cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of phenology on indirect measures of aboveground biomass in annual grasses

Remote sensing is increasingly being used to quantify vegetation biomass across large areas, often with algorithms based on calibrated relationships between biomass and indices such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). To improve capacity to evaluate grassland dynamics over time, we examined the influence of phenological changes on NDVI-biomass relationships in annual grasses. Our findings support the use of NDVI throughout early growth and the beginning stages of canopy maturation, but suggest caution for later stages. In contrast, measurements of fractional photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR) absorbed by the canopy and leaf area index (LAI) served as good season-long surrogates for canopy biomass. Canopies reached maximum biomass approximately 40 days after maximum greenness, with biomass increasing by approximately 20% during senescence. For multi-year studies of management impact (i) avoid using seasonal comparisons from dates much after the point of maximum greenness or (ii) consider non-NDVI-based approaches.
Smoothing algorithm for histograms of one or more dimensions

Abstract A smoothing algorithm based on the Bernstein polynomials and their higher dimensional generalizations is presented. It allows for easy introduction of boundary conditions and other constraints.
Collaborative congestion control in parallel TCP flows

We suggest a new congestion control scheme in parallel TCP flows and compare it with single-flow based congestion control approaches in the Internet. When a node opens multiple connections that are going to the same or nearby destinations, we can assume that there is a significant correlation of congestion events among the flows. In this paper, we leverage this relationship to improve the performance provided to parallel TCP flows by having TCP senders of the related connections exchange congestion information. The usefulness of our scheme is shown by augmenting a measurement-based TCP congestion control mechanism to utilize congestion measurement information from other TCP flows at the sender. Furthermore, we compare our scheme with ECN-based TCP congestion control. Our measurement show improvements over single-flow based approaches. In terms of packet loss and delay jitter, we show that collaborative congestion control is comparable with architecturally significantly more intensive schemes, such as ECN-based TCP.
Configuring passive wells with reactive media for treating contaminated groundwater

Passive (nonpumped) wells filled with reactive media may be an effective alternative to permeable reactive barriers for treating contaminated groundwater in deep aquifers. This study's objective was to evaluate alternative passive well configurations for treating contaminated groundwater in a simulated aquifer. Six configurations of 17 wells were tested, each well screened across the saturated zone. Passive wells occupied various locations on monitoring transects. Five configurations involved one or more monitoring transects perpendicular to regional groundwater flow, positioned downgradient of a contaminant plume. In a sixth configuration, monitoring transects were ±45° to groundwater flow, joined downgradient of the contaminant plume. A numerical mass transport model, accounting for advection and hydrodynamic dispersion, tested the ability of each passive well configuration to reduce contaminant concentrations and prevent offsite contaminant migration. For a fixed number of wells, relatively effective strategies include: (a) spanning the lateral width of a contaminant plume; (b) multiple monitoring transects, with relatively close well spacing along upgradient transects; and (c) 45° monitoring transects. Overall, the 45° structure was most effective. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2008
Risk of diagnosed fractures in children with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Background: Decreased bone mass is common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, fracture risk is unknown. We sought to evaluate fracture risk in children with IBD as compared to unaffected controls and determine whether this risk is affected by geographical region (a proxy for sun/vitamin D exposure) and oral steroid use. Methods: We identified cases of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), less than 20 years of age, using administrative data from 87 health plans. Each case was matched to three controls on the basis of age, gender, and geographical region. We identified fractures in cases and controls using ICD-9 diagnosis codes and measured oral steroid exposure using NDC codes. Results: The study included 733 children with CD, 488 with UC, and 3287 controls (mean age 15 years). IBD was not associated with a higher risk of fracture at any site (CD odds ratio [OR] 0.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.6–1.1; UC OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–2.1) or at multiple sites (CD OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.7; UC OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1–1.4). Among IBD patients we did not identify any significant differences in the fracture rate between those residing in the Northeast/Midwest versus the South (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.8–2.2). Steroid exposure was not associated with the occurrence of fractures (P = 0.6). Conclusions: Children with IBD are no more likely to have experienced a diagnosed fracture than age-, sex-, and gender-matched controls. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010)
Suicide risk in pediatric cancer patients: An exploratory study

This descriptive, retrospective study was undertaken to identify suicide histories in children and adolescents at a pediatric cancer center and to identify potential suicide risk factors in this population. Physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists and social workers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute were surveyed to identify patients known to have made suicide attempts, successful or not. Medical and psychosocial histories, including specifics of the event, were obtained from a semi-structured interview with the respondent and a review of the medical chart, and evaluated for psychosocial risk factors. Thirty-eight clinicians identified 10 patients with suicidal events between 1974 and 1991: two successful suicides, four unsuccessful attempts, two deaths under unclear circumstances and two instances of self-destructive behavior with unclear intent. Subjects ranged in age from 10 to 27 years at the time of the event (median age 16.34 years) and diagnoses included Hodgkin's disease (4), leukemia (2), Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma and neuroblastoma. Psychosocial risk factors or stresses of the current medical situation were present in nine out of the 10 patients (median score, 4 factors). Depression or hopelessness was present in eight patients, and stressful familial events (in addition to patient's illness) such as parental divorce, additional familial illness or financial pressures were present in seven patients. Current medical factors, such as advanced illness/poor prognosis and pain management issues, were present in three and two patients, respectively. Six out of the 10 subjects were off medical treatment at the time of their attempts. Suicide or suicide attempts in this sample indicated that medical factors alone are not adequate to explain the emotional states which may give rise to self-destructive behavior. Psychosocial stressors from non-medical sources appear to contribute to increased suicide risk for pediatric cancer patients. The finding that six out of 10 suicide attempts occurred in cancer survivors raises concerns about the special risk to this population. These findings suggest more extensive study is needed of suicidal behavior among pediatric cancer patients and, particularly, survivors of pediatric cancer. In addition to further identification of specific medical and psychosocial factors, the interrelationship between these factors needs to be better understood for its potential to contribute to suicidality in this population. The cumulative effect of chronic stress from medical factors also deserves further investigation.
Statistical graphing in spreadsheets

Spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel™ is one of the most useful software packages for doing simple statistical analysis. However some commonly used statistical techniques are not implemented in it. In particular some useful visualisation methods are not included in the chart wizard. In this article, the procedures to create box and whisker plot, q-q plot and the graphs of step functions using spreadsheets is described.
IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ENCYSTMENT OF THE CERCARIAE OF ECHINOSTOMA CAPRONI

In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted on the cercariae of Echinostoma caproni. Of the 15 media tried, 2 resulted in effective in vitro encystment in petri dish cultures maintained at 23 ± 1 C. They were a Locke's–artificial springwater (ASW) (1:1) medium (67% encystment) and a Biomphalaria glabrata embryonic cell line medium (23% encystment). To obtain large numbers of in vitro–formed cysts, finger bowl cultures containing 40 ml of the Locke's–ASW (1:1) medium were used at 23 ± 1 C. Of 3,000 cercariae tested, 1,890 (63%) were encysted in this medium by 48 hr. Most of these cysts looked similar to those formed in vivo, although some showed abnormalities in the outer cyst wall and other malformations. A total of 200 in vitro–formed cysts treated in an alkaline trypsin–bile salts (TB) medium for 2 hr at 41 C showed 94% excystation. In vitro–formed cysts fed to mice produced ovigerous adults within 2 wk postinfection (PI). Eggs from these worms gave rise to miracidia that produced patent intramolluscan ...
Perceptual Learning, Cognition, and Expertise

Abstract Recent research indicates that perceptual learning (PL)—experience-induced changes in the way perceivers extract information—plays a larger role in complex cognitive tasks, including abstract and symbolic domains, than has been understood in theory or implemented in instruction. Here, we describe the involvement of PL in complex cognitive tasks and why these connections, along with contemporary experimental and neuroscientific research in perception, challenge widely held accounts of the relationships among perception, cognition, and learning. We outline three revisions to common assumptions about these relations: 1) Perceptual mechanisms provide complex and abstract descriptions of reality; 2) Perceptual representations are often amodal, not limited to modality-specific sensory features; and 3) Perception is selective. These three properties enable relations between perception and cognition that are both synergistic and dynamic, and they make possible PL processes that adapt information extraction to optimize task performance. While PL is pervasive in natural learning and in expertise, it has largely been neglected in formal instruction. We describe an emerging PL technology that has already produced dramatic learning gains in a variety of academic and professional learning contexts, including mathematics, science, aviation, and medical learning.
Vehicle Rollover Prevention Using the Zero-Moment Point in an LQR Output Regulator

This research investigates vehicle control techniques for rollover prevention in a collision avoidance scenario. The zero-moment point (ZMP) is used to evaluate the vehicle’s current and near-future rollover propensity with the purpose of predicting and correcting impending wheel lift. Specifically, a linear-quadratic (LQ) output regulator is utilized to safely navigate the vehicle through a collision avoidance maneuver, while employing a weighting scheme that explicitly accounts for rollover prevention through the ZMP. Results show that ZMP regulation is able to reduce the peak rollover threat to the vehicle. Additionally, it is shown that regulation of ZMP in the near future (previewed ZMP) does not necessarily result in a safe maneuver at the present time.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Initiation strategies for simultaneous control of antiphase domains and stacking faults in GaAs solar cells on Ge

Incorporating a Ge junction into a lattice-matched GaInP/GaAs/GaInNAsSb triple-junction cell grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) could enable concentrated efficiencies of ∼50%. Epitaxial integration allows lift-off and wafer bonding steps to be avoided, but growth of III–Vs on Ge by MBE can lead to antiphase domains (APD) and stacking fault pyramids (SFP), both of which diminish solar cell performance. Initiating growth by migration-enhanced epitaxy (MEE) is typically cited as necessary to obtain high-quality III–Vs on Ge. In this work, the authors show that typical MEE growth conditions force a compromise between APD height (hAPD) and SFP density (ρSFP). As APDs can readily self-terminate while SFPs cannot, a two-step initiation strategy was employed, where MEE is performed under conditions that minimize ρSFP followed by low-temperature MBE conditions that encourage APD termination. By doing so, the authors obtained ρSFP < 104 cm−2 with hAPD ≤ 57 nm. The authors also demonstrated that high-quality GaAs...
Secure messaging: myths, facts, and pitfalls.

We assumed that our patients weren't ready for secure messaging or that, if they were, it would overburden our staff. We couldn't have been more wrong.
Different Types of Connected Spaces

This paper deals with the various forms of open sets and their relations. The relation is represented by a diagram. The relation is same for the closed sets also. The main part defines different types of connectedness and their relations. It is notable that openness and connectedness are in opposite order. Some results on Q-sets are also included here.
A cut above the rest? Private anthropometrics in marriage markets

A large body of economic research suggests that publicly observable anthropometric characteristics affect labor and marriage market outcomes. Private anthropometrics may not affect these outcomes. We examine male circumcision in marriage markets in Zambia. Our analysis reveals substantial variation across local marriage markets in circumcision prevalence relative to preference for circumcised partners, as well as excess aggregate demand for circumcised males. Regression estimates suggest a marriage market premium of approximately one-half to one year of additional schooling for matching with a partner of preferred anthropometric type in a local marriage market with excess demand for that anthropometric characteristic.
“Obedience doth not well in parts”: Jonson, Shakespeare, and the Atlantic Archipelago

ABSTRACTBy considering Shakespeare’s Henry V through an archipelagic comparison with Jonson’s subsequent The Irish Masque at Court, this essay participates in the recent reconsideration of English literature’s early modern inter-island context. Considering Shakespeare’s and Jonson’s different reflections on Ireland and the Irish in the Atlantic archipelago provides access to changing early seventeenth-century differences in English, metropolitan attitudes toward Ireland. While there has been more discussion of English literature understood archipelagically over the last two decades, including some consideration of Shakespeare and Jonson in inter-island contexts, there has been little reference to this slim text by Ben Jonson. In it, Jonson takes up the question of Ireland with all the playfully cruel benefit of hindsight not available when his rival, Shakespeare, wrote Henry V, his play that most famously and directly addresses Irish geopolitics within a new, emerging inter-island kingdom. Jonson’s later ...
Water balance in the fetus and neonate

Fetal water balance is dependent prenatally on the placental transfer of water from maternal to fetal circulation. Adequate amniotic fluid volume is one indicator of stable fetal status and development. Excessive or less than expected amniotic fluid volume may be a precursor to postnatal morbidity and mortality. Postnatal transition is marked by predictable changes in body water including contraction of extracellular volume and insensible fluid loss, primarily across the skin barrier. The degree to which these occur is determined by gestational and postnatal age. Neonatal complications and clinical conditions associated with either retention or excessive loss of body water can occur. Fluid therapy in the neonatal intensive care unit may be guided using three clinical indicators: change in body weight, serum sodium concentration, and urine output.
Angular Distributions of Conversion Electrons from Oriented Ce137m Nuclei

Publisher Summary Measurement of the energy dependence of charged-particle anisotropies from oriented nuclei would be valuable for many problems in nuclear physics. This chapter describes special experimental techniques that have been developed to make such measurements possible and their application to obtain the angular distribution of conversion electrons from oriented Ce137m. The simultaneous measurement of gamma and conversion electron angular distributions gives a most direct determination for the “particle parameter.” The chapter also presents an experimental cryostat. It discusses the techniques applicable for measuring particle parameters in any nuclear orientation experiments in which intensities permit and for which sufficiently thin sources can be prepared. Nuclear orientation—employing singles rather than coincidence counting—is the most direct method for measuring particle parameters. The ratio F2 (e)/F2 (γ) for mixed transitions is in some multipolarity regions extremely sensitive to the multipole mixing ratio and can give this ratio with higher accuracy than any other method.
DesignSafe: New Cyberinfrastructure for Natural Hazards Engineering

AbstractNatural hazards engineering plays an important role in minimizing the effects of natural hazards on society through the design of resilient and sustainable infrastructure. The DesignSafe cy...
Stable isotopes and discriminating tastes: Faunal management practices at the Late Bronze Age settlement of Mycenae, Greece

Abstract This research uses stable isotope analyses to identify disparities in management strategies amongst faunal resources consumed in disparate socio-economic sectors of the Late Bronze Age palatial settlement of Mycenae, Greece. δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O data from four species (99 individuals) known to have been purposefully managed during this time period are presented. Data demonstrate species-specific management disparities between consumptive contexts: the exploited Sus population shows the most variation, largely predicated on diet, whereas caprines exhibit no inter-context variation, but similar intra-context variation, suggesting ubiquitous access to caprine resources, at least between these two contexts. This study aims to broaden the application of isotope analyses in this region where faunal isotopic data have been largely relegated to constructing baselines for interpreting human isotope data and environmental reconstructions.
An examination of seven years of technology integration in Florida schools: Through the lens of the Levels of Digital Divide in Schools

Abstract The purpose of this longitudinal research is to document the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration patterns in the state of Florida in relation to the Socio-Economic Status (SES) and school type (Elementary, Middle, and High Schools). This research is characterized by the Levels of Digital Divide in Schools model presented by Hohlfeld, Ritzhaupt, Barron, and Kemker (2008). We use seven years of secondary data collected by the Florida Department of Education: Technology Resource Inventory (TRI), and the percentage of students on Free-and-Reduced Lunch as a proxy for SES. The current study uses descriptive statistics, internal consistency reliability, exploratory factor analysis, and longitudinal multi-level models to examine the trends in ICT integration in the state of Florida by SES (High and Low) in each school type (Elementary, Middle, and High) over the seven-year period. Our results suggest that Florida has improved on several indicators related to the digital divide; however, some important differences still exist. For instance, Low-SES students generally use software more for computer-directed activities such as drill and practice or remedial work, while their High-SES counterparts are using software more for student-controlled activities such as creating with or communicating through technology. We discuss our findings in relation to the three-level model presented by Hohlfeld et al. (2008) and make recommendations to relevant stakeholders within the community.
Laser Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

The use of the laser for performing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy has proved to be a very effective method in terms of reducing postoperative pain, bleeding, and operative time. With use of the laser, most patients can be treated on an outpatient basis. However, the treating physician must balance the medical gains against the increase in cost for laser use before embarking on this approach for patient care.
Nationwide analysis of adrenocortical carcinoma reveals higher perioperative morbidity in functional tumors.

Abstract Background Current adrenalectomy outcomes for functional adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) remain unclear. This study examines nationwide in-hospital post-adrenalectomy outcomes for ACC. Methods A retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2006–2011) to identify unilateral adrenalectomy patients for functional or nonfunctional ACC was performed. Patient demographics, comorbidities and postoperative outcomes were evaluated by t -test, Chi-square and multivariate regression. Results Of 2199 patients who underwent adrenalectomy, 87% had nonfunctional and 13% had functional ACC (86% hypercortisolism, 16% hyperaldosteronism, 4% hyperandrogenism). Functional ACC patients had significantly more comorbidities, and experienced certain postoperative complications more frequently including wound issues, adrenocortical insufficiency and acute kidney injury with longer hospital stay compared to nonfunctional ACC (P Conclusion Patients with functional ACC manifest significant comorbidities with certain in-hospital complications. Such high-risk patients require appropriate preoperative medical optimization prior to adrenalectomy. Synopsis Patients with functional adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) have significant preoperative comorbidities and experience higher rates of certain postoperative complications including wound complications, hematoma formation, adrenal insufficiency, pulmonary embolism and acute kidney injury. Functional ACC patients also necessitate longer hospitalizations. These patients should undergo appropriate preoperative counseling in preparation for adrenalectomy.
Ice can survive an interstellar trip

Observations and thermal models of the first interstellar visitor 1I/‘Oumuamua show that ices could have survived a long interstellar journey, suggesting the possibility that ‘Oumuamua could be a comet.
Women’s contraceptive discontinuation and switching behavior in urban Senegal, 2010–2015

With the focus of global and national family planning initiatives on reaching “additional user” targets, it is increasingly important for programs to assess contraceptive method discontinuation and switching. This analysis calculated the discontinuation rate and method-specific discontinuation rates, examined reasons given for contraceptive discontinuation, and assessed characteristics associated with subsequent contraceptive switching and abandonment among women living in urban areas of Senegal. Data came from the Measurement, Learning & Evaluation project’s 2015 survey of 6927 women of reproductive age living in six urban sites (Dakar, Pikine, Guediawaye, Mbao, Kaolack and Mbour). Information on contraceptive use and discontinuation for the five years preceding the survey were recorded in a monthly calendar. Single decrement life tables were used to calculate discontinuation rates. Descriptive analyses were used to assess reasons for discontinuation and method switching after discontinuation. A multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of being a non-user in-need of contraception, a non-user not in-need of contraception, or a method switcher in the month after discontinuation, by sociodemographic and other characteristics. The 12-month discontinuation rate for all methods was 34.7%. Implants had the lowest one-year discontinuation rates (6.3%) followed by the intrauterine device (IUD) (18.4%) while higher rates were seen for daily pills (38%), injectables (32.7%), and condoms (62.9%). The most common reasons for discontinuation were reduced need (45.6%), method problems (30.1%), and becoming pregnant while using (10.0%). Only 17% of discontinuations were followed by use of another method; most often daily pills (5.2%) or injectables (4.2%). In the multivariate analysis, women with any formal education (primary, secondary or higher) were more than 50% more likely to switch methods than remain in need of contraception after discontinuation than women with no education or Koranic-only education (RRR = 1.59, p-value = 0.004; RRR = 1.55, p-value = 0.031). The likelihood of switching compared to being “in need” was also significantly higher for women who were married and who discontinued traditional methods. To support increased contraceptive method use, women with no education and unmarried women are priorities for counseling and information about side effects and method switching at the time of method adoption.
Probabilistic Analysis of the TSP

In this chapter we study the Hamiltonian cycle and Traveling Salesman problem from a probabilistic point of view. Here we try to elucidate the properties of typical rather than worst-case examples. Structurally, one hopes to bring out the surprising properties of typical instances. Algorithmically the hope is that one can in some way explain the successful solution of large problems, much larger than that predicted by worstcase analysis. This of course raises the question of what do we mean by typical? The mathematical view of this is to define a probability space Ωof instances and study the expected properties of ω drawn from Ω with a given probability measure.
Stem cell factor influences mast cell mediator release in response to eosinophil-derived granule major basic protein

Stem cell factor (SCF) is an important mast cell growth, differentiation, and survival factor. We investigated whether SCF influenced the response of mouse mast cells to an IgE-independent stimulus, eosinophil-derived granule major basic protein (MBP). Mouse bone marrow cultured mast cells (BMCMC) were derived in either concanavalin-stimulated mouse spleen conditioned medium (CM) or SCF. The cloned growth, factor-independent mast cell line Cl.MC/C57.1 was also studied. BMCMC in SCF exhibited cytochemical staining properties, protease and histamine content, and increased serotonin uptake consistent with more mature differentiated mast cells as compared with BMCMC in CM or Cl.MC/ C57.1 cells. BMCMC in SCF released serotonin,14C-labeled arachidonic acid metabolites and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on stimulation with MBP, while no response was seen from either BMCMC in CM or Cl.MC/C57.1 cells. All three mast cell populations released mediators on stimulation with the cationic MBP analog, poly-L-arginine, indicating that the cationic charge did not explain the selective response of BMCMC in SCF to eosinophil-derived granule MBP. These findings show that SCF significantly influences mast cell differentiation and the responsiveness of mast cells to eosinophil-derived granule MBP. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.
Pioneer P3-DX Robot to Achieve Self Driving Car

In this paper, Pioneer P3-DX simulates self-driving car from start point to the target point. Auto-navigation and obstacles avoidance functions of Pioneer P3-DX with Hokuyo Laser, have been achieved using gmapping and navigation packages. This work includes color detection function of Pioneer P3-DX with Kinect sensor.
Three Quantitative Means to Remain Well Clear for Small UAS in the Terminal Area

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) at low altitudes are increasingly being deployed to support important inspection, communications, and delivery operations. However, the expansion of these operations is constrained by regulatory and safety concerns regarding collisions with manned aircraft that limit deployments near aerodromes. Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems, geofencing systems, and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) separation services are components of a layered conflict management system to enable safe operations in terminal areas.1 These components cannot be developed, standardized, or certified without quantitative definitions for safe separation. These quantitative definitions for safe separation are termed "well clear," since they enable systems to show compliance with the well clear intent in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Parts 91 or 107 or their international equivalents.
Other Cystic Lesions of the Pancreas

Pancreatic cyst lesions encompass a wide variety of entities ranging from nonneoplastic to neoplastic lesions with cystic degeneration. The cysts can show significant overlap in terms of imaging findings as well as clinical features. Cytology along with cyst fluid analysis plays a pivotal role in the preoperative characterization of these lesions. However, some lesions, especially the uncommon ones, may not be diagnosed accurately resulting in unnecessary surgery. This chapter will discuss the various aspects of pancreatic cystic lesions (other than the neoplastic mucinous cysts) including the clinical features, imaging findings, pathologic features, molecular genetics, and management.
Burstiness of Seed Production in Longleaf Pine and Chinese Torreya

Different trees may have different seed production behaviors. Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns in seed production is important for sustainable forest management. A common feature in ...
Biomarkers Associated with Physical Resilience After Hip Fracture.

BACKGROUND Clinically similar older adults demonstrate variable responses to health stressors, heterogeneity attributable to differences in physical resilience. However, molecular mechanisms underlying physical resilience are unknown. We previously derived a measure of physical resilience after hip fracture-the expected recovery differential (ERD)-that captures the difference between actual recovery and predicted recovery. Starting with biomarkers associated with physical performance, morbidity, mortality, and hip fracture, we evaluated associations with the ERD to identify biomarkers of physical resilience after hip fracture. METHODS In the Baltimore Hip Studies (N = 304) sera, we quantified biomarkers of inflammation (TNFR-I, TNFR-II, sVCAM-1, and IL-6), metabolic and mitochondrial function (non-esterified fatty acids, lactate, ketones, acylcarnitines, free amino acids, and IGF-1), and epigenetic dysregulation (circulating microRNAs). We used principal component analysis, canonical correlation, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) to identify biomarker associations with better-than-expected recovery (greater ERD) after hip fracture. RESULTS Participants with greater ERD were more likely to be women and less disabled at baseline. The complete biomarker set explained 37% of the variance in ERD (p < .001) by canonical correlation. LASSO regression identified a biomarker subset that accounted for 27% of the total variance in the ERD and included a metabolic factor (aspartate/asparagine, C22, C5:1, lactate, glutamate/mine), TNFR-I, miR-376a-3p, and miR-16-5p. CONCLUSIONS We identified a set of biomarkers that explained 27% of the variance in ERD-a measure of physical resilience after hip fracture. These ERD-associated biomarkers may be useful in predicting physical resilience in older adults facing hip fracture and other acute health stressors.
Abstract 15446: In-hospital Mortality Outcomes Between Urban and Rural Hospitals for Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Introduction: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is among the most common procedures in cardiology. However, in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing PCI procedures based on hospital loc...
Introduction to the Special Series: The Evidence for Universal Social Emotional Intervention Effectiveness From Randomized Control Trials for Students With or at Risk for Disabilities:

This article is an introduction to the special issue on universal social emotional interventions and students with or at risk for disabilities. A series of studies across development demonstrate th...
In Other Words: Variation in Reference and Narrative

1. Variation 2. Problematic referrals 3. Anticipating referrals 4. Reactive and proactive prototypes 5. Referring sequences 6. Reframing experience 7. Retelling a story 8. Who did what (again)? 9. Redoing and replaying.
From Solidarity to Geopolitics: Support for Democracy among Postcommunist States

This book theorizes a mechanism underlying regime-change waves, the deliberate efforts of diffusion entrepreneurs to spread a particular regime and regime-change model across state borders. Why do only certain states and non-state actors emerge as such entrepreneurs? Why, how, and how effectively do they support regime change abroad? To answer these questions, the book studies the entrepreneurs behind the third wave of democratization, with a focus on the new eastern European democracies - members of the European Union. The study finds that it is not the strongest democracies nor the democracies trying to ensure their survival in a neighborhood of non-democracies that become the most active diffusion entrepreneurs. It is, instead, the countries where the organizers of the domestic democratic transitions build strong solidarity movements supporting the spread of democracy abroad that do. The book also draws parallels between their activism abroad and their experiences with democratization and democracy assistance at home.
A Plan for Revolutionary Change in Gas Turbine Engine Control System Architecture

The implementation of Distributed Engine Control technology on the gas turbine engine has been a vexing challenge for the controls community. A successful implementation requires the resolution of multiple technical issues in areas such as network communications, power distribution, and system integration, but especially in the area of high temperature electronics. Impeding the achievement has been the lack of a clearly articulated message about the importance of the distributed control technology to future turbine engine system goals and objectives. To resolve these issues and bring the technology to fruition has, and will continue to require, a broad coalition of resources from government, industry, and academia. This presentation will describe the broad challenges facing the next generation of advanced control systems and the plan which is being put into action to successfully implement the technology on the next generation of gas turbine engine systems.
Enzymes of nucleic acid metabolism from mung bean sprouts. I. Fractionation and concentration of phosphomonoesterase, ribonucleases M1 and M2, 3'-nucleotidase, and deoxyribonuclease.

Several enzymes involved in nucleic acid metabolism, phosphomonoesterase, ribonuclease M1, 3'-nucleotidase, deoxyribonuclease, and ribonuclease M2, were partially purified from mung bean sprouts. The phosphomonoesterase was separated from the other enzymes and purified 130-fold. It was shown to be nonspecific, with a pH optimum of 6.5. RNase M1 was fractionated from the other types of enzymes by two methods, one of which resulted in a 200-fold purification. Its action on ribonucleic acid was shown to produce a mixture of 2', 3'-cyclic nucleotides; the cyclic purine nucleotides were further hydrolyzed to 3'-phosphates, while the cyclic pyrimidine nucleotides were not. The enzyme was found to be stable to dialysis at pH 5, and to have optimum activity near pH 5.5. 3'-Nucleotidase, RNase M2, and DNase, which were present in a common fraction, were purified about 50-fold. Unlike the 3'-nucleotidase and RNase M2 activities, the DNase activity declined considerably upon standing, and was therefore considered to be due to a unique enzyme. The specificities and other properties of the 3'-nucleotidase and RNase M2 are reported in two accompanying papers.
Shape Control of a Multi-agent System Using Tensegrity Structures

We present a new coordinated control law for a group of vehicles in the plane that stabilizes an arbitrary desired group shape. The control law is derived for an arbitrary shape using models of tensegrity structures which are spatial networks of interconnected struts and cables. The symmetries in the coupled system and the energy-momentum method are used to investigate stability of relative equilibria corresponding to steady translations of the prescribed rigid shape.
Pinkwashing, Homonationalism, and Israel–Palestine: The Conceits of Queer Theory and the Politics of the Ordinary

This paper offers a critique of the theory of homonationalism, which has become virtually hegemonic in contemporary queer thought and activism. Some theorists have tried to distance homonationalism from its popular/activist manifestation of “pinkwatching”, which refers to the increasingly vocal efforts of queer anti-occupation activists to expose the Israeli government's efforts to “pinkwash” its treatment of Palestinians by touting its record on gay rights. The paper argues, however, that both suffer from fundamental conceptual flaws and ultimately have more to do with the contexts in which they circulate—“gay” cities in the US and Europe—than Israel–Palestine. The paper suggests a political and analytical shift away from the totalizing theory of homonationalism—and the simplistic critiques of pinkwashing inspired by it—to a more complex and contextualized focus on the ways in which ordinary bodies are regulated in their movements through time and space.
A neural network learning algorithm applying linear regression that determines and uses target values for hidden neurons

A neural network learning algorithm based on linear regression that determines and uses target values for hidden neurons is proposed. An additional key component of the proposed algorithm is the use of linear regression weighting factors derived from a physical representation of the neural network with spring representing weights. The algorithm applies linear regression to each neuron and requires very few iterations. It appears to have significant efficiency advantages over backpropagation for some situations, and, unlike a one-step linear approach, it is capable of learning nonlinear relationships. >
INTERNAL CONSISTENCY BETWEEN STRATEGY AND STRUCTURE: PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS IN THE LODGING INDUSTRY:

This study addresses the contingent nature of strategy by examining the Miles and Snow (1978) internal consistency assumptions in a single industry setting. These authors specify a strategy/structure profile for the prospector and defender types and indicate that deviation from the ideal strategic profile will have negative effects on performance. In order to test the relationship between internal consistency and performance, it was proposed that strategic types may differ in their performance tendencies. Principle component analysis was used to identify the degree of importance of strategic characteristics and methods. Cluster analysis yielded five strategic groups. Results suggest that a range of structural arrangements exist among firms exhibiting each strategic type. Within strategic types, firms that achieve internal consistency exhibited higher mean performance scores than those that did not, but the differences were not significant. Therefore, the study revealed only marginal evidence that internal...
Fatigue Behavior of Hi-Nicalon Type-S™/BN/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites in a Combustion Environment

The fatigue behavior of Hi-Nicalon Type-S™/BN/SiC ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) was investigated in a combustion environment. Two versions of this CMC were tested. The first version was manufactured by a slurry casting process using woven fiber architecture and the matrix was densified by melt-infiltration (MI) of silicon. The other was a cross-ply laminate prepared by a traditional lamination process from unidirectional prepreg followed by the MI processing. Several tests were conducted at a frequency of 1 Hz and a stress ratio of 0.05 to develop the fatigue life diagrams for both material systems. The Prepreg MI CMC exhibited higher fatigue strength, especially for cycles-to-failure >10,000, in comparison with the slurry cast MI CMC. Micrographic analysis was conducted to document the oxidation and embrittlement, which was observed to be dependent upon the applied stress level and cycles-to-failure. Overall, the prepreg MI CMC was less prone to oxidation and had better fatigue properties, demonstrating the potential for long-term use as a structural high-temperature material for high-temperature oxidative service environments, such as those found in gas turbine engines.
The Cost of Knowledge Recovery: A Challenge for the Application of Concept Mapping

Whereas knowledge management relies on processes of knowledge elicitation, there is also a process in which knowledge is “recovered,” typically from archived documents. We conducted a knowledge recovery (KR) effort, going from documents to a structured set of propositions concerning expert knowledge about terrain analysis, discussing landforms, soils, rock types, etc. Assertions and feature associations were recast as over 3,000 propositions. When contrasted with results from previous evaluations of methods of knowledge elicitation, KR was costly in terms of time and effort, suggesting that knowledge-based organizations should make knowledge capture an on-going aspect of work, rather than finding themselves in the “catch-up mode” to recover lost expertise. For both knowledge elicitation and recovery, the knowledge has to be represented in a form that is usable and useful (e.g., instantiation in knowledge bases). We created from the propositions a navigable knowledge model based on over 150 Concept Maps, w...
Synthesis of oligo(p-phenylene)-linked dyads containing free base, zinc(II) or thallium(III) porphyrins for studies in artificial photosynthesis

Abstract A series of (p-phenylene)n-linked meso-mesityl-substituted porphyrin dyads (n=2–4) was prepared via Suzuki coupling of zinc(II) and free base porphyrin building blocks. The resulting zinc(II)/free base porphyrin dyads were demetalated. The series of free base porphyrin dimers (n=1–4), four other porphyrin dimers (with p-phenylene, diphenylethyne or diphenylbutadiyne linkers; and aryl or tridec-7-yl meso substituents), and several benchmark monomers were converted to the thallium(III)chloride complexes under mild conditions. The collection of eight Tl(III)Cl/Tl(III)Cl dimers is designed for studies of ground-state hole-transfer processes and comparison with the excited-state energy- and hole-transfer processes of the corresponding Zn(II)/free base dyads. Altogether, 18 new porphyrin arrays and benchmark monomers have been prepared.
Characterization of starches dissolved in water by microwave heating in a high pressure vessel

Starch granules derived from four corn varieties were dispersed in water and depending on variety about 49–71% of the granules dissolved by microwave heating in a high pressure vessel (MWHPV). The apparent ratios of amylopectin to amylose were 1:0, 3:1, 1:1 and 3:7. High performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) was carried out using two μ Bondagel† and one Synchropak† HPSEC columns placed in series. These had size exclusion limits specified by their manufacturers as 400 nm, 100 nm, and 10 nm, respectively. The mobile phase was 0.05 m NaNO3. For each starch composition, refractive index and viscosity chromatograms were obtained and fitted with the same six Gaussian components by nonlinear regression analysis. Calibration of the column set with pullulan and dextran standards in hydrodynamic volume and root mean square radius of gyration (Rg) enabled calculation of the intrinsic viscosity (IV), molecular weight (M), and Rg for each component in addition to global values of these quantities for the entire distribution. Analysis of the data revealed that as starches eluted from the column set, there were large changes in M and Rg and rather small changes in IV. Furthermore, MWHPV containing water as employed here produces starch of relatively large molecular weight and size but low intrinsic viscosity leading to the conclusion that dense starch granule fragments were solubilized.
Congenital megacolon (Hirschsprung's disease) associated with hypoproteinemia and edema. A case report.

Summary The case of a 1-month-old infant with congenital megacolon (Hirschsprung's disease), edema, and hypoproteinemia is presented. The possible etiology of these unusual findings is discussed. It is suggested that the serum protein was lost through the bowel lumen.
Autotelic Folk-Models*

Abstract : This paper is concerned with cultural products called autotelic, i.e., cultural products such as puzzles, games of chance, games of strategy, and aesthetic objects, all of which contain their own goals and sources of motivation. Such activities are 'cut off' in a sense, from serious and immediate problems of survival and welfare, and are protected by autotelic norms which dictate that participation must not impinge on serious problems. As a heuristic principle for the application of formal methods in sociology, it is suggested that autotelic cultural products may be viewed as folk-models, i.e., models in the pre-scientific culture, with the help of which members of a society learn about and 'play at' the workings of their society. Historical evidence is offered to show that some such heutistic principle may have guided the construction of formal theories which have proved to be useful to sociologists. And some current formal studies (deontic logic) and experimental investigations (teaching pre-school children) are cited and related to the heuristic principle. (Author)
Accuracy and precision of glucose monitoring are relevant to treatment decision-making and clinical outcome in hospitalized patients with diabetes.

Abstract Background and Methods: The accuracy and precision of three blood glucose meters (BGMs) were evaluated in 600 hospitalized patients with type 1 (n = 200) or type 2 (n = 400) diabetes. Capillary blood glucose values were analyzed with Accu-Chek® Aviva [Roche (Hellas) S.A., Maroussi, Greece], Precision-Xceed® [Abbott Laboratories (Hellas) S.A., Alimos, Greece], and Glucocard X-Sensor® (Menarini Diagnostics S.A., Argyroupolis, Greece). At the same time plasma glucose was analyzed using the World Health Organization's glucose oxidase method. Results: Median plasma glucose values (141.2 [range, 13–553] mg/dL) were significantly different from that produced by the BGMs (P < 0.001). The Accu-Chek Aviva underestimated hypoglycemia (plasma glucose ≤55 mg/dL) by a mean difference of 4.1 mg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI] 0–28 mg/dL), and the Precision-Xceed did so by a mean difference of 6.2 mg/dL (95% CI 0–29 mg/dL); the same was true for the Glucocard X-Sensor by a mean difference of 9.1 mg/dL (CI 0–57 ...
Deciduous teeth as an index of body burden of lead.

Summary The lead content of 82 deciduous teeth removed from “normal” children, 18 deciduous teeth removed from 6 children dying of lead poisoning, and 15 teeth shed normally by 9 children who had survived lead poisoning was determined. The lead content of control deciduous teeth was found to rise linearly with time after eruption. The lead level of shed teeth of children who had survived lead poisoning was significantly higher than that of the controls, and the values for children dying of acute lead poisoning were still higher. Although there appears to be some loss of lead from teeth of children with time after acute lead poisoning, further study will be necessary to evaluate the reliability of lead levels of teeth as an index of the body burden of lead.