cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Process for the formation of biaxially oriented films of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) from liquid crystalline solutions

A new process for making equal biaxially oriented films from liquid crystalline solutions of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPD-T) is described. The process involves extruding solutions of PPD-T/H2SO4 through an annular die and over an oil-coated mandrel into a coagulation bath. The films were studied using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tensile stress–strain properties were obtained on samples cut at various directions in the plane of the film. Biaxially oriented films which possess equal properties in the various directions in the plane of the film were produced. Moduli of 2.3 × 109 Pa and tensile strengths of 9.6 × 107 Pa were obtained in the plane of the film. Films with unequal biaxial orientation were also produced. These tend to have higher modulus/tensile strength in the direction of major orientation, the machine direction (up to 8.3 × 109 Pa/2.5 × 108 Pa), but become brittle in the transverse direction.
Auction-based power allocation for many-to-one cooperative wireless networks

In this paper, a distributed efficient power allocation game-theoretic framework in wireless ad-hoc networks is proposed where multiple source nodes communicate with a single destination node via a relay node. The power allocation among the source nodes is formulated as an alternative ascending-clock auction (A-ACA) and achieved using a distributed algorithm that converges in a finite number of clocks and is proven to enforce truthful power demands at every clock and maximize the social welfare. Analytical and numerical results are presented to verify the efficient power allocation, truth-telling and social welfare maximization properties of the proposed A-ACA. It is concluded that the proposed A-ACA lends itself to practical implementation in wireless ad-hoc networks.
MANUFACTURING ACCIDENT: INDUSTRIALISM AND THE WORKER’S BODY IN EARLY VICTORIAN FICTION

I refer to the health of millions who spend their lives in manufactories. . . I ask if these millions enjoy that vigour of body which is ever a direct good, and without which all other advantages are comparatively worthless? ( The Effects of Arts, Trades, and Professions, and of civic states and habits of living, on health and longevity , C. Turner Thackrah) [Factory reformers] wrote in the newspapers, and circulated pamphlets - they petitioned Parliament - exhibited diseased and crippled objects in London - and made such an impression on the public mind, that their measures were carried in the House of Commons almost by acclamation, notwithstanding the testimony of facts of a directly contrary nature. ( Exposition of the Factory Question ) T HIS ARTICLE SEEKS to explore the significance of the injured working-class body in debates about the nature and meaning of industrial capitalism in the first half of the nineteenth century. 1 It will argue that a growing awareness that the comforts of middle-class existence depended on processes that maimed working-class lives was profoundly unsettling to the bourgeois conscience as it threatened one of its most important narratives of legitimation. Finally, it will trace the emergence of the “accident” (as both concept and fictional trope) as a response to and resolution of this ideological crisis.
Complementary electric-field-coupled (CELC) based resonator antennas

We study the radiation properties of electrically small resonant antennas (ka <; 1) composed of electric field-coupled (ELC) and complementary electric field-coupled (CELC) resonators and a monopole antenna. We use such parasitic ELC and CELC `metaresonators' to design various electrically small antennas. We compare the performance of the proposed ELC and CELC antennas against more conventional designs based upon split-ring resonators.
Volume-sensitive synaptic input to neurons in guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion

The relationship between changes in intracolonic volume related to propulsive contractions and synaptic potentials recorded intracellularly in neurons in the inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) was investigated in vitro. Distension of the colon induced propulsive contractions (frequency, 2-5/min), which reduced intracolonic volume by 88%. Each propulsive contraction was sustained for 10-12 s, after which time the colon refilled. The sustained propulsive contractions were associated with a decrease in the amplitude and frequency of fast cholinergic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and partial repolarization of the slow EPSP. The pressure-volume relationships of the colonic segments had two limbs: at distension pressures less than 15 cmH2O ("volume limb") the intracolonic volume was proportional to the distension pressure; greater than 15 cmH2O ("pressure limb") the intracolonic volume did not increase further. The changes in synaptic input were related to these pressure-volume relationships. In the volume limb, the frequency and amplitude of fast EPSPs were proportional to intracolonic volume and maximized with volume. In the pressure limb, there was a slow depolarization of the membrane that increased with greater distension pressures. Under isovolumic conditions, the changes in intraluminal pressure associated with colonic contractions were not associated with changes in excitatory synaptic input to IMG neurons. These experiments demonstrate that colonic mechanoreceptors to IMG neurons are sensitive to both intracolonic volume and pressure.
Software Development and Management for a Picture Archiving and Communication System

With the gradual maturation of Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS), software development and management has become one of the focal points of PACS research. We have analyzed the current characteristics of PACS software, identified the most important factors for effective PACS software development and management, and we developed a PACS software engineering environment that enforces PACS software integrity while increasing PACS programmer productivity. The use of such an environment is the first step toward the production of reliable, verifiable, reusable, and portable PACS software modules.
Disparity between state fish consumption advisory systems for methylmercury and US Environmental Protection Agency recommendations: A case study of the south central United States.

Fish consumption advisories are used to inform citizens in the United States about noncommercial game fish with hazardous levels of methylmercury (MeHg). The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) suggests issuing a fish consumption advisory when concentrations of MeHg in fish exceed a human health screening value of 300 ng/g. However, states have authority to develop their own systems for issuing fish consumption advisories for MeHg. Five states in the south central United States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas) issue advisories for the general human population when concentrations of MeHg exceed 700 ng/g to 1000 ng/g. The objective of the present study was to estimate the increase in fish consumption advisories that would occur if these states followed USEPA recommendations. The authors used the National Descriptive Model of Mercury in Fish to estimate the mercury concentrations in 5 size categories of largemouth bass-equivalent fish at 766 lentic and lotic sites within the 5 states. The authors found that states in this region have not issued site-specific fish consumption advisories for most of the water bodies that would have such advisories if USEPA recommendations were followed. One outcome of the present study may be to stimulate discussion between scientists and policy makers at the federal and state levels about appropriate screening values to protect the public from the health hazards of consuming MeHg-contaminated game fish.
Androgen-Binding Protein (ABP)

A protein that binds androgenic steroids with high affinity is produced in the Sertoli cells of the testis, is secreted into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, and transported to the epididymis (Hansson et al. 1975 a; Means et al. 1976). This protein, known as ABP, has been found in the rat, rabbit, ram, goat, bull, and man. It has been purified from several species and characterized; recent reviews are available (Tindall and Means 1980; Bardin et al. 1981; Lobl 1981; Musto et al. 1982; DePhilip et al. 1982).
Effect of Sodium Taurocholate on Fat Malabsorption Induced by Feeding Unhealed Soybean Proteins.

SummaryThe reduction in ability to absorb fat by chicks receiving diets containing unheated soybean meal can be overcome by supplementing the diet with sodium tauro-cholate or soybean lecithin. Cystine and taurine supplementation of the diet was not beneficial to fat absorption in chicks fed unhealed soybean meal. Composition and secretion of bile collected from the gall bladder was not affected by feeding unheated soybean protein.
Combustion Properties of Jet A/Ethanol Blends in a Porous Media Burner

Porous media combustion has several advantages including increased heat transfer from product gases to reactants, improved combustion efficiency and reduced pollutant emissions. Ethanol is a renewable biofuel which can be blended with petroleum-based fuels. In this study, the combustion properties of a 10% (by volume) ethanol blend with Jet A in a porousmedia burner are compared with those of pure Jet-A. Five injector-exit equivalence ratios were studied: 0.2, 0.41, 0.67, 0.8 and 0.96. The global NOx emissions, concentrations of CO2 and O2 in exhaust, global temperature of exhaust, and radial temperature profiles at 50% flame height were measured. The flame heights of the ethanol-blend flames were smaller than those of Jet A by 10 -20%. The NOx emission index and the global temperature of the ethanol-blend flames were higher than those of the Jet-A flame. At an equivalence ratio of 0.4, the temperatures at mid-flame of the ethanol-blend flame were lower than those of JetA; the differences in temperature were negligible at an equivalence ratio of 0.8.
Hierarchical Phylogeographic Structure of Coho Salmon in California

AbstractEvaluation of population genetic structure and variation is an important part of planning for the recovery and management of protected species. Data from 18 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were used to analyze the phylogeographic structure of protected Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch from populations throughout California. Fish from 30 locations in two evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) representing most of the extant populations in the state were studied. Multiple analyses indicated a hierarchical pattern of population structure: the greatest divergence was found at the broadest geographic scale (ESU), followed by the divergences between basins and populations within basins. The populations of the large Klamath River basin were consistently identified as a distinct phylogenetic group, nearly as divergent from all other populations as the two ESUs were from each other. All populations in different basins were differentiated from each other and a pattern of isolation by distance was fo...
The Current State of Hemodialysis Access and Dialysis Access Initiatives in the United States

Although the past five decades have witnessed dramatic transformations in dialysis technologies and health-care infrastructure, the fundamental dependence of each patient undergoing maintenance hemodialysis on long-term reliable vascular access has remained unchanged. The past decade in the United States has witnessed the development and implementation of a number of vascular access initiatives led by a variety of different stakeholders focused on increasing the prevalence of arteriovenous fistulas and limiting the use of central venous catheters in hemodialysis patients. These have included the Fistula First Initiative most prominently and also include the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program, the Healthy People 2020 campaign, and the Renal Physicians Association Vascular Access Initiative. Coinciding with implementation of these initiatives has been an acceleration of a marked transition from the dominant use of arteriovenous grafts to that of arteriovenous fistulas among individuals in the United States undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. In contrast to the distribution of vascular access types used by prevalent patients, the distribution of access use by patients starting maintenance hemodialysis has shown remarkably little change over the past decade. Over the past 3–4 years, recognition of the plateauing proportion of prevalent hemodialysis patients using fistulas as well as the persistently and unacceptably high proportion of patients starting dialysis with catheters has led to calls to reorient the Fistula First Initiative to include a renewed emphasis on primarily discouraging the long-term use of central venous catheters.
The Single-Family Room Neonatal Intensive Care Environment

No randomized, blind, controlled trials have been conducted of single-family room (SFR) and open bay (OPBY) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) designs. Many comparative studies have failed to demonstrate ill effects related to the SFR NICU. Cumulative data indicate that the single room environment is safe and effective in providing care. It is important to emphasize that care in the SFR NICU should be enhanced with appropriate developmental and family-centered care.
125. Deficits in Complex Deviance Detection in First-Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract Complex pattern deviance may be more suitable for elucidating subtle deficits in auditory perception at first-episode compared to single-tones deviance detection and may be a useful biomarker for presence the of schizophrenia. We measured MMN to an extra tone among standard groups of 3 tones (1 kHz, 50 ms duration, 5 ms rise/fall, 80 dB, 330 ms SOA, 800 ms ITI) in 24 individuals at their first episode of schizophrenia (within 6 months of first-episode; FE), 23 healthy controls matched to the FE group (HCFE), 24 individuals with long-term schizophrenia (minimum 5 years of diagnosis; SZ), and 23 healthy controls matched to the SZ group (HCSZ). For the complex extra tone MMN, all groups produced an early MMN (more sensory-driven; ~140 ms after deviant onset), but the late MMN (more cognitively driven, ~400 ms after deviant onset) was significantly blunted in SZ ( = .043) and in FE ( = .003) compared to their matched controls. Together, this suggests deficits in top-down deviance detection in FE, and relatively intact sensory-driven deviance detection, by contrast with SZ, where sensory and cognitive MMN are impaired. Complex late MMN may be a more powerful biomarker for indicating disease presence. To verify this, the next step will be to measure complex MMN in prodromal individuals.
Introduction - KYL Amendment Symposium

Introduction to the Symposium: Medicare Private Contracting (The KYL Amendment), Cleveland, Ohio, 2000.
Investigating the Behaviors of M2 and RMSEA2 in Fitting a Unidimensional Model to Multidimensional Data

It has been widely known that the Type I error rates of goodness-of-fit tests using full information test statistics, such as Pearson’s test statistic χ2 and the likelihood ratio test statistic G2, are problematic when data are sparse. Under such conditions, the limited information goodness-of-fit test statistic M2 is recommended in model fit assessment for models with binary response data. A simulation study was conducted to investigate the power and Type I error rate of M2 in fitting unidimensional models to many different types of multidimensional data. As an additional interest, the behavior of RMSEA2 was also examined, which is the root mean square error approximation (RMSEA) based on M2. Findings from the current study showed that M2 and RMSEA2 are sensitive in detecting the misfits due to varying slope parameters, the bifactor structure, and the partially (or completely) simple structure for multidimensional data, but not the misfits due to the within-item multidimensional structures.
Impact of Supplemental Oxygen on Obstructive Sleep Apnea of Infants

Treatment options may be limited for infants with obstructive sleep apnea when there is no surgically correctable upper airway lesion. We therefore evaluated, retrospectively, the efficacy of low-flow oxygen as a therapeutic option for infant obstructive sleep apnea. We reviewed the medical charts of 23 infants who had undergone a therapeutic trial of low-flow oxygen during polysomnography. Split-night polysomnography was used in 21/23 subjects while 2/23 had undergone two separate, full-night polysomnography sleep architecture and respiratory findings on the baseline polysomnogram segment that was obtained in room air were compared with the segment on low-flow oxygen (0.25–1 L/min). Wilcoxon signed rank or McNemar’s test were used as indicated for comparing apnea hypopnea index and measures of sleep architecture at baseline and with oxygen therapy. The mean (±SD) age of subjects was 4.8 (±2.7) months, with 52% being males. The median apnea hypopnea index fell from a baseline of 18 (range 7–43) to 3 (range 1–19; p = 0.001) on oxygen. The baseline median obstructive/mixed apnea index decreased from 2 (range 1–16) to 1 during oxygen therapy (range 0–1; p = 0.003). Additionally, a significant decrease in central apnea index (median interquartile range (IQR) 1 (0–2) vs. 0 (0–1), p = 0.002) was noted. Sleep efficiency remained unaffected, while O2 saturation (SaO2) average and SaO2 nadir improved on oxygen. We were able to confirm the utility of low-flow oxygen in reducing central, obstructive, and mixed apneas and improving average oxygen saturation in infants with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
[Un]breaking News: Design Opportunities for Enhancing Collaboration in Scientific Media Production

Contemporary scientific media production requires a complex socio-technical infrastructure we call the "Media Production Pipeline" (MPP). Media professionals engage with researchers along the MPP to disseminate science news to the lay public. However, differing incentive structures and professional contexts frequently set researchers' values and needs at odds with those of media professionals, resulting in problematic or failed interactions. We ask the research question: what pain points in scientific media production afford opportunities for future HCI innovation? We then present a grounded theory analysis of 24 interviews with researchers and media professionals, yielding several key contributions. First, we describe two collaborative domains in scientific media production between research advocates and media outlets. Second, we characterize discrete technological gaps and pain points in both domains. Finally, we discuss implications for design and propose solutions from HCI areas like peer production, online communities, recommender systems, and online collaboration.
Reproduction, Morphogenesis, Nuclear Processes, and Sexuality

Binary fission—the common type of reproduction in paramecia that enables them to increase in number—is a distinctly asexual process in which one fully grown specimen divides into two daughters without leaving a parental corpse (Figure 7.1). Although binary fission is occasionally referred to as a simple, direct process, profound morphological and physiological changes occur. During the process, a complicated sequence of events takes place in organelle development in a precise, orderly manner.
Tissue engineered bone mimetics to study bone disorders ex vivo: Role of bioinspired materials.

Recent advances in materials development and tissue engineering has resulted in a substantial number of bioinspired materials that recapitulate cardinal features of bone extracellular matrix (ECM) such as dynamic inorganic and organic environment(s), hierarchical organization, and topographical features. Bone mimicking materials, as defined by its self-explanatory term, are developed based on the current understandings of the natural bone ECM during development, remodeling, and fracture repair. Compared to conventional plastic cultures, biomaterials that resemble some aspects of the native environment could elicit a more natural molecular and cellular response relevant to the bone tissue. Although current bioinspired materials are mainly developed to assist tissue repair or engineer bone tissues, such materials could nevertheless be applied to model various skeletal diseases in vitro. This review summarizes the use of bioinspired materials for bone tissue engineering, and their potential to model diseases of bone development and remodeling ex vivo. We largely focus on biomaterials, designed to re-create different aspects of the chemical and physical cues of native bone ECM. Employing these bone-inspired materials and tissue engineered bone surrogates to study bone diseases has tremendous potential and will provide a closer portrayal of disease progression and maintenance, both at the cellular and tissue level. We also briefly touch upon the application of patient-derived stem cells and introduce emerging technologies such as organ-on-chip in disease modeling. Faithful recapitulation of disease pathologies will not only offer novel insights into diseases, but also lead to enabling technologies for drug discovery and new approaches for cell-based therapies.
Effect of cane length on Concord and Niagara grapevines.

Concord and Niagara grapevines in Fredonia, NY, were studied from 2001 to 2005 to evaluate the impact of cane length on yield, vine size, crop load, and juice soluble solids (JSS). Concord grapevines were manually pruned to 100 buds using three configurations: two-node spurs or five- or 10-node canes. Niagara grapes were manually pruned to 80 buds using three configurations: two-node spurs or five- or 10-node canes. In addition to standard viticulture measurements, yield was measured separately at each node position along the spur or cane in 2004 to 2005. There was a pattern in bud fruitfulness along the length of the cane, with the greatest yield originating from node positions three to six in Concord and two to six in Niagara; this did not change with pruning treatment. Since all vines were pruned to a constant total node number, five- and 10-node cane treatments had a greater proportion of more-fruitful buds and higher final yield than the two-node spurs in two out of five years. The higher yield on longer canes also led to greater crop load values indicative of overcropped vines, which decreased vine size. In contrast, two-node spur-pruning maintained balanced crop load values and adequate vine size. In the final two years of the study, there was no difference in final yield or JSS among pruning treatments because the longer cane treatments were starting the season with lower vine capacity.
Plantar Glands in North American Mustelidae

Mustelid carnivores have an extraordinary repertoire of chemical communication systems. Urine and feces are deposited in ways that suggest that they transmit intraspecific messages in several species (Lockie, 1966; Eisenberg and Kleiman, 1972). In addition, several structures have been described that serve as chemical transmitters. They include anal sacs in many species (Ewer, 1973) and abdominal glands in Martes and Gulo (Hall, 1926). For many of these structures, descriptions of the gross morphology of the transmitter organ are available. For a smaller number, a specific behavioral function of the transmitted chemical has been described or proposed. For fewer still, histological descriptions of the secretory tissues are available. Here we provide a description of structures on the feet of several species of North American mustelid carnivores that we hypothesize to function in chemical transmission. Mammal nomenclature follows Honacki et al. (1982).
Effect of diabetes on progression of coronary atherosclerosis and arterial remodeling: a pooled analysis of 5 intravascular ultrasound trials.

Objectives Our goal was to characterize coronary atherosclerosis progression and arterial remodeling in diabetic patients. Background The mechanisms that underlie adverse cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic patients have not been well characterized. Methods A systematic analysis was performed in 2,237 subjects in randomized controlled studies of atherosclerosis progression. The pattern of arterial remodeling, extent of coronary atherosclerosis, and disease progression was compared in subjects with and without diabetes. Results In association with more risk factors, diabetic patients demonstrated a greater percent atheroma volume (PAV) (40.2 ± 0.9% vs. 37.5 ± 0.8%, p Conclusions Diabetes is accompanied by more extensive atherosclerosis and inadequate compensatory remodeling. Accelerated plaque progression, despite use of medical therapies, supports the need to develop new antiatherosclerotic strategies in diabetic patients.
The Behavioral Effects of a Carboxylesterase in Drosophila

The analysis of the genetic bases of behavior and its adaptive significance is complex. Until recently, the genetic analysis of behavior relied largely on quantitative genetic methodology. While this approach has been successful in identifying the degree to which genetics influence the variability in behavioral traits, it has been unable to elucidate the mechanistic bases for adaptive behavior or to reveal the possible evolutionary histories of behavioral adaptations. Work in our laboratory has been concerned principally with an understanding of the evolutionary significance of polymorphisms at enzyme-coding loci in natural populations of Drosophila. Our work has concentrated on the function and adaptive significance of a carboxylesterase polymorphism—Esterase-6 (EST-6)—in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Richmond et al. 1980). This work has revealed that EST-6 has several effects on the reproductive biology of Drosophila. Among these effects is a direct influence on the sexual attractiveness of mated Drosophila females. This work reveals the complexity of interactions which a single locus, presumably coding for the structure of EST-6, can have on several aspects of reproductive behavior. Our findings further demonstrate the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to problems of behavior genetics (Hirsch and McGuire 1982).
A Risk Score to Predict Short-term Outcomes Following Emergency Department Discharge.

Author(s): Gabayan, Gelareh Z.; Gould, Michael K.; Weiss, Robert E.; Chiu, Vicki Y.; Sarkisian, Catherine A. | Abstract: Introduction: The emergency department (ED) is an inherently high-risk setting. Risk scores can help practitioners understand the risk of ED patients for developing poor outcomes after discharge. Our objective was to develop two risk scores that predict either general inpatient admission or death/intensive care unit (ICU) admission within seven days of ED discharge.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients age g 65 years using clinical data from a regional, integrated health system for years 2009-2010 to create risk scores to predict two outcomes, a general inpatient admission or death/ICU admission. We used logistic regression to predict the two outcomes based on age, body mass index, vital signs, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), ED length of stay (LOS), and prior inpatient admission.Results: Of 104,025 ED visit discharges, 4,638 (4.5%) experienced a general inpatient admission and 531 (0.5%) death or ICU admission within seven days of discharge. Risk factors with the greatest point value for either outcome were high CCI score and a prolonged ED LOS. The C-statistic was 0.68 and 0.76 for the two models.Conclusion: Risk scores were successfully created for both outcomes from an integrated health system, inpatient admission or death/ICU admission. Patients who accrued the highest number of points and greatest risk present to the ED with a high number of comorbidities and require prolonged ED evaluations.
Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on the Microbiological Aspects of Endodontics

The microbiota of the oral cavity plays a significant role in pulpal and periapical diseases. Historically, 100 years ago little was known on microbiota, but after a century of investigations, only now can many of the intimate secrets of microbial growth, expansion, persistence, communal activities, and virulence be revealed. However, with the capabilities of the microbiota for mutation, quorum sensing, and information transference, researchers are hard-pressed to keep up with both the changes and challenges that an amazingly wide range of bacterial species pose for both the scientist and clinician. Fortunately, the development and expansion of a vast array of molecular biological investigative techniques have enabled dentistry and its associated medical fields to attempt to keep pace with the wide and fascinating world of oral microbiology.
A Lack of Authentic School Improvement Plan Development: Evidence of Principal Satisficing Behavior.

School improvement planning, especially for low-performing schools, can be conceptualized as a planning process to strategically improve organizational processes, operations and outcomes. However, bureaucratic procedures and related inflexibilities sometimes results in inauthentic plan development. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the extent and ways in which principals engage in satisficing behavior – or being in the realm of “good enough” – when developing school improvement plans (SIPs).,The authors qualitatively analyzed 364 short-cycle SIPs submitted by principals of 134 low-performing schools participating across three cohorts of a university-based systems leadership program focused on change leadership and school turnaround.,Eight satisficing behaviors in the SIPs were identified. The five most prominent satisficing behaviors follow: plan content is consistent across schools within a district; a plan or plan features are resubmitted; plan priorities focus solely on test scores; plan timeline is insufficiently considered; and the directly responsible individual (DRI) (to complete tasks) is insufficiently considered. Overall, 80 percent of SIPs contained two to four satisficing behaviors, and fewer than ten SIPs were free of such behaviors or, in the authors’ estimation, completely authentic.,The development of SIPs is mandated for the nation’s lowest-performing schools, but little analysis of such plans has been conducted over the last 20 years. Moreover, although the notion that principals engage in satisficing behavior has been raised previously, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to systematically identify ways in which principals satisfice.
Sea surface salinity subfootprint variability estimates from regional high-resolution model simulations

Abstract Sea surface salinity (SSS) subfootprint variability (SFV) is estimated using high-resolution, realistically forced regional simulations of the Arabian Sea and western Pacific with an integration period of one year. A weighted standard deviation was calculated for footprint sizes of 100 km, 40 km, 20 km, and 10 km for all model time steps and then median (σ50) and 95th percentile (σ95) values were calculated along the time dimension. An additional method, wavenumber spectral analysis (σk), was also employed to obtain a different but comparable estimate. σ50 and σ95 maxima (>1 psu) are found in shallow waters along the continental shelves where strong river outflow is present. Open ocean values of both statistics are much lower (~0.1 psu). The wavenumber spectral analysis allowed the estimation of total SSS spatial variance over 640 km, which was then compared to the estimates obtained by integrating time-averaged SSS power spectral density (PSD) at wavelengths ≤100 km, 40 km, 20 km, and 10 km. For both geographic regions, the ratio of variance at and below each wavelength to the total variance across all estimated wavelengths is approximately 50%, 30%, 15%, and 5%, respectively. σ50, σ95, and σk magnitudes as a function of footprint size follow a power-law relationship. The observed strong decline in SSS SFV below 40 km suggests that the current effective resolution of the SMAP and SMOS satellites is advantageous for limiting the impact of SFV on the satellites' error budget.
P38 A transition evening is an effective way to deliver the NICE quality standard and is popular with service users

Aims With a population of almost 500 general respiratory patients aged between 14 and 18 years, we developed a transition evening to deliver patient-centred, quality care. Our aim was to improve the quality of our transition service by increasing knowledge of the transition process and surpassing the NICE Quality Standard (QS140). Methods 3 evening events have been held. We have invited 24 young people and their carers to each event. Event structure includes height and weight measurement, lung function and/or inhaler technique and appointment with Respiratory Consultant or Specialist Nurse. Young people were seen alone as part of the consultation. They were given information, introduced to the Ready Steady Go process and questionnaires were completed. Outcome measures were based on attendance rates, questionnaire feedback and achievement of the NICE Quality Standard. Results Attendance has been variable. Maximal rates were achieved when appointment letter and personal phone calls were used. The event was very popular with young people and their carers. After all 3 events, 100% of young people understood what transition is and our local approach. 100% of young people felt ready for transition. 100% carers understood the process of transition, felt their child is ready to build independence and found the event useful. The event provides an opportunity to deliver the NICE Quality Standard. For patients who attended, 100% have a transition plan (QS140-1), 100% have had an annual meeting (QS140-2) and 100% have been introduced to our named worker (QS140-3). Conclusion Our model is popular with young people and their carers. This is a useful way to achieve the Quality Standard for patients in attendance but is time-consuming and labour intensive. The model can be applied to other specialties and to multi-speciality events. We hope to introduce a worker from adult services at our future events to further improve achievement of the NICE Quality Standard QS140-4.
Church, State, and “Native Liberty” in the Belgian Congo

This essay describes a religious freedom controversy that developed between the world wars in the Belgian colony of the Congo, where Protestant missionaries complained that Catholic priests were abusing Congolese Protestants and that the Belgian government favored the Catholics. The history of this campaign demonstrates how humanitarian discourses of religious freedom—and with them competing configurations of church and state—took shape in colonial contexts. From the beginnings of the European scramble for Africa, Protestant and Catholic missionaries had helped formulate the “civilizing” mission and the humanitarian policies—against slavery, for free trade, and for religious freedom—that served to justify the European and U.S. empires of the time. Protestant missionaries in the Congo challenged the privileges granted to Catholic institutions by appealing to religious freedom guarantees in colonial and international law. In response, Belgian authorities and Catholic missionaries elaborated a church-state arrangement that limited “foreign” missions in the name of Belgian national unity. Both groups, however, rejected Native Congolese religious movements—which refused the authority of the colonial church(es) along with the colonial state—as “political” and so beyond the bounds of legitimate “religion.” Our analysis shows how competing configurations of church and state emerged dialogically in this colonial context and how alternative Congolese movements ultimately challenged Belgian colonial rule.
A Comparison of 3 Fixation Strategies in the Treatment of Neer Type IIB Distal Clavicle Fractures.

OBJECTIVES To compare the stability of NT2B clavicle fractures fixed with either a hook plating (HP), Superior Plating with Suture Augmentation (SPSA), or dual orthogonal plating (DP) with the hypothesis that DP would provide increased multiplanar stability across NT2B fractures. METHODS NT2B distal clavicle fractures were created in cadaveric specimens and fixed using (1) HP, (2) SPSA, or (3) DP. Specimens were cyclically loaded in 3 different planes of motion: (1) anteroposterior (AP), (2) superior-inferior, and (3) axial rotation while displacement was continually recorded. Afterward, a superiorly directed load was applied to the clavicle. Load to failure, stiffness, and mode of failure were recorded. RESULTS During AP loading, clavicles fixed with a DP had significantly lower mean posterior displacement compared to those fixed with SPSA at every 100-cycle interval of testing, P < 0.01. During inferior-superior loading, specimens fixed with a DP had less superior displacement than specimens fixed with an HP and SPSA, reaching significance at the 500-700 cycles of testing. There was no significant difference in axial rotation stability or load to failure between the 3 fixation techniques. CONCLUSIONS Orthogonally placed minifragment plates provide improved stability against anterior displacement with no significant difference in superior stability, axial rotational stability, stiffness, or load to failure. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the long-term stability of dual plating and determine the risks and benefits of this novel method of distal clavicle fixation.
Riled up about running for office: examining the impact of emotions on political ambition

After the 2016 presidential election, there has been a wave of increased interest in running for office that has been anecdotally associated with anger and fear about the election outcome. Although...
Development of a computerised neurocognitive battery for children and adolescents with HIV in Botswana: study design and protocol for the Ntemoga study.

Introduction Neurodevelopmental delays and cognitive impairments are common in youth living with HIV. Unfortunately, in resource-limited settings, where HIV infection impacts millions of children, cognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders commonly go undetected because of a lack of appropriate assessment instruments and local expertise. Here, we present a protocol to culturally adapt and validate the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (PennCNB) and examine its validity for detecting both advanced and subtle neurodevelopmental problems among school-aged children affected by HIV in resource-limited settings. Methods and analysis This is a prospective, observational cohort study. The venue for this study is Gaborone, Botswana, a resource-limited setting with high rates of perinatal exposure to HIV and limited neurocognitive assessment tools and expertise. We aim to validate the PennCNB in this setting by culturally adapting and then administering the adapted version of the battery to 200 HIV-infected, 200 HIV-exposed uninfected and 240 HIV-unexposed uninfected children. A series of analyses will be conducted to examine the reliability and construct validity of the PennCNB in these populations. Ethics and dissemination This project received ethical approval from local and university Institutional Review Boards and involved extensive input from local stakeholders. If successful, the proposed tools will provide practical screening and streamlined, comprehensive assessments that could be implemented in resource-limited settings to identify children with cognitive deficits within programmes focused on the care and treatment of children affected by HIV. The utility of such assessments could also extend beyond children affected by HIV, increasing general access to paediatric cognitive assessments in resource-limited settings.
Months-Long Spike in Aqueous Arsenic Following Domestic Well Installation and Disinfection: Short- and Long-Term Drinking Water Quality Implications

Abstract Exposure to high concentration geogenic arsenic via groundwater is a worldwide health concern. Well installation introduces oxic drilling fluids and hypochlorite (a strong oxidant) for disinfection, thus inducing geochemical disequilibrium. Well installation causes changes in geochemistry lasting 12 + months, as illustrated in a recent study of 250 new domestic wells in Minnesota, north-central United States. One study well had extremely high initial arsenic (1550 µg/L) that substantially decreased after 15 months (5.2 µg/L). The drilling and development of the study well were typical and ordinary; nothing observable indicated the very high initial arsenic concentration. We hypothesized that oxidation of arsenic-containing sulfides (which lowers pH) combined with low pH dissolution of arsenic-bearing Fe (oxyhydr)oxides caused the very high arsenic concentration. Geochemical equilibrium considerations and modeling supported our hypothesis. Groundwater equilibrium redox conditions are poised at the Fe(III)(s)/Fe(II)(aq) stability boundary, indicating arsenic-bearing Fe (oxyhydr)oxide mineral sensitivity to pH and redox changes. Changing groundwater geochemistry can have negative implications for home water treatment (e.g., reduced arsenic removal efficiency, iron fouling), which can lead to ongoing but unrecognized hazard of arsenic exposure from domestic well water. Our results may inform arsenic mobilization processes and geochemical sensitivity in similarly complex aquifers in Southeast Asia and elsewhere.
Mill on Deference and Democratic Character

Citizens of liberal democracies today increasingly exhibit a distrust of perceived elites, especially experts and those of advanced educational attainment more generally. John Stuart Mill’s work of...
The Effects of Incentive Scheme and Task Difficulty on Employees’ Altruistic Behavior Outside the Firm

Employer-sponsored opportunities for altruism outside the workplace can improve employee engagement and passion within the firm, enhance the firm’s corporate visibility, and improve its recruitment. There is limited understanding of whether and how a firm’s management control system on employees’ daily tasks can influence employee willingness to engage in altruism outside the workplace. In this study, we investigate via an experiment how the incentive scheme (tournament vs. piece-rate) on employees’ daily tasks interacts with the difficulty level of these tasks (low vs. high) to affect employees’ altruistic behavior outside the firm. Our results indicate that, compared to a piece-rate scheme, a tournament scheme leads to a greater decrease in non-winning participants’ altruistic behavior outside the firm when the original, incentivized task is more difficult compared to when it is less difficult. Consistent with our theory, participants’ feelings of excessive entitlement partially mediate the interaction effect of incentive scheme and task difficulty on participants’ altruistic behavior outside the firm. This study informs firms about how the design of its incentive scheme on employees’ daily task inside the firm and the nature of that task can influence employee willingness to act altruistically outside the firm.
Implementation of an Oxygen Saturation Targeting Protocol to Achieve High Reliability Practice in the Very Low Birthweight Infants in a Level III Intensive Care Nursery

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are significant morbidities of the very low birth weight (VLBW) infant. Hyperoxia, hypoxia, and oxygen fluctuations have been implicated in these disease processes. The ideal target SpO2 range has been the subject of discretion in literature; however, any target range within a larger recommended range is prudent for best practice. An individual unit must determine alarm limits and metrics for tracking compliance with oxygen supplementation. Methods: “Save Our Lungs and Eyes” (SOLE) is an oxygen saturation protocol that was implemented to improve SpO2 targeting in VLBW infants. Our unit targets 89 – 94%, and tracks compliance. Histograms for all VLBW patients receiving FIO2 of 30% or more are reviewed every 12 hours and categorized into predetermined oxygen ranges. Using the Model for Improvement, we aim to improve our within range time from an average of 40% of the time to an average of 50% of the time over the next year. Results: Since 2014, our within range time was tracked. We averaged 40% of time within range for 2014 and 2015. We increased our time within range in 2016 slightly, but have decreased in 2017. Conclusions: Applying improvement science has led to standardization of practice, but high reliability has been difficult to achieve. Our small tests of change, which have included bedside triggers, monitor programming, and education bundles, have led to modest but questionably sustainable improvement. Future directions include peer conversation with other units, further monitor interrogation, and perhaps revisiting our alarms and targets for sustainability of improvement.
Counseling Gay Male Clients: A Review of Treatment Efficacy Research: 1975-Present

Abstract Prior to the removal of homosexuality from the DSM-II in 1973, practicing clinicians tended to focus on one goal in treating gay male clients (i.e., attempting to “convert” gay men to heterosexuality). However, as views toward homosexuality began to change in mental health, therapeutic goals in working with gay males concomitantly changed. Unfortunately, practitioners have had limited treatment efficacy (i.e., outcome research) literature to which they could refer to ascertain what modes of therapy work effectively with this client population. The purpose of the present paper was to review the outcome literature with gay male clients that was done after 1975. Four main goals of therapy were of particular importance for this paper: (1) Facilitation of Gay Male Identity Development; (2) Coping with AIDS; (3) Relationship Difficulties; and (4) Sexual Dysfunctions. A review of the literature revealed a scant research base full of methodological weaknesses, leaving practitioners with many questions ab...
Laboratory study of a novel marsh shoreline protection structure: Wave reduction, silt-clay soil collection, and mathematical modeling

Abstract Shoreline erosion along open water bodies and waterways is a major cause in the conversion of wetlands and uplands to open water habitat. Conventional shoreline protective structures are expensive to construct in these environments, and may impede environmental exchanges essential for connectivity and functionality. The structure, Wave Suppression and Sediment Collection (WSSC) System that contains multiple Wave Robber™ units, is an alternative for shoreline protection that maintains environmental connectivity. The primary goals of this study are to evaluate the wave reduction and sediment collection performance of the unit as well as optimize its design. This study showed that the unit reduces 84 to 90% of the wave energy while collecting and retaining fine-grained sediment. A mathematical model fits the sediment collection data reasonably well with average correlation coefficients of about 0.87. Modeling results show that the sediment collection efficiency of the unit for fine-grained sediment is about 14%. Total area of flow through the unit was determined to be more important than the area distributed among the number and size of pipes. The sensitivity study shows that wave height and initial concentration are the most important factors effecting sediment collection.