cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Much are Guaranteed Contracts Worth? Evidence from Major League Baseball

In Major League Baseball, players sign contracts that are guaranteed. What this means is that the player's salary must be paid even if the player's performance does not meet expectations and even if the player is removed from the roster. This is important because guaranteed contracts can potentially have an influence on player effort. In this paper I provide a framework for determining the value of the guarantee to players. The estimates suggest that, on average, top players value the guarantee at $8.5 million annually. The median estimate is $5.71 million. This implies that the average player in the sample would have made 58% more in 2015 on a non-guaranteed contract. Finally, the value of the guarantee is increasing at an increasing rate with respect to a player's remaining salary. This implies that high-paid, superstar players actually see a much bigger percentage decline in their salaries due to guaranteed contracts than other players.
The Limits of Religious Indifference

This essay explores religious indifference as an example of that which stands beyond the scope of social scientific knowledge production. In turn, it uses religious indifference to consider the social scientist’s role in constituting the religion-related field. The literary character Bartleby and the ethnographic character Gino provide two case studies for examining particular types of religious indifference that cannot be known to the researcher. As fictions, they offer a way to explore that which would otherwise remain illegible, and they serve as humbling reminders of the inescapable limits of inquiry. To better understand the role that researchers play in constituting the religion-related field, this essay relies on other ethnographic examples to compare differing notions of “entanglement” and their implications for the study of nonbelievers and the nonreligious. The essay concludes by offering researchers a choice: to pursue religious indifference or to leave it alone.
Tuning Dynamic Mechanical Response in Metallopolymer Networks through Simultaneous Control of Structural and Temporal Properties of the Networks

Tunable mechanical response under dynamic and static loading is desirable for many technological applications. Traditionally, mechanical performance of polymeric materials is controlled by modulating structural (i.e., molecular weight, chain packing, or cross-link density) or temporal parameters (such as kinetics of the exchange of dynamic cross-linkers). Metal–ligand interactions are uniquely suited to control both structural and temporal parameters as the thermodynamics and kinetics of mechanically active cross-linkers can be varied by careful selection of metal without significant synthetic modification of the polymer backbone. Here, we have demonstrated that it is possible to engineer desired mechanical properties in a metallopolymer with a high degree of tunability by simply changing the type and amount of added metal. Specifically, we cross-linked an imidazole-containing brush copolymer system with the divalent cations of zinc, copper, and cobalt. Using rheology and tensile experiments, we have corr...
Motivating Invisible Contributions: Framing Volunteer Classification Design in a Fanfiction Repository

Contributions from the crowd are not just content-sustainable systems require ongoing behind-the-scenes infrastructural work. In this paper, I explore potential strategies for motivating volunteer contributions to large-scale collaborative projects when volunteer contributions are procedural in nature and largely invisible in the published project. I use a user-driven classification system for a large, established, and growing fanfiction collection as an example of a successful project of this type. I compare the challenges and possibilities to those established in the study of open source, wiki, and citizen science projects, which share with classification design a need for distributed human contributions to procedural tasks. Textual analysis of recruiting and training documents, informed by prolonged engagement in the community, reveals strategies that diverge from other HCI research on motivation, such as a focus on work rather than fun and insider rather than public recognition.
The influence of minority carrier lifetime on characteristics of heterojunction back contact silicon solar cell

The influence of minority carrier lifetime on heterojunction back contact (HBC) silicon solar cell is studied. The cell was fabricated with different width ratios of P-electrode to N-electrode (P/N ratio). It is found that the optimized efficiency was obtained at a P/N ratio of 1. The thickness of passivation layer was investigated to achieve an efficiency of 18.4% which is the trade-off between open circuit voltage and fill factor.
On the decay mode Z-->Hgg.

We present analytic results for the matrix elements relevant for a process with one $Z$ boson, one Higgs boson, and two gluons as external particles to lowest order in perturbation theory. These results are used to study Higgs-boson production associated with two gluon jets through $Z$ decay. We find $\frac{\ensuremath{\Gamma}(Z\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Hgg)}{\ensuremath{\Gamma}(Z\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{all})l5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}}$ for ${M}_{H}\ensuremath{\ge}24$ GeV and ${m}_{t}\ensuremath{\ge}77$ GeV. $Z\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Hgg}$ turns out to be more than 4 orders of magnitude suppressed as compared to the Born process $Z\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Hq}\overline{q}$ independently of possible angular cuts on the two jets.
Twenty-First Century Pathologists' Advocacy

Pathologists' advocacy plays a central role in the establishment of continuously improving patient care quality and patient safety, and in the maintenance and progress of pathology as a profession. Pathology advocacy's primary goal is the betterment of patient safety and quality medical care; however, payment is a necessary and appropriate component to both, and has a central role in advocacy. Now is the time to become involved in pathology advocacy; the Medicare Access and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA) are 2 of the most consequential pieces of legislation impacting the pathology and laboratory industry in the last 20 years. Another current issue of far-reaching impact for pathologists is balance billing, and yet many pathologists have little or no understanding of balance billing. Pathologists at all stages of their careers, and in every professional setting, need to participate. Academic pathologist...
Using p16 immunohistochemistry to classify morphologic cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2: correlation of ambiguous staining patterns with HPV subtypes and clinical outcome

p16INK4a immunohistochemistry (IHC) is widely used to facilitate the diagnosis of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cervical precancerous lesions. Although most p16 results are distinctly positive or negative, certain ones are ambiguous: they meet some but not all requirements for the "block-positive" pattern. It is unclear whether ambiguous p16 immunoreactivity indicates oncogenic HPV infection or risk of progression. Herein, we compared HPV genotypes and subsequent high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) outcomes among 220 cervical biopsies with a differential diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 based on hematoxylin and eosin morphology and varying degrees of p16 immunoreactivity. p16 results were classified as block positive (n=40, 18%), negative (n=130, 59%), or ambiguous (n=50, 23%), a category we further grouped into 3 patterns: strong/basal (n=18), strong/focal (n=15), and weak/diffuse (n=17). Seventy percent of ambiguous p16 lesions were negative for the most common low- and high-risk HPV types; the remaining 30% were positive for HPV 16, 18, 45, 58, 59, or 66. Three patterns revealed comparably low HPV detection rates (28%, 27%, and 35%). During 12-month surveillance, HSILs were detected in 35% of the p16 block-positive group, 1.5% of negative group, and 16% of the ambiguous group. The accuracy of ambiguous p16 immunoreactivity in predicting oncogenic HPV and HSIL outcome is significantly lower than that of the block-positive pattern but greater than negative staining. Specific guidelines for this intermediate category should prevent diagnostic errors and help implement p16 IHC in general practice.
Policy towards Disabled Persons in China: National and Provincial Regulations

This double issue is focused on recent national and provincial policies towards disabled persons in China. The first part includes national level regulations promulgated from 2008 to 2017, includin...
Digitalisierung, Disruption und Corporate Entrepreneurship

Der Artikel widmet sich der Diskussion um die Begrifflichkeiten Digitalisierung, Disruption sowie New Business Modell Innovation und ordnet diese aus organisationstheoretischer Sicht ein. Dabei werden die als disruptiv geltenden Veranderungen der Unternehmenswelt besprochen sowie deren wesentlichen Ursachen und die sich daraus ergebenden Folgen fur Unternehmen skizziert. Zudem wird darauf hingewiesen, dass es sich bei disruptiven Ereignissen nicht um ein Phanomen der Gegenwart, sondern um ein generisches Merkmal der okonomischen Entwicklung handelt. Ebenso wird erlautert, warum nicht alle Innovationen oder Veranderungen als disruptiv anzusehen sind, stattdessen nur ein Teil der Veranderungen betroffen sind und welche Bedeutung hierbei Transaktionskosten zukommt. In einer Matrix werden vier Felder ausgewiesen, in denen Innovationen nach ihrem Grad des Veranderungspotenzials eingeordnet und mit der Nachfrageseite verbunden werden. Auf dieser Grundlage wird auf die Moglichkeiten des Corporate Entrepreneurship als strategischer Ansatz hingedeutet, wobei dieser als traditionelle Sichtweise des make or buy verstanden wird, indem Innovationen entweder aus dem Unternehmen heraus generiert oder auf dem Markt zugekauft werden konnen.
Evaluation of targeted and untargeted effects-based monitoring tools to assess impacts of contaminants of emerging concern on fish in the South Platte River, CO.

Abstract Rivers in the arid Western United States face increasing influences from anthropogenic contaminants due to population growth, urbanization, and drought. To better understand and more effectively track the impacts of these contaminants, biologically-based monitoring tools are increasingly being used to complement routine chemical monitoring. This study was initiated to assess the ability of both targeted and untargeted biologically-based monitoring tools to discriminate impacts of two adjacent wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) on Colorado's South Platte River. A cell-based estrogen assay (in vitro, targeted) determined that water samples collected downstream of the larger of the two WWTPs displayed considerable estrogenic activity in its two separate effluent streams. Hepatic vitellogenin mRNA expression (in vivo, targeted) and NMR-based metabolomic analyses (in vivo, untargeted) from caged male fathead minnows also suggested estrogenic activity downstream of the larger WWTP, but detected significant differences in responses from its two effluent streams. The metabolomic results suggested that these differences were associated with oxidative stress levels. Finally, partial least squares regression was used to explore linkages between the metabolomics responses and the chemical contaminants that were detected at the sites. This analysis, along with univariate statistical approaches, identified significant covariance between the biological endpoints and estrone concentrations, suggesting the importance of this contaminant and recommending increased focus on its presence in the environment. These results underscore the benefits of a combined targeted and untargeted biologically-based monitoring strategy when used alongside contaminant monitoring to more effectively assess ecological impacts of exposures to complex mixtures in surface waters.
Epistemology as an Aid to Science

Gerd Buchdahl’s main point has become somewhat dearer to me after long discussions with its author, with Ernest Gellner, and with J. W. N. Watkins. I have ultimately assumed that Buchdahl’s thesis is that epistemological discussion is entirely useless for scientific research, a thesis very much in tune with the philosophy now in vogue. I shall try to criticise this thesis of Buchdahl’s, and to argue that in the historical case which he chose to discuss as an illustration of his point — Dumas’s views of atomism — epistemological criticism might have been of great use as a tool for solving scientific problems. The point of view from which my criticism is launched is that of Popper, as I shall explain in the body of my discussion.
Risk Management in Software Engineering: What Still Needs to Be Done

For quite a few decades, risk management has been an integral part of software engineering. Without proper risk management, the success of software projects is at stake. The risk management processes are categorized into risk planning, risk identification, risk analysis, risk response (or mitigation), and risk monitoring and control. This paper reviews the tools and techniques that are available in literature or practiced for the stated risk management processes. It analyzes a few of these commonly used techniques critically and identifies their shortcomings and/or limitations. This paper shows that the existing risk management techniques may result in incorrect risk management and hence may cause projects failure. The motivation of this research is to encourage researchers to find solutions and devise more effective risk management techniques.
An Introduction to p-adic Fields, Harmonic Analysis and the Representation Theory of SL2

In this expository article, we develop in considerable detail harmonic analysis on p-adic fields. This harmonic analysis is distinctly different from that on the real and complex numbers due to the nature of the underlying topology.
Advanced Periodic Characteristics and New Research Questions

In the previous chapters we explored varieties of periodic traits of linear difference equations, piece-wise difference equations, rational difference equations, and Max-Type difference equations. First of all, we observed how the periodicity nature varied from the existence of unique periodic cycles to every solution being periodic. Second, we discovered the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic cycles. Furthermore, we perceived the disparity between patterns of the even ordered periodic cycles and odd ordered periodic cycles with uniqueness of solutions and alternating patterns. Our next aim is to broaden our developed knowledge to ascertain the periodicity essence of third and higher order difference equations, systems of difference equations, when the periodic sequence \(\{A_{n}\}_{n=0}^{\infty }\) is periodic with period-k, (k ≥ 3) and study of new systems of piecewise difference equations and neural networking models. How will these criteria for the existence of periodic cycles be similar or different compared to our current mastery in previous chapters? What new periodic traits can we expect that will be quite different? How will the delay m ≥ 3 affect the new periodic traits? Will even and odd values of delay m ≥ 3 influence the new periodic traits? We will pose conjectures that will lead to new theorems and results based on our previous studies and will pose new research questions.
Alternative Therapeutic Approach for the Management of Symptomatic Hyperammonemia Syndrome after Lung Transplantation

Purpose Symptomatic Hyperammonemia syndrome after Lung Transplantation (HSLT) is a fatal complication with a mortality rate exceeding 75%. The current management of HSLT consists of a multimodality approach that includes intravenous administration of an ammonia scavenger (Ammonul), with an estimated cost of $93,000 per day. Although the enteral formulation of an alternative ammonia scavenger (Buphenyl) costs far less, at $4,823 per day, its efficacy has not been established for treatment of HSLT. This study evaluated the efficacy of a multimodal approach to management of symptomatic HSLT using Buphenyl as a replacement for Ammonul (Table 1). Methods This was a retrospective chart review analysis of patients who underwent lung transplantation at UFHealth Shands Hospital, from May 01, 2016 till September 30, 2018. Results There were 129 lung transplants performed at UFHealth Shands Hospital during the study period. Six patients developed symptomatic HSLT and required treatment during this timeframe (Table 2). Fifty-percent developed severe neurological symptoms with hemodynamic instability and signs of multi-organ failure. The other 50% presented with altered mental status with no other systemic symptoms. One patient was treated with the Ammonul formula, and the remaining five patients were treated with the Buphenyl formula. All 6 patients were successfully treated with no reoccurrence of HSLT. Examination of etiological work-ups for HSLT, including urea cycle disorders, liver dysfunction, or infectious causes of HSLT were unrevealing. Conclusion The use of Buphenyl, as an alternative to Ammonul, is safe, efficacious, and cost-effective. Early diagnosis and implementation of a multi-modal approach are crucial for successful management of HSLT.
Wavefront detection using curved nanoscale apertures

In this paper, we report the experimental demonstration of wavefront sensing using curved subwavelength apertures. The demonstrated subwavelength structure has an ability to convert the shape of an incident wavefront into a two-dimensional array of focused surface plasmon (SP) waves. The detection principle is based on the phase-dependent spatial displacement of the focal point in circular apertures. The unit-cell structure of the demonstrated device consists of a circular disk surrounded by subwavelength concentric rings to excite highly enhanced SP waves at a designed wavelength. The excited surface waves, carrying the wavefront information of the incident beam, constructively interfere with each other and can be focused inside the disk. For demonstration, a 3-by-3 concentric-ring aperture array was fabricated and experimentally characterized. The focused SP waves within each of the fabricated 3-by-3 apertures under an optical excitation beam with a concave wavefront move toward the center of the array. When the shape of the incident wavefront was changed to convex, the focused spots in the array move away from the center. By measuring the spatial displacement of the focused spot, the shape of the incident wavefront can be directly measured. The demonstrated approach does not require complicated 3-D integration or optical alignment and offers a very high spatial resolution in wavefront detection, and thus, it has great potential for revolutionizing existing wavefront sensors.
Murano Glass Vase

Important information about a society can be learned from studying its institutions, government, industries, art, culture and other factors. This is true also if the information that we want to acquire is about the way this societies lived in the past. For example, much can be learned about the Venetian society between 13th and 18th century by investigating its glassmaking industry. This is because, at that time, being involved in this sector dictated where in Venice you could live, your social status, who you could marry, and whether you could travel abroad. Moreover, if we consider that glassmaking was one of the two largest industries of the early modern Venetian economy - the manufacturing of silk being the other one, employing a substantial portion of the city’s corporate labor force (in the late 18th century about thirty percent of the Venetian artisans were glassmakers), it becomes clear the significant impact that the making of glass had on this society.
Structured Curriculum Vitae Scoring as a Standardized Tool for Selecting Interview Candidates for Academic Neuroradiology Faculty Positions

Abstract Background and Purpose Interview selection of candidates for academic radiology faculty positions is variable and subject to unconscious biases. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively apply a quantitative curriculum vitae (CV) rubric as a screening tool to identify qualified candidates for further consideration in the hiring process. Materials and Methods Archived CVs submitted by applicants between 2012 and 2017 for neuroradiology faculty positions at our institution were anonymized. One blinded reviewer scored resumes based on categories that included education, work experience, extracurricular/teaching experience, and research. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics analysis were performed. This study was IRB exempted. Results Of the total 102 applicants, 17 interviews were conducted and 10 candidates were offered a position. Maximum score of the model was 24 points. Mean score was 14 ± 4 (n = 102, range 5-22). Higher total CV score (P = 0.01), medical school ranking (P = 0.03), and number of published manuscripts (P = 0.03) were significantly associated with interview selection. The area under the curve in the ROC analysis for differentiating interview selection based on total CV scoring was 0.69 (95% confidence interval 0.56-0.82). At a cutoff of 14, the model is 82.4% sensitive, and 54.1% specific. Conclusion Standardized CV scoring is feasible with a cut-off score of 14 points providing high sensitivity in identifying candidates eligible for interview. This tool can potentially be applied in the future to the hiring process as it is neutral to factors such as gender and race and provides an opportunity to address diversity in academic medicine.
Participatory sensing-based geospatial localization of distant objects for disaster preparedness in urban built environments

Abstract Although the benefit of participatory sensing for collecting local data over large areas has long been recognized, it has not been widely used for various applications such as disaster preparation due to a lack of geospatial localization capability with respect to a distant object. In such applications, objects of interest need to be robustly localized and documented for supporting data-driven decision-making in site inspection and resource mobilization. However, participatory sensing is inappropriate to localize a distant object due to the absence of ranging sensors in citizens' mobile devices; thus, the localization accuracy varies to a large extent. To address this issue, this study presents a novel geospatial localization method for distant objects based on participatory sensing. The proposed geospatial localization process consists of multiple computational modules—a geographic coordinate conversion, mean-shift clustering, deep learning-based object detection, magnetic declination adjustment, line of sight equation formulation, and the Moore-Penrose generalized inverse method—to improve the localization accuracy in participatory sensing environments. The experiments were conducted in Houston and College Station in Texas to evaluate the proposed method, and the experimental results demonstrated a reasonable localization accuracy, recording the distance errors of 1.5 m to 27.8 m when the distance from observers to the objects of interest were 17 m to 296 m. The proposed method is expected to contribute to rapid data collection over large urban areas, thereby facilitating disaster preparedness that needs to identify locations of distant objects at risk.
The smart spray analytical system: Developing understanding of output air-assist and spray patterns from orchard sprayers

Abstract Efficient chemical application is a critical operation during specialty crop production that requires constant sprayer calibrations as well as pertinent adjustments to avoid off target spray losses. However, lack of rapid and in-field assessment tools limit the opportunities for frequent adjustments of orchard sprayer attributes. To overcome such limitations, our team has developed a smart spray analytical system (SSAS). Using SSAS, this study evaluated two commercial orchard sprayers, S1 (Powerblast 400, Rears Manufacturing Co., Eugene, OR, USA) and S2 (Turbo-Mist S30P300NSHD, Slimline Manufacturing Ltd., Penticton, BC, Canada), for their air-assist velocity and spray delivery patterns. Air-assist velocity patterns were studied in controlled conditions along two major planes: along the sprayer air-outlet (P1) and parallel to an imaginary tree row wall (P2), representing specific distances from the sprayer to tree row middles. SSAS data aided in generating several 2-D contour plots of the air-assist velocities along both the planes and for both sides of selected sprayers. Spray delivery patterns were generated along the typical locations of tree row wall and were based on pertinent air-assist velocity patterns. Results suggested that the magnitude of air-assist velocities was higher on the right side for sprayer S1 and on left side for sprayer S2. Such differences could be attributed to the design of fans, blades, rotation, air-inlet and outlet. There existed a consistent shift in air-assist along P2 plane and hence the spray delivery pattern shift on either side of both the sprayers. The uniformity in air-assist velocities decreased with the increasing distance from sprayer outlet. Average symmetries of 82.02 ± 12.81 (standard deviation) % and 44.27 ± 11.44% were observed in air-assist patterns for sprayer S1 and S2 along the plane P1, respectively. Similarly, average symmetries of 87.67 ± 0.53% and 74.03 ± 1.56% were observed in spray delivery patterns for sprayer S1 and S2, respectively. Overall, SSAS was consistent in quantification of the air-assist velocities (standard error ≤ 0.45 m s−1) and spray delivery patterns (standard error ≤ 0.07 ml cm−2) of commercial orchard sprayers and can be used at manufacturing stage for building consistent units as well as in the orchard settings for adjusting sprayer attributes to achieve targeted delivery on to the crop canopies.
Temporal Acute Serum Estradiol and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Associations and Risk of Death after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) activates a robust systemic response that involves inflammatory and other factors, including estradiol (E2), associated with increased deaths. Tumor necrosis fac...
Unlocking the barite paleoproductivity proxy: A new high-throughput method for quantifying barite in marine sediments

Abstract The accumulation rate of barite (BaSO4) in marine sediments is a powerful tracer of paleo export productivity due to the refractory nature of barite in sediments and its ability to record ecosystem-wide productivity. It has been used to reconstruct past export productivity and to infer the effects of ocean circulation and nutrient supply on ocean ecosystems. However, the difficulty in generating large datasets of reliable barite accumulation rates has limited the use of this proxy. Here we present a new method for quantifying barite in marine sediments that promises a dramatic increase in sample throughput while also improving recovery of barite in a wide variety of marine sediments. This method relies on selective dissolution of barite using a chelating ligand that avoids liberating Ba from silicate phases, and it can therefore work reliably on small (~250 mg) sediment aliquots. Rigorous evaluation of the method reveals that it quantitatively extracts barite and is largely unaffected by other Ba sources. Due to the relatively simple analytical requirements of this barite extraction method and the small sample amount needed, it can also be used to rapidly generate paleoproductivity records both during and after coring expeditions. Altogether, this new technique should expand the study of the marine biologic system in the past by dramatically increasing analytical efficiency and widening the range of questions that are accessible using barite accumulation rate as a paleoproductivity proxy.
Improvement in Surface Properties of Lignocellulosics Using Cold-Plasma Treatment

Twenty-first Century technologies will require low cost, accessible and high performance materials due to the following reasons: Most of the components of future machinery will have to “survive” under extreme conditions (thermal stability, mechanical strength, chemical inertness, etc.) while meeting the miniaturization requirements; Their bulk structures should be composed of low cost materials. The end of the petroleum era at the beginning of the next millennium will “force” scientists to develop new technologies and high performance materials based mainly on renewable biomaterials; Surface characteristics of these “hybrid” structures should exhibit properties which would allow their use under extreme conditions. Light-weight, thermally- and radiation-stable, chemically inert “skinned” materials will probably replace precious-metal-based heavy and costly structures in space technology applications. Tailored, special electrical and optical surface properties will also permit the creation of ultra-miniaturized high speed circuitry. Molecular recognition will play a central role in future technologies. Immobilized enzymes and oligonucleotides and other biologically important macromolecules will lead, in the next century, to the development of molecular-selective technologies and to the creation of oligonucleotide libraries. Unprecedented highways will open up on this way for the instant identification of diseases and for the development of efficient novel therapeutics. Composite structures should replace specific-materials-based-products for economical, environmental and performance reasons. This approach will require novel surface-compatibization technologies, in the absence of which, high performance composite networks can not be prepared.
Microbial succession from a subsequent secondary death event following mass mortality

Each death event can be characterized by its associated microbes – a living community of bacteria composed of carcass, soil, and insect-introduced bacterial species – a necrobiome. With the possibility for close succession of these death events, it may be beneficial to characterize how the magnitude of an initial death event may impact the decomposition and necrobiomes of subsequent death events in close proximity. In this paper we hope to characterize the microbial communities associated with a proximate subsequent death event, and distinguish any changes within those communities based on the magnitude of an initial death event and the biomass of preexisting carcass (es) undergoing decomposition. For this experiment, 6 feral swine carcasses in containers were placed in the vicinity of preexisting and ongoing carcass decomposition at sites of three different scales of decomposing carcass biomass. Swab samples were collected from the skin and eye sockets of the container pigs and subjected to 16 s rRNA sequencing and OTU assignment. PERMANOVA analysis of the bacterial taxa showed that there was no significant difference in the bacterial communities based on initial mortality event biomass size, but we did see a change in the bacterial communities over time, and slight differences between the skin and ocular cavity communities. Even without soil input, necrobiome communities can change rapidly. Further characterization of the bacterial necrobiome included utilization of the Random Forest algorithm to identify the most important predictors for time of decomposition. Sample sets were also scanned for notable human and swine-associated pathogens. The applications from this study are many, ranging from establishing the environmental impacts of mass mortality events to understanding the importance of scavenger, and scavenger microbial community input on decomposition.
Pairing status moderates both the production of and responses to anti‐parasitic referential alarm calls in male yellow warblers

Defending offspring incurs temporal and energetic costs and can be dangerous for the parents. Accordingly, the intensity of this costly behavior should reflect the perceived risk to the reproductive output. When facing costly brood parasitism by brown‐headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), where cowbirds lay eggs in heterospecific nests and cause the hosts to care for their young, yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia) use referential “seet” calls to warn their mates of the parasitic danger. Yellow warblers of both sexes produce this call only in response to cowbirds or seet‐calling conspecifics. Seet calls are mainly produced during the laying and incubation stages of breeding, when risk of brood parasitism is highest, rather than during the nestling stage. On the other hand, general alarm calls (chips) are produced throughout the nesting cycle and are also used in conspecific interactions unrelated to nesting. We hypothesized that context shapes responses prior to breeding as well, such that yellow warblers without a mate and active nest would be less likely to respond to playbacks that simulate brood parasitism risk. To test this hypothesis, we presented playbacks of two nest threats, cowbirds (brood parasite) and blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata; nest predator), on territories of unmated male warblers (unpaired) and male warblers with a known mate (paired). We found that unpaired males were unresponsive toward playbacks indicating nest threats, whereas paired males were significantly more aggressive and vocal toward these playbacks compared to control playbacks. However, both paired and unpaired males were vocally responsive toward chip calls, which are informative for males regardless of pairing status. Male yellow warblers appear to adjust their responses during the earliest stages of breeding depending on the contextual relevance of specific threat stimuli, and together with prior studies, our work further supports that referential seet calls are associated with stage‐specific risk of brood parasitism.
Poole Rules: Implementing Monetary Policy Using Multiple Instruments

This paper identifies zero lower bound risk as key rationale for a monetary policymaker to actively manage the size and composition of its holdings of domestic debt. This is true at all times, including when the zero lower bound does not currently bind. It then provides a simple, optimal rule for the quantity and maturity composition of asset purchases. Using a unique dataset, estimates of the Federal Reserve's balance sheet response function since 2008 are presented. Balance sheet policymaking could be improved by responding more actively to economic growth.
Feasibility of a Voice-Enabled Medical Diary App (SpeakHealth) for Caregivers of Children With Special Health Care Needs and Health Care Providers: Mixed Methods Study

Background: Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) require more than the usual care management and coordination efforts from caregivers and health care providers (HCPs). Health information and communication technologies can potentially facilitate these efforts to increase the quality of care received by CSHCN. Objective: In this study, we aim to assess the feasibility of a voice-enabled medical diary app (SpeakHealth) by investigating its potential use among caregivers and HCPs. Methods: Following a mixed methods approach, caregivers of CSHCN were interviewed (n=10) and surveyed (n=86) about their care management and communication technology use. Only interviewed participants were introduced to the SpeakHealth app prototype, and they tested the app during the interview session. In addition, we interviewed complex care HCPs (n=15) to understand their perception of the value of a home medical diary such as the SpeakHealth app. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlational analyses. Theoretical thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Results: The survey results indicated a positive attitude toward voice-enabled technology and features; however, there was no strong correlation among the measured items. The caregivers identified communication, information sharing, tracking medication, and appointments as fairly and highly important features of the app. Qualitative analysis revealed the following two overarching themes: enablers and barriers in care communication and enablers and barriers in communication technologies. The subthemes included parent roles, care communication technologies, and challenges. HCPs found the SpeakHealth app to be a promising tool for timely information collection that could be available for sharing information with the health system. Overall, the findings demonstrated a variety of needs and challenges for caregivers of CSHCN and opportunities for voice-enabled, interactive medical diary apps in care management and coordination. Caregivers fundamentally look for better information sharing and communication with HCPs. Health care and communication technologies can potentially improve care communication and coordination in addressing the patient and caregiver needs. Conclusions: The perspectives of caregivers and providers suggested both benefits and challenges in using the SpeakHealth app for medical note-taking and tracking health events at home. Our findings could inform researchers and developers about the potential development and use of a voice-enabled medical diary app. Trial Registration:
Identifying Relative Trajectory Geometries at Collinear Libration Points Using Genetic Algorithms

The increased interest in satellite formations and deep space exploration drives the need to better understand and explore relative trajectories at the collinear libration points. This paper presents a preliminary study in applying a genetic algorithm to search for relative trajectories in the vicinity of the collinear libration points using the nonlinear equations of motion of the circular restricted three-body problem. Preliminary results identify a relative trajectory about a chief spacecraft located at the Earth-Moon L2 libration point. The approach presented may also reveal trajectories not predicted by analytic approximations, and is a focus of continued efforts by the authors. This initial effort provides for future development of the genetic algorithm's fitness function to accommodate proximity constraints and the inclusion of multiple deputy spacecraft, with an ultimate goal of developing an efficient trajectory design tool given mission objectives for a formation/swarm near a collinear libration point.
Shell-Dropping Behavior of Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis)

-Westem Gulls (Larus occidentalis) at Bodega Bay, California drop shelled prey items to break them. I presented Washington clams (Saxidomus nuttalli) of known weight to free-flying gulls to investigate factors affecting shell-dropping behavior. All adult gulls dropped clams, whereas only 55% of immature gulls did so. The other 45% of immature gulls that were given clams pecked at them on the ground instead. Gulls dropped clams on both hard and soft substrates. Flight distance and kleptoparasitism seemed important in influencing drop location. Adult Western Gulls dropped heavy clams from lower heights than they dropped light clams. Heavy clams, however, break less easily than light clams when dropped from the same height. Energetic constraints and/or kleptoparasitism could explain this apparent contradiction. Received 15 July 1981, accepted 12 December 1981. MANY gulls obtain food by dropping shells. Known cases include Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus), Mew Gulls (Larus canus), Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus), and Glaucous-winged Gulls (Larus glaucescens) (Oldham 1930, Tinbergen 1953, Barash et al. 1975, Siegfried 1977, Kent 1981). Northwestern Crows (Corvus caurinus) also drop shells (Zach 1978, 1979). Studies of shell dropping in the past have considered the character of the dropping surface (Barash et al. 1975; Siegfried 1977; Zach 1978, 1979; Kent 1981), age-related differences in dropping behavior (Barash et al. 1975, Siegfried 1977), size selection of dropped prey (Siegfried 1977; Zach 1978, 1979; Kent 1981), and the degree to which dropping height approached an energetic optimum (Siegfried 1977; Zach 1978, 1979). Despite these studies, we still know little about what factors govern the height from which clams are dropped. Siegfried (1977) suggested that the substrate at the drop site might influence dropping height. He failed to consider, however, how prey weight might affect dropping height. Prey weight could conceivably influence dropping height in the following three ways: (1) Gulls may drop heavy objects from lower heights than they drop light ones due to energetic considerations. (2) Heavy objects may be easier to break than light ones [Siegfried (1977) found this to be true for 1 Present address: Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202 USA. mussels], and thus they might be dropped from lower heights. (3) Kleptoparasitism may increase with prey size, and this may influence dropping height. Do birds adjust dropping height based on prey weight? If so, which, if any, of the above factors might influence this? In this paper I analyze shell-dropping behavior in Western Gulls (Larus occidentalis) at Bodega Bay, California. In particular, I focus on the following questions: (1) What is the effect of shell weight on dropping height? (2) How does clam weight influence the probability of breakage at different heights? (3) Are shells dropped randomly or do substrate type, kleptoparasitism, and/or other ecological parameters affect where shells are dropped? (4) How does clam-dropping proficiency vary between immature and adult gulls?
Weyl’s Lemma and the Serre Duality Theorem

What is usually called Weyl’s lemma is a regularity theorem for the Laplacian rather the operator \(\bar \partial \).
Team Building and Project Management

The successful implementations of PACS have revolutionized the healthcare delivery in those institutions with successful deployments. Numerous vendors have available systems that deliver on the promise of PACS to provide imaging delivery without the need to be tethered to the physical transportation and delivery of film-based images. As PACS has entered the “Late Majority” phase of innovation implementation, there is no need for new entrants to worry about a successful final outcome if they follow the best practices of project and change management. The cultural barriers to PACS adoption should be minimal. The purpose of this chapter is to provide guidance from the “lessons learned” from numerous successful implementations.
Practical variational tomography for critical one-dimensional systems

We improve upon a recently introduced efficient quantum state reconstruction procedure targeted to states well approximated by the multiscale entanglement renormalization ansatz (MERA), e.g., ground states of critical models. We show how to numerically select a subset of experimentally accessible measurements which maximize information extraction about renormalized particles, thus dramatically reducing the required number of physical measurements. We numerically estimate the number of measurements required to characterize the ground state of the critical one-dimensional Ising (resp. XX) model and find that MERA tomography on 16-qubit (resp. 24-qubit) systems requires the same experimental effort as brute-force tomography on 8 qubits. We derive a bound computable from experimental data which certifies the distance between the experimental and reconstructed states.
Clock distribution on a dual-core, multi-threaded Itanium/sup /spl reg//-family processor

Clock distribution on the 90 nm Itanium/spl reg/ processor, code-named Montecito, is detailed. A region-based active de-skew system reduces the PVT sources of skew across the entire die during normal operation. Clock vernier devices inserted at each local clock buffer allow up to a 10% clock-cycle adjustment via firmware or scan. The system supports a constantly varying frequency and consumes <25 W from the PLL to latch while providing <10 ps of skew across PVT.
Understanding Student Decision-making Strategies in Problem-solving in Microbiology using IMMEX Educational Software

As an aid in helping students develop problem-solving skills the decision-making process was investigated by studying high and low scorers when using a unique computer program (Interactive multimedia exercise (IMMEX) Windows software) that involves problem-solving of real world scenarios. Mid-way through a semester course in college microbiology, all participants in a class were introduced to, and initially became familiar with the IMMEX program through the problem-sets Puffy Paramecium and Who messed with Roger Rabbit. A month later, all the class did two new problem sets, Microquest (Mq) which focuses on cellular processes and mode of action of antibiotics and Creeping Crud (CC) which focuses on cause, origin and transmission of diseases. Volunteers (n=18) agreed to participate in a think-aloud protocol (verbalization of thoughts) while solving these new microbiology problems sets. Within case analysis, summaries, IMMEX instructor feedback and transcribed information were data analyzed. Using final scores, 8 (44%) were categorized as low scorers with 5 (28%) as high scorers for Mq, and 5 (31%) categorized low and 6 (35.5%) high for CC. In general, high scorers used fewer steps, spent less time and had a more focused approach than low scorers. Common attributes and strategies found among most problem-solvers included metacognitive skills, writing to keep track, use of prior knowledge, and elements of frustration in trying to recall and understand microbiology information and lab techniques used when trying to solve the problems. This study is useful for consideration while developing curriculum and criteria for evaluation.
The Reactivity of C2O

Previous work has found an electrophilic trend for the relative reactivities of C2O(X3Σ) with various olefins [1]. However, Trotman-Dickenson and coworkers found just the opposite trend, and concluded that C2O was a nucleophile in both its ground triplet and excited singlet states [2]. The present work was undertaken to resolve this disagreement. Direct competition between ethylene and a second olefin for C2C(X3Σ), which was formed by the photolysis of C3O2 at 3000 A, confirmed the previous electrophilic trend. The singlet state C2O, formed by photolysis at 2540 A, showed no strong selectivity among the olefins, again in disagreement with the previous work [2]. The relative reactivities of C2O(X3Σ) have been studied as a function of temperature. The activation energy decreases by about 4 kcal/mol in going from ethylene to tetramethyl ethylene, while the preexponential factor decreases by approximately a factor of ten. At room temperature, the activation energy effect dominates, and as a result tetramethyl ethylene is more reactive than ethylene. This behavior will be compared to that of other electrophilic reactants.
New Formaldehyde Base Disinfectants

Preparations of formaldehyde in various organic liquids—ethylene glycol, glycerol, and propylene glycol—serve as effective disinfectants towards microbial vegetative cells and spores. This disinfection is a temperature-dependent process and is manifest when these formaldehyde base disinfectants are dissolved in water. The irritating vapors associated with formaldehyde disinfection are not present in either of these new formaldehyde base disinfectants or in aqueous solutions of them.