cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convergence estimates for the numerical approximation of homoclinic solutions

This article is concerned with the numerical computation of homoclinic solutions converging to a hyperbolic or semi-hyperbolic equilibrium of a system u = f(u, μ). The approximation is done by replacing the original problem with a boundary value problem on a finite interval and introducing an additional phase condition to make the solution unique. Numerical experiments have indicated that the parameter μ is much better approximated than the homoclinic solution. This was proved in Schecter (1995 IMA J. Numer. Anal. 15, 23-60) for phase conditions satisfying an additional 'niceness' assumption, which is unfortunately not satisfied for the phase condition most commonly used in numerical experiments and which actually suggested the super-convergence result. Here, this result is proved for arbitrary phase conditions. Moreover, it is shown that it suffices to approximate the original boundary value problem to first order when considering semi-hyperbolic equilibria, extending a result of Schecter (1993 SIAM J. Numer. Anal. 30, 1155-78).
THE ORIGINS AND WAR PRONENESS OF INTERSTATE RIVALRIES

▪ Abstract The study of interstate rivalry, which has made major contributions to theory and research on war, is reviewed, and new research on the role of territory in the origin and war proneness of rivalries is presented. Recent research has shown that states that are rivals are much more likely to go to war than are other states, and that about half the wars fought since 1815 have involved states that are rivals. This review describes the origins of interstate rivalries in terms of whether they begin over territorial disputes, policy disputes, or disputes over the nature of a state's regime. It finds that states that dispute territory have a greater probability of becoming rivals than expected by chance, compared with states that dispute other issues. It also investigates the extent to which territorial disputes and the recurring of disputes, despite their content, are related to the onset of war.
RGS2 is a feedback inhibitor of melatonin production in the pineal gland

The 24-h rhythmic production of melatonin by the pineal gland is essential for coordinating circadian physiology. Melatonin production increases at night in response to the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve processes which innervate the pineal gland. This signal is transduced through G-protein-coupled adrenergic receptors. Here, we found that the abundance of regulator of G-protein signaling 2 (RGS2) increases at night, that expression is increased by norepinephrine and that this protein has a negative feedback effect on melatonin production. These data are consistent with the conclusion that RGS2 functions on a daily basis to negatively modulate melatonin production.
Half-cycle-pulse-train induced state redistribution of Rydberg atoms

Population transfer between low-lying Rydberg states independent of the initial state is realized using a train of half-cycle pulses with pulse durations much shorter than the classical orbital period. We demonstrate experimentally the population transfer from initial states around n = 50 with 10% of the population de-excited down to n< 40 as well as up to the continuum. This is a demonstration of a state-independent de-excitation technique applicable to the currently produced state distribution of antihydrogen. The measured population transfer matches well to a model of the process for one-dimensional atoms.
After the Storm: How Race, Class, and Immigration Concerns Influenced Beliefs About the Katrina Evacuees*

Objective. In September 2005, approximately 150,000 Gulf Coast residents fled to Houston, Texas, seeking shelter following Hurricane Katrina. Since the majority of evacuees were poor African Americans, the political and social consequences of the storm inspired a national dialogue on race and class. However, in Houston, the discourse on Katrina evacuees also involved immigration concerns. The city's distinction as a gateway to new arrivals influenced the dialogue on the evacuees' impact on the local area. This article assesses the extent to which race, class, and immigration concerns influenced Houstonians' beliefs about the Katrina evacuees. Methods. We analyze data from the 2006 and 2008 Houston Area Survey in order to assess attitudes toward these newcomers at two distinct time periods: within six months of their arrival and then again more than two years later. Results. Our findings show that both national and local factors influenced beliefs about the Katrina evacuees. Conclusions. The dynamics of race/ethnicity and apprehension toward immigrants drove largely antagonistic beliefs about the mostly poor, mostly black new arrivals.
Am I My Brother's Keeper? Challenges for the Siblings of Autistic Children

This article highlights some of the issues and challenges facing the siblings of autistic children. Sibling relationships are critical to interpersonal development. The birth of an autistic child brings issues of mourning and loss to the fore, forcing family members to readjust their fantasies, wishes, and expectations associated with “primary (maternal) preoccupation” (Winnicott, 1956) prior to the birth of the autistic child. Siblings (and families) may respond with denial, masochistic submission, guilt, and reaction formation, among other reactions. Implications for intervention, notably in the areas of psycho-education and clear communication, are discussed.
Bayesian Autoregressive Time Series Analysis

Two Bayesian autoregressive time series models for partially observable dynamic processes are presented. In the first model, a general inference procedure is developed for the situation in which k previous values of the time series plus a change error determine the next value. This general model is specialized to an example in which the observational and change errors follow a normal probability law; the results for k = 1 are given and discussed. The second general model adds the facility for simultaneously inferring an unknown and unchanging parameter of the time series. This model is specialized to the same normal example presented earlier, with the precision of the change error as the unknown process parameter.
Association of Lithologies and Sedimentary Structures in Marine Deltaic Paleoenvironments

ABSTRACT Rock types and sedimentary structures in the New York Devonian nearshore marine Catskill Delta provide inter-relationships that can be used to identify other deltaic paleoenvironments. Triangular prisms with four rock types as end members were constructed in order to display the range in lithology existing in outcrops where a given sedimentary structure was identified. The structural prisms were then arranged according to the similarities and differences of their patterns. This arrangement resulted in a structural ranking: low rank-flute casts to high rank-oscillation ripples. A low rank signifies an environment of low energy and hydrodynamic unsteadiness (variability) whereas high rank indicates higher energy and a more hydrodynamically steady state. Siltstones, shales and mudstones end to be associated with the former, sandstones and rudites with the latter. Lithologic and structural data have been reorganized according to an earlier field-based paleoenvironmental classification. Higher ranked structures and coarser sediments were significantly abundant in the delta front and distributary bar environments but significantly rare in the open shelf and prodelta environments. Just the opposite is true for the finer-grained sediments and low-ranked structures. The platform, estuarine and lagoonal paleoenvironments provide less well-defined patterns attributable to the greater range of energy levels operating there. These associations provide criteria that can help to distinguish the paleoenvironments in other marine deltaic settings.
A three-component mechanism for fibroblast migration with a contractile cell body that couples a myosin II–independent propulsive anterior to a myosin II–dependent resistive tail

To understand the mechanism of cell migration, we cultured fibroblasts on micropatterned tracks to induce persistent migration with a highly elongated morphology and well-defined polarity, which allows microfluidic pharmacological manipulations of regional functions. The function of myosin II was probed by applying inhibitors either globally or locally. Of interest, although global inhibition of myosin II inhibited tail retraction and caused dramatic elongation of the posterior region, localized inhibition of the cell body inhibited nuclear translocation and caused elongation of the anterior region. In addition, local application of cytochalasin D at the tip inhibited frontal extension without inhibiting forward movement of the cell nucleus, whereas local treatment posterior to the nucleus caused reversal of nuclear movement. Imaging of cortical dynamics indicated that the region around the nucleus is a distinct compression zone where activities of anterior and posterior regions converge. These observations suggest a three-component model of cell migration in which a contractile middle section is responsible for the movement of a bulky cell body and the detachment/retraction of a resistive tail, thereby allowing these regions to undergo coordinated movement with a moving anterior region that carries little load.
Health-Promoting Components of Fruits and Vegetables in the Diet

Regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other plant foods has been negatively correlated with the risk of the development of chronic diseases. There is a huge gap between the average consumption of fruits and vegetables in Americans and the amount recommended by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The key is to encourage consumers to increase the total amount to 9 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables in all forms available. Fresh, processed fruits and vegetables including frozen and canned, cooked, 100% fruit juices and 100% vegetable juices, as well as dry fruits are all considered as servings of fruits and vegetables per day. A wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other plant foods provide a range of nutrients and different bioactive compounds including phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Potatoes serve as one of the low-fat foods with unique nutrients and phytochemical profiles, particularly rich in vitamin C, vitamin B-6, potassium, manganese, and dietary fibers. Potatoes provide 25% of vegetable phenolics in the American diet, the largest contributors among the 27 vegetables commonly consumed in the United States, including flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid), and carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin). More and more evidence suggests that the health benefits of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other plant foods are attributed to the synergy or interactions of bioactive compounds and other nutrients in whole foods. Therefore, consumers should obtain their nutrients, antioxidants, bioactive compounds, and phytochemicals from a balanced diet with a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other plant foods for optimal nutrition, health, and well-being, not from dietary supplements.
Wavelet analysis of sodium iodide spectra

Wavelet analysis is a mathematical technique that was presented in the mid-1980s to solve a variety of problems in signal analysis where the signal is aperiodic, noisy, transient, etc. More recently, wavelets have been applied to other problems such as feature detection and localization, making it a very promising tool for the analysis of gamma-ray spectra. Recent results have also shown that this technique has the potential to benefit over other approaches due to the fact that the signal can simultaneously be analyzed over multiple scales by using wavelet analysis, thus eliminating potential false isotope identifications from artifacts such as the Compton edge and backscatter peaks. This implies that this peak localization algorithm is no longer a function of detector resolution, which changes with energy. We will present our results evaluating the technique of wavelet analysis for low-resolution (NaI) gamma-ray spectra. Emphasis will be placed on wavelet selection and the incorporation of a simple algorithm to the problem of isotope identification
redistributive implications of open access

This article addresses the virtues of gold open access (OA) from the perspective of its impact on social science scholarly associations and their members. OA has clear and obvious virtues, including redistribution downward and outward of research findings. But it also has the potential for upward redistribution or narrowing of the realm of publication, which this author finds troubling. A central question is who will cover article processing charges. The article identifies five potential sources of the necessary funds or ways to reduce the funds that are necessary, and discusses problems with each in terms of likely gainers and losers. It also identifies two potential substantive concerns about the kinds of social science scholarship most amenable to OA. It concludes by observing that, as is often the case, an apparently narrow technological innovation opens large issues – organizationally, substantively, and even morally.
Cloning and characterization of the gene for immunogenic protein MPB64 of Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

Abstract The gene for immunogenic protein MPB64 found in culture filtrates of only Mycobacterium tuberculosis and some strains of Mycobacterium bovis BCG was cloned by using a single-probe method and was sequenced. The gene analysis revealed that the structural gene for MPB64 consisted of 618 base pairs, and its deduced molecular weight was 22,400. Twenty-two amino acids for a putative signal peptide and 205 amino acids for the MPB64 protein were observed. In the coding region, the third letter of the codon showed a biased codon and a high G+C content (78.5%). The gene was expressed in Escherichia coli by using an E. coli expression vector. The product showed migration similar to that of the authentic MPB64 protein by electrophoresis and reacted with the polyclonal and the monoclonal antibodies raised against the MPB64 protein. The strict specificity of MPB64 could be applied to immunodiagnosis of tuberculosis.
Methanopyrus kandleri topoisomerase V contains three distinct AP lyase active sites in addition to the topoisomerase active site

Topoisomerase V (Topo-V) is the only topoisomerase with both topoisomerase and DNA repair activities. The topoisomerase activity is conferred by a small alpha-helical domain, whereas the AP lyase activity is found in a region formed by 12 tandem helix-hairpin-helix ((HhH)2) domains. Although it was known that Topo-V has multiple repair sites, only one had been mapped. Here, we show that Topo-V has three AP lyase sites. The atomic structure and Small Angle X-ray Scattering studies of a 97 kDa fragment spanning the topoisomerase and 10 (HhH)2 domains reveal that the (HhH)2 domains extend away from the topoisomerase domain. A combination of biochemical and structural observations allow the mapping of the second repair site to the junction of the 9th and 10th (HhH)2 domains. The second site is structurally similar to the first one and to the sites found in other AP lyases. The 3rd AP lyase site is located in the 12th (HhH)2 domain. The results show that Topo-V is an unusual protein: it is the only known protein with more than one (HhH)2 domain, the only known topoisomerase with dual activities and is also unique by having three AP lyase repair sites in the same polypeptide.
Personality Traits of High and Low Achievers in College

STUDENTS WHO succeed academically do not do so in an intellectual vacuum; rather they do so while contending and interacting with other non-intellectual circumstances?personal and so cial alike. There must, then, exist certain aspects of the personality which reinforce and further the pursuit of academic goals. Psychologists have been concerned with discovering which personal ity traits foster academic achievement. Today especially, there is a growing realization that non intellectual factors must be assessed in order to diminish the margin of error in the prediction of intellectual achievement (9). Among the first investigators was Stagner (8) who, in 1933, found only negligible relationships between personality tests and grade averages. He discovered only slight tendencies on the part of the high achievers towards introversion, domi nance, and self-sufficiency. Harris (7) found that motivation was the most important non-intellec tual predictor of success. Griffiths (6) compared Honor Point Ratios with the Bell Adjustment Inventory and reported no significant findings. Obviously then, attempts to consider non-intellec tual factors in predicting scholastic success have been neither conclusive nor practically useful. Gough (4, 5) suggests that the lack of signifi cant results in such studies may be explained by the fact that the investigators used scales devised for use in other prediction problems, often of a clinical or psychiatric nature with no intended relationship to those variables relevant to aca demic achievement. He devised a more accurate scale by selecting thirty-four itei^is from the MMPI, in such a manner as to minimize overt connections with intelligence. His scale revealed the superior achievers as more conventional and conforming, more apprehensive and more self confident. Later, in 1957, these findings were in corporated into Gough's (3) CPI (California Psychological Inventory). The CPI (1-3) is a true-false test of 480 items, devised to measure 18 personality traits. It is a test for "normals" and is intended for non-clinical use. Its ultimate goal in the words of the test manual is "to develop descriptive contents which possess broad personal and social relevance? those characteristics of a wide and pervasive ap plicability to human behavior and related to favor ble and positive aspects." The CPI is especially useful in high-school and college counseling and also personnel work?fields which concern them selves with personality analysis of the normal population. The eighteen scales of the test are divided into four clusters :
An MDO-Inspired Systems Engineering Perspective for the "Wicked" Problem of Aircraft Conceptual Design

The problem of aircraft conceptual design has the traits of a \wicked" problem. Wicked problems, initially identi ed in the eld of urban planning, are complex, highly uncertain, and solution-dependent dilemmas that do not necessarily have one best answer. Since an aircraft must be produced and operated over a long period in our ever-evolving and uncertain world, aircraft conceptual design could be considered as an e ort to address a wicked problem. In this paper, we characterize the wicked nature of the conceptual design problem and then introduce the design process into an organizational framework that leverages perspectives from the eld of multi-disciplinary optimization (MDO). In particular, we explain the advantages and a general method of mapping from the socially complex multistakeholder realm implied by the wicked problem to the mathematically and physically complex realm of multi-disciplinary optimization. Considering the escalating interest and understanding of wicked problems in the management science literature, this perspective may hold promise for developing high-level organizational buy-in for the importance and potential broader role of MDO in the aircraft conceptual design problem.
Sampling methods for Prodiplosis longifila (Diptera : Cecidomyiidae) in limes

Dispersion patterns of eggs, larvae, and adults of Prodiplosis longifila Gagne were determined for lime orchards in Dade County, Florida, during 1987 and 1989. Dispersion indices generated by Taylor's power law and Iwao's patchiness regression were compared. Taylor's power law provided a better description of variance-mean relationships for eggs, larvae, and adults than did Iwao's patchiness regression. All insect stages exhibited aggregated patterns of spatial distribution ( b > 1.4). Sample size requirements for fixed levels of precision were determined for eggs and larvae using estimated variance–mean relationships obtained from Taylor's power law regressions. Color sticky traps placed on the tree canopy provided a more efficient method of sampling P. longifila populations than ground emergence traps and collection of larval samples.
Characterization of 3D-printed IPMC actuators

A three-dimensional (3D) fused filament additive manufacturing (AM) technique (3D printing) is described for creating ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMC) actuators. The 3D printing technique addresses some of the limitations of existing manufacturing processes for creating IPMCs, which includes limited shapes and sizes and time-consuming steps. In this paper, the 3D printing process is described in detail, where first a precursor material (non-acid Nafion precursor resin) is extruded into a thermoplastic filament for 3D printing. A custom designed 3D printer is described which utilizes the filament to manufacture custom-shaped IPMC actuators. The 3D printed samples are hydrolyzed in an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide and dimethyl sulfoxide, followed by application of platinum electrodes. The performance of 3D-printed IPMC actuators with different infill patterns are characterized. Specifically, experimental results are presented for electrode resistance, actuation performance, and overall effective actuator stiffness for samples with longitudinal (0 degrees) and transverse (90 degrees) infill pattern.
Vulnerable bullies: perpetration of peer harassment among youths across sexual orientation, weight, and disability status

Objectives. We examined perpetration of bullying among youths in vulnerable groups relative to youths in peer groups not categorized as vulnerable.Methods. Data were collected in 2013 from a large school-based survey of adolescents conducted in Minnesota (n = 122 180). We used the χ2 test and logistic regression to compare measures of perpetration of physical and relational bullying, as well as experiences of victimization and perpetration (or both), across categories of sexual orientation, weight status, and disability status.Results. Rates of physical and relational bullying perpetration were significantly higher among youths in vulnerable groups than among those not in vulnerable groups. With respect to context of victimization experiences, young men and women from vulnerable groups were overrepresented in the group comprising both perpetrators and victims. For example, odds of being both a perpetrator and a victim were 1.41 to 3.22 times higher among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths than among hetero...
Finite Element Analysis of the Dangerous Point of Light Hydrocarbon Transfer Pump Based on COSMOS/Works

A finite element analysis and strength check were carried out to the dangerous point of light hydrocarbon transfer pump shaft with Solid/Works of COSMOS software in a static state.Three-dimensional stress diagram under different conditions were obtained.Through the analysis and calculation,the maximum stress is find out that is dangerous point of the whole shaft appeared at the fillet of impeller installed.Practical application shows that the finite element analysis is correct.
Pediatric Combination Vaccines: Their Impact on Patients, Providers, Managed Care Organizations, and Manufacturers

OBJECTIVES To review the potential benefits of pediatric combination vaccines to children, parents, providers, managed care organizations, and manufacturers and to discuss the scientific, social, and economic issues that need to be addressed to provide optimum uptake of these vaccines. RESULTS Combination vaccines provide multiple advantages for children, parents, and providers; however, their development involves considerable research and expense to ensure efficacy and safety. As the complexity of these vaccines increases, more extensive laboratory and clinical trials will be needed to ensure antigen compatibility, immunogenicity, and acceptable reactogenicity. To accommodate the large numbers of subjects necessary to establish vaccine efficacy and the absence of rare severe adverse events, revision of future licensure requirements may be necessary. Cost-benefit studies will be helpful in guiding pricing levels for manufacturers, efficient purchase plans for providers, and appropriate reimbursement policies for managed care organizations. CONCLUSIONS The continued development and introduction of new combination vaccines offers significant potential benefits. Optimal uptake will require careful review of their many advantages and attention to potential problems perceived by those who will be affected by their use: manufacturers, children, parents, providers, and payers.
Gender Bias, Portfolio Choice, and Firm Value

This study examines whether investor-level gender biases influence portfolio choice and firm value, using the US holdings of non-US funds. Consistent with gender biases influencing portfolio allocations, funds from countries with greater gender inequality invest less in firms with more female directors. Variation in funds’ home-country gender biases are plausibly unrelated to the selection and performance of female directors in US firms, mitigating endogeneity concerns arising from estimates based on associations between market performance and gender demographics. Additional results suggest that investors’ gender biases can influence firm valuations, and that the results are not driven by pro-social gender biases.
Polybenzimidazole and Phosphonic Acid Groups-Functionalized Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Composite Electrolyte for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane

Here, we report composite membrane consisting of poly[2,2′-m-phenylene-5,5′-bibenzimidazole] PBI and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane functionalized with phosphonic acid groups POOH2-POSS for high temperature proton exchange membrane. ~7 phosphonic acid groups are incorporated into the phenyl rings of POSS via bromination in a high yield ~93%, followed by substitution of the bromine elements by phosphonate ester groups via a Pd0 catalyzed P–C coupling reaction. Phosphonic acid groups are formed by the hydrolysis of the phosphonate ester groups in hydrobromic acid solution. At a 50 wt% of PA content in the membranes, PBI/POOH2-POSS composite membrane shows larger proton conductivity of 3.2 × 10−3 S cm−1 than 2.8 × 10−3 S cm−1 of PBI membrane at 150°C and anhydrous conditions, owing to the multiple phosphonic acid groups of POOH2-POSS that can function as proton transport medium at high temperature and low humidity conditions.
Primary non-surgical management of unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children: a systematic review

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common obstructive uropathy and its optimal management remains controversial. However, there is a current trend towards non-surgical management. We aimed to determine the effects of the non-surgical management in children with unilateral UPJO. For a systematic review, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, clinical trials registries, and selected conference proceedings for eligible studies. Any type of study reporting the outcomes renal function, secondary surgical intervention, drainage pattern or hydronephrosis of non-surgical management in children with unilateral UPJO was included. Data from 20 studies were extracted and evaluated by two independent authors. The pooled prevalence was 21% for split renal function deterioration, 27.9% for secondary surgical intervention, 3.2% for progressive hydronephrosis, and 82.2% for improved drainage pattern. Not all patients with surgical intervention regained split renal function from enrolment. Renal imaging methods did not strongly correlate with each other. Many studies had to be excluded because of a lack of detection of an obstruction or mixed populations with bilateral UPJO or other uropathies. The variable definitions of UPJO, different criteria for surgical intervention, incongruity of management protocols, and the imprecise reporting of outcomes were limiting factors in the comparability of the results, leading to heterogeneity in meta-analyses. Although the available evidence cannot recommend or refute the current non-surgical management, the systematic review clarifies aspects of the ongoing controversy by providing realistic estimates for non-surgical management in children with unilateral UPJO. Additionally, it reveals unclear potential risks, particularly for long-term outcomes, which were rarely reported.
Displaying confidence from imperfect automatic speech recognition for captioning

As the accuracy and latency of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology improves over time, it may become a viable method for transcribing audio input in real-time for specific situations. Such technology can provide access to spoken language for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH). However, ASR is imperfect and will remain in that state for a while, thus there is a need for users to cope with errors in the output. My research focuses on how to best present captions that make use of the ASR system's word-level confidence. This summary will describe the proposed solution, current state of study, and the planned contribution to the field of HCI and accessibility for DHH individuals.
Ibrutinib in PCNSL: The Curious Cases of Clinical Responses and Aspergillosis

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Lionakis et al. demonstrate that the combination of temozolomide, etoposide, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, rituximab, and the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib induced frequent responses in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma but was associated with significant toxicity, including pulmonary and cerebral aspergillosis infections.
La plataforma de aprendizaje Sugar: affordances educativas para el pensamiento computacional

espanolDiez anos despues del lanzamiento de Sugar Learning Platform, reflexionamos sobre las herramientas especificas y las affordances educativas promovidas por esta plataforma para implicar a los estudiantes en el pensamiento computacional con el objetivo general de lograr su dominio. Estas herramientas incluyen multiples entornos de programacion multimedia, asi como diversos mecanismos para la depuracion, colaboracion, expresion y reflexion. Nuestra seleccion de herramientas viene determinada por la revision exhaustiva de la obra pionera de Seymour Papert, Marvin Minsky y Cynthia Solomon, que fueron los primeros en integrar la informatica multimedia en los centros de Educacion Primaria a finales de la decada de los 60, con el objetivo de implicar a los estudiantes en el dominio de muchos de los conceptos heuristicos y algoritmos que se asocian con el pensamiento computacional. En el presente articulo, se analizan muchos ejemplos de como han utilizado estas herramientas tanto los docentes como los discentes. Ademas, describimos el papel que desempena el Software de Codigo Abierto a la hora de vertebrar el andamiaje para una expresion personal y profunda a traves de la programacion y para poner de relieve la responsabilidad personal, el sentido de comunidad y las expectativas sin limite de los usuarios de Sugar que se convierten en desarrolladores. EnglishAfter ten years of deployment of the Sugar Learning Platform, we reflect on the specific tools and affordances deployed to engage learners in computational thinking with the overarching goal of fluency. These tools includemultiple media-rich programming environments and also mechanism for debugging, collaboration, expression, and reflection. We motivate our selection of tools by reviewing the pioneering work of Seymour Papert, Marvin Minsky, and Cynthia Solomon, who first brought multimedia computing to elementary schools in the late 1960s with the goal of engaging children in the mastery of many of the heuristics and algorithms we associate with computational thinking. Multiple examples of how these tools havebeen used by teachers and students are discussed. We further describe the role that Free/Libre Software plays in providing scaffolding for deep and personal expression through programming and for surfacing personal responsibility, a sense of community, and unbounded expectations of Sugar users turned Sugar developers
Longitudinal Recovery and Reduced Costs After 120 Sessions of Locomotor Training for Motor Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Objective To determine the impact of long-term, body weight–supported locomotor training after chronic, incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), and to estimate the health care costs related to lost recovery potential and preventable secondary complications that may have occurred because of visit limits imposed by insurers. Design Prospective observational cohort with longitudinal follow-up. Setting Eight outpatient rehabilitation centers that participate in the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network (NRN). Participants Individuals with motor incomplete chronic SCI (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale C or D; N=69; 0.1–45y after SCI) who completed at least 120 NRN physical therapy sessions. Interventions Manually assisted locomotor training (LT) in a body weight–supported treadmill environment, overground standing and stepping activities, and community integration tasks. Main Outcome Measures International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury motor and sensory scores, orthostatic hypotension, bowel/bladder/sexual function, Spinal Cord Injury Functional Ambulation Inventory (SCI-FAI), Berg Balance Scale, Modified Functional Reach, 10-m walk test, and 6-minute walk test. Longitudinal outcome measure collection occurred every 20 treatments and at 6- to 12-month follow-up after discharge from therapy. Results Significant improvement occurred for upper and lower motor strength, functional activities, psychological arousal, sensation of bowel movement, and SCI-FAI community ambulation. Extended training enabled minimal detectable changes at 60, 80, 100, and 120 sessions. After detectable change occurred, it was sustained through 120 sessions and continued 6 to 12 months after treatment. Conclusions Delivering at least 120 sessions of LT improves recovery from incomplete chronic SCI. Because walking reduces rehospitalization, LT delivered beyond the average 20-session insurance limit can reduce rehospitalizations and long-term health costs.
Indwelling Bouble-J Ureteral Stents for Temporary and Permanent Urinary Drainage: Experience With 87 Patients

Indwelling ureteral stents are a useful addition to the urologic armamentarium. The current double-J ureteral stent offers the advantages of ease of endoscopic insertion, exceptional patient tolerance and improved resistance to incrustation. We used these stents in 87 patients: to bypass obstruction in 57, as an adjunct to complicated upper tract surgery in 15, as initial treatment of upper urinary fistulas in 10 and for miscellaneous reasons in 5. The majority of the stents were placed endoscopically (58 per cent) and under local anesthesia (54 per cent). Half of the urinary fistulas healed without an operation and none of the patients treated with stents for malignant obstruction was hospitalized for more than 4 days. The stents were changed easily on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and patient tolerance was excellent. When used as adjuncts to open procedures the stents frequently allowed for shorter hospital stay, since postoperative urinary drainage was decreased markedly. Of the 136 stents used in our series 13 became obstructed, usually after they were indwelling for more than 8 weeks. Irritative symptoms were noted in only 6 patients and responded well to pharmacologic therapy. We have found the double-J ureteral stent useful and reliable in patients with ureteral obstruction, as adjuncts to genitourinary surgery in selected instances and as internal diversion for upper urinary tract fistulas.
The mediating role of female migration on social entrepreneurship activity

Social entrepreneurial firms exist within environments that are often severely resource constrained. The purpose of this study is to investigate several macro-level factors that can stimulate or im...
Robust structural analysis and design of distributed control systems to prevent zero dynamics attacks

We consider the design and analysis of robust distributed control systems (DCSs) to ensure the detection of integrity attacks. DCSs are often managed by independent agents and are implemented using a diverse set of sensors and controllers. However, the heterogeneous nature of DCSs along with their scale leave such systems vulnerable to adversarial behavior. To mitigate this reality, we provide tools that allow operators to prevent zero dynamics attacks when as many as p agents and sensors are corrupted. Such a design ensures attack detectability in deterministic systems while removing the threat of a class of stealthy attacks in stochastic systems. To achieve this goal, we use graph theory to obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the presence of zero dynamics attacks in terms of the structural interactions between agents and sensors. We then formulate and solve optimization problems which minimize communication networks while also ensuring a resource limited adversary cannot perform a zero dynamics attacks. Polynomial time algorithms for design and analysis are provided.
Efficacy of Novel Carbon Nanoparticle Antioxidant Therapy in a Severe Model of Reversible Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke in Acutely Hyperglycemic Rats

Introduction: While oxidative stress can be measured during transient cerebral ischemia, antioxidant therapies for ischemic stroke have been clinically unsuccessful. Many antioxidants are limited in their range and/or capacity for quenching radicals and can generate toxic intermediates overwhelming depleted endogenous protection. We developed a new antioxidant class, 40 × 2 nm carbon nanoparticles, hydrophilic carbon clusters, conjugated to poly(ethylene glycol) termed PEG-HCCs. These particles are high capacity superoxide dismutase mimics, are effective against hydroxyl radical and functionally recouple nitric oxide synthase. Here we report the effects of PEG-HCCs administered during reperfusion after transient MCA suture occlusion (tMCAO) in the rat under hyperglycemic conditions. Hyperglycemia occurs in 1/3 of stroke patients and worsens clinical outcome. In animal models, this worsening occurs largely by accelerating elaboration of reactive oxygen species during reperfusion. Methods: PEG-HCCs were studied for their protective ability against hydrogen peroxide in b.End3 brain endothelial cell line and E17 primary cortical neuron cultures. In-vivo, hyperglycemia was induced by streptozotocin injection 2 days prior to tMCAO. 58 male Sprague-Dawley rats were analyzed. They were injected IV with PBS or PEG-HCCs (4 mg/kg × 2) at the time of recanalization after either 90 or 120-minute occlusion. Rats were survived for up to 3 days and infarct volume characteristics and neurological functional outcome (modified-Bederson Score) were assessed. Results: PEG-HCCs were protective against hydrogen peroxide in both culture models. In-vivo, improvement was found after PEG-HCCs with 90-minute ischemia with reduction in infarct size (42%), hemisphere swelling (46%), hemorrhage score (53%) and improvement in Bederson score (70%) (p=0.068-0.001). Early high mortality in the 2-hour in the PBS control group precluded detailed analysis, but a trend was found in improvement in all factors, e.g. reduction in infarct volume (48%; p=0.034) and a 56% improvement in Bederson score (p=0.055) with PEG-HCCs. Conclusions: This nano-antioxidant showed some improvement in several outcome measures in a severe model of tMCAO when administered at a clinically relevant time point. Longer term studies and additional models are required to assess potential for clinical use, especially for patients hyperglycemic at the time of their stroke, as these patients have the worst outcomes.
Modified Nipple Flap with Free Areolar Graft for Component Nipple-Areola Complex Construction: Outcomes with a Novel Technique for Chest Wall Reconstruction in Transgender Men.

Background A primary goal in chest wall reconstruction ("top surgery") for trans men is achieving a symmetric, aesthetically pleasing position of the reconstructed male nipple-areola complex. Methods The senior author's (A.H.) technique for component nipple-areola complex creation in chest wall reconstruction for trans men with a modified skate flap and free areolar graft, in conjunction with double-incision mastectomy, is described. A retrospective analysis of 50 consecutive patients who underwent primary, bilateral chest wall reconstruction with this technique was undertaken for the period of March of 2015 to October of 2016. Results The average patient age was 30.64 years, and the average body mass index was 28.54 kg/m. Eighty-two percent of the sample received preoperative testosterone therapy, and average operative time was 2 hours 59 minutes. Average overall mastectomy specimen weight was 627.80 g, average length of hospital stay was 0.96 days, and average follow-up duration was 19.02 months. Complications occurred in five patients (10 percent), including seroma (4 percent), cellulitis (2 percent), hematoma (2 percent), and suture granuloma (2 percent). Only five patients (10 percent) underwent postoperative revision to adjust nipple-areola complex size, projection, or symmetry. Twenty-eight patients (56 percent) underwent secondary revisions, including scar revisions (56 percent), liposuction (12 percent), and fat grafting (2 percent). Conclusion The use of a modified nipple flap and free areola graft in transgender chest wall reconstruction for trans men allows for flexible, component construction of the male nipple-areola complex in a safe and effective manner. Clinical question/level of evidence Therapeutic, IV.
Atom probe tomography for studying phase transformations in steels

Abstract: Atom probe tomography is a three-dimensional micro- or nano-characterization technique that is routinely used to visualize and quantify the microstructure of materials at the atomic level. In this chapter, an overview of the technique of atom probe tomography is presented as it pertains to phase transformation in steels. The electropolishing and focused-ion beam-based methods used to fabricate the needle-shaped specimens of steels are summarized. The typical methods, such as atom maps and isoconcentration surfaces, used to visualize the phases and other fine scale microstructural features are outlined. The common methods used to analyze and quantify the various types of phase transformations in steels, including the early stages of nucleation and spinodal decomposition, are discussed.
Radio Link Protocols for 3G CDMA Systems

As the future generations cellular networks become more data-centric due to the pre-domination of TCP/IP oriented services in the Internet, sophisticated and reliable link layer protocols will be required to support end-to-end services over the wireless links and to extend transport layer protocols such as TCP to the mobile hosts. The use of radio link protocols at the link layer to provide an acceptable error performance is now a standard practice. The main function of the RLP is to conceal the channel related losses from TCP by quickly recovering the dropped packets by means of local retransmissions. With the delay requirements of the data services over 3G CDMA networks becoming more stringent, faster and hybrid radio link protocols are being developed. Also, retransmissions at the MAC layer offer added reliability to the radio link protocols and make them more robust to mitigate losses over the wireless link which in turn makes data service provisioning in 3G networks more efficient.
A peace that wasn’t: friends, foes, and contentious re-entrenchment of Kurdish politics in Turkey

This essay explores the relationship between the collapse of negotiations between Turkey and the PKK and the rupture between the governing AKP and its former ally, the Cemaat or Gulen Movement. Thi...
Exploring MERRA-2 global meteorological and aerosol reanalyses for improved SST retrieval

Abstract This study explores the use of Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) global meteorological and aerosol reanalysis for improving the simulation of satellite sensor infrared brightness temperatures (BTs), and the retrieval of sea surface temperature (SST) in the NOAA Advanced Clear Sky Processor for Ocean (ACSPO) system, with a particular focus on ACSPO long-term reprocessing efforts. Using MERRA-2 upper-air pressure, temperature, and humidity profiles, rather than the currently used NCEP Global Forecast System (GFS) real-time data, as input into the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM), reduces the global clear-sky observation-minus-model (O–M) BT biases in the infrared bands centered at 3.7, 8.6, 11, and 12 μm of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite onboard Suomi-NPP. The improvements are largely due to more accurate water vapor (total amount and/or vertical distribution) at low latitudes in MERRA-2, which brings the modeled BTs closer to observations. Additional stand-alone simulations, performed using RTTOV model and MERRA-2 aerosol profiles, further reduce the ACSPO global O–M BT biases and the dependence of O–M BT biases on the dust aerosol optical depth. The potential skill of MERRA-2 aerosol reanalysis for reducing dust-caused regional biases in the ACSPO global regression SST product is also demonstrated. Preliminary results suggest that MERRA-2 is a viable alternative to NCEP GFS for ACSPO reprocessing efforts.
Moral Injury: An Integrative Review

Individuals who are exposed to traumatic events that violate their moral values may experience severe distress and functional impairments known as "moral injuries." Over the last decade, moral injury has captured the attention of mental health care providers, spiritual and faith communities, media outlets, and the general public. Research about moral injury, especially among military personnel and veterans, has also proliferated. For this article, we reviewed scientific research about moral injury. We identified 116 relevant epidemiological and clinical studies. Epidemiological studies described a wide range of biological, psychological/behavioral, social, and religious/spiritual sequelae associated with exposure to potentially morally injurious events. Although a dearth of empirical clinical literature exists, some authors debated how moral injury might and might not respond to evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) whereas others identified new treatment models to directly address moral repair. Limitations of the literature included variable definitions of potentially morally injurious events, the absence of a consensus definition and gold-standard measure of moral injury as an outcome, scant study of moral injury outside of military-related contexts, and clinical investigations limited by small sample sizes and unclear mechanisms of therapeutic effect. We conclude our review by summarizing lessons from the literature and offering recommendations for future research.