cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Profiles of relational permanence at 22: Variability in parental supports and outcomes among young adults with foster care histories

Abstract Alumni of foster care are at considerable risk for transitioning to adulthood without supportive parental relationships due to significant disruptions of these relationships and histories of maltreatment. This study investigated key dimensions of parental support (care, dependability and financial support) in relationships with birth parents and parental figures among young adults who received foster care and exited to diverse permanency outcomes. Using Latent Class Analysis, four groups were identified indicating young adults who had (a) connections to both birth parents and parental figures; (b) minimal connections; (c) some connection to parental figure; and (d) some connection to birth parent. Young adults who reported connections with both birth parents and parental figures reported better outcomes, while those who reported minimal connections had least optimal outcomes. An examination of antecedent characteristics indicated a modest role of legal permanence. Results here highlight a need for inclusive child welfare practices that honor the family fluidity that foster youth experience and privilege relationship quality over legal permanence, particularly for older youth in foster care. Greater methodological rigor in the assessment and study of relational permanence and its potential to offset risks among maltreated youth in foster care is called for.
Variability of Zonal Mean Tropical Temperatures Derived from a Decade of GPS Radio Occultation Data

AbstractVariability in tropical zonal mean temperatures over 10–30 km is analyzed based on high-quality, high-vertical-resolution GPS temperature measurements covering 2001–13. The observations are used to quantify variability spanning time scales of weeks to over a decade, with focus on behavior of the tropopause region and coupling with the upper troposphere and stratosphere. Large variations associated with the seasonal cycle, quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), and El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are isolated and removed, and residual time series are analyzed using principal components and spectrum analysis. The residual temperature exhibits maximum variance in the lower stratosphere, with a vertical structure similar to the seasonal cycle. Residual temperatures exhibit two dominant modes of variability: a “deep stratosphere mode” tied to high-latitude planetary wave forcing and a shallow “near-tropopause mode” linked to dynamically forced upwelling near the tropopause. Variations in the cold point ...
Critical evaluation of three indirect assays for quantifying phytosiderophores released by the roots of Poaceae

Indirect assays are commonly used to measure phytosiderophore (PS) concentrations in the root exudates of grasses. The Cu-mobilizing, Cu-CAS and Fe-binding assays are three commonly used assays but there have been few published attempts to validate or calibrate them rigorously. Thus, we undertook to compare, validate and, where appropriate, to improve and/or optimize each assay. Ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (EDDA) and N-2- hydroxyethylethylenediamine-N,N',N'-triacetic acid (HEDTA) bracket deoxymugineic acid for binding strength with both Fe and Cu and were thus used as model ligands. For the Cu-mobilizing assay, reasonable regressions (as R 2) were obtained between measured and known ligand concentrations for all resin combinations tested. However, the relationship was non-stoichiometric; less than 5% of the ligand present was recovered as a Cu-complex. Testing of the Cu-CAS assay yielded good 1:1 stoichiometric relationships (slopes of 0.97 and 1.08 for EDDA and HEDTA, respectively) with little scatter (R2 = 0.97). However, the limits of quantification were approximately 30 μm, which is greater than concentrations generally found in root-exudate collections. Thus, the Cu-CAS assay is best suited to situations where large concentrations of PSs are expected. Results from the original Fe-binding assay indicated a lack of linearity and considerable scatter (R2 = 0.57 for EDDA; R2 = 0.28 for HEDTA). Thus, as published, use of the original Fe-binding assay is not recommended. The effects of filter paper, FeCl3 reagent concentration and increase in the reduction time were tested and a revised Fe-binding assay developed with both good stoichiometry and great precision (R2 = 0.99). We suggest the use of the revised Fe-binding assay in most situations where PS concentration would be expected to be < 30 μm. © 2006 British Society of Soil Science.
Congenital Nasopharyngeal Teratoma in a Neonate

Background: Congenital germ cell tumors are uncommon. The most common site of teratoma is in the sacrococcygeal region. Teratoma arising from the head and neck comprises less than 10% of reported cases and of these, nasopharyngeal lesions are rare. Teratomas are generally benign, and have a well recognized clinical and histopathological entity. We present a case of nasopharyngeal teratoma (NPT) associated with a wide cleft palate. Case Presentation: A 20 day old female neonate with a teratoma of the nasopharyngeal area, and wide cleft palate was referred to our center. The protruded mass which measured 6×4×3cm, was of soft consistency, blocked the airway, and prevented oral feeding. Preoperative evaluation and imaging was performed and mass was excised 2 days after admission. Pathology revealed a welldifferentiated mature solid teratoma (hairy polyp). The patient had no complication in the postoperative period. Cleft palate was surgically repaired when 2 years old. She is now a six year old girl with normal development. Conclusion: Congenital nasopharyngeal teratomas are usually benign. Surgery is the treatment of choice, and should be undertaken on an urgent basis, especially in a patient who presents with signs and symptoms of airway obstruction.
VICTORY CELEBRATIONS AS THEATER: A DRAMATURGICAL APPROACH TO CROWD BEHAVIOR*

Drawing on data derived from a field study of victory celebrations, this paper suggests a dramaturgical approach to crowd behavior. Existing theories of crowd behavior are either contradicted by the field data or do not adequately account for the heterogeneity of activity observed, for the interaction between the various categories of participants, or for the shifts in the behavior of the participants and the resultant change in the character of the celebrations. Subsequent analysis indicates that the victory crowds are best understood from a dramaturgical standpoint. Several theoretical, conceptual, and research implications of a dramaturgical approach to crowd behavior are suggested and discussed. The paper concludes with an expanded conception of crowd behavior, one which emphasizes its spatial and temporal as well as interactional dimensions.
Regulation of class switch recombination and somatic mutation by AID phosphorylation

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is a mutator enzyme that initiates somatic mutation and class switch recombination in B lymphocytes by introducing uracil:guanine mismatches into DNA. Repair pathways process these mismatches to produce point mutations in the Ig variable region or double-stranded DNA breaks in the switch region DNA. However, AID can also produce off-target DNA damage, including mutations in oncogenes. Therefore, stringent regulation of AID is required for maintaining genomic stability during maturation of the antibody response. It has been proposed that AID phosphorylation at serine 38 (S38) regulates its activity, but this has not been tested in vivo. Using a combination of mass spectrometry and immunochemical approaches, we found that in addition to S38, AID is also phosphorylated at position threonine 140 (T140). Mutation of either S38 or T140 to alanine does not impact catalytic activity, but interferes with class switching and somatic hypermutation in vivo. This effect is particularly pronounced in haploinsufficient mice where AID levels are limited. Although S38 is equally important for both processes, T140 phosphorylation preferentially affects somatic mutation, suggesting that posttranslational modification might contribute to the choice between hypermutation and class switching.
Electrical Characterization of Blue Light Emitting Diodes as a Function of Temperature

Blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) based on an AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN double heterojunction structure were electrically characterized as a function of temperature. Current-voltage (I-V), capacitance-voltage (C-V) and reverse recovery storage time measurements were conducted at temperatures in the range between -8° and 75° C. Capacitance-voltage measurements as a function frequency (20 Hz – 1 MHz) and electroluminescence study at room temperature were also performed. It was observed that the diode turn-on voltage decreased with increasing temperature, however, reverse leakage currents monitored at -1, -5 and -10 V showed only a slight increase with increasing temperature. The concentration of deep states and their position in the bandgap, as extracted from logarithmic plots of the forward characteristics, were not influenced by the measurement temperature. Recombination lifetimes, as obtained from experimentally determined reverse recovery storage times, remained constant over the range of temperature considered. A higher value of diode capacitance was observed at low measurement frequencies (20 Hz – 1 kHz), gradually dropping to a lower value over a frequency range between (1 kHz – 100 kHz) and remained constant from 100 kHz to 1 MHz. A loss peak centered about 10 kHz was observed in the corresponding plot of gm/ω as a function of frequency, f. The position of the peak in the gm/ω - frequency (f) plot and dC/dω(for f in the range 1 kHz – 100 kHz ), yielded a concentration of deep-states of approximately 2.2 × 1015/cm3, located at 0.39 eV above the valence bandedge.
X-ray and neutron diffraction study of CaBi2O4

The crystal structure of the 1:1 CaO-Bi2O3 compound (CaBi2O4) has been determined by single crystal X-ray and neutron powder diffraction techniques. The compound crystallizes with the symmetry of the monoclinic space group C2/c and lattice parameters a = 16.6130(5) A, b = 11.5900(4) A, c = 13.9939(4) A, β = 134.048(1)°. The structure consists of sheets parallel to the b-c plane and connected by Ca-O bonds. There is a structural unit in each layer consisting of four Bi atoms, ten oxygen atoms, and two calcium atoms. The Bi atoms are fourfold coordinated and the coordination polyhedron may be described as a short distorted pyramid, open on one end to accommodate the lone-pair electrons of the bismuth atoms. Calcium is seven-coordinated and the coordination polyhedron may be described as a monocapped trigonal prism.
Direct evidence for the role of neuropeptide Y in sympathetic nerve stimulation-induced vasoconstriction

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a vasoconstrictor peptide and a cotransmitter with norepinephrine (NE) in sympathetic nerve terminals and is thought to be involved in sympathetic nerve stimulation (SNS)-in...
Boyd C. Paulson Jr.…Our History…PCCP Precast Panels…Books…Conferences

Boyd C. Paulson Jr., the Charles H. Leavell Professor of Civil Engineering at Stanford University and an international leader in construction education, died on December 1, 2005. Paulson’s father was a heavy-construction project manager whose work caused regular family moves to projects around the world. From the time of his birth in Providence, R.I., on March 1, 1946, Paulson was exposed to the world of construction. He earned three degrees in civil engineering from Stanford: B.S. in 1967, M.S. in 1969, and Ph.D. in 1971. After earning his doctorate, he moved to the University of Illinois as an assistant professor of civil engineering 1972 to 1974 , but Stanford soon lured him back to its graduate Construction Engineering and Management Program faculty in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. During his years at Stanford, he also served as a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo 1978 , the Technical University of Munich 1983 , the University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow, Scotland 1990–1991 , and the University of Hawaii 1998 , and as a Visiting Eminent Scholar at the Del E. Webb School of Construction, Arizona State University 1996 . In 1995, he volunteered to oversee construction of Peninsula Habitat for Humanity’s $2 million, 24-unit condominium project for low-income residents in East Palo Alto, Calif. He eventually joined the organization’s board of directors. Paulson was a member of the Construction Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers, and served as chairman of the Construction Division the predecessor to the Construction Institute in 1986–1987. He chaired the ASCE Committee on Professional Construction Management from 1974 to 1977 and the National Science Foundation’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Division Advisory Committee from 1983 to 1989. He also served as vice chair of the U.S. National Committee on Tunneling Technology from 1986 to 1989 . Paulson was awarded ASCE’s Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize in 1980, the Construction Management Award in 1984, and the Peurifoy Construction Research Award in 1993. Additionally, he was elected to the National Academy of Construction in 2001. To many of us who had the opportunity to know and work with Boyd personally, the awards represent only a small token of appreciation to a man who did so much for our profession and who took the time to mentor so many of us. Requiescat in pace
Grain size control in FePt thin films by Ar-ion etched Pt seed layers

A method to control the grain size of FePt Ll/sub 0/ thin films by means of an Ar-ion etched Pt seed is presented. The etching results in structures on the surface of the Pt seed layer, whose feature size can be controlled by etching time and ion energy. The grain size for 25 nm thick FePt films grown at 450/spl deg/C can be reduced from about 29 nm on as-grown seed layers to 15 nm with a reduced grain size dispersion on etched seed layers. The coercivity of these films changes from 2 kOe to 11 kOe, respectively. To reduce the coercivity to a range suitable for writing with currently available recording heads, i.e., <4 kOe, up to 15 at.% Cr was added to the FePt alloy.
Optical homodyne frequency domain reflectometer using an external cavity semiconductor laser

An external cavity traveling-wave semiconductor ring laser with narrow linewidth is used as a light source for research in frequency domain reflectometry. The optical frequency of the laser is linearly chirped by an intra-cavity phase modulator. The time-delayed reflection signal is mixed with a reference signal to produce a microwave frequency that indicates the position of the reflection. For optical fiber measurement, a spatial resolution of 30 m and a one-way dynamic range of 28 dB for Rayleigh backscattered light have been achieved. >
The splenic snood: An improved approach for the management of the wandering spleen

A wandering spleen is in constant danger of torsion and infarction. Splenectomy, the traditional treatment, leaves children in danger of postsplenectomy sepsis. Three children with wandering spleens were treated by a new splenopexy technique, the splenic snood. After detorsion, the spleens were wrapped in polyglycolic mesh and anchored by the mesh subdiaphragmatically in the left upper quadrant. All have retained their spleens which have remained where anchored up to a 4-year follow-up. The simplicity and technical ease of the splenic snood operation recommend it as an improved method to avoid splenectomy and safely normalize intraabdominal anatomy in the management of the wandering spleen.
Correlations Between Brain Structure and Symptom Dimensions of Psychosis in Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, and Psychotic Bipolar I Disorders

Introduction: Structural alterations may correlate with symptom severity in psychotic disorders, but the existing literature on this issue is heterogeneous. In addition, it is not known how cortical thickness and cortical surface area correlate with symptom dimensions of psychosis.
A tissue-specific gene expression template portrays heart development and pathology

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common cause of death in children under the age of 1. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a severe CHD that results from developmental defects in the conotruncal outflow tract. Recently, a tissue-specific gene expression template (GET) was derived from microarray data that accurately characterized multiple normal human tissues. We used the GET to examine spatial, temporal, and a pathological condition (TOF) within a single organ, the heart. The GET, as previously defined, generally identified temporal and spatial differences in the cardiac tissue. Differences in the stoichiometry of the GET reflected the severe developmental disturbance associated with TOF. Our analysis suggests that the homoeostatic equilibrium assessed by the GET at the inter-organ level is generally maintained at the intra-organ level as well.
Diagnosis of the Forcing and Structure of the Coastal Jet near Cape Mendocino Using In Situ Observations and Numerical Simulations

Several flights were conducted by the University of Wyoming King Air near Cape Mendocino, California, during June 2004 to examine finescale features of the coastal low-level jet (CJ) that frequently forms during summer over the ocean off the West Coast of the United States. The primary goal of these flights was to measure the horizontal pressure gradient force (PGF) and hence to determine the forcing of the CJ directly. By flying a series of redundant legs on an isobaric surface, heights of the pressure surface can be obtained from radar altimeter measurements and refined position estimates from an onboard global positioning system receiver. The slope of the isobaric surface height is proportional to the PGF. Results are shown for the 22 June 2004 case study conducted to the south of Cape Mendocino. The forcing of a CJ under weak synoptic forcing and the role of the elevated terrain near Cape Mendocino are explored. Ten isobaric legs approximately 70 km in length and directed east–west were conducted near the level of the maximum CJ wind speed. The vertical structure of the CJ was obtained from sawtooth legs conducted along an east–west flight leg. Numerical simulations have been performed for this case using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) for comparison with in situ measurements. Model simulations show pressure perturbations in the vicinity of the cape as the northerly winds associated with the CJ interact with the coastal topography. Close agreement is found between in situ measurements and MM5 analyses of the various state parameters and the PGF along the east–west flight track in the lee of Cape Mendocino. Strong variation in the PGF is observed along the flight path. Large ageostrophic accelerations are present in response to the adjustment of the CJ with Cape Mendocino, reflecting the force imbalance between the observed PGF and Coriolis force.
In Vitro Expansion of Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alters DNA Double Strand Break Repair of Etoposide Induced DNA Damage

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are of interest for use in diverse cellular therapies. Ex vivo expansion of MSCs intended for transplantation must result in generation of cells that maintain fidelity of critical functions. Previous investigations have identified genetic and phenotypic alterations of MSCs with in vitro passage, but little is known regarding how culturing influences the ability of MSCs to repair double strand DNA breaks (DSBs), the most severe of DNA lesions. To investigate the response to DSB stress with passage in vitro, primary human MSCs were exposed to etoposide (VP16) at various passages with subsequent evaluation of cellular damage responses and DNA repair. Passage number did not affect susceptibility to VP16 or the incidence and repair kinetics of DSBs. Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) transcripts showed little alteration with VP16 exposure or passage; however, homologous recombination (HR) transcripts were reduced following VP16 exposure with this decrease amplified as MSCs were passaged in vitro. Functional evaluations of NHEJ and HR showed that MSCs were unable to activate NHEJ repair following VP16 stress in cells after successive passage. These results indicate that ex vivo expansion of MSCs alters their ability to perform DSB repair, a necessary function for cells intended for transplantation.
How Prudence and Willingness-to-Pay Shape Price Trends in a Dynamic Pricing Model

This paper studies a multi-stage dynamic pricing model, in which a state variable evolves as a stochastic process and affects customer demand at each stage. A firm has a limited amount of assets to sell and sets the price at each stage after observing the state variable. We find that besides the dynamics of customers' willingness-to-pay, the static form of the marginal revenue function plays an important role in influencing pricing behavior and price trends. Borrowing the concept of prudence from the precautionary saving literature, we show that a concave (convex, linear) marginal revenue function implies the firm's prudent (imprudent, prudent-neutral) pricing behavior and an upward (downward, flat) price trend. This new perspective connects revenue management with risk management. Logit and probit demand functions imply prudence, but iso-elastic and exponential demand functions imply prudence-neutrality. Gamma and Weibull distributions can imply either prudence or imprudence, depending on the shape parameter. The risk factor of prudence (imprudence) can be combined with the marketing factor of increasing (decreasing) customers' willingness-to-pay to produce an upward (downward) price trend over time.
A sex difference in the rate of rise of plasma LH in rats following gonadectomy.

SummaryPlasma LH levels were measured in male and female rats soon after gonadectomy by means of a solid phase radioimmunoassay method. Male rats responded to gonadectomy by elevating their plasma LH concentrations within 12 hr postcastration; a continuous rise in plasma LH concentration was observed up to day 20 at which date a plateau level was reached. Female rats showed little elevation in plasma LH concentrations up to 10 days after gonadectomy; at this time, the plasma LH level was considerably lower than that found in the male; the stage of estrus during which gonadectomy was performed had no major effect on the animal's ability to elevate plasma LH concentration. At day 30 following gonadectomy, similar levels of plasma LH were observed in both sexes.
International Control Programs

Bringing plant pests under control isn't just a matter of national concern. It's a problem of international proportions. Plant pests do not respect international borders and are not hindered by passport requirements. Insect and other pest organisms spread as fast and as far as weather, food … and man … will allow. Thus, eradicating a pest in one country will not end the problem if the nation next-door is also infested. That's the practical reason for international cooperation in control of plant pests. But, there's an even more important humanitarian reason.
Research and Realization of Shipborne Phased Array Radar Simulation System

The design of software system is very important to the simulation of complex system such as shipborne phased array radar. To make the research of shipborne phased array radar simulation more efficiency, the idea of layered design was imported based on modularization, a hierarchy modularized and easy expansible simulation software architecture was established, and the whole simulation flow was suggested, the function and the theory and the realization flow of the core model was mainly researched, and the simulation software system was developed. The result of the simulation has validated the model and the method.
Abnormalities in Chrysanthemum Regenerated from Long Term Cultures

Plants regenerated from leafy callus of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. maintained for 9 years (LC plants) were compared to those regenerated from leafy callus maintained for 1 month (SC plants) in order to assess the effects of long-term culture. LC plants differed morphologically from those derived from the 1-month culture. Aberrant forms, proliferation of apical buds, variable leaf shapes and stunted growth were observed in 15 per cent of the LC plants. The remaining 85 per cent were characterized by excessive growth of lateral shoots. Flowers were smaller and irregularly formed in most LC plants. Although the growth rates of plants in both LC and SC groups were similar, flowering was delayed considerably in the LC plants. Application of GA3 or IAA had no effect in restoring normal form. Genetic instability, chimeral rearrangement and residual hormone effects are offered as possible explanations for the abnormalities observed.
Self-enforcing coalitions with power accumulation

Agents endowed with power compete for a divisible resource by forming coalitions with other agents. The coalition with the greatest power wins the resource and divides it among its members. The agents’ power increases according to their share of the resource.We study two models of coalition formation where winning agents accumulate power and losing agents may participate in further coalition formation processes. An axiomatic approach is provided by focusing on variations of two main axioms: self-enforcement, which requires that no further deviation happens after a coalition has formed, and rationality, which requires that agents pick the coalition that gives them their highest payoff. For these alternative models, we determine the existence of stable coalitions that are self-enforcing and rational for two traditional sharing rules. The models presented in this paper illustrate how power accumulation, the sharing rule, and whether losing agents participate in future coalition formation processes, shape the way coalitions will be stable throughout time.
Effect of level and type of fat on subacute acidosis in cattle fed dry-rolled corn finishing diets.

Five experiments were conducted to determine the effect of fat addition to dry-rolled corn (DRC) finishing diets on subacute acidosis. In Exp. 1, five ruminally fistulated steers (410 +/- 12 kg BW) were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8% tallow added to a 50% fine-ground corn: 50% dry-rolled wheat basal challenge diet and dosed intraruminally as an acidosis challenge. Area below pH 6 was determined to quantify the total decrease in ruminal pH over a 24-h period. Area below pH 6 responded quadratically (P < .05); greatest time below pH 6 occurred with diets containing 2, 4, and 6% tallow. In Exp. 2, six ruminally fistulated steers (527 +/- 47 kg BW) were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square design and intraruminally dosed with 0, 4, 6, or 8% tallow or 4 or 8% yellow grease added to a 50% fine-ground corn:50% dry-rolled wheat basal challenge diet. Area below pH 6 responded quadratically for both tallow (P = .10) and yellow grease (P < .05) and was greatest for steers dosed with 4% tallow or yellow grease and decreased as tallow or yellow grease increased from 4 to 8%. Experiment 3 was a metabolism study using six ruminally fistulated steers (469 +/- 68 kg BW) in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Cattle were fed a DRC finishing diet containing 0, 4, 6, or 8% tallow or 4 or 8% yellow grease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery for Ulcer Disease in Foals

Gastroduodenal ulceration requires surgical correction if such pyloroduodenal ulcers have produced gastric outflow obstruction. Gastrojejunostomy is a surgical option in foals with this lesion, and postoperative care may require antacid medication and parenteral nutrition for optimal results. Secondary complications such as reflux esophagitis, gastritis, aspiration pneumonia, and biliary stasis resolve following surgery. Recent findings concerning equine gastric physiology are also discussed, particularly regarding histamine H 2 -receptor antagonists and substituted benzimidazoles, to aid in rational therapeutic regimens.
Tribological Behaviour of Co-W Under Dry and Lubricanting Conditions

The dry and lubricating wear was investigated for steel and Co-W samples in the view of revealing the best performance of tungsten alloys. The tribological behaviour was studied under bi-directional ball-on-flat sliding tests: 10 N and 50 000 cycles. The given research identified that Co-W coatings have superior wear resistance than those of uncoated samples (steel ST3) under dry and also under lubricating conditions. Thus, wear volume of Co-W samples is decreasing two times under dry conditions and ten times under lubricating conditions. The use of new type of solid lubricant (sugar film) is discussed.
Probabilistic bias analysis in pharmacoepidemiology and comparative effectiveness research: a systematic review

Purpose We systematically reviewed pharmacoepidemiologic and comparative effectiveness studies that use probabilistic bias analysis to quantify the effects of systematic error including confounding, misclassification, and selection bias on study results. Methods We found articles published between 2010 and October 2015 through a citation search using Web of Science and Google Scholar and a keyword search using PubMed and Scopus. Eligibility of studies was assessed by one reviewer. Three reviewers independently abstracted data from eligible studies. Results Fifteen studies used probabilistic bias analysis and were eligible for data abstraction—nine simulated an unmeasured confounder and six simulated misclassification. The majority of studies simulating an unmeasured confounder did not specify the range of plausible estimates for the bias parameters. Studies simulating misclassification were in general clearer when reporting the plausible distribution of bias parameters. Regardless of the bias simulated, the probability distributions assigned to bias parameters, number of simulated iterations, sensitivity analyses, and diagnostics were not discussed in the majority of studies. Conclusion Despite the prevalence and concern of bias in pharmacoepidemiologic and comparative effectiveness studies, probabilistic bias analysis to quantitatively model the effect of bias was not widely used. The quality of reporting and use of this technique varied and was often unclear. Further discussion and dissemination of the technique are warranted. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Light amplifier/compressor photodetectors and applications

We have developed a photodetection technique which amplifies and "compresses" the phase space of the incident light on the detector, the light amplifier compressor (LAC), with sufficient compression on the light output of the light amplifier to match the input phase-space of optical fibers. Optical fiber(s) then transport the amplified/compressed light to pixel-sized detectors (such as avalanche photodiodes (APD), CCD's, or multichannel or miniature photomultipliers) either on the LAC tube, or even in remote locations. The technology for light amplification and compression is old: vacuum photoelectrons are accelerated through a large voltage and are then reconverted back to photons on the anode consisting of an aluminized fast phosphor, (an image intensifier). The photoelectron image is first demagnified by field focusing, compressing the areal density, increasing the angular phase space, which becomes irrelevant since the phosphor light emission loses all memory of the incident direction. This old technique has been now used in some new geometries, and with very fast near UV/blue phosphors with ns decay constants, the phosphor light coupled to wavelength shifting fibers, which make this technique useful for new types of optical detectors. Practical photon areal phase space compression can exceed 5times104, with photon gains exceeding 5 photons per incident photon. The photocathode areas can scale to large sizes exceeding a square meter, to very compact tubes, and to operation in very high magnetic fields up to 4 T.
Fuzzified DC power flow analysis

This paper proposes an application of type-1 and interval type-2 fuzzy logic for DC power flow analysis of electric networks with high levels of renewable energy penetration. The proposed methodology can be used for real time analysis, power system planning, and day-ahead energy markets. The uncertain variables in the DC power flow, weather-based renewable energy power generation, load and network parameters, are modelled as trapezoidal fuzzy variables using historical data from the Bonneville Power Administration's Transmission Database. DC power flow is then computed using the proposed algorithm. The method is tested on an IEEE standard 30-bus power system with a wind generator connected to the network. Line flow results computed using the proposed method show the impact of the intermittent behavior of the renewable energy generation unit on the given power system.
The Interdependence of Planning and Learning Among Internal Corporate Ventures

The novelty of new business domains demands that internal corporate ventures (ICVs) exhibit an ability to learn over the course of the venture's development. Nonetheless, ICV learning proficiency may be differentially related to venture performance as a function how various aspects of business planning for the venture are initially approached and evolve. Results from the current research indicate that ICV learning proficiency is more positively related to venture performance when the ICV's initial value propositions are unclear and when the ICV's goals do not extensively evolve over the course of the venture's development.
Biochemical characterization of TyrA enzymes from Ignicoccus hospitalis and Haemophilus influenzae: A comparative study of the bifunctional and monofunctional dehydrogenase forms.

Abstract Biosynthesis of l -tyrosine ( l -Tyr) is directed by the interplay of two enzymes. Chorismate mutase (CM) catalyzes the rearrangement of chorismate to prephenate, which is then converted to hydroxyphenylpyruvate by prephenate dehydrogenase (PD). This work reports the first characterization of the independently expressed PD domain of bifunctional CM-PD from the crenarchaeon Ignicoccus hospitalis and the first functional studies of both full-length CM-PD and the PD domain from the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae. All proteins were hexa-histidine tagged, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Expression and purification of I. hospitalis CM-PD generated a degradation product identified as a PD fragment lacking the protein's first 80 residues, Δ80CM-PD. A comparable stable PD domain could also be generated by limited tryptic digestion of this bifunctional enzyme. Thus, Δ80CM-PD constructs were prepared in both organisms. CM-PD and Δ80CM-PD from both organisms were dimeric and displayed the predicted enzymatic activities and thermal stabilities in accord with their hyperthermophilic and mesophilic origins. In contrast with H. influenzae PD activity which was NAD+-specific and displayed > 75% inhibition with 50 μM l -Tyr, I. hospitalis PD demonstrated dual cofactor specificity with a preference for NADP+ and an insensitivity to l -Tyr. These properties are consistent with a model of the I. hospitalis PD domain based on the previously reported structure of the H. influenzae homolog. Our results highlight the similarities and differences between the archaeal and bacterial TyrA proteins and reveal that the PD activity of both prokaryotes can be successfully mapped to a functionally independent unit.
Factors that impact Patient Web Portal Readiness (PWPR) among the underserved

Abstract Objective Healthcare organizations in the US are increasingly using Patient Portals as a means to provide patients with partial access to their health records and thereby comply with the ‘meaningful use’ of Health Information Technology policy issued by the US federal government. Patient portals are used to not only provide access to parts of the health records such as lab results but also offer services such as customized educational materials and appointment scheduling. While prior studies examining the adoption rates of these patient portals have not offered consistent findings, many of the studies have reported limited adoption and use [1] of patient portals, especially among the underserved population. This study explores the factors behind the reduced adoption rate of patient portals among the underserved by focusing on their Patient Web Portal Readiness (PWPR). Design The study empirically evaluates the impact of three important variables on PWPR among the underserved: (a) Personal Health Information Management (PHIM) activities, (b) patient attitude toward personal health record keeping; and (c) use of Internet for health information seeking. The study also incorporates three other factors: (d) access to Internet; (e) demographics; and (f) presence of chronic illness. Measurements Data were collected through a survey from 132 patients from the underserved population who visited 5 free clinics in the Northern Virginia area in the US. The paper-based survey was administered to the patients who visited these free clinics for care. Results The study findings show support for the hypotheses related to the impact of the two key factors – Personal Health Information Management (PHIM) activities and attitude toward personal health record keeping – on PWPR. The findings also indicate that the use of Internet for health information seeking has relatively more impact than patient's Internet access on PWPR. Overall, the findings imply the critical importance of complementary activities – e.g., PHIM activities, Internet-based health information seeking – to enhance PWPR among the underserved population.
Competencies and Training Guidelines for Behavioral Health Providers in Pediatric Primary Care

This article focuses on the cross-discipline training competencies needed for preparing behavioral health providers to implement integrated primary care services. After a review of current competencies in the disciplines of child and adolescent psychiatry, psychology, and social work, cross-cutting competencies for integrated training purposes are identified. These competencies are comprehensive and broad and can be modified for use in varied settings and training programs. An existing and successful integrated care training model, currently implemented at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is described. This model and the training competencies are discussed in the context of recommendations for future work and training.
Crezee, Ineke; Mikkelson, Holly; Monzon-Storey, Laura. Introduction to Healthcare for Spanish-speaking Interpreters and Translators. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2015. 388 p.

Introduction to Healthcare for Spanish-speaking Interpreters and Translators is a guide for potential interpreters and translators working in the healthcare field. This book could be used by those who have had little formal teaching about the healthcare setting, or as a model for healthcare trainers to teach programs benefiting translators in this field. The book is sectioned into 3 parts and subsequently subdivided into 28 chapters. Part I offers an introduction to healthcare interpreting. Part II provides a description of possible healthcare settings. Part III proposes a head to foot systematic overview of the various diseases and treatments that are prone to each body part. The language of this guide is plain and straightforward, providing summaries of key words and elements at the end of each chapter.
Voicesetting: Voice Authoring UIs for Improved Expressivity in Augmentative Communication

Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems used by people with speech disabilities rely on text-to-speech (TTS) engines for synthesizing speech. Advances in TTS systems allowing for the rendering of speech with a range of emotions have yet to be incorporated into AAC systems, leaving AAC users with speech that is mostly devoid of emotion and expressivity. In this work, we describe voicesetting as the process of authoring the speech properties of text. We present the design and evaluation of two voicesetting user interfaces: the Expressive Keyboard, designed for rapid addition of expressivity to speech, and the Voicesetting Editor, designed for more careful crafting of the way text should be spoken. We evaluated the perceived output quality, requisite effort, and usability of both interfaces; the concept of voicesetting and our interfaces were highly valued by end-users as an enhancement to communication quality. We close by discussing design insights from our evaluations.
Irrigation and Grass Cover Effects on Pupal Survival Rates in Soil and Adult Emergence Patterns of Rhagoletis indifferens (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens (Curran; Diptera: Tephritidae), occurs in unmanaged cherries (Prunus spp.) across dry climates in Washington State and other regions in western United States and Canada. To help explain the fly's distribution in arid climates, we determined the effects of adding water to bare and grass-covered soils on pupal survival rates and adult emergence patterns of R. indifferens in central Washington. Water was added ('irrigated') or not to bare soil and grass-covered soil in cylinders pressed into the ground. Larvae were added to cylinders and pupal survival and adult fly emergence determined over three seasons. Irrigating bare soil had no effect on pupal survival or adult emergence, but in grass-covered soil, irrigation increased pupal survival (15.2-17.0% vs 6.7-9.5%) and adult emergence (2 of 3 yr, 12.8 and 24.1 vs 1.1 and 11.6%; no difference in 1 yr). Pupal survival was greater in bare (24.5-47.7%) than grass-covered soil (6.7-17.0%). Moisture was higher in irrigated than unirrigated treatments but within irrigated treatments, moisture in bare versus grass-covered soil did not differ. In both irrigated and unirrigated treatments, humidity in soil 5 cm below the surface where many pupae reside was >60%, including during summers. Results suggest R. indifferens pupae tolerate unirrigated soils during summer because soil moisture and high humidity there can prevent desiccation, contributing to the fly's wide distribution and abundance in dry climates, and that dry, grass-covered soils or mulch barriers in mid- and late-summer could reduce fly survival under some conditions.
Hypertonic Radiocontrast Medium and the Kidney: Effects on Renal Functions in the Euvolaemic and in the Dehydrated Dogs

There is an ever-increasing frequency in the use of radiocontrast media (RCM) in diagnostic radiology such as angiography, large-dose excretory urography, contrast-enhanced computerized automated tomography, digital subtraction arteriography, etc. This has raised the important issue which concerns most clinical nephrologists relating to the likelihood of a proportional rise in RCM-induced acute renal failure (ARF). Currently available data regarding the actual incidence of RCM-induced ARF are conflicting (1,2). Certain risk factors which may favour the development of RCM-induced ARF have been proposed, such as old age; renal parenchymal disease; diabetes mellitus; cardiac failure; dehydration; the dose, frequency and method of administration of RCM (3). In the presence of such risk factors, the development of ARF with the use of RCM could evolve from one or both of the following mechanisms:— a) Renal vasoconstriction with prolonged ischaemia leading to acute tubular necrosis (4), or b) Direct nephrotoxic effect (2, 3).
Developing Technology Fluency in Community Practice: Exploration of the “Paintbrush” Metaphor

In this qualitative study of a girls only technology program, the authors argue that an emphasis of self-expression through the use of technology limited middle school girls’ developing technological fluency. The authors show how the metaphor of “technology as a paintbrush” was evident in (1) the organization of the physical environment of the program, (2) its curriculum, and (3) the interactions between the facilitators and the girls during the program. The authors conclude that educators need to analyze critically how the “technology as a paintbrush” metaphor is enacted in the context of facilitating girls’ identity development as technologists.
Beware of the Toll Keepers: The Ethics of Geoengineering Ethics

At the origins of bioethics, Daniel Callahan argued that if these newfangled bioethicists were going to be useful to physicians and policymakers, they would need to offer something like a recipe fo...
More than just Alcohol: Marijuana and Illicit Drug Use at Parties Attended by 15-20 Year Olds.

AbstractBackground: Parties are a common setting for marijuana and illicit drug use among adolescents. Objectives: This study examined the context of parties with alcohol, marijuana and illicit drug use attended by adolescents and young adults. Methods: In 2016, an address-based sample of 1,764 15-20-year-olds in 24 U.S. communities participated in an online survey. Parties were categorized as alcohol-only (Alc-only), marijuana + alcohol (Mj + Alc), and illicit + marijuana + alcohol (ID + Mj + Alc) based on survey participants’ observations and self-reported drug use at the last party attended. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify correlates of substance use at parties. Results: 1,089 participants (61.7%) reported ever attending a party where alcohol was consumed. Of those, 60.1% reported that the last party they attended had Alc-only, 24.9% had Mj + Alc, and 10.0% had ID + Mj + Alc. Older participants were more likely to attend a party with Mj + Alc or ID + Mj + Alc. Participants whose ...
Environmental Organization Alliance Relationships within and across Nonprofit, Business, and Government Sectors:

Alliances are being used by environmental organizations to achieve their mission of improving the natural environment. Many of these alliances have been formed within the nonprofit sector, whereas ...
Blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus presence at fishing piers in South Carolina: association and environmental drivers

We tagged 12 Carcharhinus limbatus with acoustic transmitters and monitored their presence at five piers along the north-east coast of South Carolina, USA in 2016 and four piers in 2017 using acoustic receivers. Data were analysed with pier association indices (PAI), mixed models and fast Fourier transformation analyses to identify potential factors related to residence time and presence at piers and any cyclical patterns in visits to piers. While the majority of monitored C. limbatus were infrequently detected at piers, three (25.0%) were highly associated with piers (PAI ≥ 0.50). Of the C. limbatus that were detected after initial capture, three (25.0%) recorded detection events only at the pier where they were tagged and two individuals (16.7%) recorded at least one detection event at all monitored piers. The best-fit model explaining C. limbatus residence time at piers included terms for pier location and diel cycle (wi = 0.88), whereas the best fit model explaining presence-absence of C. limbatus at piers included terms for tidal height, diel cycle, barometric pressure and angler count (wi = 0.98). Carcharhinus limbatus did not appear to display cyclical patterns in their visits to piers. Along the north-east coast of South Carolina, association of C. limbatus with piers is a phenomenon for a proportion of mature individuals, but continued research is necessary to understand if this behaviour is driven by attraction to and feeding on angler discards or increased foraging opportunities resulting from the attraction of potential prey to the physical structure provided by piers.
Context-Aware Number Generator for Deterministic Bit-stream Computing

Deterministic methods of processing bit-streams have been proposed to produce completely accurate results with stochastic logic. Long latency is the main issue with these methods. To process m n-bit precision numbers, bit-streams of 2^m×n) bits must be generated. In this work, we propose a context-aware bit-stream generator that improves the performance of these deterministic methods.