cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of coronary artery disease in aortic stenosis by exercise gated nuclear angiography

Because the clinical diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the presence of aortic stenosis (AS) is difficult, the value of exercise gated nuclear angiography in detecting CAD in 33 patients with AS was assessed. Exercise left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and wall motion analysis were evaluated after symptom-limited supine cycle ergometer exercise. Sixteen patients had severe AS (valve area 0.8 cm2 or less). Thirteen had significant associated CAD (50% or greater reduction in luminal diameter of 1 major coronary artery). Twenty patients had normal coronary arteriograms. All 10 patients with mild to moderate AS and normal coronary arteries had normal nuclear studies. Patients with CAD, regardless of the severity of AS, had a decrease in LVEF during exercise (12 of 13 patients) and regional wall motion abnormalities (11 of 13 patients). Abnormal exercise gated nuclear ventriculographic studies occurred in the absence of CAD in 10 of 20 patients, and all had severe AS (mean aortic valve area 0.8 cm2 or less, range 0.4 to 0.8). Ten had an abnormal LVEF response to exercise and 7 had exercise-induced abnormal wall motion. These findings suggest that the presence of an abnormal LVEF, whether in conjunction with an abnormal wall motion analysis, is indicative of further invasive evaluation; conversely, in those patients with a normal response of LVEF and normal wall motion during exertion, invasive studies may be safely deferred.
Raman and infrared spectra and normal coordinates of the trifluoromethanesulfonate and trichloromethanesulfonate anions

Abstract The Raman spectra of aqueous solutions of sodium and barium trifluoromethanesulfonate and sodium trichloromethanesulfonate including qualitative polarization measurements together with the infrared spectra of mulls of these salts have been recorded. Spectra also were obtained for the methanesulfonate ion which has been studied previously. Qualitative vibrational assignments have been made assuming an effective point group C3v, and normal coordinate calculations are reported for all three ions. Comparisons are made among the spectra of these ions and those of related XSO3− species. Because of mechanical coupling and electronic effects it is not possible to estimate the effective electronegativity of the CF3 group on the basis of the frequencies of vibrations assigned to the SO3 group in CF3SO3−.
On Using the Filtered CARMA and CARIMA Models for State-Space Self-Tuning Control

Design procedures of state-space self-tuning controllers are described for both the filtered CARMA and CARIMA models. While closely resembling the generalized approach of Clarke-Kanjilal-Mohtadi (CKM), the proposed methods use the minimum possible dimension for the associated implicit-delay state-space model, and practical issues such as feedforward for linearization, regulation, servo-following, disturbance and offset elimination are considered. The resulting compartmental design allows the adjustment of tuning parameters to affect different control characteristics. For the state-space self-tuners based on the filtered CARIMA model, two different forms can be distinguished: the normal form resembles the controller configuration based on the CARMA model, while the integrating form resembles the CKM self-tuner. Satisfactory results are observed in a simulation study of using the proposed self-tuners to control the steam temperature of a solar central receiver.
Temporal and spatial variation in the δ15N and δ13C values of fish and squid from Alaskan waters

To test the hypothesis that stable isotope ratios from marine organisms vary, the δ15N and δ13C values from fish and squid collected in Alaskan waters were measured across years (1997, 2000, and 2005), seasons, geographic locations, and different size/age classes, and between muscle tissue and whole animals. Temporal, geographic, and ontogenetic differences in stable isotope ratios ranged from 0.5–2.5‰ (δ15N) to 0.5–2.0‰ (δ13C). Twenty-one comparisons of stable isotope values between whole organisms and muscle tissue revealed only four small differences each for δ15N and δ13C, making costly and space prohibitive collection of whole animals unnecessary. The data from this study indicate that significant variations of stable isotope values from animals in marine systems necessitates collection of prey and predator tissues from the same time and place for best interpretation of stable isotope analysis in foraging ecology studies.
Experimental therapeutics in hereditary neuropathies: The past, the present, and the future

Hereditary neuropathies represent approximately 40% of undiagnosed neuropathies in a tertiary clinic setting. The Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathies (CMT) are the most common. Mutations in more than 40 genes have been identified to date in CMT. Approximately 50% of CMT cases are accounted for by CMT type 1A, due to a duplication within the peripheral myelin protein 22 gene (PMP22). Mutations in the gap junction beta 1 gene (GJB1), the myelin protein zero gene (MPZ), and the mitofusin 2 gene (MFN2) account for a substantial proportion of other genetically definable CMT. Some 15% of demyelinating CMT and 70% of axonal CMT await genetic clarification. Other hereditary neuropathies include the hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies, the familial amyloid polyneuropathies, and multisystem disorders (e.g., lipid storage diseases and inherited ataxias) that have peripheral neuropathy as a major or minor component. This review surveys the challenges of developing effective therapies for hereditary neuropathies in terms of past, present, and future experimental therapeutics in CMT.
Evaluation of cranial electrostimulation therapy on short-term smoking cessation

The effects of cranial electrical stimulation (CES) on short-term smoking cessation were evaluated in a double-blind study of cigarette smokers who wished to stop smoking. Subjects were randomly assigned to a CES- (n = 51) or a sham-treated group (n = 50). On 5 consecutive days subjects received CES treatments (30-microA, 2-msec, 10-Hz pulsed signal) or no electrical current (sham). There were no significant differences between groups on daily cigarettes smoked, exhaled carbon monoxide, urinary cotinine levels, treatment retention, smoking urges, or total tobacco withdrawal scores, although subjects in the CES group had less cigarette craving and anxiety during the first 2 experimental days. The ineffectiveness of CES to reduce withdrawal symptoms and facilitate smoking cessation are similar to results of other clinical studies of CES in drug dependence, although positive effects of CES in animal studies have been reported.
A miniaturized photocell assembly for monitoring heart rate in freely behaving Aplysia (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

A miniaturized photocell assembly consisting of an infrared light-emitting diode coupled with a phototransistor was developed for chronically monitoring heart rate in freely behaving Aplysia. The assembly was water proofed by encapsulation in epoxy, and embedded in Silastic to provide a flange for attachment to the animal. The assembly is sutured over the pericardium, and the leads from the photocell are connected to a specially designed amplifier with output to a pen writer. Independent measures of heart rate were obtained visually in A. brasiliana and by means of a “blood” pressure cannula in A. californica. Applications using the photocell assembly in Aplysia behavioral physiology include assessment and monitoring of heart rate (1) before, during, and following burrowing; (2) during periods of copulation and quiescence; (3) during egg-laying; and (4) during the bradycardial reflex.
Monotone Splitting of matrices

Abstract Given the iterative scheme x i+1 = BTx i + r where B, T are fixed n ×: n real matrices, r a fixed real n -vector and x i a real n -vector we investigate the convergence and monotonicity of schemes of the type v i+1 w i+1 = B O O B S 11 −S 12 −S 21 S 22 v i w i + r r , where S ij are n ×: n real matrices related to T . The n -vector iterates v i , w i bracket in a certain sense solutions x of x = BTx + r . We also give necessary and sufficient conditions for the monotonicity of the original iterative scheme itself x i+1 = BTx i + r . This leads to monotonici results for classical iterative schemes such as the Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, and successive overrelaxation methods.
A structured, segregated model for genetically modified Escherichia coli cells and its use for prediction of plasmid stability

A structured, segregated model is presented for an asynchronously growing population of genetically modified Escherichia coli cells. A finite representation method was modified so that 272 cells could be used to represent a microbial population. The concept of a "limbo" compartment was introduced to allow random plasmid distribution to daughter cells upon cell division while restricting the number of computer cells included in the calculation. This scheme enabled us to predict plasmid instability and distribution of plasmid-originated properties in a population without a priori determination of growth rates or probability of forming plasmid-free cells from plasmid-containing cells. Predictions of population behavior using a single-cell model requires no adjustable parameters. The results comparing different induction strategies suggest that in continuous culture, there exists an optimum efficiency of partial induction that maximizes the long-term productivity of the gene product due to plasmid stability. With the optimum efficiency of partial induction, constant induction appears to prove more stable than cycling induction.
Relaxation shifts, satellites and sum rules in electron spectroscopies of adsorbed atoms

Abstract Further ramifications of a recently proposed model treating the electronic relaxation processes associated with core level photoelectron spectroscopy of atoms or molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces are explored. Extra-atomic relaxation occurs via two mechanisms, displacement and excitation of surface plasmons (image potential screening) and substrate to adparticlc electron transfer into unfilled orbitals of the adparticle. Both processes are treated on an equal footing here. Model photoelectron spectra are presented for combinations of parameters likely to be relevant for real adsorbate- substrate systems and the relative importance of the two screening mechanisms is assessed.
Hormones, context, and “Brain Gender”: A review of evidence from congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Brain organization theory suggests that steroid hormones during fetal development permanently organize the brain for gender, including patterns of sexuality, cognition, temperament, and interests that differ by sex. This widely-accepted theory has important implications for health, ranging from medical management of infants with intersex conditions to suggested etiologies for sex differences in autism, depression, and other mental health problems. Studies of genetic females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), in which high prenatal androgens have been linked to both atypical genitals and "masculine" patterns of gender and sexuality, are particularly important. Based on a comprehensive review of research on CAH, this article demonstrates that such studies have neglected four broad categories of variables that plausibly affect psychosexual development: (1) physiological effects of CAH, including complex disruption of steroid hormones from early development onwards; (2) intensive medical intervention and surveillance, which many women with CAH describe as traumatic; (3) direct effects of genital morphology on sexuality (versus indirect effects that "masculine" genitals may have on gender socialization); and (4) expectations of masculinization that likely affect both the development and evaluation of gender and sexuality in CAH. Complex and iterative interactions among postnatal biological variables, medical interventions, and social context provide a more plausible explanation for atypicalities in psychology and behavior that have been reported for genetic females with CAH than the conventional explanation that early androgens have "masculinized" their brains.
Advancement in the modeling of pressure-flow for the guidance of development and scale-up of commercial-scale biopharmaceutical chromatography

This paper details the advancements made in the modeling of open column and packed bed pressure-flow. The theoretical description is a one-dimensional elasticity model. By accounting for the loss of intra-particle porosity through empiricism, and by systematically selecting the functional form of the elastic modulus from stress-strain data, this model can accurately predict several kinds of large-scale behavior from small-scale data: packed pressure-flow, open column pressure-flow, and critical velocity. The robustness of the model has been demonstrated for MabSelect, SP 650M, Butyl Sepharose 4 FF and several other agarose-based and polymethacrylate-based resins. The predicted critical velocities are on average within +/-5% of observations. A simple modification to the Blake-Kozeny permeability expression allows accurate prediction of packed bed pressure-flow explicitly from compression factor, packed bed height, and settled bed inter-particle porosity. The model provides limits on mobile phase velocity and on operating pressure-flow as a function of bed height, particle size, and resin rigidity, and allows exploration of commercial manufacturing scenarios to identify scalable process time and cycle number.
Cartography of Serotonergic Circuits

Serotonin is an essential neuromodulator, but the precise circuit connectivity that regulates serotonergic neurons has not been well defined. Using rabies virus tracing strategies Weissbourd et al. (2014) and Pollak Dorocic et al. (2014) in this issue of Neuron and Ogawa et al. (2014) in Cell Reports provide a comprehensive map of the inputs to serotonergic neurons, highlighting the complexity and diversity of potential upstream cellular regulators.
Men's psychological functioning in the context of women's breast cancer.

Previous research indicates that men are affected when their female partners have breast cancer. However, little is known about what predicts men’s psychological well-being in this context. The current investigation involved couples in which the woman had early stage breast cancer and explored the degree to which men’s positive and negative well-being was related to women’s well-being, women’s physical symptoms, relationship functioning, and relationship duration. The findings indicate that all of these factors play a role and interact in predicting men’s well-being. In particular, when women have a high level of physical symptoms, the typical associations between men’s well-being with women’s well-being and relationship adjustment no longer persist. Implications for working with couples addressing health problems are provided.
Heterogeneous code cache: using scratchpad and main memory in dynamic binary translators

Dynamic binary translation (DBT) can be used to address important issues in embedded systems. DBT systems store translated code in a software-managed code cache. Unlike general-purpose systems, embedded systems often have specialized memory resources, such as a fast scratchpad memory, that can be used to mitigate DBT performance overhead. This paper presents the Heterogeneous Code Cache (HCC), a code cache split among scratchpad and main memory. We explore several HCC management policies and show that, on average, an HCC outperforms a code cache allocated only to scratchpad or only to main memory.
A Simple Regression-Based Method To Map Quantitative Trait Loci Underlying Function-Valued Phenotypes

Most statistical methods for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping focus on a single phenotype. However, multiple phenotypes are commonly measured, and recent technological advances have greatly simplified the automated acquisition of numerous phenotypes, including function-valued phenotypes, such as growth measured over time. While methods exist for QTL mapping with function-valued phenotypes, they are generally computationally intensive and focus on single-QTL models. We propose two simple, fast methods that maintain high power and precision and are amenable to extensions with multiple-QTL models using a penalized likelihood approach. After identifying multiple QTL by these approaches, we can view the function-valued QTL effects to provide a deeper understanding of the underlying processes. Our methods have been implemented as a package for R, funqtl.
Across Wafer Critical Dimension Uniformity Enhancement Through Lithography and Etch Process Sequence: Concept, Approach, Modeling, and Experiment

Across-wafer gate critical dimension (CD) uniformity impacts chip-to-chip performance variation vis-a-vis speed and power. Performance specification for across-wafer CD uniformity has become increasingly stringent as linewidth decreases to 90 nm and below. This paper presents a novel approach to improve across-wafer gate CD uniformity through the lithography and etch process sequence. The proposed approach is to compensate for upstream and downstream systematic CD variation components in the litho-etch process sequence by optimizing across-wafer post exposure bake (PEB) temperature profiles. More precisely, we first construct a temperature-to-offset model that relates the PEB temperature profiles to the setpoint offsets of multi-zone PEB plates. A second model relating across-wafer CD to setpoint offsets of PEB plates is then identified from CD scanning electron microscope measurements. Post-develop and post-etch CD uniformity enhancement methodologies are then proposed based on the CD-to-offset model and temperature-to-offset models. The temperature-to-offset model is determined to be more appropriate for use in CD uniformity control due to its superior fidelity and portability as compared with the CD-to-offset model. We demonstrate that about 1-nm reduction in standard deviation of post-etch CD variation was achieved in the verification experiment, which validated the efficacy of proposed CD uniformity control approach.
Educational self-help approaches in childhood asthma

Abstract Self-help is defined as "a process whereby a layperson functions on his/her own behalf in health promotion and prevention and in disease detection and treatment …" Evidence that benefits are derived for patients who subscribe to the self-care philosophy comes from research in the areas of (1) self-efficacy, (2) information sharing, (3) patient satisfaction, and (4) patient involvement. This article presents five criteria of educational self-help. These criteria are: (1) encouragement of client responsibility, (2) full disclosure of information pertaining to the illness, (3) training of the patient in decision-making skills, (4) use of peer educators, and (5) training of professionals to encourage self-help attitudes and behaviors of their patients. The asthma projects presented at the June 1981 meeting in Los Angeles, entitled Self-management Educational Programs for Childhood Asthma, are reviewed in terms of the above five criteria. Each program manifested varying numbers of criteria with different levels of expertise. Findings suggest that those programs that most completely incorporated these principles tended to be more effective in favorably influencing behavioral, physiologic, and financial outcomes.
Stress-Strain Relationships in Yarns Subjected to Rapid Impact Loading: Part VII: Stress-Strain Curves and Breaking-Energy Data for Textile Yarns

Stress-strain curves at rates of straining up to 440,000%/min. have been obtained for a number of textile yarns by a technique involving high-speed photography of the yarn following transverse impa...
Triosephosphate isomerase deficiency: historical perspectives and molecular aspects.

Abstract In this chapter, the original descriptions and pre-molecular studies of triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) deficiency are summarized, and the molecular aspects of the disease presented. The gene is well characterized, and several mutations have been described. Structure–function studies have led to an increased understanding of impaired catalysis. All kindreds that have been studied with the predominant Glu104Asp mutation are linked by a common haplotype, indicating descent from a common ancestor. Variant upstream substitutions occur in high frequency in persons of African and East Asian lineage and in lower frequency in other groups, but the possible role, if any, of these variants in clinical TPI deficiency requires further investigation. The possible contribution of deviant lipid metabolism to the pathogenesis of the disorder has been extensively investigated, and an intriguing new area of inquiry is the apparent cell-to-cell transfer of enzyme in cell culture systems, raising the question of the feasibility of enzyme or gene replacement therapy.
Clinical Applications of SYMLOG: A Graphic System of Observing Relationships

ONE OF THE major problems con fronting clinical social workers is the difficulty in assessing and com municating the dynamics that take place in client systems. Process rec ords and reports are good but are limited in providing quick assess ment of what is taking place and in serving as a data base from which to develop self-insight and to plan in terventions. Graphic methods of diagrammatic assessment are an alternative to traditional types of pro cess recording. SYMLOG, which is one type of graph ic method for observing relationships, is an acronym for SYstematic Multi ple Level Observation of Groups. De veloped by Robert F. Bales, an emi nent social psychologist at Harvard University, SYMLOG is the result of more than three decades of research
Noise variance due to stimulated Raman scattering among channels of a wavelength-division-multiplexed system

We calculate the noise variance created by stimulated Raman scattering between signal channels of a wavelength-division-multiplexed system, accounting for group velocity dispersion. The results show that the noise variance is significantly reduced in the presence of dispersion. When average dispersion is zero, we see the noise variance scale quadratically with distance, while nonzero average dispersion yields linear growth with distance.
Decomposition Kinetics of Lithium Amide and Its Implications for Hydrogen Storage

Kinetics of the lithium amide (LiNH2) decomposition reaction 2 LiNH2 → Li2NH + NH3 were determined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). LiNH2 is a primary component of the hydrided state of Li3N- and Li2NH-based storage materials. Its decomposition by ammonia release, and the resulting degradation of hydrogen storage capacity, has important implications for the durability of Li-N-H storage systems. Fine powders of LiNH2 were prepared by ball milling for 20 min. Kinetic parameters were extracted from a set of TGA weight loss curves taken at different heating rates between 1 and 20°C/min, and the activation energy Ea was determined to be 124 kJ/mole. Although decomposition occurs slowly below 300°C, isothermal TGA measurements on Li3N demonstrate that its cumulative effect is large in real Li-N-H systems, where LiNH2-containing hydrided material is held at elevated temperature under dynamic gas flow.
A full dynamic model of a HVAC vapor compression cycle interacting with a dynamic environment

This paper presents an advanced switched model approach for vapor compression cycle (VCC) systems with shut-down and start-up operations. Building upon recent work [2], a full dynamic system model with switched moving-boundary components is presented that is able to accommodate severe transients in heat exchanger dynamics. These new switched heat exchanger models are created with uniform model structures, but with combinations of different model representations. It is shown that switching schemes between different representations handle the transitions of dynamic states while keeping track of vapor and liquid refrigerant regions during stop-start transients. The dynamic system model is created in Matlab/Simulink and is successfully verified on an experimental test stand. A combined VCC/environment is simulated with a hysteretic temperature controller in a case study. The qualitative accuracy of the case study results demonstrate the potential for this dynamic switched model approach for controller designs, including compressor cycling, in VCC systems.
A simplified trauma triage system safely reduces overtriage and improves provider satisfaction: a prospective study

Abstract Background Standard triage systems result in high rates of overtriage to achieve acceptably low undertriage. We previously validated optimal triage variables and used these to implement a new simplified triage system (NEW) at our hospital. Methods All trauma entries from May 2010 to Feb 2013 were prospectively reviewed. Calculation of the undertriage and overtriage rates was based on the need for any urgent or life-saving intervention. Results We identified 704 trauma patients. Level 1 activations were reduced from 32% (OLD) to 19% in the NEW system ( P P P = nonsignificant). Of all patients, 14% (63) required a life-saving intervention. There were no deaths among undertriaged patients. Conclusion The NEW simplified triage system significantly reduced the rate of overtriage, while safely maintaining a low undertriage rate.
Sodium phase-conjugate oscillator in a combusting environment.

We report on the use of a sodium-seeded flame as an amplifying phase conjugator. The environment is unique in that a number density of 1016 cm−3 is maintained despite a lateral dimension of 1 mm. We combine two of these optically pumped flames to form a phase-conjugate resonator. Finally, we observe oscillation that is due to the action of a single flame and two pump beams.
A Decision-Making Process for the College-Bound Student: Matching Learner, Institution, and Support Program

Often students, parents and high-school personnel become frustrated in their efforts to track down valid information about support services for LD students on college campuses. This article describes a process designed to help college-bound LD students select a college or university. Three major components should be explored when searching for appropriate postsecondary programs for LD students: (a) characteristics of the LD student, (b) characteristics of the institution, and (c) characteristics of the LD support program. By investigating these variables systematically, college-bound LD students will be better prepared to make an informed decision about their future educational and career goals.
Coupled drift-diffusion/quantum transmitting boundary method simulations of thin oxide devices with specific application to a silicon based tunnel switch diode

We present a method of coupling drift-diffusion simulations with quantum transmitting boundary method (QTBM) tunnel current calculations. This allows self-consistent simulation of thin oxide devices in which large tunnel currents can flow. Simulated results are presented for a thin oxide Al/SiO/sub 2//Si structure and an Al/SiO/sub 2//n-Si/p-Si tunnel switching diode. We demonstrate the careful use of the recombination lifetime as an adjustable or relaxable parameter in order to obtain converging solutions.
Black Markets: The Supply and Demand of Body Parts Michele Goodwin

The system of distributing lifesaving organs in the United States traps its citizens, especially African Americans, in a deadly conundrum: there are too few organs to go around and special circumst...
H.U.B city steps: methods and early findings from a community-based participatory research trial to reduce blood pressure among african americans

Background: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been recognized as an important approach to develop and execute health interventions among marginalized populations, and a key strategy to translate research into practice to help reduce health disparities. Despite growing interest in the CBPR approach, CBPR initiatives rarely use experimental or other rigorous research designs to evaluate health outcomes. This behavioral study describes the conceptual frameworks, methods, and early findings related to the reach, adoption, implementation, and effectiveness on primary blood pressure outcomes. Methods: The CBPR, social support, and motivational interviewing frameworks are applied to test treatment effects of a two-phased CBPR walking intervention, including a 6-month active intervention quasi experimental phase and 12-month maintenance randomized controlled trial phase to test dose effects of motivational interviewing. A community advisory board helped develop and execute the culturally-appropriate intervention components which included social support walking groups led by peer coaches, pedometer diary selfmonitoring, monthly diet and physical activity education sessions, and individualized motivational interviewing sessions. Although the study is on-going, three month data is available and reported. Analyses include descriptive statistics and paired t tests. Results: Of 269 enrolled participants, most were African American (94%) females (85%) with a mean age of 43.8 (SD = 12.1) years. Across the 3 months, 90% of all possible pedometer diaries were submitted. Attendance at the monthly education sessions was approximately 33%. At the 3-month follow-up 227 (84%) participants were retained. From baseline to 3-months, systolic BP [126.0 (SD = 19.1) to 120.3 (SD = 17.9) mmHg; p < 0.001] and diastolic BP [83. 2 (SD = 12.3) to 80.2 (SD = 11.6) mmHg; p < 0.001] were significantly reduced. Conclusions: This CBPR study highlights implementation factors and signifies the community’s active participation in the development and execution of this study. Reach and representativeness of enrolled participants are discussed. Adherence to pedometer diary self-monitoring was better than education session participation. Significant decreases in the primary blood pressure outcomes demonstrate early effectiveness. Importantly, future analyses will evaluate long-term effectiveness of this CBPR behavioral intervention on health outcomes, and help inform the translational capabilities of CBPR efforts.
Meandering long slot leaky-wave waveguide-antennas

A theoretical study is made of the aperture field distributions, the far-field amplitude patterns, and the mutual coupling characteristics of several long leaky-wave slot antennas cut on the broadwall of a rectangular waveguide mounted in an infinite ground plane. Straight long slots have high inner sidelobes in the far-field amplitude patterns, which reduces their utility as high-performance antennas. To reduce these sidelobes, a long slot may be meandered from waveguide centerline to sidewall and back to centerline in such a way to produce the desired radiation patterns. Calculated results for antennas of several meander patterns are presented and discussed. >
Simulating long-term impacts of cover crops and climate change on crop production and environmental outcomes in the Midwestern United States

It is critical to evaluate conservation practices that protect soil and water resources from climate change in the Midwestern United States, a region that produces one-quarter of the world’s soybeans and one-third of the world’s maize. An over-winter cover crop in a maize–soybean rotation offers multiple potential benefits that can reduce the impacts of higher temperatures and more variable rainfall; some of the anticipated changes for the Midwest. In this experiment we used the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) to understand how winter rye cover crops impact crop production and environmental outcomes, given future climate change. We first tested APSIM with data from a long-term maize–soybean rotation with and without winter rye cover crop field site. Our modeling work predicted that the winter rye cover crop has a neutral effect on maize and soybean yields over the 45 year simulation period but increases in minimum and maximum temperatures were associated with reduced yields of 1.6–2.7% by decade. Soil carbon decreased in both the cover crop and no cover crop simulations, although the cover crop is able to significantly offset (3% less loss over 45 years) this decline compared to the no cover crop simulation. Our predictions showed that the cover crop led to an 11–29% reduction in erosion and up to a 34% decrease in nitrous oxide emissions (N2O). However, the cover crop is unable to offset future predicted yield declines and does not increase the overall carbon balance relative to current soil conditions.
East Asia Railways’ Maintenance and Asset Management Challenges

The main author has over 17 years of railway operations and consulting experience in East Asia. The main author observed that the railway operators in the region share a high degree of similarity due to their demographics. Despite the relatively young age of these East Asian operators, the systems tend to outperform their western counterparts. Even though they are considered some of the best railway systems around the world, asset management has only recently been considered as an important aspect of railway maintenance. Most of them benchmark with the best international practices, especially those that have adopted standards ISO55000/PAS55. However, the degree of implementation is inevitably affected by the social characteristics where these operators are located. This article aims to illustrate the phenomenon and challenges observed from these operators when they tried to incorporate asset management into their management system. Topics such as organisation structure and hierarchy, staff's attitude and mindset, acceptance level of asset management, decision making and corporate strategic target that impact asset management are discussed. In summary, the article addresses the interesting aspects of a newly developed international standard being applied in East Asia railway operations, that is, cultural, economic and social.
Recurrent Fevers for the Pediatric Immunologist: It's Not All Immunodeficiency

Autoinflammatory diseases are disorders of the innate immune system, characterized by systemic inflammation independent of infection and autoreactive antibodies or antigen-specific T cells. Similar to immunodeficiencies, these immune dysregulatory diseases have unique presentations, genetics, and available therapies. Given the presentation of fevers, rashes, and mucosal symptoms in many of the disorders, the allergist/immunologist is the appropriate medical home for these patients: to appropriately rule out immunodeficiencies, evaluate for allergic disease, and diagnose and treat recurrent fever disorders. However, many practicing physicians are unfamiliar with the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of autoinflammatory disorders. This review will focus on understanding the signs and symptoms of classic autoinflammatory disorders, introduce newly described monogenic and polygenic disorders, and address the approach to the patient with recurrent fevers to distinguish autoinflammation from immunodeficiency and autoimmunity.
CORR(®) Tumor Board: Sacral Insufficiency Fractures are Common After High-dose Radiation for Sacral Chordomas Treated With or Without Surgery.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Boston Children’s Hospital Preventing these fractures is important, since we know from our patients and other research [13] that the morbidity of sacral insufficiency fractures is tremendous. The fractures in combination with radiation osteitis are painful and limit patients’ abilities to mobilize, care for themselves, work, and other daily living activities. They are difficult to treat and slow to heal [13]. Patients may be cured of their tumors, but have lasting effects from the treatment on their quality of life. These tumors are rare, but further prospective multiinstitutional collaborative efforts [6, 9] can demonstrate the exact morbidity in this specific population. Given that these fractures are relevant clinically, what can we do to prevent them? Other work by some of the same investigators [10] has shown that high-dose radiation, in addition to en bloc resection, leads to the highest rates of local control in chordomas. Therefore, the argument could be made that radiation cannot be withheld to best improve local tumor control. Antiresorptive therapy, such as use of bisphosphonates, might offer some A Note from the Editor-in-Chief: We are pleased to present our newest column, CORR Tumor Board. This column provides multidisciplinary perspective on the themes raised in selected CORR tumor papers. In this column, we will discuss the implications of the highlighted article from the varied disciplines of the Tumor Board members: Orthopaedic surgery, pathology, and radiology. This month’s column discusses ‘‘Sacral Insufficiency Fractures are Common After High-dose Radiation for Sacral Chordomas Treated With or Without Surgery’’ by Osler and colleagues available at: DOI: 10.1007/s11999-0154566-5. The authors certify that they, or any members of their immediate families, have no funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of CORR or The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons. This CORR Tumor Board column refers to the article available at DOI: 10.1007/s11999-0154566-5.
Porcine kidney cell cultures for propagation and assay of Japanese encephalitis virus.

SummaryCells cultured in vitro from porcine kidneys support growth of JE virus and are concomitantly destroyed. Each of 5 virus strains (from pig, bird, mosquito and man) was propagated serially through 5–28 passages. Virus harvests from porcine kidney cultures titrated 105–8 ID50/ml in mice and in PK cultures. Total destruction of cells by recently isolated viruses in low mouse passage occurred usually within 2–5 days after inoculation of cultures, and could be prevented by specific antiserum.
Measurement of slopes of structural deflections by speckle-shearing interferometry

A specimen illuminated by coherent light is imaged by a camera through a shearing mechanism so that the speckle from one point on the surface can be made to interfere with the speckle from a neighboring point. The resultant speckle pattern is recorded. By mechanically interfering the recorded speckle pattern corresponding to deformed and undeformed states of the specimen, respectively, using double-exposure technique, a speckle-moire-fringe pattern is generated. These fringes which depict derivatives of deflections of the specimen are made visible by spatial-filtering technique. Speckle-moire fringes can also be obtained in real time. This method is a new interferometry and will be referred to as “speckle-shearing interferometry”. Speckle-shearing interferometry has the same function as Ligtenberg's technique. However, it does not have the sometimes inconvenient requirement of Ligtenberg's technique that the surface of the specimen must be of mirror quality. The new technique will be particularly useful in studies of flexural deformation such as flexed beams and plates. Although speckle-shearing interferometry is an interferometric method, it overcomes several of the limitations associated with holographic and speckle interferometries, namely: (1) the setup is simple and does not need laborious alignments of optical components, (2) it does not require stringent mechanical and ambient stabilities, (3) coherent requirement of light is greatly relaxed, and (4) the sensitivity is reduced that somehow fills the gap in sensitivity between moire techniques and holographic or speckle interferometry.
Shielding Electronic Devices from Monoenergetic 100-MeV Protons

This paper investigates the interaction of monoenergetic, 100-MeV protons with aluminum, enriched B 4 C, and C 29 H 28 O 8 polymer and their effectiveness for shielding silicon-based electronics. Although not representative of an actual space radiation energy spectrum, the 100-MeV protons are suitable to investigate important modes of interaction with potential shielding materials, including the production and attenuation of secondary particles. The calculated shielding effectiveness of these materials is compared with that of the lunar regolith. The components of the total energy deposition in a 1-cm-diam sphere of silicon, representing an electronic device, are calculated as functions of the type and thickness of the shield material. The major contributors to the displacement energy deposition in the silicon sphere are by far the incident protons and the secondary protons and neutrons generated in the spallation reactions of incident protons with the nuclei of the elements in the shield materials. The primary and secondary protons are also the major contributors to the ionizing energy deposition, which is several orders of magnitude higher than the displacement energy deposition; other secondary particles contribute minimally (<5%). While the regolith is an effective shielding material, the C 29 H 28 O 8 polymer is best for protecting electronics from incident high-energy protons.
Duplicate Report Detection in Urban Crowdsensing Applications for Smart City

Crowdsensing has become an emerging data collection paradigm for smart city applications. A new category of crowdsensing-based urban issue reporting systems have been developed to enable pervasive and real-time monitoring of urban infrastructure malfunctions. A key challenge exits in such systems is the duplicate report problem where uncoordinated users may submit redundant reports about the problem caused by the same underlying issue. The duplicate report problem has a significant economic impact on the municipal government. This paper develops a new duplicate report detection scheme that accurately detects the duplicate reports using an Expectation Maximization (EM) framework. The new duplicate report scheme has been evaluated on both synthetic and real world datasets collected from Chicago smart city applications. The results showed that our scheme significantly improves duplicate report detection accuracy compared to the state-of-the-arts.
Research on the Chinese Characters Education and the National Cultural Identity

Chinese characters education is an important proposition of Chinese social and cultural transition period. As the second language, Chinese characters are the basic elements and the core content of the Chinese culture. Strengthen the essence of Chinese characters education is to enhance the national cultural identity. Identity refers to the process of establishing cognitive attribution and sense of group identity. According to the perspective of cultural identity, Chinese characters education firstly is following the cultural ideas of common Chinese characters, reducing the meaning to the content of daily life through the mass medias to carry on the cultural explanation and teaching of characters in the background of culture systems, then learners can get the sense of we-ness on Chinese characters culture group, establish and strengthen the Chinese cultural identity through the choice, innovation and construction on cultural factors of Chinese characters. The research on the production, maintainance and change of cultural identity of Chinese characters is the important contents of the study of Chinese characters culture and also the means to realize the cultural reflection and practice.
Health Disparities Influence Childhood Melanoma Stage at Diagnosis and Outcome

Objective To identify health disparities in pediatric patients with melanoma that affect disease presentation and outcome. Study design This was a retrospective cohort study of all persons aged ≤18 years diagnosed with melanoma and enrolled in the Texas Cancer Registry between 1995 and 2009. Socioeconomic status (SES) and driving distance to the nearest pediatric cancer treatment center were calculated for each patient. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with advanced-stage disease. Life table methods and Cox regression were used to estimate survival probability and hazard ratios. Results A total of 185 adolescents (age >10 years) and 50 young children (age ≤10 years) were identified. Hispanics (n = 27; 12%) were 3 times more likely than non-Hispanic whites (n = 177; 75%) to present with advanced disease (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.7-8.8). Young children were twice as likely as adolescents to present with advanced disease (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.3). Distance to treatment center and SES did not affect stage of disease at presentation. Hispanics and those in the lowest SES quartile had a significantly higher mortality risk (hazard ratios, 3.0 [95% CI, 1.2-7.8] and 4.3 [95% CI, 1.4-13.9], respectively). In the adjusted survival model, only advanced disease was predictive of mortality ( P Conclusion Hispanics and young children with melanoma are more likely to present with advanced disease, and advanced disease is the single most important predictor of survival. Heightened awareness among physicians is needed to facilitate early detection of melanoma within these groups.
Second-Order Theory of Long-Range Dependence

The second-order theory is the oldest and best developed among all points of view on long-range dependence.
Engineering Porous Polymer Hollow Fiber Microfluidic Reactors for Sustainable C-H Functionalization

Highly hydrophilic and solvent-stable porous polyamide-imide (PAI) hollow fibers were created by cross-linking of bare PAI hollow fibers with 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APS). The APS-grafted PAI hollow fibers were then functionalized with salicylic aldehyde for binding catalytically active Pd(II) ions through a covalent postmodification method. The catalytic activity of the composite hollow fiber microfluidic reactors (Pd(II) immobilized APS-grafted PAI hollow fibers) was tested via heterogeneous Heck coupling reaction of aryl halides under both batch and continuous-flow reactions in polar aprotic solvents at high temperature (120 °C) and low operating pressure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyses of the starting and recycled composite hollow fibers indicated that the fibers contain very similar loadings of Pd(II), implying no degree of catalyst leaching from the hollow fibers during reaction. The composite hollow fiber microfluidic reactors showed lon...
Pediatric Primary Care Providers’ Use of Behavioral Health Consultation

This column describes a qualitative study in which 32 primary care providers (PCPs) reported barriers to and facilitators of using a behavioral health (BH) consultation program. Barriers included program incompatibility with organizational culture, limited exposure to the program, existing access to referral sources, and negative beliefs about BH consultation. Reported facilitators included having personal relationships with BH program staff, exposure to program information, and positive beliefs about BH consultation. PCPs recommended outreach activities and optimal program features to increase use of BH consultation.
Punctuating Accountability: How Discursive Aggression Regulates Transgender People:

Using in-depth interviews with forty transgender people, I explore “discursive aggression,” a term for the communicative acts used in social interaction to hold people accountable to social- and cultural-based expectations, and subsequently to reinforce inequality in everyday life. I show how these interactional affronts restore social order, are based in dominant language systems, and reflect expectations for how interactions should unfold. Gendered expectations—such as the assumption that gender is identifiable based on visual cues alone—come to life through language, are delivered through discursive aggression, and become routinized micro-inequalities that people negotiate in interaction. I present five vignettes to exemplify how discursive aggression typically unfolds in interaction. In so doing, this research demonstrates the value of discursive aggression as a concept to capture a pervasive, yet under-examined, feature of everyday life and a mechanism for how power is reified in interaction.