cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Disease Stage on Progression of Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Clinical findings in patients with hydroxychloroquine retinopathy were monitored with repeated anatomical and functional examinations for 13 to 40 months after the drug was stopped in a referral practice in a university medical center. Eleven patients participated, with the severity of toxic effects categorized as early (patchy parafoveal damage shown on field or objective testing), moderate (a 50%-100% parafoveal ring of optical coherence tomography thinning but intact retinal pigment epithelium), and severe (visible bull’s-eye damage). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Visual acuity, white 10-2 visual field pattern density plots, fundus autofluorescence, spectral-density optical coherence tomography cross sections, thickness (from cube diagrams), and ellipsoid zone length. RESULTS Visual acuity and visual fields showed no consistent change. Fundus autofluorescence showed little or no change except in severe cases in which the bull’s-eye damage expanded progressively. Optical coherence tomography cross sections showed little visible change in early and moderate cases but progressive foveal thinning (approximately 7 μm/y) and loss of ellipsoid zone (in the range of 100 μm/y) in severe cases, which was confirmed by quantitative measurements. The measurements also showed some foveal thinning (approximately 4 μm/y) and deepening of parafoveal loss in moderate cases, but the breadth of the ellipsoid zone remained constant in both early and moderate cases. A few cases showed a suggestion of ellipsoid zone improvement.
West European Labor in Transition: Sweden and Germany Compared

This article analyzes conflicts in the 1980s over the decentralization of bargaining between labor and capital in Sweden and Germany. The analysis highlights the role of institutional arrangements, some of them previously “dormant” politically, that mediated common pressures to enhance plant-level flexibility. Whereas the drive for plant flexibility in Sweden contributed to the demise of traditional bargaining arrangements, similar pressures in Germany were more successfully accommodated within its “dual” system. In both cases, institutional links among different levels and arenas of bargaining shaped the strategic interactions of labor and capital in ways that either complicated (Sweden) or facilitated (Germany) the search for compromise within traditional bargaining institutions. While confirming the central role of institutions in explaining cross-national variation in outcomes, the analysis also adds a dynamic element to institutional analysis, highlighting how changing substantive interests of political actors interact with preexisting institutions to produce distinctive patterns of stability and change.
A multi-organizational "skunk works" for product design in a small business

This paper has presented a case study of the commercial design management of an instrumentation system to detect fallen power lines on electric distribution systems. The design was performed in an ad hoc "skunk works" consisting of individuals from several different organizations brought to a small business organization for the sole purpose of accomplishing the project on an aggressive schedule. The project successfully met its objectives of schedule cost and product requirements, and serves as an excellent study of new product design in an innovative environment.
CONSEPP: CONvenient and secure electronic payment protocol based on X9.59

The security of electronic payment protocols is of interest to researchers in academia and industry. While the ultimate objective is the safest and most secure protocol, convenience and usability should not be ignored, or the protocol may not be suitable for large-scale deployment. Our aim is to design a practical electronic payment protocol which is both secure and convenient. ANSI X9.59 standard describes secure payment objects to be used in electronic payment in a convenient and secure way. It has many useful convenience features for large-scale consumer market deployment, the best being the elimination of consumer certificates. Consumer public keys are stored in account records at financial institutions; the digital signatures issued by consumers are verified by financial institutions. Encryption is deliberately not provided by X9.59. We propose a new Internet e-payment protocol, namely CONSEPP (CONvenient and Secure E-Payment Protocol), based on the account authority model of ANSI X9.59 standard. CONSEPP is the specialized version of X9.59 for Internet transactions (X9.59 is multi-purpose). It has some extra features on top of the X9.59 standard. X9.59 requires merchant certificates; in CONSEPP we propose a lightweight method to avoid the need for merchant certificates. Moreover, we propose a simple method for secure shopping experience between merchant and consumer. Merchant authentication is embedded in the payment cycle. CONSEPP aims to use current financial transaction networks, like VisaNet, BankNet and ACH networks, for communications among financial institutions. No certificates (in the classical sense) or certificate authorities exist in CONSEPP. Convenience is not traded for security; basic security requirements are fulfilled in the payment authorization cycle without extra messaging and significant overhead.
Consequences of Physical Health and Mental Illness Risks for Academic Achievement in Grades K-12.

Educational research, practice, and institutions regularly highlight the significance of factors outside of schooling that affect children's engagement and participation in classroom learning. However, they are less likely to intervene in issues that are described as nonacademic despite their clear relevance to students' academic experiences. The health of children and families is one such issue with implications for the quality of children's school experiences, treatment in school, and academic achievement. A focus on health concerns both identifiable risk factors (e.g., obesity) as well as less easily identified risks (e.g., eating disorders) that may serve as obstacles to children's engagement and challenge efforts to increase preventive health and health maintenance measures. In this review, we are concerned with risk(s) to children that results from educational and health disparities. We are similarly concerned with the intersection of these disparities and social inequalities that are embedded in them to students' academic achievement. The incidence and prevalence of these risks are often greater for children from ethnic minority groups; however, the problems that result from high-risk behaviors affect children across ethnic groups and income levels. Children who suffer from poor health early in their lives are placed in a precarious position of having descending academic trajectories and socioeconomic success that continue into their adulthood (Case, Fertig, & Paxson, 2005; Palloni, 2006; Palloni & Milesi, 2006). The preponderance of educational research on disparities in academic achievement tends to focus on familial and socioeconomic conditions (i.e., parental educational attainment, income, poverty status, and single-family household), student behaviors
Deconstructing ‘gender and development’ for ‘identities of women’

In this article, the gender and development paradigm is critically reviewed and an alternative framework of research –identities of women– is proposed. This article contends that the gender and development paradigm is primarily guided by the tenets of Western feminisms and economic development. The article also highlights other limitations of the paradigm, including its preoccupation with male–female inequalities, macro generalisations and symbolic representation of women and a limited inclusion of local contexts. The identities of women framework proposes to address the limitations of the gender and development paradigm by studying women's conception of their environment and women's understanding of their relationship with these environments. The identities of women framework is informed by poststructuralist critique of feminism, cultural anthropology and a socio-psychological approach to identity.
Identification of radiation-induced microRNA transcriptome by next-generation massively parallel sequencing

Gene regulation in cells exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) occurs at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Recent studies have suggested that micro-RNA (miRNA) play a significant role in post-transcriptional gene regulation in irradiated cells. miRNA are RNA molecules 18-24 nucleotides in length that are involved in negatively regulating the stability or translation of target messenger RNA. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that the expression of various miRNA is altered in IR-treated cells. In the present study we monitored genome-wide expression changes of miRNA transcriptome by massively parallel sequencing of human cells irradiated with X-rays. The baseline expression of 402 miRNA indicated a wide range of modulation without exposure to IR. Differences in the expression of many miRNA were observed in a time-dependent fashion following radiation treatment. The Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) clustering tool was used to characterize 190 miRNA to six statistically significant temporal expression profiles. miR-19b and miR-93 were induced and miR-222, miR-92a, and miR-941 were repressed after radiation treatment. miR-142-3p, miR-142-5p, miR-107, miR-106b, miR-191, miR-21, miR-26a, miR-182, miR-16, miR-146a, miR-22 and miR-30e exhibited two peaks of induction: one at 8 h and the other at 24 h post-irradiation. miR-378, miR-let-7a, miR-let-7g, miR-let-7f, miR-103b, miR-486-3p, miR-423-5p, miR-4448, miR-3607-5p, miR-20b, miR-130b, miR-155, miR-181, miR-30d and miR-378c were induced only at the 8-h time-point. This catalogue of the inventory of miRNA that are modulated as a response to radiation exposure will be useful for explaining the mechanisms of gene regulation under conditions of stress.
Performance analysis pf parallelizing compilers on the Perfect Benchmarks programs

The speedups of the Perfect Benchmarks codes that result from automatic parallelization are reported. The performance gains caused by individual restructuring techniques have also been measured. Specific reasons for the successes and failures of the transformations are discussed, and potential improvements that result in measurably better program performance are analyzed. The most important findings are that available restructurers often cause insignificant performance gains in real programs and that only few restructuring techniques contribute to this gain. However, it can be shown that there is potential for advancing compiler technology so that many of the most important loops in these programs can be parallelized. >
Latino Definitions of Success: A Cultural Model of Intercultural Competence

The present study sought to examine Latino intercultural competence via two separate methodologies. Phase 1 entailed discovering and generating themes regarding the features of intercultural competence based on semistructured interviews of 15 Latino adults. Phase 2 included conducting a cultural consensus analysis from the quantitative responses of 46 Latino adults to determine the cultural model of intercultural competence. The major results indicated that the participants, despite variations in socioeconomic and generational statuses, shared a common knowledge base regarding the competencies needed for Latinos to successfully navigate different cultures. Overall, the cultural model of Latino intercultural competence includes a set of skills that integrates traditional cultural values along with attributes of self-efficacy. The findings are discussed within a competence-based conceptualization of cultural adaptation and potential advancements in acculturation research.
Electromagnetic surface error compensation for reflector antennas using neural network computing

The feasibility of using neural network computing to perform constrained least squares (CLS) surface error compensation has been demonstrated. The major advantage of using the neural-network approach is that, once trained, the large computational overhead associated with the CLS algorithm is overcome and real-time compensation is facilitated. The complex excitations for the surface error compensation were computed using surface data without any field information. Measured field data could, however, also be used to train the network. >
Data compression in brains

Data compression involves packaging data in an efficient manner. It is a common phenomenon in man-made computers. If is reasonable to assume that something similar occurs in brains. It is proposed that experimental evidence for this is given by the data on decreasing density of synaptic connections in brains with age. The proposed effect is reviewed in relation to computations with simple brain models in the form of a specific artificial neural network.
Ground water dependence of endangered ecosystems: Nebraska's eastern saline wetlands.

Many endangered or threatened ecosystems depend on ground water for their survival. Nebraska’s saline wetlands, home to a number of endangered species, are ecosystems whose development, sustenance, and survival depend on saline ground water discharge at the surface. This study demonstrates that the saline conditions present within the eastern Nebraska saline wetlands result from the upwelling of saline ground water from within the underlying Dakota Aquifer and deeper underlying formations of Pennsylvanian age. Over thousands to tens of thousands of years, saline ground water has migrated over regional scale flowpaths from recharge zones in the west to the present-day discharge zones along the saline streams of Rock, Little Salt, and Salt creeks in Lancaster and Saunders counties. An endangered endemic species of tiger beetle living within the wetlands has evolved under a unique set of hydrologic conditions, is intolerant to recent anthropogenic changes in hydrology and salinity, and is therefore on the brink of extinction. As a result, the fragility of such systems demands an even greater understanding of the interrelationships among geology, hydrology, water chemistry, and biology than in less imperiled systems where adaptation is more likely. Results further indicate that when dealing with ground water discharge–dependent ecosystems, and particularly those dependent on dissolved constituents as well as the water, wetland management must be expanded outside of the immediate surface location of the visible ecosystem to include areas where recharge and lateral water movement might play a vital role in wetland hydrologic and chemical mixing dynamics.
Measuring Moisture Leakage Out of Water Cooling Hardware

Computer processor speeds have increased in recent years to the extent that water cooling is becoming an attractive and sometimes a necessary way of cooling the processors and their associated electronics. Water can conduct heat much faster than air, allowing processors to run at higher speeds at lower acoustic levels. The ability of water to cool computer electronics can be diminished, or even lost, if there is excessive loss of water by permeation through, or leaks past, the various materials and/or connections between materials. Knowing the rate of loss of coolant from cooling systems can help designers determine the maintenance procedures and schedules for their cooling systems. The paper describes a novel, accurate and convenient method for measuring the moisture leakage rates out of water-carrying hardware. The water-filled hardware under test is placed in a chamber that is purged dry with flowing nitrogen gas and the chamber is then sealed. The rate of rise of relative humidity in the chamber is used to determine the rate of moisture leakage out of the water-filled hardware. The errors arising from the hose terminations and the adsorption of moisture by the metal chamber walls and the plastic fittings can be accounted for and corrected. The test duration is typically less than 10 days. The paper presents examples of water leakage out of hoses and tubes and their terminations and out of quick connects.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Photomodulation of cellular gene expression in hydrogels

Biomaterials are designed to mimic aspects of various extracellular matrix environments, through chemical modifications to input biological or chemical signals. However, the dynamic nature and timing of gene expression during cellular events is much more difficult to mimic and control in these synthetic environments. Here, we utilized concepts of photochemistry combined with click chemistry for synthetic biology applications to modulate cellular gene expression in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels. Specifically, a genetic inducer, isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), is covalently linked to PEG via a biocompatible and easy to synthesize 2-(2-azido-6-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (ANPEOC) photocleavable moiety that, on a short exposure to UV light, effectively releases IPTG and activates gene expression of enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP). We anticipate that combining concepts of material chemistry with synthetic biology will further enable the construction of highly defined engineered ...
Orally active hypoglycemic substances and the rationale of their use.

The introduction of the orally active hypoglycemic agents has already had a profound effect on the therapy of diabetes. Unfortunately, despite a great deal of discussion in the literature, there is still much about these drugs which is uncertain and unsettled and, in general, information about their limitations is not so widely spread as claims for their utility. Although the modern era of interest in oral hypoglycemic agents began about 40 years ago with the association of this effect with the guanidines, it was first observed and confirmed more than 80 years ago as the result of salicylate therapy. Hypoglycemic effects have been noted after the oral administration of such unrelated materials as (1) sulfonamides and sulfonylureas (e.g., tolbutamide), (2) guanidines (e.g., synathalin A), (3) extracts of the akee plant (hypoglycin A and B), and (4) salicylates. It is also reasonable to suppose that more are on their way. The state of our knowledge of the modes of action of the several groups of orally active hypoglycemic agents based on clinical and experimental observations as well as their clinical uses, limitations, and dangers are discussed.
Breeding and application of pigeon pea variety Guimu 9

Guimu 9 is a new pigeon pea variety bred from hybridization of an Indian improved line ICPL90008 with good prolificacy and Guangxi local variety Mudou 2 with tall-plant and good resistance to diseases and insect pests,through seven generation in seven years.It characterized good branching ability,high yield,good resistance to diseases and insect pests,wide usage,etc.The yield of Guimu 9 with 2,250-3,000kg/hm~2 is higher than that of the varieties which widely popularized at present.It can be used as food,fodder and ecological tree species.According to the different application of Guimu 9,suitable land and planting density should be selected,scientific management on water and fertilizer should be taken,intertilling and weeding should be done timely,pests control and harvesting should also be conducted timely for getting high yield of pigeon pea.
Vomiting: radiographic and oscillographic correlates in the decerebrate cat.

Emesis was evoked in unanesthetized cats by the administration of veratrum alkaloids (50 to 100 μg per kg intramuscularly). Visceral pressure changes, measured via thoracic and abdominal venous catheters, were temporally compared with cineradiographic records of retching and expulsion. Repeated thoracic herniations of the abdominal esophagus and cardiac portion of the stomach coincided with negative thoracic pulses which characterized retching. Contrast material from the stomach moved freely to and fro into a dilated esophagus during retching, and the maximum retrograde movement of material lagged the peak negative pressure by about 300 msec. Expulsion was typified by a final reversal of thoracic pressure from negative to positive. It began with the cardia already situated in the thorax as the result of the preceding retching. The expulsive event was accompanied by a rapid anterior displacement of the diaphragm accomplished within two to four cineradiographic frames (67 to 134 msec). Retching, then, is basically a preparatory maneuver in which respiratory mechanisms are used to defeat the inherent antireflux characteristics of the abdominal esophagus and cardia prior to expulsion.
Improving Clinical Data Integrity by using Data Adjudication Techniques for Data Received through a Health Information Exchange (HIE).

Growing participation in Healthcare Information Exchange (HIE) has created opportunities for the seamless integration of external data into an organization’s own EHR and clinical workflows. The process of integrating external data has the potential to detect data integrity issues. Lack of critiquing external data before its incorporation can lead to data unfit for use in the clinical setting. HIE data adjudication, by detecting inconsistencies, physiological and temporal incompatibilities, data completeness and timeliness issues in HIE data, facilitates corrective actions and improves clinical data integrity.
DOE: Robust Design

In Chapt. 4, it is claimed that perhaps the majority of quality problems are caused by variation in quality characteristics. The evidence is that typically only a small fraction of units fail to conform to specifications. If characteristic values were consistent, then either 100% of units would conform or 0%. Robust design methods seek to reduce the effects of input variation on a system’s outputs to improve quality.
Acute Stress Detection Using Recurrence Quantification Analysis of Electroencephalogram (EEG) Signals

In the present work we intend to classify the brain states under physical stress and experimental control conditions based on the nonlinear features of electroencephalogram (EEG) dynamics using support vector machine (SVM) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA) method was employed to quantify the nonlinear features of high-density electroencephalogram (EEG) signals recorded either during instances of acute stress induction or comparison conditions. Four RQA measures, including determinism (DET), entropy (ENTR), laminarity (LAM) and trapping time (TT) were extracted from the EEG signals to characterize the deterministic features of cortical activity. Results revealed that LASSO was highly efficient in classifying the conditions using any one of the selected RQA measures, while SVM achieved accurate classification based solely on ENTR and TT. Among all four measures of non-linear dynamics, ENTR yielded the best overall classification accuracy.
Hospital Factors Associated With Care Discontinuity Following Emergency General Surgery.

Importance Although there is evidence that changes in clinicians during the continuum of care (care discontinuity) are associated with higher mortality and complications among surgical patients, little is known regarding the drivers of care discontinuity among emergency general surgery (EGS) patients. Objective To identify hospital factors associated with care discontinuity among EGS patients. Design, Setting, and Participants We performed a retrospective analysis of the 100% Medicare inpatient claims file, from January 1, 2008, to November 30, 2011, and matched patient details to hospital information in the 2011 American Hospital Association Annual Survey database. We selected patients aged 65 years and older who had the most common procedures associated with the previously defined American Association for the Surgery of Trauma EGS diagnosis categories and survived to hospital discharge across the United States. The current analysis was conducted from February 1, 2016, to March 24, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures Care discontinuity defined as readmission within 30 days to nonindex hospitals. Results There were 109 443 EGS patients readmitted within 30 days of discharge and 20 396 (18.6%) were readmitted to nonindex hospitals. Of the readmitted patients, 61 340 (56%) were female. Care discontinuity was higher among patients who were male (19.5% vs 18.0%), those younger than 85 years old (19.0% vs 16.6%), and those who lived 12.8 km (8 miles) or more away from the index hospitals (23.7% vs 14.8%) (all P Conclusions and Relevance Nearly 1 in 5 older EGS patients is readmitted to a hospital other than where their original procedure was performed. This care discontinuity is independently associated with mortality and is highest among EGS patients who are treated at large, teaching, safety-net hospitals. These data underscore the need for sustained efforts in increasing continuity of care among these hospitals and highlight the importance of accounting for these factors in risk-adjusted hospital comparisons.
Uranium(III) and thorium(IV) alkyl complexes as potential starting materials

The synthesis and characterisation of a rare U(III) alkyl complex, U[η4-Me2NC(H)C6H5]3, using the dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA) ligand has been accomplished. While attempting to prepare the U(IV) compound, reduction to the U(III) complex occurred. In the analogous Th(IV) system, C–H bond activation of a methyl group of one dimethylamine was observed yielding Th[η4-Me2NC(H)C6H5]2[η5-(CH2)MeNC(H)C6H5] with a dianionic DMBA ligand. The utility of these complexes as starting materials has been analyzed using a bulky dithiocarboxylate ligand to yield tetravalent actinide species.
Gene- and cell-based approaches for neurodegenerative disease.

Neurodegenerative diseases comprise an important group of chronic diseases that increase in incidence with rising age. In particular, the two most common neurodegenerative diseases are Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, both of which will be discussed below. A third, Huntington’s disease, occurs infrequently, but has been studied intensely. Each of these diseases shares characteristics which are also generalizeable to other neurodegenerative diseases: accumulation of proteinaceous substances that leads inexorably to selective neuronal death and decline in neural function. Treatments for these diseases have historically focused on symptomatic relief, but recent advances in molecular research have identified more specific targets. Additionally, stem cell therapy, immunotherapy and trophic-factor delivery provide avenues for neuronal protection that may alter the natural progression of these devastating illnesses. Upcoming clinical trials will evaluate treatment strategies and provide hope that translational research will decrease the onset of debilitating disability associated with neurodegenerative disease.
Strategies to Improve Solar Fraction in an Adsorption Cooling System Based on Metal Organic Frameworks in Humid and Dry Climates: A Case Study for Southeast and Southwest Texas

In this study, the performance of a solar-thermal powered adsorption cooling system based on HKUST-1-water (a type of metal organic framework) working pair for a detached single story family house located in two geographically diverse areas of South Texas was investigated. Using TRNSYS, the optimal system parameters such as collector area and chiller loop mass flow rate were determined to maximize the solar fraction of the cooling system. Based on the simulation results, it is possible to obtain monthly average solar fraction value of 0.7 or above during most of the cooling season (i.e., Apr to Nov) in both locations. For the same operating parameters, solar fraction in Kingsville, TX is slightly higher than the El Paso, TX.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Massed Trials versus Trials Embedded into Game Play: Child Outcomes and Preference.

Limited data are available regarding how response prompting procedures should be used in early childhood settings. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of progressive time delay instruction presented via two trial arrangements: massed and embedded. During massed trial sessions, a short instructional session was conducted, followed by game play. During embedded trial sessions, trials were conducted during game play. Across 12 participants with and without disabilities, efficiency and preference data were mixed. Preference data suggested most participants preferred the instruction type that resulted in most efficient learning. Social validity data suggest inservice and preservice practitioners may be equally likely to use the procedures, but some respondents indicated they might be less willing to use embedded trial arrangements due to increased effort in materials preparation. Implications include the possibility that faster learners may learn better in embedded contexts and that childre...
Effects of Internet Training in Mindfulness Meditation on Variables Related to Cancer Recovery

Once cancer patients complete treatment, experiences with stress-related sequelae that impede recovery often persist. This study examined whether Internet-delivered mindfulness treatment alleviated symptoms associated with this stress. Cancer survivors were randomly assigned to either 6-week Internet-delivered mindfulness training or a usual care control and were compared on the following outcome battery: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Profile of Mood States, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Fatigue Symptom Inventory. Assessments were conducted before and after treatment and intervention compliance was monitored. Mindfulness treatments were delivered at a time and on a computer of the participants’ choosing. Multivariate and univariate follow-up analyses indicated that mindfulness training produced significant benefits on all measures. Effect sizes were all medium to large as well. Online mindfulness instruction represents a widely accessible intervention for reducing psychological distress and its behavioral manifestations in cancer survivors, especially those who are unable to participate in in-person training.
Micropuncture Study of Distal Tubular Activation of Phosphate Reabsorption in the Rat

A considerable body of evidence suggests a reciprocal relationship between the urinary excretion rate of potassium and urinary pH1. In addition, attention has also been drawn to a reciprocal relationship between potassium and ammonium excretion2,3. The relationship between the excretion rate of urinary buffers, mainly phosphate, and potassium, is less well defined. In order to evaluate this aspect of renal tubular acidification, micropuncture studies were carried out in which the effects of acute potassium loading upon phosphate transport were investigated.
Testimony, Memory and Solidarity across National Borders: Paul Ricoeur and Transnational Feminism

In many ways, globalization created the problem of representation for feminist solidarity across the borders of the nation state. This problem is one of presenting a cohesive identity for representation in the transnational public sphere. This paper proposes a solution to this problem of a cohesive identity for women’s representation by drawing on the work of Paul Ricœur. What these women seem to have in common are shared political aims, but they have no basis for those aims. This paper provides a basis for these aims by turning to Ricœur’s work on collective memory from Memory, History, Forgetting. The paper concludes that it is the shared testimony through narrative hospitality, which can provide a foundation for a social bond for those with common political aims. More specifically, this common knowledge provides a justification for the representation of women and their allies in the transnational public sphere.
Introduction: From Revolution to Globalization: Foodways in Russia and East-Central Europe

This introduction examines how food and foodways were used in Russia and in the Communist Bloc nations of Eastern and Central Europe as a means of envisioning and implementing the idea of a utopian future in the here and now. In the case of Russia, food imagery had been utilized in nineteenth-century literature to imagine the ideal community, which became a political and economic necessity after the October Revolution of 1917. Loudly proclaimed ideals of modernity and progress required tangible results, such as an abundance of cheap and healthy food. Local variants of this followed the spread of Soviet influence to Eastern Europe after World War II. Here new foodways and technologies were likewise introduced in order to create the “dreamworlds” of the future. The fall of communism (1989–91) brought about the need to reimagine culinary landscapes, both as a critique of socialism and—later—as a response to twenty-first-century globalization and homogenization.
Imaging reflectivity profiles with random axial encoding

Imaging with random sensing functions may afford novel measurement geometries that circumvent constraints of conventional point-by-point imaging architectures. Here we demonstrate imaging of axial reflectivity profiles using random temporal-spatial encoding created by modal interference in a multimode fiber.
The Role of Biologic Therapy in Rotator Cuff Tears and Repairs

The purpose of this review was to establish the foundation of the major biologic adjuvants to rotator cuff repairs and review recent scientific findings. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) overall has no significant impact on functional outcomes and repair integrity, but may be more advantageous in small to medium tears. Further studies should focus on leukocyte-rich versus poor preparations and the use of PRP in patients that are high risk for repair failure. Biologic and synthetic patches or augments provide mechanical stability for large and massive rotator cuff tears and decrease re-tear rates. Mesenchymal stem cells have demonstrated improved healing rates without an impact on outcomes. Cytokines and growth factors show promise in animal models, but require human trials to further evaluate. In massive or revision repairs, allograft or synthetic patch augmentation should be considered. Platelet-rich plasma may have benefit in smaller tears. Further studies are needed to evaluate the value of mesenchymal stem cells and various cytologic chemical signals.
Medical Family Therapy in Oncology

Cancer diagnoses encompass a broad and varied group of diseases that share the feature of abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth. In the United States alone, an estimated 1.6 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed last year (American Cancer Society, 2016). Once considered a death sentence, many cancers are now treated as chronic illnesses that require long-term management (McCorkle et al., 2011). This shift from acute to chronic care for patients with cancer represents a culmination of continually evolving medical advances that have succeeded in prolonging survival and expanding the range of available treatment options.
Chronic impacts of invasive herbivores on a foundational forest species: a whole-tree perspective

Forests make up a large portion of terrestrial plant biomass, and the long-lived woody plants that dominate them possess an array of traits that deter consumption by forest pests. Although often extremely effective against native consumers, invasive species that avoid or overcome these defenses can wreak havoc on trees and surrounding ecosystems. This is especially true when multiple invasive species co-occur, since interactions between invasive herbivores may yield non-additive effects on the host. While the threat posed by invasive forest pests is well known, long-term field experiments are necessary to explore these consumer-host interactions at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. Moreover, it is important to measure multiple variables to get a "whole-plant" picture of their combined impact. We report the results of a 4-yr field experiment addressing the individual and combined impacts of two invasive herbivores, the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) and elongate hemlock scale (Fiorinia externa), on native eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) in southern New England. In 2011, we planted 200 hemlock saplings into a temperate forest understory and experimentally manipulated the presence/absence of both herbivore species; in 2015, we harvested the 88 remaining saplings and assessed plant physiology, growth, and resource allocation. Adelgids strongly affected hemlock growth: infested saplings had lower above/belowground biomass ratios, more needle loss, and produced fewer new needles than control saplings. Hemlock scale did not alter plant biomass allocation or growth, and its co-occurrence did not alter the impact of adelgid. While both adelgid and scale impacted the concentrations of primary metabolites, adelgid effects were more pronounced. Adelgid feeding simultaneously increased free amino acids local to feeding sites and a ~30% reduction in starch. The cumulative impact of adelgid-induced needle loss, manipulation of nitrogen pools, and the loss of stored resources likely accelerates host decline through disruption of homeostatic source-sink dynamics occurring at the whole-plant level. Our research stresses the importance of considering long-term impacts to predict how plants will cope with contemporary pressures experienced in disturbed forests.
Teacher evaluation and the demoralization of teachers

Abstract Drawing from two years of ethnographic data, this case study details one middle school science and mathematics teacher's experience of new statewide teacher evaluation processes. Initially, these processes held potential as professional learning opportunities. However, limited opportunities for sense-making about what counts as “good” teaching foreclosed on teacher learning contributing to teacher demoralization. Evaluation processes eroded teacher professional identity by reshaping notions of professional competence in ways that did not make sense to teachers. Insights from this study inform debates about teacher evaluation and contribute to scholarship questioning the relationship between accountability policies in education and teachers' professional growth.
Learning from Our Mistakes — Before It’s Too Late

This paper considers the use of “near miss” incidents as part of a pro-active approach to breaking the chain of events that culminate in accidents. Many accidents are preceded by similar near miss incidents, yet such incidents are poorly reported and analysed. Clarifying principles related to near miss incidents, the Accident Ratio Triangle, the Accident Chain and the Accident Potential Model for analysing accidents are presented. Case studies show how near miss analysis may be used a mechanism for monitoring risk management procedures and altering them in response to the changing events and conditions to individual outdoor education programmes. This paper contends that careful reflection on near misses allows us to leam from our mistakes, and prevent their repetition before any damage is done.
Speculations on the Intrinsic Significance of Random Interactions

It is a special pleasure to dedicate this paper to Professor Elliott Montroll on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Few people have used statistical ideas and random concepts with as much success as Professor Montroll. It is appropriate to note that the speculations presented here — (suggesting the use of random considerations in particle physics) — owe a great deal to Professor Montroll’s activities in this field.
Confirmation of Superconductivity in Sr2YRu1−uCuuO6

Evidence is reported that Sr 2 YRu 1-u Cu u O 6 superconducts with a transition temperature of at least T c 30 K for u = 0.1, confirming the reports by Wu et al. that this material superconducts despite having no cuprate planes. (Such planes are widely believed to be necessary for high-temperature superconductivity.) Coexisting with the superconductivity. Sr 2 YRu 1-u Cu u O 6 exhibits magnetic order due to antiferromagnetic Ru and Cu.
Characterization of mixed halide scintillators: CsSrBrI2:Eu, CsCaBrI2:Eu and CsSrClBr2:Eu

Abstract Eu2+-doped mixed halide scintillators, CsSrBrI2, CsCaBrI2 and CsSrClBr2 were studied for gamma-ray spectroscopy applications. We grew O13 mm single crystals via the vertical Bridgman method using a self-seeded technique and investigated physical and scintillation properties. Single crystal X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis reveal that CsSrBrI2 and CsSrClBr2 have orthorhombic crystal structures and melt congruently at 611 °C and 752 °C, respectively, while CsCaBrI2 has a cubic structure and melts congruently at 671 °C. All three compounds have the typical Eu2+ 5d – 4 f single-peak emission centered between 445 and 462 nm with a scintillation decay time of a few microseconds. The optimal Eu2+ concentration to maximize the scintillation light yield was determined to be ~7–10%. All three mixed scintillators have an improved energy resolution compared to the non-mixed CsSrI3:Eu, CsCaI3:Eu and CsSrBr3:Eu. The best performing scintillator is CsSrBrI2:Eu 7% with light yield of 65,300 ph/MeV and energy resolution of 3.4% at 662 keV. Excellent proportional response for a wide range of gamma-ray energies was measured for all three scintillators.
What to Observe in Low Atmosphere

In this chapter, we shall discuss some aspects of solar phenomena that can be described as “what to observe in low atmosphere.” New space and ground based instruments with ever increasing spatial resolution and time cadence allow to observe amazing details of solar phenomena. Examples of the observational results will be presented in about the same order as the content of the book. When possible, the frames for quantitative analysis discussed throughout the book will be given.
Local Referral of High-Risk Pancreatectomy Patients to Improve Surgical Outcomes and Minimize Travel Burden

Referring patients to high-quality hospitals for complex procedures may improve outcomes. This is most feasible within small geographic areas. However, access to specialized surgical procedures may be an implementation barrier. We sought to determine the availability of high-quality hospitals performing pancreatectomy and the potential benefit and travel burden of referral within small geographic areas. We identified elderly Medicare beneficiaries undergoing pancreatectomy between 2012 and 2014. Hospitals were stratified into quintiles of quality based on postoperative complication rates. Patient risk was assessed by modeling the predicted risk of developing a postoperative complication. The geographic unit of analysis was Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Hospitals were categorized into MSA by zip code. Travel distance was calculated using patient and hospital zip code. Among high-risk patients, 40.7% received care at the lowest-quality hospitals even though 80% had a high-quality hospital in the same MSA. Shifting these patients from low- to high-quality hospitals would decrease serious complications from 46.6 to 21.9% (P < 0.001) and mortality from 10.9 to 8.9% (P = 0.047). Three quarters of high-risk patients treated at low-quality hospitals could reach a high-quality hospital by extending their travel < 5 miles, and nearly 60% traveled farther to a low-quality hospital than was necessary to reach a high-quality hospital. High-risk pancreatectomy patients often receive care at low-quality hospitals despite the availability of high-quality hospitals in the area or within an acceptable distance. Referral of high-risk patients to high-quality hospitals within small geographic areas may be an effective strategy to improve outcomes following pancreatic surgery.
Mental health disparities and high-risk alcohol use among non-heterosexual high school students.

Purpose To examine disparities in mental health and high-risk alcohol use among high school students by sexual orientation, and the impact of having access to an adult with whom to talk. Design and methods Cross-sectional survey, from the 2015 Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Logistic regression estimated the relationship between being "non-heterosexual" on mental health (e.g, suicidal ideation/attempt) and alcohol behaviors (e.g, binge drinking), controlling for demographics and "having an adult to talk to." Findings Non-heterosexual students were more likely to report all adverse outcomes and risk was lower among students who report "having an adult to talk to." Practice implications Psychiatric nurses need to assess sexual minority youth for access to positive adult relationships.
Does L4-L5 Pose Additional Neurologic Risk in Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion?

Objective Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) at the L4-L5 level is a controversial topic in the spine data. The aim of the present study was to compare the rate of nerve-related motor deficits in patients undergoing LLIF with and without L4-L5 involvement. Methods The clinical data from consecutive patients who had undergone LLIF from 2006 to 2016 at a single academic institution were retrospectively reviewed for new postoperative motor weakness of the quadriceps or tibialis anterior muscle. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to L4-L5 involvement. Regression analysis was performed to examine the association of LLIF at L4-L5 and the risk of new motor deficits. Results A total of 872 patients met inclusion criteria. The rate of new motor deficits at the 6-week postoperative visit in the L4-L5 group was 13.1%, which was significantly greater than that in the non–L4-L5 group at 5.5% (P Conclusions The results from the present large study are in line with previous investigations reporting an initial increased risk of new motor deficits for LLIF performed at L4-L5. However, most new motor deficits were transient in nature and had resolved over time.
Tobacco Use among Women Firefighters.

Abstract Objectives Firefighters play a crucial role in protecting the lives and property of the communities they serve. Health and readiness for duty among women firefighters is of great concern because they are a significantly understudied group in this critical occupation. A tobacco-free fire service has been strongly promoted, but there are no published data on the extent and types of tobacco use among women firefighters. Methods Data were collected as part of a national online study of the health of women in the fire service. Results A total of 1,712 women firefighters completed questions regarding tobacco use. Unadjusted smoking and smokeless tobacco rates were 5.1% and 1.2%, respectively. Age standardized smoking rates were lower than those of male firefighters and U.S. adult women. Smokeless tobacco use prevalence was very low compared with male firefighters, but comparable with U.S. adult women. Tobacco users were more likely to have lower education and income and were younger when compared with those who did not use tobacco. There was a strong association between tobacco use and problem and binge drinking. Conclusions Current findings suggest that the rates of cigarette and smokeless tobacco use are relatively low among women firefighters. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as problem and binge drinking were strongly associated with tobacco use.
PM 4 —A reconfigurable multiprocessor system for pattern recognition and image processing

Pictorial information is often described by digitized arrays, syntactic (and semantic) strings and high-dimensional trees or graphs. The analysis and extraction of meaningful information for pictorial patterns by digital computers is called pictorial pattern analysis. Pattern analysis tasks require a wide variety of processing techniques and mathematical tools. In most machine intelligence systems, large computers are employed to process pictorial information. Because most image processing tasks require only repetitive Boolean operations or simple arithmetic operations defined over extremely large arrays of picture elements (pixels), 1 the use of large computers with rigidly structured sequential or parallel processors may result in intolerable waste of resources. 2 For example, the array-structured ILLIAC IV 3 and STARAN 4 are efficient for processing fixed-length vectors, but are very inefficient for mixed scalar and vector operations, due to the fact that multiple instruction streams do not exist simultaneously in these supercomputers.