cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy-Efficient Routing Protocol in Event-Driven Wireless Sensor Networks

Routing is critical in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). It has been widely studied in recent years and many new protocols have been proposed. In this paper, based on observations on event-driven wireless sensor networks, we propose algorithms to reduce power consumption and improve data quality in wireless sensor networks. In our algorithms, sensor nodes reduce the sampling frequency and number of hops when there is no event, and the positive feed-back scheme wakes up sensor nodes quickly to capture an event. Our algorithms add information in packets and use negative-ACK packets instead of ACK packets to reduce bandwidth consumption.
Organic matrix effects on the formation of light-absorbing compounds from α-dicarbonyls in aqueous salt solution

Aqueous-phase reactions of organic compounds are of general importance in environmental systems. Reactions of α-dicarbonyl compounds in the aqueous phase of atmospheric aerosols can impact their climate-relevant physical properties including hygroscopicity and absorption of light. Less-reactive water-soluble organic compounds may contribute an organic matrix component to the aqueous environment, potentially impacting the reaction kinetics. In this work we demonstrate the effects of organic matrices on the self-reactions of glyoxal (Gly) and methylglyoxal (mGly) in aqueous solutions containing ammonium sulfate. At an organic-to-sulfate mass ratio of 2 : 1, carbohydrate-like matrices resembling oxidized organic aerosol material reduce the rate of formation of light-absorbing products by up to an order of magnitude. The greatest decreases in the reaction rates were observed for organic matrices with smaller, more linear molecular structures. Initial UV-Vis spectra, product studies, relative rate data, acidity changes, and viscosity measurements suggest that shifts in carbonyl equilibria, due in part to (hemi)acetal formation with the matrix, reduce the rate of formation of light-absorbing imidazole and oligomer species.
In response to: Characteristics of Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellowships and training program

We applaud the Pediatric Hospital Medicine fellowship directors for their collaboration in the development of core competencies that can be applied to all pediatric hospitalist programs. We found wide variability in the structure and requirements of the programs and believe that the establishment of core competencies will likely be of benefit in bringing greater uniformity and structure to curricula in the training programs. Regarding the findings of the survey undertaken by Dr. Manicone, we believe a few issues deserve clarification and may lead to different conclusions. First, Dr. Manicone asked program directors to try to determine which of the deidentified programs in our tables were most likely to be their own program. We are unable, as is he, to infer how many, if any, were able to guess correctly. If a program director guessed incorrectly, undoubtedly they would, by definition, feel their program was not represented accurately. Second, our study was conducted in early 2007, and his 2 years later. It is possible, even likely, that some of these programs have modified their training during that time period. This may be one reason a program director might believe the description of their program is inaccurate at this time. Third, Dr. Manicone notes that he was not the program director of the Children’s National Medical Center at the time of the survey and was not interviewed by our research team. It is certainly possible that the program directors of several other medical centers may have also changed since the time of our study. If that is the case, it would not be surprising that new program directors might characterize specific components of their training programs in different ways than the program directors we interviewed. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, due to the newness and small size of the fellowship programs in our study, many directors reported that some requirements (especially for administration and research training) are made uniquely on a fellow-by-fellow basis. Allowing a trainee to tailor a program to fit his or her specific needs creates a unique and hopefully ideal learning experience for the fellows. However, this does not translate into specific fellowship requirements or opportunities as a whole. Hopefully, the core competencies can address these discrepancies, to the benefit of future trainees. We believe this final point is illustrated clearly by the results of the survey conducted by Dr. Manicone. The program attributes in the article rated as most accurately depicted in his study were the assigned clinical duties and billing independence. These were often the only clearly proscribed requirements articulated by a program director during our interviews. In contrast, other program requirements, including formal research training, often were identified as being determined on a case-by-case basis, according to the needs of the fellow, without firm expectations or requirements.
Xanthomatous infiltrate of the face

We report 2 cases which shared an unusual histopathologic pattern of a xanthomatous infiltrate occurring on the nose. Both patients were women in their fifth decade. Each presented to the dermatology clinic with multiple soft, flesh-colored papules, up to 1 cm, in diameter on the lateral aspects of the nose. The lesions had been present for several years. Both patients were otherwise completely well, and asymptomatic. In one case, focal telangiectasia and central umbilication was noted, and the clinical differential diagnoses included basal cell carcinomas and appendageal tumors. In each case, a biopsy was performed. The lesions appeared histologically quite similar. The epidermis was unremarkable. Within the dermis, there was a mid-reticular dermal infiltrate of macrophages with unilocular and multilocular fat laden cytoplasm, and scalloped nuclei. Only a scant inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes was present. Minimal dermal fibrosis was also present. We believe that xanthomatous infiltrate of the face is a distinct clinical entity which presents as multiple flesh-colored papules on the nose, which have a characteristic histologic appearance of abundant lipid-laden macrophages within the dermis.
The effective molecular titration of the early components of dog complement.

SummaryEffective molecular titrations of C1, C4, and C2 revealed values ranging from 75,000 to 123,000 for C1, from 70,000 to 228,000 for C4, and from 160 to 250 for C2 in the serum of five mongrel dogs. A striking feature of these experiments has been the efficiency of the homologous system as compared to that which employs guinea pig components. Complete or partial functional incompatibilities were demonstrated when: (i) C1gp was employed to make EAC1 intermediate used for the titration of C4dog; (ii) when EAC1gp was used in the formation of the EAC4dog cells which were converted to EAC14dog cells for the titration of C2dog; (iii) when C2gp was introduced to prepare EAC14dog cells for lysis by C-EDTA, and (iv) when lysis of EAC142dog cells was attempted with Cgp-EDTA.
A multicenter retrospective study of frameless robotic radiosurgery for intracranial arteriovenous malformation.

Introduction: CT-guided, frameless radiosurgery (SRS) is an alternative treatment to traditional catheter-angiography targeted, frame-based methods for intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Despite the widespread use of frameless radiosurgery for treating intracranial tumors, its use for treating AVM is not well described. Methods: Patients who completed a course of single fraction SRS at The University of North Carolina or Georgetown University between 4/1/2005 – 4/1/2011 with single fraction SRS and received at least one follow-up imaging study were included. All patients received pre-treatment planning with CTA ± MRA and were treated on the CyberKnife (Accuray) radiosurgery system. Patients were evaluated for changes in clinical symptoms and radiographic changes evaluated with MRI/MRA and catheter-angiography. Results: 26 patients, 15 male and 11 female, were included in the present study at a median age of 41 years (IQR, 26-55 years). The Spetzler Martin grades of the AVMs included seven Grade I, twelve Grade II, six Grade III, and one Grade IV with fourteen (54%) of the patients having a pre-treatment hemorrhage. Median AVM nidal volume was 1.62cm3 (IQR, 0.57-8.26 cm3) and was treated with a median of 1900 cGy to the 80% isodose line. At median follow-up of 25 months (IQR, 19-36 months), 15 patients had a complete closure of their AVM, 6 patients had a partial closure, and 5 patients were stable. Time since treatment was a significant predictor of response, with patients experience complete closure having on average 11 months more follow-up than patients with partial or no closure (p = 0.03). One patient experienced a post-treatment hemorrage at 22 months. Conclusions: Frameless SRS can be targeted with non-invasive MRI/MRA and CTA imaging. Despite the difficulty of treating AVM without catheter angiography, early results with frameless, CT-guided SRS suggest that it can achieve similar results to frame-based methods at these time points.
MOLECULAR AND CYTOGENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A METALLOTHIONEIN GENE OF DROSOPHILA

A chromosomal DNA segment containing the metallothionein gene was isolated from a genomic library of Drosophila melanogaster using a previously characterized cDNA of this species as a probe. A segment of 1543 base pair (bp) was sequenced and found to include the cDNA sequence interrupted by one small intron. Several lines of evidence indicate that there is a single copy of the metallothionein gene (Mtn) in Drosophila; any other related genes, if they occur, must be sufficiently different that they are not detectable by our probe, even under hybridization conditions of reduced stringency. According to in situ hybridization and deletion mapping, Mtn is located in the right arm of the third chromosome in region 85E10-15. Within 300 bases upstream of the apparent site of transcription initiation, there are several short intervals very similar to the 12-bp segments considered to be responsible for metal regulation in mammalian systems.
Latino Emergent Bilingual Youth in High Schools Transcaring Strategies for Academic Success

This article explores the results of a study of Latino youth in New York City public high schools. We propose that the common element among the schools is what we call here transcaring, an overarch...
Laissez-Faire Thought in Pennsylvania, 1776–1860

Nearly seventy-five years have elapsed since Henry Carey complained that the term laissez faire had become a meaningless symbol, an object, as he put it, of “word-worship.” If the task of definition seemed imposing in his time, it is not less so in ours. The concept has been used with abandon on various levels of political and economic discussion. It belongs to a whole category of catchwords in our social thought whose connotations, if they ever were precise, have become blurred through constant and polemical usage. They are dangerous labels for the historian. This paper seeks to analyze the ideas developed in Pennsylvania to oppose governmental action in economic life during the period from the Revolution to the Civil War. For the present purpose it is not a matter of significance whether one chooses to believe that any of these ideas are genuinely laissezfaire in character or not.
MONTEGGIA LESION IN AN ASIAN SMALL-CLAWED OTTER (AONYX CINEREA)

A 10-yr-old female Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea) presented with a history of right forelimb lameness. Antebrachial radiographs revealed a Monteggia lesion, classified by cranial radial head luxation and distal diaphyseal ulnar fracture. Open reduction with placement of an ulnar-radial positional screw was performed. The lateral collateral ligament was reconstructed using suture anchored by a condylar screw and bone tunnel in the radius. Reduction and proper implant placement was confirmed on postoperative radiographs. The ulnar-radial positional screw was removed 6 wk postoperatively to allow proper supination and pronation. Limb function was greatly improved at this time; however, a mild lameness was still observed. At 7 mo postoperatively, the otter was ambulating lameness-free. Radiographs documented proper joint reduction and stable condylar screw. At 32 mo postoperatively, the otter continued to exhibit normal ambulation.
John Bowring and Unitarianism

For those to whom John Bowring's name means anything, the most likely association with it is the complex and question-begging term ‘Benthamite’. Contemporaries certainly used the term, particularly when they wanted to suggest that his actions were narrowly ideological or theoretical. But to some of Bowring's contemporaries another association served hostile intent almost as well: his Unitarianism.
An interlaboratory comparison of bone lead measurements via K-shell X-ray fluorescence spectrometry: validation against inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

109Cd-based K-shell X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (hereafter, for brevity, XRF) is used, often in epidemiological studies, to perform non-invasive, in vivo measurements of lead in bone. We conducted the first interlaboratory study of XRF via the circulation of nine goat tibiae in which the mean lead value ranged from 4.0 μg g−1 to 55.3 μg g−1 bone mineral. The test tibiae were subsequently analyzed via nitric acid digestion followed by lead determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) – along with certified reference materials for bone lead – thus providing measurement traceability to SI units. Analysis of dried bone for lead via nitric acid digestion and ICP-MS yields mass fraction data in units of μg g−1 dry weight. The mean bone lead value based on ICP-MS analysis ranged from 1.8 μg g−1 to 35.8 μg g−1 dry weight. For comparison purposes, XRF-measured Pb values (μg g−1 bone mineral) were converted into the ICP-MS-measured units (μg g−1dry weight bone) by multiplying the former by the average ash fraction from the nine tibiae. Eight of the XRF systems did not yield a significant bias for any of the nine tibiae; one system was biased for one of the tibiae; two systems were biased for two tibiae; one system was biased for four tibiae; two systems (813-1 and 804-2) were biased for five tibiae and one system (801-1) was biased for six of the nine tibiae. Average bias for the systems (under those particular operating conditions) that were biased for the majority of samples ranged from −2.6 μg g−1 (−15.7%) to 5.1 μg g−1 (30.7%) dry weight bone. All participants now have the ICP-MS data, allowing any corrective actions deemed necessary to be implemented. The ICP-MS data, however, indicated that the lead mass fraction varied considerably with the sampling location within the tibiae, to the extent of exceeding XRF variability for the higher lead values. Material heterogeneity is an unavoidable reality of measuring lead in bone.
Digital Correction of Lens Aberrations In Light Field Photography

Digital light field photography consists of recording the radiance along all rays (the 4D light field) flowing into the image plane inside the camera, and using the computer to control the final convergence of rays in final images. The light field is sampled with integral photography techniques, using a microlens array in front of the sensor inside a conventional digital camera. Previous work has shown that this approach enables refocusing of photographs after the fact. This paper explores computation of photographs with reduced lens aberrations by digitally re-sorting aberrated rays to where they should have terminated. The paper presents a test with a prototype light field camera, and simulated results across a set of 35mm format lenses.
Stable isotope analysis of production and trophic relationships in a tropical marine hard-bottom community

Seagrasses produce much of the organic carbon in the shallow waters of the Caribbean and it has long been assumed that a substantial portion of this carbon is exported to nearby habitats, contributing substantially to their food webs. In the shallow coastal waters of the Florida Keys (USA), seagrass intersperses with hard-bottom habitat where bushy, red macroalgae are the most prominent primary producers. However, the relative importance of seagrass-derived carbon versus autochthonous algal production or phytoplankton in supporting higher trophic levels within hard-bottom communities has never been investigated. We compared the carbon and nitrogen isotopic values of potential primary producers and representative higher trophic level taxa from hard-bottom sites on the bay-side and ocean-side of the Florida Keys. We also included in our study a set of bay-side sites that experienced significant ecological disturbances over the past decade (e.g., cyanobacteria blooms, seagrass die-off, and sponge die-offs) that may have altered trophic relationships in those regions. We did not detect any differences among regions in the trophic status of hard-bottom taxa that might be associated with ecosystem disturbance. However, our results suggest that autochthonous production of algal detritus is an important source of secondary production in these hard-bottom communities, with seagrass and phytoplankton contributing smaller fractions.
Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in the Octogenarian

The aim of this study was to analyze patient outcomes following endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (EAR) among patients 80 years of age or older. In this study, reporting standards of the Ad Hoc Committee for Standardized Reporting Practices for Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair of the Society of Vascular Surgery/American Association for Vascular Surgery (SVS/AAVS) were followed. Between August 8, 1996 and February 12, 2001 EAR was performed in 31 patients (29 male and 2 female) with an average age of 83 ± 3 years and an average maximum aneurysm diameter of 59 ± 7 mm. Overall technical success was 90% (28/31) with a single acute conversion and a 6% (2/32) incidence of major morbidity. There were no in-hospital deaths, but two patients (6%) died within 30 days of intervention. Four endoleaks, two type I and two type II, were observed within the first 30 days after endograft implantation and three new type II endoleaks were noted after implant periods that exceeded 1 month. Average follow-up was 16 months, with a single aneurysm-related death that occurred after late conversion to open repair, 2 years following initial endovascular treatment. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed 3-, 12-, and 24-month estimated survivals of 93% (±5), 75% (±8), and 68% (±10), respectively. Clinical success rates were 90% (±5), 90% (±5), and 72% (±17) at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. We conclude that, in the octogenarian with mild to moderate medical comorbidities, endovascular aneurysm repair provides an alternative to open AAA repair with low operative morbidity and good clinical success rates. Elevated SVS/AAVS medical comorbidity scores were not associated with increased operative mortality rates, but they did show a trend toward decreased mid-term survival. Careful consideration of life expectancy and the probability of rupture, as with traditional AAA repair, should dictate necessity for intervention.
Evidence for possible horizontal faulting in southern California from earthquake mechanisms

We find that 36 of the 505 fault-plane solutions (M ≥ 3.0, 1981–1990) in southern California have a nodal plane dipping no more than 30 °. With the assumption of the low-angle nodal planes being the fault planes, four cross sections are constructed to show the possible horizontal faults in the middle and upper crust. More than half of these low-angle faults are located within or adjacent to the Transverse Ranges. The focal depths vary from 1 km in the southern end of the Sierra Nevada and the southwestern Mojave Desert to 20 km in the Transverse Ranges. The slip directions are also diverse. In general, east-west extensional movements are dominant in the boundary between the southern Sierra Nevada extending to the San Emigdio Mountains and the western Mojave Desert, whereas north-south compressional movements are dominant in the Transverse Ranges. In the Peninsular Ranges and the Salton Trough, both the slip directions and focal depths vary. These features suggest that seismically active low-angle faults in southern California may exist at different depths and slip in various directions. Our data do not support the existence of a regional-scale seismically active detachment in southern California. Only in the western Transverse Ranges is there some suggestion of a large detachment surface at a depth of about 13 to 14 km.
Multiple oligosaccharide chains in the voltage-sensitive Na channel from Electrophorus electricus: Evidence for α-2,8-linked polysialic acid

Abstract Carbohydrate substituents on the large peptide of the voltage-sensitive Na channel from Electrophorus electricus electroplax have been partially characterized by their sensitivity to endoglycosidases H and F, peptide:N-glycosidase F, Endo-N-acetylneuraminidase, and to neuraminidase. The results suggest the presence of at least two classes of oligosaccharides: neutral, high mannose or hybrid oligosaccharides, and acidic, complex oligosaccharides with a core-structure terminating in an unbranched homopolymer of sialosyl units in α-2,8 linkages (⪢5 tandem sialic acids). Large decreases in apparent Mr produced by sialidase treatments suggest an extended carbohydrate structure that could inhibit protein-protein interaction. Polysialic acid was formerly proposed to be a unique constituent of neural cell adhesion molecules (N-CAMs) in vertebrates. However, ratios of sialic acid to galactose reported for mammalian brain and muscle Na channels suggest they may also carry this oligosaccharide.
Novel architectural features of Bordetella pertussis fimbrial subunit promoters and their activation by the global virulence regulator BvgA

Summary A prominent feature of the promoters of Bordetella pertussis fimbrial subunit genes fim2, fim3 and fimX is the presence of a ‘C-stretch’, a monotonic run of C residues. The C-stretch renders these genes capable of phase variation, through spontaneous variations in its length. For each of these we determined the length of the C-stretch that gave maximal transcriptional activity, and found that the three optimized promoters align perfectly, with identical distances between conserved upstream sequences and the downstream −10 elements and transcriptional start sites. We also demonstrated, for Pfim3, that the conserved sequence corresponds to BvgA binding sites. The more upstream of the two binding sites is predicted to be high affinity, by comparison to a functionally derived consensus BvgA-binding sequence. The other binding site is a fairly poor match to this consensus, with 10 of 14 bp belonging to the C-stretch. Interestingly, the centre of this downstream site of BvgA binding coincides exactly with the centre of the expected typical location of a −35 sequence. However, the lack of a recognizable −35 element (CCCCCC versus TTGACA), and the occupation of this site by BvgA∼P suggest that activation of the fim promoters involves unusual interactions among BvgA, RNA polymerase and promoter DNA.
ON THE SLOW TRANSITION ACROSS INSTABILITIES IN NON-LINEAR DISSIPATIVE SYSTEMS

Abstract Non-linear vibratory systems are often characterized by external or excitation parameters which vary with time (i.e., are “non-stationary”). A general methodology is presented to predict analytically the response of some weakly non-linear dissipative systems as an excitation parameter varies slowly across points of instability corresponding to co-dimensional-1 bifurcations. It is shown that the motion near the bifurcation/critical point can be approximated by motion along a center manifold, and can be represented by a 1-dimensional dynamical system with a slowly varying parameter. Techniques expounded by Haberman [1] for analyzing such 1-dimensional equations using matched asymptotic expansions and non-linear boundary layers are summarized. The results are then used to obtain responses of some classical non-linear vibratory systems in the presence of non-stationary excitation. The problem of transition across saddle-node bifurcations or jumps during passage through primary resonance in the forced Duffing's oscillator is studied. Then, the transition across the points of dynamic instability (pitchfork bifurcations) in the parametrically excited non-linear Mathieu equation is analyzed. Lastly, the transition across a Hopf bifurcation in the Parkinson-Smith model for galloping of bluff bodies is discussed. The methodology described here is found to be effective in approximating the behavior of the systems in the vicinity of bifurcation points. The solutions and their qualitative features predicted by the analysis are in good agreement with those obtained from direct numerical integration of the equations.
Laser-Based Measurement of Glucose in the Ocular Aqueous Humor: An Efficacious Portal for Determination of Serum Glucose Levels

The potential for the noninvasive measurement of blood glucose concentration to improve the level of blood sugar control and the quality of life of diabetic patients has been recognized for nearly 3 decades. Because of the many challenges involved in directly sensing glucose in the bloodstream noninvasively, the approach of noninvasive measurement of glucose concentration in the ocular aqueous humor, which reflects blood glucose concentration, has been likewise pursued over those 3 decades. Moreover, studies of the dynamic relationship between blood glucose concentration and ocular glucose concentration in both animals and humans suggest minimal latency between variations in blood glucose and those in ocular glucose. In a review of technological approaches to such measurements, the most promising techniques appear to be laser-based, and include laser polarimetry and Raman spectroscopy. Results for techniques such as multiwavelength polarimetry and Raman spectroscopy have been quite good, and it is likely ...
Comparative aspects of Cushing's syndrome in dogs and cats

Naturally occurring hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's syndrome) is extremely common in dogs, with an incidence far greater than that in humans. The incidence of the syndrome in cats, much less frequently diagnosed than in dogs, probably is similar to that in humans. Many features of canine hyperadrenocorticism are strikingly similar to those in humans; however, several alterations in dogs are unique and not observed in other species. Clinical features and hospital testing abnormalities are reviewed in this article.
Wilson–Cowan Equations for Neocortical Dynamics

In 1972-1973 Wilson and Cowan introduced a mathematical model of the population dynamics of synaptically coupled excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the neocortex. The model dealt only with the mean numbers of activated and quiescent excitatory and inhibitory neurons, and said nothing about fluctuations and correlations of such activity. However, in 1997 Ohira and Cowan, and then in 2007-2009 Buice and Cowan introduced Markov models of such activity that included fluctuation and correlation effects. Here we show how both models can be used to provide a quantitative account of the population dynamics of neocortical activity.We first describe how the Markov models account for many recent measurements of the resting or spontaneous activity of the neocortex. In particular we show that the power spectrum of large-scale neocortical activity has a Brownian motion baseline, and that the statistical structure of the random bursts of spiking activity found near the resting state indicates that such a state can be represented as a percolation process on a random graph, called directed percolation.Other data indicate that resting cortex exhibits pair correlations between neighboring populations of cells, the amplitudes of which decay slowly with distance, whereas stimulated cortex exhibits pair correlations which decay rapidly with distance. Here we show how the Markov model can account for the behavior of the pair correlations.Finally we show how the 1972-1973 Wilson-Cowan equations can account for recent data which indicates that there are at least two distinct modes of cortical responses to stimuli. In mode 1 a low intensity stimulus triggers a wave that propagates at a velocity of about 0.3 m/s, with an amplitude that decays exponentially. In mode 2 a high intensity stimulus triggers a larger response that remains local and does not propagate to neighboring regions.
Shape and Reflectance Estimation in the Wild

Our world is full of objects with complex reflectances situated in rich illumination environments. Though stunning, the diversity of appearance that arises from this complexity is also daunting. For this reason, past work on geometry recovery has tried to frame the problem into simplistic models of reflectance (such as Lambertian, mirrored, or dichromatic) or illumination (one or more distant point light sources). In this work, we directly tackle the problem of joint reflectance and geometry estimation under known but uncontrolled natural illumination by fully exploiting the surface orientation cues that become embedded in the appearance of the object. Intuitively, salient scene features (such as the sun or stained glass windows) act analogously to the point light sources of traditional geometry estimation frameworks by strongly constraining the possible orientations of the surface patches reflecting them. By jointly estimating the reflectance of the object, which modulates the illumination, the appearance of a surface patch can be used to derive a nonparametric distribution of its possible orientations. If only a single image exists, these strongly constrained surface patches may then be used to anchor the geometry estimation and give context to the less-descriptive regions. When multiple images exist, the distribution of possible surface orientations becomes tighter as additional context is given, though integrating the separate views poses additional challenges. In this paper we introduce two methods, one for the single image case, and another for the case of multiple images. The effectiveness of our methods is evaluated extensively on synthetic and real-world data sets that span the wide range of real-world environments and reflectances that lies between the extremes that have been the focus of past work.
Linearization Based on Eigenvalue Estimates

For the linearization of a system \(\dot x = f\left( x \right)\) of nonlinear ordinary differential equations near a stationary state xo there exists a method from invariant manifold theory having the property that in any case the linearized system has the qualitatively same phase portrait near xo as the given nonlinear system. This method is based on the assumption that for each eigenvalue of the Jacobian of f at xo one is able to decide whether the real part is exactly zero or not. For critical systems with eigenvalues very close to the imaginary axis this generally cannot be done in practice since only estimates for the eigenvalues are available. In this paper we present a modification of the above-mentioned method to the case where the location of eigenvalues is known only approximately.
The Repatriation of Armenians to Soviet Armenia, 1945–49

On 21 November 1945 a decree from Stalin authorised the return of Armenians living in diaspora to Soviet Armenia.1 Armenians displaced during the First World War and the genocide had been arriving in the Armenian Soviet Republic in sporadic waves since its creation in December 1920. However, the postwar repatriation scheme was designed to exceed all previous return movements in scale and significance.2 As a result, between 1946 and 1949 more than 100,000 Armenians left their homes in the Middle East, Greece, the Balkans, France and the US in order to resettle in Soviet Armenia.3
On the Development of Modular Optical Wireless Elements (MOWE)

We report on the development of optical wireless arrays composed of multiple electrically interconnected optical modules (i.e., elements) forming a flat or curved terminal that is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy-to-assemble. The technology enables economic access to wide field-of-view optical communication for last-mile broadband connectivity. The smart modules provide reconfigurability, as well as local and central processing capabilities, to enable innovative short- and medium-range applications for free- space optics (FSO) beyond traditional fixed, high data rate, point-to-point links. We demonstrate several proof-of-concept optical arrays, including flat, dome, and spherical shapes. An omnidirectional spherical optical terminal weighs approximately 150g and costs less than $200. This technology can facilitate multiple simultaneous communication links at data rates up to 1Mbps. The MOWE concept is flexible and scalable to various applications like user tracking, mobile FSO, multi-hop mesh networks, noise measurements, indoor communications, and MIMO FSO, among others.
Failure of fibrinogen degradation products to increase plasma fibrinogen in rabbits.

SummaryInfusion of large quantities of early or late fibrinogen degradation products into rabbits failed to increase plasma fibrinogen levels or the incorporation of 75SeM into newly synthesized fibrinogen. Thus, no evidence could be obtained for a key role of fibrinogen degradation products in mediating the increased fibrinogen synthesis associated with pathologic states in this species.
PL.88 Syntocinon Infusion: A Prospective Audit at St John’s Hospital (Nov 2010 – April 2011)

Introduction The use of oxytocin infusion in the induction and augmentation of labour is an essential component of intra-partum care in obstetrics worldwide but can be associated with potentially serious complications. These complications include uterine hyperstimulation leading to abnormalities in the CTG, uterine rupture especially in labouring women with previous uterine scar, fluid overload and postpartum haemorrhage (prolonged usage). In the light of these potentially serious but avoidable complications, it is imperative to use it judiciously in accordance with clinical guidelines. The Aim of this audit was to determine the adherence of the unit to the designated clinical guideline in the use of syntocinon infusion in labour and to ascertain and analyse the underlying reasons for the complete stoppage of infusion and the reduction in the dosage of infusions. Results and Discussions Majority of patients on syntocinon infusion carried on to delivery without having syntocinon stopped (99.08%) or reduced (66.9%). A significant number though still had syntocinon reduced at least on 1 occasion (33.1%). The commonest reason for reducing rate of infusion was hyperstimulations (42/51), followed by other reasons such maternal distress, stopping to site epidural and “tissued venflon” representing (12/51) and prolonged and persistent decelerations. Conclusions The use of syntocinon infusion to augment or induce labour at St John’s Hospital conforms to the established Pan-lothian guideline. It is acceptable practise to reduce the rate of infusion when there is uterine hyperstimulation and to stop the infusion completely in the event of prolonged bradycardia and pathological CTG (NICE guideline).
Box Weight or Lift Rate: Which Factor Matters More during Lifting?

Previous research has shown that lift rate and box weight are known to influence the risk of developing a low back disorder. However, when a given amount of material must be transferred there is little guidance as to the best combination of weight and lift rate in order to have the lowest risk of developing a back injury. The current study investigated combinations of lift rate and box weight when moving a given amount of material with respect to the impact on spinal loading, perceived exertion, and perceived risk of injury. The results show that there is an interaction between lift rate and box weight. There was a trade-off in loading cumulative and peak loading for both compression and shear loads which was dependent upon the weight and lift rate. Perceived exertion was influenced more by box weight than lift rate. Based on all the loading results, it is recommended that workers should under one of the following conditions: 4 or 8 lpm for 9.1 kg weight boxes and 12 lpm for the 4.5 kg weight boxes.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Structure–Property Relationships of Tween 80 Surfactants in Water and at Interfaces

We build a united atom model for Tween 80 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan oleates), based on the GROMOS53A6OXY+D force field, and apply it to two stereoisomers, three constitutional isomers, and three structures with one, two, and three tails, to represent components in the Tween 80 commercial mixture. In a preassembled micelle containing 60 molecules, the distribution of Tween tail and ethylene oxide head groups is found to be insensitive to stereoisomerization but sensitive to changes in relative lengths of the four polyoxyethylene head groups. At the air–water and oil–water interfaces, the interfacial tension is significantly lower for the constitutional isomer with a shorter W headgroup, which attaches the tail to the sorbitan ring, and for Tween 80 isomers with more than one tail group. The results indicate the possible scope for improvement in the design of polyoxyethylene sorbitan oleates with improved surface tension reduction or better spreading at the oil–water interface. We also report surfactant com...
Study on risk factors of blood lead among occupational workers exposed to lead

Objective To study the risk factors of blood lead among workers who exposed to lead and provide scientific evidence for the establishment of its control and prevention.Methods A total of 227 workers in accumulator plants were selected as study objects.Their professional history,life habits and the level of education were investigated by uniformly designed questionnaire.The workers′ blood lead and the lead concentration in air in their job-sites were measured.Risk factors of blood lead were analyzed by means of simple and multiple conditional logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 29 test sites were monitored,only 5 sites were qualified,the rate was 17.24%.The mean of blood level of workers was(578.54±175.56)μg/L.Simple logistic regression analysis showed that gender,smoking,residence,educational level and workplace air concentrations of lead could affect blood lead concentrations.Multiple conditional logistic regression analysis showed that workplace air concentrations of lead and residence could significantly affect blood lead concentrations.Conclusions Workplace air concentrations of lead is higher than the standard.The workers usually have the high level of blood lead.Workplace air concentrations of lead and residence are risk factors of blood lead.
Two Different Types of High-Frequency Physical Therapy Promote Improvements in the Balance and Mobility of Persons With Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the mobility and postural balance improvements that could be achieved in a cohort of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) who participated in a motor adaptation protocol and a cohort of persons with MS who participated in a therapeutic exercise protocol. Design A cohort design, where subjects were evaluated before and after a 6-week intervention period. Setting Clinical laboratory setting. Participants Individuals (N=42) with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive MS (Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] scores, 3.0–6.5) were initially screened for eligibility for participation in the study, from which those who fit the inclusion criteria (n=32) were enrolled in the study. Subjects were pseudorandomly assigned to a treatment group and matched based on EDSS scores. Fourteen individuals in the motor adaptation cohort (MAC) (mean age ± SD, 52.6±9y; mean EDSS score ± SD, 5.5±0.9) and 13 individuals in the therapeutic exercise cohort (TEC) (mean age ± SD, 54.0±9y; mean EDSS score ± SD, 5.3±0.9) completed the entire duration of their respective programs. Interventions Both cohorts completed their therapy twice a day, 5 days each week, for 6 weeks. Each session of the MAC program consisted of balance and gait training that encouraged new ways to adapt to challenging task demands. The TEC program was similar to a traditional exercise program. Main Outcome Measures The Sensory Organization Test, 6-minute walk test, and gait spatiotemporal kinematics. Results Collectively, both treatment groups had improvements in postural balance ( P =.001), walking endurance ( P =.002), walking speed ( P =.004), and step length ( P P values >.01). Conclusions Our exploratory results suggest that a high frequency of physical therapy rather than a specific activity focus might be an important parameter for persons with MS.
Comparing Different Sequential Mediational Interpretations of Beck’s Cognitive Model of Depression in Adolescents

Depression is a developmental phenomenon with significantly increasing rates during adolescence. As Beck’s cognitive model of depression has been commonly accepted to explain the development and maintenance of depression, it is crucial to understand how and when cognitive vulnerabilities predicted in this model begin to interact. Three sequential interpretations of this model were compared. The causal mediational interpretation identifies dysfunctional attitudes as most distal to depressive symptoms, followed by cognitive errors, cognitive triad, and negative automatic thoughts, with each construct successively more proximal to depressive symptoms. In the symptom model the causal chain is reversed, with depressive symptoms as the most distal construct, followed by negative automatic thoughts, the cognitive triad, cognitive errors, and then dysfunctional attitudes. The bidirectional model merges both interpretations in which the activation of cognitive constructs causes the development of depressive symptoms which in turn trigger and reinforce already existing dysfunctional attitudes. Further, while Beck’s model of depression proposes full mediation, empirical studies identified repeatedly partial mediations. Thus, the causal meditational, the symptoms, and the bidirectional model were each tested as full and partial mediation models. Finally, sex differences in the associations between variables were studied. In the 3-wave longitudinal study, 518 high school students (62.7 % female, average age: 15.09 years) completed questionnaires measuring all mentioned elements of Beck’s model. The bidirectional model with partial mediation fits the data best. Cognitive errors emerged as the main mediator in the bidirectional model with partial mediation and significant sex differences in the strengths of associations were identified. The findings demonstrate the relevance of adolescence as developmental period during which the examined associations develop into the network they form in adulthood. Further, psychological interventions focusing on cognitive errors promise to be most effective.
Multicolor Electrochromic Devices Based on Molecular Plasmonics.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules, the hydrogen-terminated, sub-nanometer-scale version of graphene, support plasmon resonances with the addition or removal of a single electron. Typically colorless when neutral, they are transformed into vivid optical absorbers in either their positively or negatively charged states. Here, we demonstrate a low-voltage, multistate electrochromic device based on PAH plasmon resonances that can be reversibly switched between nearly colorless (0 V), olive (+4 V), and royal blue (−3.5 V). The device exhibits highly efficient color change compared to electrochromic polymers and metal oxides, lower power consumption than liquid crystals, and is shown to reversibly switch for at least 100 cycles. We also demonstrate the additive property of molecular plasmon resonances in a single-layer device to display a reversible, transmissive-to-black device. This work illuminates the potential of PAH molecular plasmonics for the development of color displays and large-area co...
Distributed video analysis for the advancing out of school learning in mathematics and engineering project

The paper proposes an open-source, maintainable system for detecting human activity in video datasets using scalable hardware architectures. The system is validated by detecting writing and typing activities that were collected as part of the Advancing Out of School Learning in Mathematics and Engineering (AOLME) project. The implementation of the system using Amazon Web Services (AWS) is shown to be both horizontally and vertically scalable. The software associated with the system was designed to be robust so as to facilitate reproducibility and extensibility for future research.
Behavioral Identification of Flexible Structures

Abstract This paper presents a potential methodology for determining a behavioral model of a flexible structure for a known interconnection point. The proposed method involves doing I/O black box ID with no attachments to the structure, and with an additional mass attached. From these two models it is possible to determine the full behavioral model by solving a system of linear equations. The methodology was tested on a simulated triple pendulum.
Human activity and habitat loss: destruction, fragmentation, and degradation.

Summary Humans have a detrimental impact on natural habitat due to various activities including deforestation, urbanization, roads, the energy sector (renewable and coal), mining, and climate change. The most important form of habitat destruction is deforestation either to develop land for agriculture (70%) or to harvest lumber intensively. There is ongoing economic pressure to convert the forests of the Amazon to pasture and arable land, for example, for corn and soybean production for the growing pig and poultry sectors. In Malaysia, Indonesia, and sub-Saharan Africa, there is growing production of palm oil with native forests being converted to oil palm plantations. The number and proportion of people living in urban areas is increasing rapidly with 5.8 million ha urbanized between 1970 and 2000 globally. Roads are influencing habitats particularly with the destruction of wetlands and habitat fragmentation. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be an additional 15.5 million miles (25 million km) of roads. The energy sector (e.g., coal mining and wind turbines) is also responsible for habitat loss. Environmental contamination associated with the extractive industries poses risks to wildlife and is viewed as potential habitat degradation. Even the vaulted wind turbines degrade habitat with substantial fatalities for birds (>200,000 in the USA) and bats (>800,000 in the USA). Mining also degrades and/or destroys habitats; for instance, unregulated gold mining can cause considerable damage including release of toxicants including cyanide, arsenic, boron, copper, fluoride, mercury, and zinc. Anthropomorphic (human-induced) climate change is degrading habitats, such as the polar region and the oceans due to acidification.
Central Bank Balance Sheet Policies and Spillovers to Emerging Markets

We develop a theoretical model that shows that in the near future, the monetary policies of some key central banks in advanced economies (AEs) will have two dimensions — changes in short-term policy rates and balance sheet adjustments. This will affect emerging market economies (EMs), especially those with a pegged exchange rate, as these EMs primarily use a single monetary policy tool, i.e., the short-term policy rate. We show that changes in policy rates and balance sheet adjustments in AEs may differ in their respective financial spillovers to pegged EMs. Thus, it will be difficult for EMs to mitigate different types of spillovers with a single monetary policy tool. In that context, we use the model to show how EMs might use additional tools — capital controls and/or macro-prudential policy — to complement their monetary policy and financial stability toolkit. We also discuss how balance sheet adjustments that affect long-term interest rates may percolate to influence short-term interest rates via financial plumbing.