cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring system of systems performance

Single systems and systems of systems, alike, demand management approaches focused on performance; but system of systems management can only responsibly address performance if it accounts for characteristics such as the presence of distinct subsystems pursuing possibly disparate purposes, a characteristic by definition of no concern to single system management. By extension then, with to manage in many ways to measure, systems of systems demand performance measurement schemes that accommodate the traits that set them apart from individual systems. Enterprise AID represents a means for measuring and hence managing the current or future performance of systems of systems. Enterprise AID – or simply AID, for assessment, improvement, and design – is a methodology for the design and use of performance measurement systems able to uniformly address problems encountered with extant or envisioned, single system or system of systems type enterprises. This paper describes advantages held by the AID methodology for system of systems performance measurement, and it does so within a context set by appropriate definitions, selected methodology elements, and an application example focused on the selected elements. This paper concludes with a recognition of performance related issues attendant to system of systems improvement or design.
Myosin Diversity in Apicomplexa

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screen was used to examine the diversity of myosins in 7 Apicomplexan parasites: Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium falciparum, Neospora caninum, Eimeria tenella, Sarcocystis muris, Babesia bovis, and Cryptosporidium parvum. Using degenerate PCR primers compatible with the majority of known myosin classes, putative myosin sequences were obtained from all of these species. All of the sequences obtained showed greatest similarity to previously identified apicomplexan myosins, suggesting that the diversity of myosins in these parasites is limited. Myosin classes that are known to be widespread across the phylogenetic spectrum, e.g., the myosins I, II, and V, were not seen in the Apicomplexa. Thus, like the plants, the Apicomplexa may have evolved their own unique cohort of myosins that are responsible for the myosin-driven cellular functions observed in these parasites.
Theoretical Considerations in the NH2 + NO Reaction

We have studied the NH2 + NO reaction theoretically in order to try to deduce a theoretical “model” that will accurately reproduce both the total rate coefficient kT(T) and the branching fraction α...
Empirically Based Treatment for Parent-Adolescent Conflict:

Conflict between parents and adolescents is a common problem faced by social workers. Various treatment approaches for such conflict are examined and an empirically based practice model is proposed...
On the Regenerative Capabilities of Electrodynamic Dampers using Bond Graphs and Model Predictive Control

There is a constant interest in the performance capabilities of active suspensions without the associated shortcomings of degraded fuel economy. To this effect, electrodynamic dampers are currently being researched as a means to approach the performance of a fully active suspension with minimal or no energy consumption. This paper investigates the regenerative capabilities of these dampers during fully active operation for a range of controller types—emphasizing road holding, ride, and energy regeneration. A model of an electrodynamic suspension is developed using bond graphs. Two model predictive controllers (MPCs) are constructed: standard and frequency-weighted MPCs. The resulting controlled system is subjected to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) roads A–D and the results are presented. For all of the standard MPC weightings, the suspension was able to recover more energy than is required to run the suspension actively. All of the results for optimal energy regeneration occurred on the standard Pareto tradeoff curve for ride comfort and road holding. Frequency weighting the controller increased suspension performance while also regenerating 3–12% more energy than the standard MPC.
Nanoscale Ceramic Composites

A new class of structural ceramic materials with superior mechanical properties is currently being developed. These materials are known as ‘ceramic nanocomposites’ and are produced by combining a structural ceramic matrix, such as Al 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 , or Si 3 N 4 with a nano-sized second phase. The second phases typically used are ‘nanoparticles’ which are 300 nm or less in size and added in quantities between 1 and 30 vol.%. Ceramic nanocomposites have been reported to possess both room- and high-temperature properties which are greatly superior to those of the monolithic matrix in a variety of material systems, indicating that a ‘structural synergism’ occurs between the matrix and second phase in these systems. In this article, the development of the most widely studied ceramic nanocomposite, Al 2 O 3 –SiC, will be discussed. In particular, the processing steps required to fabricate Al 2 O 3 –SiC nanocomposites and a review of their microstructures will be given. Most importantly, the improvements in mechanical properties over monolithic Al 2 O 3 will be presented, and the possible mechanisms responsible for these improvements will be discussed.
Azerbaijan: Territorial Issues and Internal Challenges in Mid-2001

(2001). Azerbaijan: Territorial Issues and Internal Challenges in Mid-2001. Post-Soviet Geography and Economics: Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 305-312.
Campaigning for Capital: Fair Elections and Foreign Investment in Comparative Perspective

ABSTRACTThis article makes several contributions to the literature on political risk and the determinants of capital inflows. First, I clarify the relationship between capital flows and democracy’s constituent parts in a way that takes arguments beyond aggregate democracy indicators and static political institutional structures. Specifically, I argue that fair elections signal government respect for democracy and the rule of law in a highly visible manner investors can access. I show how investors therefore use the fairness of elections as a way to assess political risk and to inform their investment strategies. However, the type of investment and the kinds of evidence of electoral misbehavior condition elections’ influence on capital flows. I also disaggregate capital flows into foreign direct investment (FDI) and portfolio investment. I argue that the logic of investing is different in the short term (portfolio) versus the long term (FDI). When it comes to political risk, I provide evidence that portfol...
Abstract 364: Exercise slows tumor progression and normalizes tumor vasculature in murine models of breast cancer.

The effect of endurance exercise to improve post-ischemia perfusion of normal tissues is established but whether such effects extend to hypoxic solid tumors is largely uninvestigated. Thus, we evaluated the hypothesis that exercise slows tumor growth and improves the structure and function of tumor blood vessels, resulting in decreased hypoxia and increased effectiveness of cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. To investigate the effects of exercise on tumor microenvironment, we utilized voluntary wheel running after tumor cell implantation in two orthotopic models of murine breast cancer: ER(-) 4T1 breast tumor cells in BALB/c mice and ER(+) E0771 breast tumor cells in C57Bl/6 mice. Endurance exercise significantly increased microvessel density (CD31, p Funding: ASB is supported by DOD BC093532. LWJ is supported by NIH CA143254, CA142566, CA138634, CA133895 and funds from George and Susan Beischer. MWD is supported by NIH CA40355. Citation Format: Allison S. Betof, Lee W. Jones, Mark W. Dewhirst. Exercise slows tumor progression and normalizes tumor vasculature in murine models of breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 364. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-364
Morphometric Analysis of the Homogeneity of Lymphoid Cell Populations in Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology Smears

Quantitative morphometry was used to evaluate the homogeneity of lymphoid cell populations in fine-needle aspiration cytology smears of lymph nodes from eight non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and four benign lymphoid proliferations. Using the standard deviation of log-transformed nuclear areas as the measure of lymphoid cell homogeneity, diffuse small cell lymphomas were found to be significantly more homogeneous than diffuse large cell lymphomas or benign lymphoid proliferations, but there was no significant difference in the homogeneity of the latter two groups. Two of four large cell lymphomas showed a bimodal distribution of nuclear areas. Methodologic issues--including the random selection of cells, the number of cells that should be counted in each case, the significance of microscopic field-to-field variation in this setting, and the significance of drift in observations during the examination of individual cases--are discussed.
Afterword: finance crime and the big picture: making connections, future directions

This special issue of Crime, Law & Social Change, which comes out of the RIT International Workshop on Finance, harm and white collar crime, provides a point of departure for considering some dimensions of the intersection of these core concepts and the larger context within which the matters addressed here need to be considered. Some of the contributors to this special issue are criminologists, some are not, but what they address can be linked with significant contemporary developments within the field of criminology. At the same time white-collar crime in the finance sector is situated in relation to other developments in the larger society and political economy. Some references are made to the diverse disciplinary backgrounds and substantive interests of the contributors. The core objective of this “afterword” is to provide useful points of departure for further exploration of the immensely consequential matters addressed in this special issue of Crime, Law & Social Change.
In Situ Catalyst Modification in Atom Transfer Radical Reactions with Ruthenium Benzylidene Complexes

Ruthenium benzylidene complexes are well-known as olefin metathesis catalysts. Several reports have demonstrated the ability of these catalysts to also facilitate atom transfer radical (ATR) reactions, such as atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). However, while the mechanism of olefin metathesis with ruthenium benzylidenes has been well-studied, the mechanism by which ruthenium benzylidenes promote ATR reactions remains unknown. To probe this question, we have analyzed seven different ruthenium benzylidene complexes for ATR reactivity. Kinetic studies by 1H NMR revealed that ruthenium benzylidene complexes are rapidly converted into new ATRA-active, metathesis-inactive species under typical ATRA conditions. When ruthenium benzylidene complexes were activated prior to substrate addition, the resulting activated species exhibited enhanced kinetic reactivity in ATRA with no significant difference in overall product yield compared to the original complexes. Ev...
Secondary deformities following mandibular reconstruction

It is often a difficult challenge to restore secondary deformities following mandibular reconstruction. This article suggests a classification scheme for these problems and a variety of possible solutions.
Substrate Water Content and Fertilizer Rate Affect Growth and Flowering of Potted Petunia

Rising concerns over environmental impacts of excessive water and fertilizer use in the horticultural industry necessitate more efficient use of water and nutrients. Both substrate volumetric water content (u) and fertilizer affect plant growth, but their interactive effect is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal fertilizer rates for petunia (Petunia 3hybrida) 'Dreams White' grown at different u levels. Petunia seedlings were grown at four levels of u (0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40 m 3 ·m L3 ) with eight different rates of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) (Osmocote 14-14-14; 14N-6.1P-11.6K; rates of 0 to 2.5 g/plant, equivalent to 0 to 6.25 kg·m L3 substrate). Shoot dry weight increased as the CRF rate increased from 0 to 1.67 g/plant but decreased again at even higher CRF rates. The effect of CRF rate on growth was more pronounced at higher u. Leaf size doubled as the u thresholds increased from 0.10 to 0.40 m 3 ·m L3 . Flowering was reduced by a combination of high CRF rates (greater than 0.63 g/plant) and high u (0.30 and 0.40 m 3 ·m L3 ), indicating that optimal conditions for vegetative growth are different from those for maximal flowering. These results suggest that without leaching, high-quality petunias can be grown with lower CRF rates than commercially recommended rates.
Assessing Vulnerabilities in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Wireless Network Based IoT Systems

With the materialization of the internet of things (IoT), big data analytic and cloud computing services give rise to extra breadth in the assessment of more secure computing environments, better resource management and vulnerability analysis. In order to accurately assess the vulnerability of Bluetooth low energy (BLE) wireless network enabled IoT systems, we have proposed a novel approach to extend the calculation formula for Authentication which is one of variables used in the conventional base score equations of the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) v2 proposed by the National Infrastructure Advisory Council. Through an example BLE wireless network based shopping cart IoT system we have demonstrated the weakness of the current CVSS v2 base score equations and how to overcome the weakness through our extension.
Investigating phonetic information reduction and lexical confusability.

In the presence of pronunciation variation and the masking effects of additive noise, we investigate the role of phonetic information reduction and lexical confusability on ASR performance. Contrary to previous work [1], we show that place of articulation as a representation for unstressed segments performs at least as well as manner of articulation in the presence of additive noise. Methods of phonetic reduction introduce lexical confusibility which negatively impact performance. By limiting this confusability, recognizers that employ high levels of phonetic reduction (40.1%) can perform as well a baseline system in the presence of nonstationary noise.
Adaptive inverse for actuator compensation

A general adaptive inverse approach is developed for control of plants with actuator imperfections caused by nonsmooth nonlinearities, such as dead-zone, backlash, hysteresis, and other piecewise-linear characteristics. An adaptive inverse is employed for canceling the effect of an unknown actuator nonlinearity, and a linear feedback control law is used for controlling the dynamics of a known linear or smooth nonlinear part following the actuator nonlinearity. State feedback and output feedback control designs are presented, which all lead to linearly parameterized error models suitable for the development of adaptive laws to update the inverse parameters. This approach suggests that control systems with commonly used linear or nonlinear feedback controllers, such as those with an LQ, model reference, PID, pole placement, or other dynamic compensation design, can be combined with an adaptive inverse for improving system-tracking performance despite the presence of actuator imperfections.
Essentials of Airway Management

Anesthesiologists are expected to be experts in airway management. While there are many techniques and devices available for airway management, anesthesiologists can only be skilled in a select few. This chapter describes four major techniques, which can be practiced and will resolve with rare exceptions all difficult airway problems.
IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits Through the Years: From Its Beginnings in 1966 until 2016

Discusses the history, creation, mission, and scope of the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits (JSSC). JSSC has documented the rapid advances and growth of the solid-state circuit field right from the start. The article by Don Pederson [2] reported on the 1966 origins of this journal and its evolution up to 1984. This article briefly recapitulates some of the early history and presents an account of the journal's progress since 1984.
Quality of life and self-management strategies after gastroesophageal cancer surgery.

159Background: Gastroesophageal cancer surgery can result in significant morbidity and decreased quality of life (QOL). The profound physical changes and symptoms that affect eating/digestion can s...
A self-learning algorithm for estimating solar heat gain and temperature changes in a single-Family residence

Abstract To develop effective control optimization strategies for managing residential electricity consumption in a smart grid environment, predictive algorithms are needed that are simple to implement, minimize custom configuration, and provide sufficient accuracy to enable meaningful control decisions. This paper presents a self‐learning algorithm for predicting indoor temperature in a single-family residence using a first-order lumped capacitance (1R1C) model that can be used to evaluate the consequences of energy saving or load shifting strategies on thermal comfort. The algorithm is formulated in such a way that key design details such as window size/configuration, thermal insulation, and airtightness (all major factors that affect heat loss and solar heat gain) are combined into effective parameters that can be learned from observation. This approach eliminates the need for a custom configuration for each residence. The model was validated using experimental data from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility. It was found that with a simple temperature decay test to determine a thermal time constant and a seven-day sliding window of training data to account for seasonal variations in other parameters, the algorithm can reliably predict indoor temperatures for a 24 h period using a solar irradiance forecast, an outdoor air temperature forecast, and heat pump output. The average root mean square temperature prediction error was found to be 2.2%.
Birth and Death of Histone mRNAs.

In metazoans, histone mRNAs are not polyadenylated but end in a conserved stem-loop. Stem-loop binding protein (SLBP) binds to the stem-loop and is required for all steps in histone mRNA metabolism. The genes for the five histone proteins are linked. A histone locus body (HLB) forms at each histone gene locus. It contains factors essential for transcription and processing of histone mRNAs, and couples transcription and processing. The active form of U7 snRNP contains the HLB component FLASH (FLICE-associated huge protein), the histone cleavage complex (HCC), and a subset of polyadenylation factors including the endonuclease CPSF73. Histone mRNAs are rapidly degraded when DNA replication is inhibited by a 3′ to 5′ pathway that requires extensive uridylation of mRNA decay intermediates.
Dermatologic manifestations of endocrine disorders

The skin serves as a window for clinicians to understand, diagnose, and monitor endocrine disease. Dermatologic manifestations of endocrinopathies contribute significantly to an individual’s health and quality of life. In this review, we outline various disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal gland, and androgen axis as well as hereditary endocrine syndromes. In acromegaly, glycosaminoglycan deposition contributes to a thickening of skin and soft tissue, which manifests as coarsening and enlargement of facial and acral structures. Stimulation of the thyrotropin receptor in hyperthyroidism results in mesenchymal tissue proliferation and consequent pretibial myxedema; other associated cutaneous features include onycholysis, and hyperhidrosis. Individuals with hypothyroidism exhibit cold, dry skin and brittle hair as well as a jaundice-like appearance due to carotene excess. The cutaneous features of diabetes mellitus (DM), mediated to a large extent by hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, include necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD), diabetic dermopathy, and acanthosis nigricans. Pediatric patients with Cushing’s syndrome almost invariably present with truncal obesity and growth retardation; disruption of collagen formation and the catabolic effects of hypercortisolism result in skin atrophy and purple abdominal striae. In patients with Addison’s disease, generalized hyperpigmentation, secondary to elevated levels of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), is most prominent in sun-exposed areas. Due to hyperandrogenism, individuals with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) often exhibit hirsutism, acne vulgaris, and androgenetic alopecia. In multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes, specific gene mutations may lead to angiofibromas, lichen amyloidosis, and ganglioneuromas. Disruptions of immune regulation result in autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) and associated clinical features including chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata. This paper highlights the underlying pathophysiology, dermatologic manifestations, and treatment of the aforementioned endocrine disorders.
CROSSWIND RESPONSE OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS

The complex nature of wake-excited crosswind response, that is, in a plane perpendicular to the wind has been investigated. Multivariate probabilistic and spectral characteristics of the fluctuating pressure field around a tall building model have been derived from measurements in a wind tunnel. Through the use of the spatiotemporal characteristics of the fluctuating pressure field around a square cross-section building model, expressions for the crosswind forcing function are developed in time and frequency domains based on statistical integration. A system identification approach is used to evaluate the crosswind forcing function induced due to the building motion. Methods of random vibration theory are used to estimate the dynamic response. The results are compared with the response of an aeroelastically modeled building in a boundary-layer wind tunnel. The predicted results show good agreement with the experimental response. The procedure developed in this study permits the crosswind acceleration levels of square cross-section tall buildings to be estimated at the preliminary design stages.
Basic Tools of Multivariate Matching

The basic tools of multivariate matching are introduced, including the propensity score, distance matrices, calipers imposed using a penalty function, optimal matching, matching with multiple controls and full matching. The tools are illustrated with a tiny example from genetic toxicology (n = 46), an example that is so small that one can keep track of individuals as they are matched using different techniques.
RAG-2-Deficient Blastocyst Complementation

Publisher Summary The analysis of gene function in normal development has been facilitated by the development of methods of generating germline mutations in mice by the introduction of gene-targeted mutations into embryonic stem (ES) cells. This approach has been rewarding in studies of lymphocyte differentiation and function, because the specific immune system is dispensable if mice are kept in a pathogen-free environment. However, this approach is limited in a number of practical aspects that include expense, time, and inability to evaluate roles of many generally expressed genes. To overcome these limitations, the germline mutational approach has been modified to develop an efficient, reliable, and physiological assay for gene function in lymphocyte development that is referred to as “RAG-2-deficient blastocyst complementation.” Recombination activating gene 2 (RAG-2)-deficient blastocyst complementation is based on the finding that mice homozygous for a mutation that inactivates the RAG-2 do not produce any mature T or B lymphocytes. Lymphocyte differentiation in RAG-2-deficient mice is blocked at an early stage. This mutation does not affect the development or function of any other cell type; RAG-2-deficient mice are healthy and breed well when kept in a pathogen-free environment, allowing the requisite maintenance of large breeding colonies of these animals.
Epigenetic Features of Spontaneous Transformation in the NIH 3T3 Line of Mouse Cells

There is a longstanding debate in cancer research about the primary cause of malignant cell growth: is cancer the result of genetic events or the outcome of epigenetic processes? The weight of opinion seems to shift with research trends of biology in general. It is, of course, central to the resolution of such a problem that the concepts at issue be defined. Genetic events are of two basic kinds, mutation and chromosome recombination. Mutations result from a change in the sequence of nucleotides in DNA. They are generally assumed to occur at random with a frequency of less than 10−6 per cell division with little or no evidence of specificity1. Chromosome recombination normally occurs in an orderly way in sexual reproduction. It also occurs in disorderly fashion in somatic cells of aging individuals2,3, in tumors4,5 and in cell culture6,7. Except for certain leukemias8, abnormalities in cell chromosome structure or number in common adult cancers show little evidence of a specific causal relation to the origin of the tumor. However, genetic change is conceptually simple and has been vigorously analyzed in this area of molecular biology. Concurrently, there has been a strong shift toward acceptance of genetic change in somatic cells as the cause of most cancers, and at least part of this shift stems from the combination of conceptual simplicity plus the availability of a highly developed molecular technology for genetic analysis.
Mathematics at Hand

The emerging field of mathematics educational neuroscience provides researchers with new approaches to understanding mathematical development, as well mathematics itself. This paper focuses on the role of the hand in constructing mathematics through activity. In reviewing results from neuroscience studies, we distinguish three kinds of relevant activity: sensorimotor activity, internalized actions, and interiorized operations. These distinctions and related neuroscience findings contribute to a new sense of mathematical embodiment. They also provide implications for mathematics instruction.
Noise concerns of residents living in close proximity to hydraulic fracturing sites in Southwest Pennsylvania.

OBJECTIVE Noise associated with nontraditional gas industry (NTGI) sites (e.g., hydraulic fracturing well pads, compressor stations, processing plants) may create disturbances and anxiety in rural populations. This study evaluated levels of concern among residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania residing near NTGI sites. DESIGN Noise measurements were collected inside and outside residences, and surveys were administered to residents. RESULTS Daytime instantaneous sound levels ranged between 45.0 and 61.0 dBA. Dosimeter studies recorded day-night levels (Ldn ) of 53.5-69.4 dBA outside and 37.5-50.1 dBA inside, exceeding United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Respondents indicated the NTGI noise disturbed their sleep, and the majority of respondents (96%) reported being worried about their overall health as a result of the noise. CONCLUSIONS Health care professionals serving rural areas impacted by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) should be aware of potential noise stressors on the populations they serve.
Constraints to implementing the food-energy-water nexus concept: Governance in the Lower Colorado River Basin

Abstract The food-energy-water (FEW) nexus concept has emerged as a powerful approach to address the social and environmental challenges created by land and climate change. We present an analysis of the impact of the governance structure of the Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB) on the implementation of the FEW nexus concept. Specifically, we quantified the linkages between food, energy, and water systems and then used two different future scenarios: (1) drought and (2) increased demand for alfalfa to look for the emergence of resource scarcity and/or vulnerabilities. Our results indicate that fluctuations in food production are not controlled by water availability but by the governance structure. Additionally, there is proportionally more water used for food than energy, and more energy used to move water to cities than water for agricultural production. Analysis of the production scenarios indicate tipping points of food, energy, and water resources based on climatic and consumptive trends that are not yet addressed by the rigid water laws in the LCRB. These results highlight the need for resource governance to play a strong formative role in the analysis and implementation of FEW nexus management strategies.
Inter-Individual Variability in Trajectories of Functional Limitations by Race/Gender.

Objective Several theories emphasize that systematic interindividual divergence is a key feature of cohort aging and evidence for accumulative social inequality over the life course. While many have documented widening health gaps with age between subgroups, such divergence is only one aspect of the broader social inequality based on race and gender. This article examines patterns of interindividual variability in trajectories of functional limitations within each race/gender. Methods Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS)'s HRS cohort (born 1931-1941), I estimate growth curves of functional limitations with Level 2 heteroscedasticity, allowing interindividual variability to differ across 4 groups: white men, black men, white women, and black women. I examine race/gender differences in the age-based pattern of interindividual variability using an interquartile range of estimated individual trajectories. Results Black men, white women, and black women have greater interindividual variability in functional limitations than do white men. Interindividual variability increases systematically with age at similar rates for all groups but black women. Discussion Functional limitations become more heterogeneous with age for the entire cohort and for white men, white women, and black men. Future research should identify life-course processes that generate the race and gender patterning of interindividual variability in late-life health.
Laparoscopic Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Is Useful for Elderly.

Background In recent years, enteral nutrition has become relatively easy to perform through the penetration of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). However, there have been reports of complications, such as mispuncture of other organs at the time of performing PEG. Previously, we had constructed a gastrostomy under the laparotomy for difficult PEG cases, and 2 years ago, we introduced laparoscopically assisted PEG. This study aimed to clarify the feasibility and safety of LAPEG for elderly people over 65 years old. Methods We evaluated the perioperative outcomes in 7 elderly patients who underwent LAPEG during these 2 years. In these subjects, the safety of LAPEG was evaluated retrospectively based on the surgical outcomes, perioperative complications, and postoperative course using the clinical archives. Results The subjects' mean age was 81.1 ± 8.03 years. LAPEG was successful in all 7 patients. The median operation time was 38 minutes (range, 31-71 minutes). Intraoperative and postoperative early or late complications from LAPEG were not observed in our cases. Enteral nutrition was commenced 2 days after PEG placement in all cases without complications. Conclusion We summarized the LAPEG cases performed at our institution for the elderly, and have reported its feasibility and safety. The strongest advantage of LAPEG was that it allowed placement of the PEG without any complication under direct observation of the intraperitoneal cavity to confirm the safety of each organ.
How Well Does the Hole-Burning Action Spectrum Represent the Site-Distribution Function of the Lowest-Energy State in Photosynthetic Pigment-Protein Complexes?

For the first time, we combined Monte Carlo and nonphotochemical hole burning (NPHB) master equation approaches to allow for ultrahigh-resolution (<0.005 cm–1, smaller than the typical homogeneous line widths at 5 K) simulations of the NPHB spectra of dimers and trimers of interacting pigments. These simulations reveal significant differences between the zero-phonon hole (ZPH) action spectrum and the site-distribution function (SDF) of the lowest-energy state. The NPHB of the lowest-energy pigment, following the excitation energy transfer (EET) from the higher-energy pigments which are excited directly, results in the shifts of all excited states. These shifts affect the ZPH action spectra and EET times derived from the widths of the spectral holes burned in the donor-dominated regions. The effect is present for a broad variety of realistic antihole functions, and it is maximal at relatively low values of interpigment coupling (V ≤ 5 cm–1) where the use of the Forster approximation is justified. These fin...
Becoming La Ingeniera: Examining the Engineering Identity Development of Undergraduate Latina Students

Latina students are enrolling in postsecondary education in high numbers, yet their enrollment in engineering fields remains low. Part of the challenge Latina students face is a struggle to develop...
Endovascular Ion Exchange Chemofiltration Device Reduces Off-Target Doxorubicin Exposure in a Hepatic Intra-arterial Chemotherapy Model

Image-guided endovascular chemofiltration with ionic endovascular devices placed nonocclusively in the hepatic venous outflow tract and inferior vena cava during hepatic artery doxorubicin infusion...
U.S. Food and Drug Administration's interim reference levels for dietary lead exposure in children and women of childbearing age.

Abstract Reducing lead exposure is a public health priority for the US Food and Drug Administration as well as other federal agencies. The goals of this research were to 1) update the maximum daily dietary intake of lead from food, termed an interim reference level (IRL), for children and for women of childbearing age (WOCBA) and 2) to confirm through a literature review that with the exception of neurodevelopment, which was not evaluated here, no adverse effects of lead consistently occur at the blood lead level (BLL) associated with the IRL. Because no safe level of lead exposure has yet been identified for children's health, the IRLs of 3 μg/day for children and 12.5 μg/day for WOCBA were derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reference value of 5 μg/dL BLL, the level at which public health actions should be initiated. The literature review showed that no adverse effects of lead consistently occurred at the BLL associated with the IRLs (0.5 μg/dL). The IRLs of 3 μg/day for children and 12.5 μg/day for WOCBA should serve as useful benchmarks in evaluating the potential for adverse effects of dietary lead.
Influence of the Ester Directing Group on the Inhibition of Defect Formation in Polythiophenes with Direct Arylation Polymerization (DArP)

Direct arylation polymerization (DArP) has allowed for the facile preparation of a variety of conjugated polymer architectures. Because DArP proceeds through a C–H activation pathway, the selectivi...
Text and Intertexts: A Proposal for Understanding Proverbs 30.1b:

Proverbs 30.1b represents a well-known textual conundrum that is regularly resolved by re-dividing and re-pointing the consonantal text of MT. The typical emendation to the initial ‘words of Agur’ ...
An Incentive Compatible Market Mechanism for Integrating Demand Response into Power Systems

In this paper, we propose a market mechanism that allows demand response providers (DRPs) to participate in a two-settlement electricity market as power suppliers alongside conventional generators. Each DRP bids her demand reduction capacity and cost rate, and the independent system operator (ISO) schedules the power dispatch to minimize the overall system cost. We show that, with the proposed mechanism, truthful bidding by the DRPs is achieved at a Nash equilibrium (NE), and as a result, the social welfare is maximized. The theoretical results are corroborated by simulation studies.
Multiword sequences in English language learners’ speech: The relationship between trigrams and lexical variety across development

Abstract Languages have formulaic multiword sequences (MWSs) which occur repeatedly in speech and writing (e.g., Nattinger & DeCarrico, 1992; Siyanova-Chanturia & Pellicer-Sanchez, 2018). For learners, then, the production of MWSs is an important element in developing spoken language that is complex, accurate, and fluent. Though the use of MWSs is important for achieving spoken proficiency, it is unclear whether the production of MWSs supports or hinders another aspect of proficiency, lexical variety. This paper is an exploration of the production of MWSs (recurrent trigrams) and the development of lexical variety, found in 2-min speeches (n = 294) from English L2 learners (n = 66) over time in an intensive English program (IEP). Using hierarchical linear modeling and correlation analysis, we found different patterns of development for the two measures. The use of MWSs increased and then decreased while the lexical variety scores slightly decreased and then sharply increased over time in the IEP. Although the impact of MWSs on oral fluency has been studied, this seems to be the first study to consider how MWSs influence lexical variety across development.
Broadband mirrors with >99% reflectivity for ultra-efficient thermophotovoltaic power conversion

Thermophotovoltaic power conversion relies on a highly reflective mirror to reduce parasitic power consumption and increase power conversion efficiency. Here, we show the designs of broadband thermophotovoltaic mirrors, that can achieve >99% reflectivity, over 3-octaves of bandwidth.
How Does the Law Obtain Its Space? Justice and Racial difference in Colonial Law: British Honduras, 1821

How do certain social conflicts come to fall within the law? How does the law come to have its space? I argue that law emerged in British Honduras through a structure of racial differentiation. The law arrived as a mode of ordering space, bodies, and justice that realizes an immanent structure of racial difference. Racial difference thus founds the space of law. To advance this argument, I examine the record of the first criminal trial prosecuted in the place now called southern Belize—for the murder of an unnamed Indigenous woman by an enslaved Black man. Through an analysis of the trial record that draws upon Jameson’s reading of Greimas’s semiotic method, I show that the standing of the trial, as well as the evaluation of evidence, hinge upon the delineation and operation of racial categories. While British colonialism has ended, these categories persist.
Effects of differential pressure measurement characteristics on high pressure-EGR estimation error in SI-engines:

With proper control, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) can be used for knock mitigation in SI engines, enabling fuel economy improvements through more optimal combustion phasing and lower fuel-enrich...
Bio-diesel and bio-gas production from seafood processing by-products.

Publisher Summary Food processing by-products are largely organic in nature and can be potentially utilized for production of valuable products. The seafood industry produces many kinds of by-products. Fish oil and other seafood processing by-products can be used as a source of renewable energy. This chapter discusses the theoretical and practical issues concerning utilization of seafood processing by-products as valuable resources for energy production, and reviews the conversion technologies that could be used to convert such materials into bio-fuels in the forms of bio-diesel and bio-gas. Both bio-diesel and bio-gas are renewable bio-fuels. Bio-diesel can be used as a fuel directly or blended with petroleum diesel and used in conventional diesel engines with few or no modifications. Bio-gas can be used as a fuel for internal combustion engines, turbines, or fuel cells for heat and electrical power generation. The amount and characteristics of effluent streams produced at seafood processing plants largely depend on the type of animals being processed, the parts of animals that are left over, and the amount of water added into the by-products as a result of animal handling and plant facility wash-down. Due to the large variability among different seafood by-products, it is recommended that laboratory or pilot trials be performed to determine the bio-diesel or bio-gas yields from actual materials to obtain accurate information for performing the energy production calculations and designing the conversion processes.
Efficient Optimization of Post-Disaster Reconstruction of Transportation Networks

AbstractCatastrophes, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis often cause large-scale damage to transportation systems. In the aftermath of these disasters, there is a present challenge to qu...
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) IN DAY CARE CENTERS (DCC)

Recent epidemiologic studies in which the rate of CMV excretion among children in group DCCs was found to be significantly higher than the rate of seropositivity to CMV among controls suggest that horizontal transmission of CMV occurs within this setting. We analyzed CMV isolates from children in a DCC with a high rate of infection for relatedness using restriction endonucleases. DNA extracted from the viral isolates was cleaved using BAM Hl and Hind III. Isolates obtained from 3 children in one classroom, ranging in age from 22-26 months, yielded identical restriction patterns with both enzymes. For 3 other children, aged 28-34 months and cared for in a different classroom, identical restriction patterns were found that were different from the first group of children and also different from restriction patterns produced using epidemiologically unrelated strains. During a 24 month period, 2 of 35 susceptible mothers of children in the DCC seroconverted. Both had seronegative husbands, a single child in the center who was viruric and no other known source for the virus. Viral isolates from both mothers and their children were obtained and they are being examined using restriction endonucleases. Both epidemiologic and molecular techniques indicate that CMV is transmitted frequently between children in group DCCs. Exposure risks for parents of these children and workers in DCCs must be determined.
Modeling of pulse-echo inspections of multi-layer panels containing delaminations

To meet the needs of counter insurgency operations the armor of tanks need to be lighter. This is accomplished by using a combination of materials: metals, composites, and ceramics. This multi-material composite armor using any combination of the above materials will need to be inspected for manufacturing error, shipping damage, and combat damage. Nondestructive inspection, particularly ultrasonic inspection, has a long history of successfully inspecting thick composite structures. To more easily develop inspection plans for many layered composites a computational model would be of use. A model of this type would need to have the ability to account for multiple material types and flaws that are larger than the beam size. Also, as a result of armor thickness any model would need to consider attenuation and effects of focused transducers. This was accomplishing by extending the Thompson–Gray Measurement Model for use with multiple layers at normal incidence to the transducer and large planar defects parallel to the layers. Material values of the armor and the characteristics of the transducers were determined for use in the model. The model results are compared to experimentally collected data to show agreement. The model is then used to determine the requirements of a new inspection plan through varying the frequency and focal length of the transducers. The defect reflection amplitudes for 5 MHz with the focal lengths in water of 7.5, 8.5, and 9.5 inches are 0.55178, 0.75270, and 0.44836. The same for 10 MHz are 0.12474, 0.21425, and 0.10637. The 8.5 in focal length also is the equivilent thickness in water for the material leading to the defect interface. This focal length would, from theory, cause the greatest amplitude from the defect. This is supported by the results in that the highest amplitude occurs at 8.5 inches
Betavoltaic Cells Using P3HT Semiconductive Conjugated Polymer

The need for extreme-duration light-weight power sources for space applications motivates the study and development of polymer-based betavoltaics. The betavoltaic device, based on the semiconductive polymer–fullerene blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene): indene-C60 bisadduct (P3HT:ICBA), is demonstrated here for the first time. Both direct and indirect energy conversion methods were explored. For the indirect conversion method, a phosphor intermediate layer of cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Ce:YAG) was used on top of the polymer device. A high open circuit voltage of 0.56 V has been achieved in the betavoltaic device fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with indirect energy conversion at 30-keV electron kinetic energy. The maximum output electrical power of 62 nW was achieved at 30-keV input electron beam (e-beam) energy. The highest betavoltaic power conversion efficiency of 0.78% was achieved at an e-beam energy of 10 keV. Using the thin PET substrate instead of a glass substrate for the polymer device and phosphor screen fabrication, the betavoltaic device performance has been significantly improved due to a reduction in physical distance between photon-generating Ce:YAG phosphor screen and photon-absorbing P3HT:ICBA layer. The use of the PET substrates helped by significantly decreasing the directional and external interaction losses.
Chitin utilization by marine bacteria. A physiological function for bacterial adhesion to immobilized carbohydrates.

Chitin turnover is essential for recycling carbon and nitrogen in marine ecosystems. A key step in this process is the adhesion of marine bacteria to chitin-containing particulates. Vibrio species were therefore surveyed for their ability to bind to immobilized carbohydrates, and one, Vibrio furnissii, adhered to glycosides of three sugars, N-acetylglucosamine (the preferred ligand), D-mannose, and D-glucose. A single Ca(2+)-requiring lectin is responsible for binding to the three sugars. Cells adhering to the chitin analogue divided at the same rate as cells in liquid culture. The first progeny of adherent cells continued to bind to the beads, but the population gradually shifted to a large fraction of free swimming cells, a process that may be necessary for colonization. Metabolic energy is required for cell adhesion to the glycosides, and transient (or no) adhesion occurred in incomplete growth media. The results were explained by studying met and pro mutants. Both the initiation and maintenance of lectin-mediated adhesion requires continuous protein synthesis; expression of lectin activity is a major priority of these cells and functions under conditions adequate for minimal protein synthesis, but insufficient to support cell growth. The adhesion/deadhesion apparatus is apparently used to continuously monitor the nutrient status of the environment, i.e. as a nutrient sensorium. In incomplete medium, cells deadhere, presumably to migrate to a more favorable environment.