marked biochemical variabilities found in the individual lobes, i.e., ventral, dorsal and lateral, of rat prostate. These patterns, in turn, differ from those observed in rat blood serum.
Behavior of Magnetic Aftereffect Along a Magnetization Reversal Curve in a Metal Particle Recording Material

Experimental measurements of the aftereffect along a magnetization reversal curve are compared with the predictions of a Preisach-Arrhenius model for a high density particulate recording medium. The Preisach parameters are determined from the measurement of the major hysteresis loop and the remanence loop. The Arrhenius parameters were determined from a single aftereffect curve. It was then found that the model gives good qualitative agreement with both the initial slope and, for the case in which the aftereffect is not monotonic, the peak value of the aftereffect.
On the Construction of Exergy Balance Equations for Availability Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a systematic strategy for constructing a balance of exergy equation suitable for thermodynamic processes in general. The concept of entropy and exergy represent complementary formulations of the second–law principle. The concavity property of entropy yields the entropy balance equation by identifying the non–negative entropy generation term and placing all other terms on the opposite side of the equality. A similar procedure is developed for constructing the exergy balance equation and enforcing the second–law principle in terms of non–negative exergy destruction. The generality of the concepts and principles involved imply a wide–range of practical applications, from a simplified derivation of the well–known formula for the second–law in thermodynamics to modern applications of the second law in numerical analysis and computational physics. Of particular interest to the author is the application of the second–law principle in the analysis and design of complex physical systems by using a common metric and universal principle for design analysis and optimization.
The Physical Properties of Ge Clusters and Ultrathin Films

Raman scattering and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy on Ge clusters and ultrathin films before and after H chemisorption reveal the significant changes in the vibrational and electronic densities of states with size. These effects are attributed to the large fraction of surface dangling bonds and the important role of short range order changes on physical properties.
The Little Rock School Desegregation Cases in Richard Arnold's Court

For twenty-two years Judge Richard S. Arnold was a central figure in the Little Rock school desegregation cases. For the reasons elaborated in this article, it is probably not an exaggeration to refer to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in these cases as the Arnold court. The most critical and controversial decisions concerning desegregation in Little Rock by the Eighth Circuit bear Arnold's signature, or at least reflect his significant influence. Arnold's last opinion in the Little Rock school cases, written a few months before his death in September 2004, signaled the close of nearly fifty years of federal court involvement. The particular resolution of the Little Rock school cases is largely attributable to the influence of this one judge, however one may assess the success or failure of the litigation to desegregate the Little Rock public schools. Arnold sat on twenty-eight appeals of school desegregation issues, and would write sixteen opinions in these cases, all but one (a concurrence and dissent in an en banc opinion) for the panel majority. These opinions were never simply a rubber stamp for district court actions. Although Arnold has been described as a powerful liberal-leaning intellectual, it is not easy to characterize Arnold as either a liberal or a conservative in the Little Rock desegregation cases. Arnold refused to order consolidation in a case that, to some at least, seemed appropriate under U.S. Supreme Court precedent at the time. Instead, he preferred a political solution in a state that had demonstrated political resistance in the past. Arnold's opinions in the Little Rock school cases generated both praise and criticism, but they exhibit a unifying theme. Arnold adopted a particular view of public law litigation and the role of parties in working out remedies for constitutional violations in institutional reform cases. He was familiar with academic writing on the subject, in particular the work of Abram Chayes and Owen Fiss. Both wrote about what was then the relatively new phenomena of institutional reform class actions, pointing out that this public law litigation bore little resemblance to the traditional dispute-resolution model of judicial decision-making. Richard Arnold's synthesis was driven largely by pragmatism. What emerges is Arnold's strong preference for settlement by the parties rather than court-imposed constitutional criteria. This article suggests how Arnold's motivations related to both his particular view of the limitations of public law litigation and his own personal history.
The Relationship Between Aggressive Communication Traits and Organizational Assimilation

This study used theory of independent mindedness as a framework to examine the role of aggressive communication traits in organizational assimilation. Both employee traits and their perception of s...
An assessment of Chemical, Biological, Radiologic, Nuclear, and Explosive preparedness among emergency department healthcare providers in an inner city emergency department.

Introduction: Emergency healthcare providers are required to care for victims of Chemical, Biological, Radiologic, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) agents. However, US emergency departments are often ill prepared to manage CBRNE casualties. Most providers lack adequate knowledge or experience in the areas of patient decontamination, hospital-specific disaster protocols, interagency familiarization, and available supply of necessary medical equipment and medications. This study evaluated the CBRNE preparedness of physicians, nurses, and midlevel providers in an urban tertiary care emergency department. Methods: This retrospective observational survey study used a previously constructed questionnaire instrument. A total of 205 e-mail invitations were sent to 191 eligible providers through an online survey distribution tool (Survey Monkey®). Respondents were enrolled from February 1, 2014 to March 15, 2014. Simple frequencies of correct answers were used to determine the level of preparedness of each group. Cronbach’s coefficient a was used to validate the precision of the study instrument. Finally, validity coefficients and analysis of variance ANOVA were used to determine the strength of correlation between demographic variables, as well as the variation between individual responses. Results: Fifty-nine providers responded to the questionnaire (31.14 percent response rate). The overall frequency of correct answers was 66.26 percent, indicating a relatively poor level of CBRNE preparedness. The study instrument lacked precision and reliability (coefficient a 0.4050). Significant correlations were found between the frequency of correct answers and the respondents’ gender, practice experience, and previous experience with a CBRNE incident. Significant variance exists between how providers believe casualties should be decontaminated, which drugs should be administered, and the interpretation of facility-specific protocols. Conclusions: Emergency care providers are inadequately prepared to manage CBRNE incidents. Furthermore, a valid and precise instrument capable of measuring preparedness needs to be developed. Standardized educational curriculums that consider healthcare providers’ genders, occupations, and experience levels may assist in closing the knowledge gaps between providers and reinforce emergency departments’ CBRNE preparedness.
Association between theta power in 6-month old infants at rest and maternal PTSD severity: A pilot study.

Abstract Compared to infants born to mothers without PTSD, infants born to mothers with active PTSD develop poorer behavioral reactivity and emotional regulation. However, the association between perinatal maternal PTSD and infant neural activation remains largely unknown. This pilot study ( N = 14) examined the association between perinatal PTSD severity and infant frontal neural activity, as measured by MEG theta power during rest. Results indicated that resting left anterior temporal/frontal theta power was correlated with perinatal PTSD severity ( p = 0.004). These findings suggest delayed cortical maturation in infants whose mothers had higher perinatal PTSD severity and generate questions regarding perinatal PTSD severity and infant neurophysiological consequences.
Improvement of dead time and decoding resolution for position-sensitive detectors using a fully dynamic approach of light collection

Photo-sensor sharing (multiple blocks or crystals) can achieve high-resolution position-sensitive detectors but it also increases the dead time and pileups for scintillation event detection. Several methods such as pulse-clipping and HYPER (high-yield-pileup-event-recovery) have been introduced to minimize the dead time and pileups with a trade-off of less scintillation light collection. However, collecting smaller number photoelectrons would increase the statistical error, which in a turn will decrease the decoding resolution. In this study, instead of applying the HYPER method to 3 Anger-signal (X, Y and E) simultaneously, we use an individual dynamic approach for each photo-sensor to maximize the scintillation light collection while it still has a capability of rejecting pileups. The photo-electron collection for one photo-sensor involving a current event decoding will not be disturbed until a new event is detected that also requires this photo-sensor for position-decoding. If a new event comes from an adjacent detector block only sharing one photo-sensor currently involving the previous event decoding, it may only disturb the light collection of this sharing photo-senor; hence only one photo-sensor creates a poor statistical error and the rest photo-sensors can still collect a large number of photo electrons with good statistics for the previous event to achieve a good decoding resolution. This paper compares the decoding results using pulse clipping and this new proposed fully dynamic approach at various count-rates for a regular position-sensitive block detector and a PMT-quadrant-sharing (PQS) block detector. To study the decoding resolution at various high count-rates, a pulse waveform library was built by recording a large number of pulses by a digital oscilloscope from a detector test-bench at a low count-rate first and then boost to different high count-rates by software generated Poisson event time sequence. The result shows this fully dynamic approach reduces the dead space of PQS detectors by x2.25 without increasing the statistical noise.
EVA: Exploratory Learning with Virtual Companions Sharing Attention and Context

Exploratory Learning with Virtual Companions Sharing Attention and Context (EVA) is a concept for mediated teaching and learning that sits at the intersection of exploratory learning, telepresence, and attention awareness. The companion teacher is informed about the attentional state and environment of the learner, and can refer directly to this environment through marking or annotation. To the learner, the companion is virtual -- either human or automatic -- and, if human, either physically copresent or remote. The content and style of presentation are tailored to the learner's momentary level of interest or focus, and her attention can be guided to salient environmental elements (e.g. visual) in order to convey desired information. We define a design space for such systems, which applies to learning in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, and can be employed as a framework for design and evaluation. We demonstrate this through trials with two proof-of-concept systems, one in AR and one in VR, with a human companion. We conclude that the EVA design space defines a powerful set of systems for learning and finish by presenting guidelines for making such systems maximally effective.
Enabling autonomous information-gathering and self-recovery behaviors in partially-known, communication-constrained environments

We present a solution to the problem of autonomously identifying a safe region in a partially-known environment from which a mobile robot will navigate to and transmit mission-critical data to an operator. This work is in the context of humanitarian-assistance, disaster-relief missions where an operator tasks the robot from large standoff distances through extreme, real-world environments and robust operations are required to ensure optimized information gathering. Our proposed approach, referred to as the informed recovery behavior, identifies and selects from candidate regions by modeling both navigation and communication costs using experience-based samples. Finally, we experimentally validate the feasibility of our method and demonstrate an improvement in reducing the time required to navigate and transmit data to an operator, compared to a realistic, baseline approach, through a series of trials in an uncontrolled, real-world environment.
Expression, nuclear transport, and phosphorylation of adenovirus DNA replication proteins.

DNA tumor viruses have contributed immense wealth of knowledge in the past few years regarding the eukaryotic cellular processes involving replication, transcription, and translation. Adenoviruses (Ad) in particular have played a pioneering and significant role in the understanding of the mechanisms of many of these biological processes mainly due to the interaction of viral proteins with the host proteins during the virus life cycle. The development of the first cell-free system to study Ad DNA replication (Challberg and Kelly 1979; for reviews, see Challberg and Kelly 1989; Stillman 1989; Hay and Russell 1989) was pivotal to our current understanding of eukaryotic DNA replication.
Protection Against Common Bean Rust Conferred by a Gene-Silencing Method

Rust disease of the dry bean plant, Phaseolus vulgaris, is caused by the fungus Uromyces appendiculatus. The fungus acquires its nutrients and energy from bean leaves using a specialized cell structure, the haustorium, through which it secretes effector proteins that contribute to pathogenicity by defeating the plant immune system. Candidate effectors have been identified by DNA sequencing and motif analysis, and some candidates have been observed in infected leaves by mass spectrometry. To assess their roles in pathogenicity, we have inserted small fragments of genes for five candidates into Bean pod mottle virus. Plants were infected with recombinant virus and then challenged with U. appendiculatus. Virus-infected plants expressing gene fragments for four of five candidate effectors accumulated lower amounts of rust and had dramatically less rust disease. By contrast, controls that included a fungal gene fragment for a septin protein not expressed in the haustorium died from a synergistic reaction between the virus and the fungus. The results imply that RNA generated in the plant moved across the fungal haustorium to silence effector genes important to fungal pathogenicity. This study shows that four bean rust fungal genes encode pathogenicity determinants and that the expression of fungal RNA in the plant can be an effective method for protecting bean plants from rust.
Review of Green Technologies for Sustainable Water Management

H.H. Ngo, W. Guo, R.Y. Surampalli, and T.C. Zhang, editors, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2016. 1083 pp. ISBN: 9780784414422. $225.00/$168.75 ASCE members. This 1083-page book has 28 chapters. It is a compilation of many aspects of water management using sustainable and green technologies.
Differential Ligand Binding Specificities of the Pulmonary Collectins Are Determined by the Conformational Freedom of a Surface Loop

Lung surfactant proteins (SPs) play critical roles in surfactant function and innate immunity. SP-A and SP-D, members of the collectin family of C-type lectins, exhibit distinct ligand specificities, effects on surfactant structure, and host defense functions despite extensive structural homology. SP-A binds to dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), the major surfactant lipid component, but not phosphatidylinositol (PI), whereas SP-D shows the opposite preference. Additionally, SP-A and SP-D recognize widely divergent pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Previous studies suggested that a ligand-induced surface loop conformational change unique to SP-A contributes to lipid binding affinity. To test this hypothesis and define the structural features of SP-A and SP-D that determine their ligand binding specificities, a structure-guided approach was used to introduce key features of SP-D into SP-A. A quadruple mutant (E171D/P175E/R197N/K203D) that introduced an SP-D-like loop-stabilizing calcium binding site into the carbohydrate recognition domain was found to interconvert SP-A ligand binding preferences to an SP-D phenotype, exchanging DPPC for PI specificity, and resulting in the loss of lipid A binding and the acquisition of more avid mannan binding properties. Mutants with constituent single or triple mutations showed alterations in their lipid and sugar binding properties that were intermediate between those of SP-A and SP-D. Structures of mutant complexes with inositol or methyl-mannose revealed an attenuation of the ligand-induced conformational change relative to wild-type SP-A. These studies suggest that flexibility in a key surface loop supports the distinctive lipid binding functions of SP-A, thus contributing to its multiple functions in surfactant structure and regulation, and host defense.
Physical-layer security in optical communications enabled by bessel modes

To address one of key problems for optical communication links, physical layer-security (PLS), Bessel modes are employed in proposed-PLS-scheme, significantly outperforming conventional schemes in secrecy capacity. Simulations indicate that atmospheric turbulence effects can help in improving security under beam-splitting attack.
Comparative Trends in Utilization of MRI and Ultrasound to Evaluate Nonspine Joint Disease 2003 to 2015.

Abstract Purpose MRI and ultrasound (US) are effective diagnostic tools to evaluate extremities. In this study, we analyze utilization trends in musculoskeletal (MSK) US and MRI from 2003 to 2015 within the Medicare population. Methods Our data sources were the Medicare Part B Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files for 2003 to 2015. They cover all Medicare fee-for-service enrollees (37.5 million in 2015). Current Procedural Terminology codes for nonvascular, nonspine joint MRI and extremity US were selected and volumes within these codes were determined. Medicare's physician specialty codes were used to identify provider specialty. We accounted for the 2011 code change that created both complete and limited US examinations. Results Total Medicare joint MRI volume increased from 738,509 in 2003 to 1,131,503 in 2015 (+53%), although there was little change after 2007. Radiologist MRI share in 2015 was 93%, followed by orthopedic surgeons at 5%. Total MSK US volume grew from 96,235 in 2003 to 429,695 in 2015 (+347%). Radiologists' market share of US decreased from 65% in 2003 to 37% in 2015, with nonradiologists now representing a majority of ultrasound examinations. Multiple nonradiology subspecialties also exceed radiology in volume of complete ultrasounds. Conclusion The potential negative impact of MSK US on MSK MRI volume is likely overestimated because MRI volume has remained stable. MSK ultrasound is increasingly utilized outside radiology. If radiologists want to maintain their market share as MSK imaging leaders, more emphasis should be placed on increasing their involvement and expertise in MSK US.
The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit: evidence of progress

The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit ( toolkit.climate.gov ) is a federal website, launched in 2014, designed for state and local decision makers to bolster capacity for resilience to climate-related hazards. We document the development, conceptual foundation, and evolution of this toolkit to illustrate how to put data and tools into context for decision makers, namely by framing climate resilience within risk management, focusing on end users’ stories, and engaging directly with users. As this is the first effort to bring together multiple federal agencies’ tools, data, and case studies into a decision support platform, most attention has been given to framing climate adaptation and resilience. To that end, we introduce the Steps to Resilience, which incorporate risk management and decision making for climate-related hazards. The site structure and content support that framework. We introduce a five-part “Quality of Relationship” metric that helps our team define and measure success via the website and via engagement with end-users. Our results provide avenues for developers of similar toolkits to meaningfully present climate science to adaptation professionals and the decision makers they serve.
The Mental, The Finite, and The Formal

The interest in effective methods stimulated by Sturm’s theorem came to a head when Kronecker demanded that such methods accompany all definitions in mathematics. For the irreducibility of algebraic functions his demand reads as follows: Die aufgestellte Definition der Irreduktibilitat entbehrt so lange einer sicheren Grundlage, als nicht eine Methode angegeben ist, mittels deren bei einer bestimmten vorgelegten Funktion entscheiden werden kann, ob dieselbe der aufgestellten Definition gemass irreduktibel ist oder nicht (quoted in [9], p. 328).
Energy Consumption Characterization and Reduction Strategies for Milling Machine Tool Use

Since machine tools are used extensively throughout their functional life and consequently consuming valuable natural resources and emitting harmful pollutants during this time, this study reviews strategies for characterizing and reducing the energy consumption of milling machine tools during their use. The power demanded by a micromachining center while cutting low carbon steel under varied material removal rates was measured to model the specific energy of the machine tool. Thereafter the power demanded was studied for cutting aluminum and polycarbonate work pieces for the purpose of comparing the difference in cutting power demand relative to that of steel.
Prostate Specific Antigen and Gleason Grade: An Immunohistochemical Study of Prostate Cancer

AbstractProstate cancer is histologically heterogeneous as reflected in the 5 patterns of the Gleason grading system. Gleason grade correlates with volume, extent and prognosis. Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels also correlate with tumor volume but the degree to which grade correlates with PSA has not been precisely defined.To quantify this relationship further, we prepared maps of each grade of cancer in 86 radical prostatectomy specimens from patients with clinical stage T2 cancer. The median per cent of the volume of cancer per prostate composed of grade 1 was 0%, while it was 1% for grade 2, 84% for grade 3, 5% for grade 4 and 0% for grade 5. We stained 95 cancer foci (grades 1 to 5) in 40 of these specimens for PSA. The presence and intensity (0 to 3+) of staining in more than 33,000 acini (or cells) correlated inversely with grade (p <0.0001). Nearly all acini in grade 1 and most in grade 2 stained positive (2 to 3+) for PSA; 87% were positive but with less intensity in grade 3. While man...
Indication and technique of orbital exenteration

Orbital exenteration is a rare, severely disfiguring operation for the treatment of malignant orbital tumors. The tumors can arise from the orbit, metastasize to the orbit from distant sites, or invade the orbit from surrounding structures. The technique of exenteration mandates complete removal of the intraorbital contents, sometimes including the encompassing bony structures. This article will describe the indications and technique of orbital exenteration, as well as complications and several reconstructive strategies.
Air Distribution and Its Uniformity

Air distribution system in plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) is responsible for the air exchange and replacement to create desired growing conditions for plants. Combined effects of multitiers, heat from supplemental lighting, improper air conditioning, and air distribution system design can lead to environmental nonuniformity in PFALs. The principle for the design of air distribution system is to understand the physics of wind and how crops response to wind. This chapter describes how wind affects the photosynthesis and transpiration processes of crops by briefly explaining the theory of leaf boundary layer and boundary layer resistance. Then an example application of improving air movement to prevent plant physiological disorder (e.g., tipburn in lettuces) is introduced. For the design of air distribution system, the overall control with mixing ventilation systems and the localized control with cooling fans and perforated air tubes are described. Finally, several indices for assessment of ventilation performance are defined such as air exchange effectiveness, local mean age of air, efficiency of heat removal, and coefficient of variation.