cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of Allan Christelow, Algerians without Borders: The Making of a Global Frontier Society

Since the late twentieth century, scholars have begun to research the flow of populations in various directions. This new discipline, variously called ‘Immigration Studies,’ ‘Migration Studies,’ or ‘Diaspora Studies,’ has concentrated on various aspects of this phenomenon, clearly accelerated with the forces of globalization during this period. Allan Christelow, an historian specialized for over three decades on North Africa, has now produced a book on Algerian population migrations over the last two and a half centuries: Algerians without Borders. Christelow’s interest in Algeria dates back to 1971–73, when he taught English in a Lycee in Annaba. Having myself spent 9 years in Algeria soon after him, I read his book with great interest. Clearly, Algerians inhabit a territory taken over and/or colonized by a variety of peoples over time. In the days of St. Augustine (Hippo touches today’s Annaba), the land was ruled by Romans. Then in the seventh century, the Arabs conquered it on their way to Spain. Then came the Almohads, the Fatimids, and the Ottomans, before the advent of French colonization in 1830. And, as one might guess, such upheavals create flows of population traveling in many directions. Hence, Christelow’s definition of ‘frontier territory’: ‘an area of sharp environmental transition that lies at the intersection of different major political-cultural zones’ (p. 3). So Christelow trains his historical eye on the movement of people and ideas, drawing his organizing theme, appropriately, from the 14-century thinker Ibn Khaldun, who wrote about the cyclical nature of history while based in what is today Algeria and Tunisia. For the latter, the most successful empires had been the Almohads and Fatimids. But why did they, like all others, go into decline? Ibn Khaldun sees the answer in the pattern of strong leadership that builds loyal group solidarity (‘asabiya) but which with time becomes weak, thus exposing it to being overrun by a stronger power. Yet he was just one century too early to witness the rise of the Ottomans and the 300 year clash with Spain and other European powers their rule sparked in the western Mediterranean. Cont Islam (2014) 8:63–68 DOI 10.1007/s11562-012-0202-2
A Stereoselective Michael—Mannich Annelation Strategy for the Construction of Novel Tetrahydrocarbazoles

A novel annelation strategy has been devised for stereoselective synthesis of tetrahydrocarbazoles. The pathway features a regio- and stereocontrolled condensation of indole and its substituted derivatives with electron-deficient 1,3-dienes via a Michael–Mannich reaction sequence. An extension of this method to include cross-conjugated allenes as substrates also results in a Michael–Mannich–Michael cascade, incorporating 2 equiv of indole with increasing product complexity. The formal 4π + 2π cyclization describes a concise route to polycyclic alkaloids of this family.
Niche Programs in Executive Education: Opportunities to Cultivate Innovation

Although executive education has long been the purview of business schools, the changing dynamics of 21st Century higher education have prompted other professional schools to consider partnering wi...
The Emerging Concept of Individual Liability

A radical postwar development clearly marked the trend toward making individuals criminally responsible for international crimes. Included within the latter concept are offenses committed against foreign states. But to postulate this kind of international responsibility is really to pose two separate and yet intimately connected concepts. One is the criminal responsibility of the individuals who act as agents of the state; and the other concerns the criminal responsibility of private persons. It has been seen in the preceding chapter that international law has been almost exclusively concerned with the international responsibility of the state. The present trend of the law, however, poses the preliminary problem of adequately imposing criminal liability upon individuals under international law. Although it may still be too early to assert that as a general proposition of international law individuals are criminally liable for hostile acts directed against foreign states, there is respectable authority that claims precisely that.1 These preliminary assertions may clearly show the difficulties attending any discussion of the international responsibility of individuals involving their own private actions. This point is indeed fundamental inasmuch as the responsibility here involved is based on different considerations.
Cloacal Exstrophy and Cloacal Exstrophy Variants: A Proposed System of Classification

AbstractA coding system that documents the abnormalities within the cloacal exstrophy complex is presented. Analysis allows the classification of these abnormalities into classical and variant series in a logical manner. The application of the coding system to selected reported material is described and it demonstrates the similarities between apparently divergent cases.
18F-florbetaben whole-body PET/MRI for evaluation of systemic amyloid deposition.

Florbetaben, a 18F-labeled stilbene derivative (Neuraceq®, formerly known as BAY-949172), is a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical developed to visualize β-amyloid plaques in the brain. Here, we report a pilot study evaluating patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis for systemic extent of disease. We prospectively enrolled nine patients, 61–86 year old (mean ± SD 69.4 ± 8.6), referred from the cardiac amyloid clinic. First, dynamic imaging of the heart was acquired immediately after injection of 222–318.2 MBq (mean ± SD 270.1 ± 33.3) of 18F-florbetaben using the GE SIGNA PET/MRI. This was followed by a whole-body PET/MRI scan 60–146.4 min (mean ± SD 98 ± 33.4) after injection. Cardiac MRI sequences included ECG-triggered cine SSFP, T2-weighted, and late gadolinium-enhanced imaging. Whole-body MRI sequences included MRAC and axial T1-weighted imaging. High early uptake and delayed high uptake in the left ventricle correlated with amyloid deposition in five patients, while low uptake on early and delayed cardiac imaging was noted in four patients. Cardiac function measurements were successfully obtained in all participants. Areas of increased abnormal 18F-florbetaben accumulation were noted on delayed whole-body imaging in the bone marrow (seven patients), stomach (diffuse in five patients and focal in one patient), brain (five patients), salivary glands (three patients), tongue (three patients), spleen (three patients), skeletal muscles (three patients), ocular muscles (two patients), thyroid (two patients), pleura (two patients), kidneys (two patients), and lungs (two patients). Whole-body 18F-florbetaben PET/MRI is promising for localization of systemic amyloid deposition. This technique may provide important structural and functional information regarding the organs involved by disease, with potential to guide biopsy and evaluate response to treatment. Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT03119558 .
Litigation Patterns in Inguinal Hernia Surgery: A 25 Year Review

Abstract Background Inguinal herniorraphyis among the most common procedures performed by general surgeons, but risk factors for litigation related to this surgery are poorly defined. Methods Cases were retrieved by searching the Westlaw database from 1991 through 2016 using the search terms “inguinal hernia” OR “inguinal herniorrhaphy” OR “inguinal hernioplasty” and “medical malpractice.” Data were compiled on the demographics of the patient, operative case details, nature of injury, legal allegations, verdicts, and indemnities. Results Forty-six cases met inclusion criteria and were selected for review. Verdicts for the defendant predominated (67%). The average plaintiff's monetary award for a plaintiff verdict or settlement was $1.21 million (median $500,000). The most frequent legal argument was improper performance (n = 35, 76%), followed by failure of informed consent (n = 14, 30%). The most common complications were nerve/chronic pain (n = 20, 45%) and testicular damage (n = 10, 23%). No association was discovered between case outcome and patient gender (P = 0.231) or age (P = 0.899). Case outcome was not different between open and laparoscopic repairs (P = 0.722). Patient mortality was not associated with case outcome (P = 0.311). There was no chronological trend in case outcome or award amount. Settlement award amounts were not significantly different than plaintiff awards (P = 0.390). Conclusions Successful litigation after inguinal hernia surgery was relatively infrequent—only 21.7%—with an additional 10.9% resulting in settlement awards. Case outcome in litigation for hernia surgery was not predicted by patient demographics, type of procedure, or type of complication in this data set.
‘Testosterone Boosting’ Supplements Composition and Claims Are not Supported by the Academic Literature

Purpose Men take testosterone (T) boosting supplements to naturally improve T levels. We evaluated the composition and advertised claims of "T boosting" supplements, and supporting published evidence. Materials and methods Fifty "T booster" supplements were evaluated for active ingredients and product claims, discovered via Google search. PubMed was reviewed for any literature supporting the claims, followed by review of Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) and upper tolerable intake level (UL) for each component. Results Ninety percent of supplements claimed to "boost T", 50% "improve libido", and 48% "feel stronger". One-hundred nine unique components were found, with a mean number of 8.3 per product. On PubMed, 24.8% of supplements had data showing an increase in T with supplementation, 10.1% had data showing a decrease in T, and 18.3% had data showing no change in T. No data were found on 61.5% of supplements on their effect on T. Supplements contained a median 1,291% of the RDA for vitamin B12, 807.6% for vitamin B6, 272% of zinc, 200% of vitamin B5, and 187.5% of vitamin B3. Thirteen products exceeded the US Food and Drug Administration UL of ingredients (zinc, vitamin B3, and magnesium). Conclusions Ninety percent of "T booster" supplements claimed to boost T. However, only 24.8% of these had data to support these claims. A total of 10.1% contained components with data suggesting a negative effect on T. Many had supra-therapeutic doses of vitamins and minerals, occasionally over the UL. Patients should be informed that "T booster" supplements may not have ingredients to support their claims.
Patients, Protocols, and Prosocial Behavior: Rule Breaking in Frontline Health Care:

Rules are essential components of organizations, especially given their foundational role in inducing organizationally preferred behavior and reducing behavioral variability among its members. Desp...
The History of Beauty

Beauty and aesthetics began in ancient times and continue with new techniques, medications, and products. Fascinating discoveries have created novel treatments and procedures that are currently possible due to advances in research and technologies such as electron microscopes, toxicology studies, and immunotherapies. In this section, the origins of cosmetics and aesthetics, anatomy and physiology of the skin, properties of the aging face, and psychological aspects of aesthetics will be reviewed. These are the foundations of education for any aesthetic practitioners who wishes to have a thorough understanding of the face and the process of aging. The ability to understand changes that occur in the aging face and how to prevent or reverse these changes will allow practitioners to reach advanced skill levels. This chapter will review the origins of cosmetics and the history of beauty.
Profitable Recycling of Low-Cobalt Lithium-Ion Batteries Will Depend on New Process Developments

The rapidly growing fleet of electric vehicles contributes to transforming transport but presents challenges for managing spent lithium-ion batteries in the coming decades. Recently in Joule, Chen et al. reviewed the advantages and limitations of existing lithium-ion-battery recycling processes. To scale rapidly, recycling must be profitable, even for low-cobalt batteries.
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MENTAL HEALTH: THE INTERACTIVE ROLES OF BRAIN BIOTYPES AND HUMAN CONNECTION.

COVID-19 along with the mitigation strategies being used to address the virus pose significant threats to our individual and collective mental health. As the crisis evolves and persists, it will be increasingly important for the research community to conduct investigations that address the mental health consequences of COVID-19. The causes of mental health effects in the context of COVID-19 are multifactorial and likely include biological, behavioral, and environmental determinants. We argue that the COVID-19 crisis significantly threatens our basic human need for human connection, which might serve as a crucial environmental factor that could underlie the overall insult to our mental health. Furthermore, "brain styles," which we have previously conceptualized as "biotypes" that are informed by a neural taxonomy, might interact with the universal threat to our need for human connection to explain the mental health consequences of COVID-19 from a precision psychiatry perspective. The goal of this viewpoint is to inspire research on the mental health consequences of COVID-19 from an individualized, brain-based perspective that honors the profound threat that the virus poses to our basic human motivations.
Challenge: COSMOS: A city-scale programmable testbed for experimentation with advanced wireless

This paper focuses on COSMOS - Cloud enhanced Open Software defined MObile wireless testbed for city-Scale deployment. The COSMOS testbed is being deployed in West Harlem (New York City) as part of the NSF Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) program. It will enable researchers to explore the technology "sweet spot" of ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-low latency in the most demanding real-world environment. We describe the testbed's architecture, the design and deployment challenges, and the experience gained during the design and pilot deployment. Specifically, we describe COSMOS' computing and network architectures, the critical building blocks, and its programmability at different layers. The building blocks include software-defined radios, 28 GHz millimeter-wave phased array modules, optical transport network, core and edge cloud, and control and management software. We describe COSMOS' deployment phases in a dense urban environment, the research areas that could be studied in the testbed, and specific example experiments. Finally, we discuss our experience with using COSMOS as an educational tool.
Risk of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes After Addition of SGLT2 Inhibitors Versus Sulfonylureas to Baseline GLP-1RA Therapy.

Background: Several glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have demonstrated cardiovascular benefit in type 2 diabetes in large ran...
Myoclonus

Myoclonus is a hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by quick, involuntary jerks. It encompasses a vast range of etiologies and widespread anatomic locations. Treatment frequently requires multiple agents and is often only partially beneficial. These patients pose a considerable challenge for the clinician, further complicated by the fact that many of the treatment choices lack evidence-based support. In the past few years, publications regarding therapy have been largely observational case reports or series. Although the literature on treatment of cortical myoclonus appears to be growing, evidence regarding myoclonus of noncortical origin is less well established. Investigation of more satisfactory treatments is needed, as this condition can be disturbing, debilitating, and sometimes harmful for patients. Continuing investigations are using various animal models (mostly of posthypoxic myoclonus), electrophysiologic studies, new imaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging, and genetic studies. Meanwhile, the clinical approach to diagnosing and classifying myoclonus remains largely unchanged. This review updates readers on current investigations and suggests guidelines for diagnosing and treating myoclonus.
Localized surface plasmon resonance in refractory metamaterials

Owing to their tunable electromagnetic properties, subwavelength structures such as metamaterials have enabled novel applications across fields of engineering. In particular, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) plasmonic metamaterials have demonstrated efficient light energy absorption based on localized surface plasmon resonances. Due to these properties, MIM plasmonic resonance structures present its potential applications for photon absorption or emission at elevated temperatures, such as thermophotovoltaics. However, majority of reported MIM plasmonic structures are built with materials with a lower melting point such as gold or silver. Therefore, there are needs to explore how refractory materials affect the resonance properties of MIM plasmonic structures for high-temperature applications. In this work, we numerically report MIM plasmonic metamaterials built with highly refractory materials. Based on finite-difference timedomain (FDTD) simulation results, light absorption of these metamaterials peaks as high as 99.9% at the wavelength of 8.3 μm. This strong, selective absorption is attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonance. The results of this study suggest that the applications of MIM plasmonic devices may be extended for higher-temperature environments.
La Lucha: framing the struggle for survival, double consciousness and the economy of identity for undocumented Latina/os

Undocumented Latina/os often describe their lives as ‘la lucha’, the struggle. To make ends meet ‘hay que batallar’, one must battle, work hard to ‘salir adelante’, get ahead. La lucha is interpret...
Comparative tribology II-Measurable biphasic tissue properties have predictable impacts on cartilage rehydration and lubricity.

Abstract Healthy articular cartilage supports load bearing and frictional properties unmatched among biological tissues and man-made bearing materials. Balancing fluid exudation and recovery under loaded and articulated conditions is essential to the tissue's biological and mechanical longevity. Our prior tribological investigations, which leveraged the convergent stationary contact area (cSCA) configuration, revealed that sliding alone can modulate cartilage interstitial fluid pressurization and the recovery and maintenance of lubrication under load through a mechanism termed ‘tribological rehydration.’ Our recent comparative assessment of tribological rehydration revealed remarkably consistent sliding speed-dependent fluid recovery and lubrication behaviors across femoral condyle cartilage from five mammalian species (equine/horse, bovine/cow, porcine/pig, ovine/sheep, and caprine/goat). In the present study, we identified and characterized key predictive relationships among tissue properties, sliding-induced tribological rehydration, and the modulation/recovery of lubrication within healthy articular cartilage. Using correlational analysis, we linked observed speed-dependent tribological rehydration behaviors to cartilage's geometry and biphasic properties (tensile and compressive moduli, and permeability). Together, these findings demonstrate that easily measurable biphasic tissue characteristics (e.g., bulk tissue material properties, compressive strain magnitude, and strain rates) can be used to predict cartilage's rehydration and lubricating abilities, and ultimately its function in vivo. Statement of significance In healthy cartilage, articulation recovers fluid lost to static loading thereby sustaining tissue lubricity. Osteoarthritis causes changes to cartilage composition, stiffness, and permeability associated with faster fluid exudation and presumably poorer frictional outcomes. Yet, the relationship between mechanical properties and fluid recovery during articulation/sliding remains unclear. Through innovative, high-speed benchtop sliding and indentation experiments, we found that cartilage's tissue properties regulate its exudation/hydration under slow sliding speeds but have minimal effect at high sliding speeds. In fact, cartilage rehydration appears insensitive to permeability and stiffness under high fluid load support conditions. This new understanding of the balance of cartilage exudation and rehydration during activity, based upon comparative tribology studies, may improve prevention and rehabilitation strategies for joint injuries and osteoarthritis.
Effect of Heat-Treatment Schedule on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cold-Rolled Dual-Phase Steels

Low-carbon (0.08 wt% C) steel has been subjected to three different heat treatments to obtain dual-phase steels with different microstructures. An understanding of structure–property was established through tensile tests, in conjunction with scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The results show that the steel after intermediate quenching (IQ) consisting of fine and fibrous martensite exhibited the intermediate strength, highest elongation and the best comprehensive performance of mechanical properties, whereas the steel subjected to intercritical annealing (IA) produced a network martensite along ferrite grain boundaries, having the lowest strength and intermediate elongation. Besides, step quenching (SQ) resulted in a coarse and blocky ferrite–martensite microstructure showing the worst mechanical properties of the three different heat-treatment conditions. The strain-hardening behavior was studied through the modified Crussard–Jaoul model, indicating two stages of strain-hardening behavior for all three samples. The highest magnitude of strain-hardening ability was obtained by IQ annealing routes. The analysis of the fractured surface revealed that ferrite/martensite interfaces are the most susceptible for microvoid nucleation. However, martensite microcracks were also observed in SQ sample, and the microvoids are nucleated within the ferrite grain in IA sample as well. The variations in strength, elongation, strain-hardening behavior and fracture mechanism of the steel with different heat-treatment schedules were further discussed in relation to the microstructural features.
Acoustical imaging and far-field estimation of the noise radiated by a moving source using a linear array

A description is given of signal processing techniques that can be used for acoustic imaging and far-field estimation when the source and the measuring array are fixed. When the source to be measured is mobile, three different methods, working in the time, space, or frequency domain, are proposed to compensate for this motion. The techniques can be used for still or moving sources. Motion of the source can easily be compensated, as long as the geometry as a function of time is known. The techniques described have been tested on simulations, with excellent performance. >
Methods for intelligent localization and mapping during haptic exploration

This paper presents a set of algorithms for use in simultaneous localization and mapping during haptic exploration. Several solutions are provided for the problem of a single spherical robot finger exploring a known smooth surface, starting with an unknown pose. Using pose estimates, pattern matching is performed between the robot's internal model of the surface and the known model. The robot finger is guided to explore regions of the surface that will maximize the probability of recognition. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of one algorithm. In addition, it is shown that haptic exploration and dexterous manipulation can be achieved concurrently when multiple robot fingers are used.
Cognitive impact of lacunar infarcts and white matter hyperintensity volume.

Background: Subcortical lacunar infarcts and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are common neuroradiological findings, but few studies associate between these insults and cognition in a community-dwelling population. Methods: The Dallas Heart Study is a populationbased initiative whose assessments included demographic and clinical findings including brain MRI and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The presence and number of lacunes in subjects aged over 55 years were assessed by study physicians. The WMH volume was measured by an automated method. The association between the presence and number of lacunar infarcts and of WMH volume with the total MoCA score and subdomains was assessed using linear regression with adjustment for age, gender and self-reported ethnicity. Results: In 609 subjects with valid data, both the presence and the increasing number of lacunes were associated with lower MoCA scores, even after adjusting for demographic variables. The presence of lacunes was also associated with lower scores in the memory, executive and attention subdomains. The WMH volume was not significantly associated with the MoCA score. Conclusion: The presence and increasing number of lacunes in midlife is associated with a lower performance in multiple domains of a cognitive screening measure after adjusting for demographic factors.
RAM: Randomized Approximate Graph Mining

We propose a definition for frequent approximate patterns in order to model important subgraphs in a graph database with incomplete or inaccurate information. By our definition, frequent approximate patterns possess three main properties: possible absence of exact match, maximal representation, and the Apriori Property. Since approximation increases the number of frequent patterns, we present a novel randomized algorithm (called RAM) using feature retrieval. A large number of real and synthetic data sets are used to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the frequent approximate graph pattern model and the RAM algorithm.
SciDAC's Earth System Grid Center for Enabling Technologies Semi-Annual Progress Report for the Period October 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010

This report summarizes work carried out by the ESG-CET during the period October 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009. It includes discussion of highlights, overall progress, period goals, collaborations, papers, and presentations. To learn more about our project, and to find previous reports, please visit the Earth System Grid Center for Enabling Technologies (ESG-CET) website. This report will be forwarded to the DOE SciDAC program management, the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) program management, national and international collaborators and stakeholders (e.g., the Community Climate System Model (CCSM), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report (AR5), the Climate Science Computational End Station (CCES), the SciDAC II: A Scalable and Extensible Earth System Model for Climate Change Science, the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP), and other wide-ranging climate model evaluation activities).
The Reaction of n-Butyl Isocyanide with Human Hemoglobin I. DETERMINATION OF THE KINETIC PARAMETERS INVOLVED IN THE LAST STEP IN LIGAND BINDING

Abstract The α and β chains within the human hemoglobin tetramer possess different reactivities toward n-butyl isocyanide. Identification of the kinetic components involved in the binding of the fourth ligand molecule is made possible by intrinsic spectral differences between the α and β chains. In the last step in ligand binding, the association rate constants for the α and β chains were determined to be 35 x 103 m-1 sec-1 and 240 x 103 m-1 sec-1, respectively; the dissociation constants were 0.32 sec-1 and 4.00 sec-1, respectively. These kinetic parameters were little affected by heme concentration and pH. Similarly, inorganic phosphate and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate had little effect. However, inositol hexaphosphate did influence the parameters through its ability to bind to the liganded form of hemoglobin. Under all the experimental conditions investigated the β chain association and dissociation rate constants were both significantly greater than the corresponding α chain constants. The equilibrium constants for both chains were roughly equivalent.
Juvenile Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, growth and diet in riverine habitat engineered to improve conditions for spawning

Many habitat enhancement techniques aimed at restoring salmonid populations have not been com- prehensively assessed. The growth and diet of juvenile Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), rearing in a reach designed to enhance spawning were evaluated to determine how a non-target life stage fared in the engineered habitat. Prior work demonstrated differences in food web structure between restored and unen- hanced reaches of the Merced River, thus juvenile salmon feeding dynamics were also hypothesised to vary. Dependent variables were compared among fish collected from within and near the upper boundary of the restored reach and in an unenhanced habitat upstream. Diets, otolith-derived growth and stable isotope-inferred trophic positions were compared. Baetidae mayflies were particularly important prey in the restored reach, while elsewhere individuals exhibited heterogeneous diets. Salmon residing at the bottom of the restored reach exhibited slightly faster growth rates relative to fish collected elsewhere, although stable isotope and diet analyses suggested that they fed at a relatively low trophic position. Specialised Baetis predation and/or abundant interstitial refugia potentially improved rearing conditions in the restored reach. Data suggest that gravel enhancement and channel realignment designed to augment adult spawning habitat may simultaneously support juvenile Chinook salmon despite low invertebrate food resources.
From Dirty Little Secrets To Prime Time: Values, Metaphors, And Social Change At The 2015 Grammy Awards

This paper seeks to understand values articulated through the themes of social change as a counterpoint to a celebration of popular culture in the 2015 Grammy Awards. In this study, we provide a close reading of metaphors in five performances in order to address how contemporary values are juxtaposed with entertainment in this public context. The five artifacts selected for analysis include: President Obama's public service announcement, anti-domestic violence advocate Brooke Axtell's brief speech on behalf of survivors, pop star Katy Perry's performance of, "By the Grace of God," Australian singer Sia's performance of, "Chandelier," and Common and John Legend’s performance of “Glory,” from the film, Selma . We offer the current analysis as a means for understanding the larger rhetorical issue of how values are utilized to convey or motivate social action in a platform that some argue represent antithetical aims to social change rhetoric.
A Design Tool for Distributed Concept Development

This paper provides an overview of a database tool to support collaborative concept development in an asynchronous, distributed design environment. This paper will illustrate how an ideation method, such as as brainstorming, can be applied to a desired set of functions for a new design. The result of the brainstorming session for each articulated function can then be used in conjunction with a collaborative weighted voting tool to develop a rank-ordered morphological chart of the design space. A case study will be presented to illustrate how the information and knowledge generated in a prior working session by a design group can be introduced into a subsequent design session. The case study will illustrate how knowledge can be effectively transferred from one design project to the next, and preserve design intent over time. DESIGN TOOLS This article focuses on one early stage of the engineering design and product development process - the Concept Development stage. Much work in this article was published previously as a masters thesis [1]. Additional details may be found in the thesis. It is assumed that prior work has already been completed by the design team to identify and quantify the customer needs and to translate these needs into a list of functions that the design must provide. Given the list of functions needed, this article will focus on methods for developing a design space of means to satisfy the required functions, and record not only the end results, but also the process used in arriving at design decisions. SevAddress all correspondence to this author. eral tools are commonly available to identify design functions, develop concepts, and rank the appropriateness of the concepts. The tools to be demonstrated in this article include three wellestablished methods for generating and evaluating design concepts. They are:
Computer use among older adults in a naturally occurring retirement community

Though computers and the Internet offer an opportunity to enhance the lives of older adults, rates of computer use among older adults are low relative to other age groups. This study examined patterns of computer use and barriers to use among 324 residents living in a suburban naturally occurring retirement community (NORC). One-third (36%) of the residents were actively using computers. Residents currently using computers were more likely to be younger, with more education, fewer functional impairments, and greater social resources. Results from a multidimensional scaling analysis suggested that common uses fell along two dimensions: a solitary-social dimension and an obligatory-discretionary dimension. Barriers to more frequent use included cost, complexity, ergonomic impediments, and a lack of interest. Results from this study could inform the development of services by taking into account how older adults prefer to use computers and their perceptions of the technology. We include practical recommendations for program developers.
Brightness-independent Measurements of Gamma-Ray Burst Durations

We demonstrate that a brightness bias exists in the third BATSE catalog duration measurements of cosmic gamma-ray bursts. This bias, caused by the fact that the outlying emission from bright bursts is easier to detect than from dim bursts, is sufficient to obscure a time-dilation factor of order 2. To avoid this problem, we construct brightness-independent measures of duration and apply them to a sample of long bursts containing no known brightness biases. We render all bursts to the same signal-to-noise ratio level, and thereby miss comparable amounts of temporal structure in both dim and bright bursts. We show that of two popular duration measures, T50 and T90, the former is to be preferred when the primary requirement is a comparison between bright and dim bursts. Our background subtraction approach involves the simultaneous examination of time profiles from all eight of the BATSE's large area detectors and all four energy channels, enabling us to identify appropriate background regions and to discriminate effectively between burst and nonburst emission. We report the first brightness-independent duration measurements over a continuous range of peak flux. These results indicate an increasing time-dilation factor with decreasing flux. We estimate that the energy dependence of the derived durations is relatively small. Under the cosmological hypothesis, a self-consistent treatment, including the corresponding energy correction implied by redshift, indicates that (1 + zdim)/(1 + zbrt) is ~2.
nesC-TinyOS model for parallel and distributed computation of max independent set by Hopfield network on wireless sensor network

Abstract This paper, the second one in a three-paper sequence, presents the nesC model of a Hopfield neural network configured for a static optimization problem, the maximum independent set, in fully parallel and distributed mode for TinyOS-based wireless sensor networks. Actual nesC code that implements the required neural computing functionality is presented. The graph representation of the maximum independent set problem is used as the basis for the topology of the Hopfield network as well as the wireless sensor network since each mote is conceived to house one neuron in order to facilitate fully parallel and distributed computation. The nesC implementation of a multitude of phases of computation is detailed including initialization of the neural network, relaxation, convergence detection, and solution detection all while the neural computations are performed on the wireless sensor network. Simulation of the presented nesC-TinyOS model is deferred to the third paper in the sequence.
Differential effects of US intensity and flooding on the acquisition and extinction of one-way active avoidance responding in female rats with septal lesions.

Female albino rats with septal lesions were much slower than controls in acquiring a one-way active avoidance response that required them to jump up onto a shelf, when the US intensity was 1.0 mA. With a 0.2-mA US, impairment in acquisition was much less severe, although approximately 25% of the animals with lesions failed to escape this low-intensity shock. Regardless of the US intensity used during training, septal lesions increased resistance to extinction. Flooding reduced avoidance responding during extinction in control animals, but not in subjects with septal lesions.
High-field transport in two-dimensional graphene

Transport of carriers in two-dimensional graphene at high electric fields is investigated by combining semianalytical and Monte Carlo methods. A semianalytical high-field transport model based on the high rate of optical phonon emission provides useful estimates of the saturation currents in graphene. For developing a more accurate picture, the nonequilibrium (hot) phonon effect and the role of electron-electron scattering were studied using Monte Carlo simulations. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the hot phonon effect plays a dominant role in current saturation, and electron-electron scattering strongly thermalizes the hot carrier population in graphene. We also find that electron-electron scattering removes negative differential resistance in graphene. Transient phenomenon such as velocity overshoot can be used to speed up graphene-based high-speed electronic devices by shrinking the channel length below 80 nm if electrostatic control can be exercised in the absence of a band gap.
In the zone: presynaptic function at high res.

Despite years of research, what regulates neurotransmitter release at synapses is still not fully understood. Physiological and ultrastructural approaches now reveal critical structural parameters of the presynaptic active zone correlating with release probability: the size of the active zone and the number of calcium channels.
MECHANICS OF A RESTRAINED LAYER OF FLOATING OIL ABOVE A WATER CURRENT

This paper determines the relative importance of interfacial shear stress and dynamic pressure in determining the thickness distribution of a layer of floating oil contained by a barrier above a water current. This is done by use of an equation relating vertical location of the oil-water interface, dynamic pressure, and shear stress. The interfacial shape is measured experimentally. The dynamic pressure is determined by numerical solution of potential flow problem for flow beneath the measured shape. The aforementioned equation then yields the shear stress distribution. The rear portion of restrained oil layers are found to be governed by shear stress as are the forward portions for low current speeds. At higher current speeds, both dynamic pressure and shear stress are important in determining the shape of the forward portions. Large friction coefficients are shown to be due to flow over a rough interface resulting from the generation of Kelvin-Helmholtz waves on the interface. The entrainment of oil droplets into the water flow is shown to be the result of breaking of the Kelvin-Helmholtz waves.
3D Monte Carlo modeling of the SEM: Are there applications to photomask metrology?

The ability to model the effect of fields due to charges trapped in insulators with floating conductors has been added to JMONSEL (Java Monte Carlo simulator for Secondary Electrons) and applied to a simple photomask metal on glass geometry. These capabilities are prerequisites if model-based scanning electron microscope (SEM) metrology is to be extended beyond wafer to photomask applications, where such samples must frequently be measured. Model-based SEM is an alternative to the customary threshold- or gradient-based approach. It is more demanding inasmuch as it requires a model of the physics of image formation, but the reward is greater accuracy, lower sensitivity to secondary sample characteristics (e.g., edge shape) that affect the intensity, and information about 3D geometrical shape (not simply the width) of the measured features. The prerequisites are ability to measure a signal, such as the SEM image, that is sensitive to changes in the parameters one wishes to measure and a model that describes the relationship between the signal and the parameters. The simulation shows the development of the potential energy barrier to electron escape during an initial transient charging-up phase, accompanied by increasing electron recapture and stabilization of the average yield.
Wednesday, April 17th Luncheon Keynote

Timothy J. Muris was sworn in June 4, 2001 as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. President George W. Bush named Muris, a Republican, on April 26, 2001 and he was confirmed by the Senate on May 25, 2001. Muris, 51, is the Commission's 55th Chairman.Muris has held three previous positions at the Commission: Assistant Director of the Planning Office (1974-1976), Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection (1981-1983), and Director of the Bureau of Competition (1983-1985).After leaving the FTC in 1985, Muris served with the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget for three years, and afterward as Of Counsel with the law firm of Collier, Shannon, Rill & Scott (1992-2000) and Howrey, Simon, Arnold & White (2000-2001). Muris joined George Mason University School of Law as a Foundation Professor in 1988 and was interim dean of the law school from 1996 to 1997.Muris graduated with high honors from San Diego State University in 1971 and received his J.D. from UCLA in 1974. He was awarded Order of the Coif and was associate editor of the UCLA Law Review. A member of the American Bar Association's Antitrust Section, Muris has written widely on antitrust, consumer protection, regulatory, and budget issues. In 1981, he served as the Deputy Counsel to the Presidential Task Force on Regulatory Relief.
A statistical model for interpreting neuroelectric responses

Neuroelectric activity recorded after presentation of a controlled stimulus is called an “evoked response.” Evoked responses are random, in that repeated presentations of a stimulus do not produce identical responses despite all effort to maintain identical conditions for all stimulus presentations. Responses may then be described statistically. The present model attempts to relate statistical characteristics of evoked responses, recorded by gross electrodes, to the statistical activity of the neural elements that contribute to the responses. The model postulates one or more populations of elements which, when they fire, contribute elemental waveforms to a gross response in which these waveforms are linearly summed. The statistical behavior of the elements in a population is described by their instantaneous firing rate, which is a function of time. In terms of the model, the statistical properties of the gross response (such as the mean and variance, both of which are functions of time) are shown to be related in a simple way to the instantaneous firing rates and elemental waveforms of the populations that contribute to the response. The model is an extension of the shot-noise model to time-variant phenomena; but some of the assumptions of the shot-noise model (specifically, statistical independence of firings) are relaxed.
Cameras shapes for medical imaging Compton cameras

The shape of the detectors that comprise a Compton camera largely determines the geometric distribution of the set of data that is measured. It is our hypothesis that the geometric distribution of a set of data determines the informational contents of the data. The objective of the research reported here is to produce evidence that supports this hypothesis. We use a novel approach to measure the informational content of a set of data; namely, we will use the rank of the system matrix, which stems from the data set, as a numerical measure of the informational content of the set. The data was simulated using the surface integral model for Compton camera data. When just the data that scatter parallel to the face of the camera was used, it was found that the resulting system matrix was full rank. When just the data that scatter perpendicular to the face of the camera was used, it was found that the resulting system matrix was substantially less than full rank. Additional work is needed to determine if full rank matrices can be obtained using the conventional camera design that consists of two detectors that are planar shaped and parallel to each other.
User mobility in IEEE 802.11 networks

We observed wireless network traffic at the 65th IETF Meeting in Dallas, Texas in March of 2006, attended by approximately 1200 engineers. We observed distinct differences among client implementations and saw a number of factors that made the overall system less than optimal, pointing to the need for better design tools and automated adaptation mechanisms.In order to solve many of the problems encountered in the IETF measurements and many other issues such as Layer 2 (L2) and Layer 3 (L3) handoffs, critical for real-time applications, we propose a novel approach, namely Cooperative Roaming (CR), in which mobile nodes (MNs) can collaborate with each other and share useful information about the network in which they move.
c-fos expression is neither sufficient nor obligatory for differentiation of monomyelocytes to macrophages

The c-fos gene is rapidly and transiently expressed when human U-937 and HL-60 leukemia cells are induced to differentiate to macrophages. We show that the expression of c-fos is controlled primarily at the transcriptional level. c-fos mRNA is very labile, with a half-life of less than 30 min. Superinduction of c-fos in the presence of cycloheximide occurs primarily because of stabilization of c-fos mRNA. When U-937 cells are serum-stimulated or treated with diacylglycerol, a c-kinase agonist, c-fos is transiently expressed to high levels; however, the cells fail to differentiate to macrophages. Furthermore, HL-60 cell variants resistant to TPA can be induced to differentiate to macrophages in the absence of detectable c-fos expression.
A distributed algorithm for convex network optimization problems

Abstract Gauss-Seidel type relaxation techniques are applied in the context of strictly convex network optimization problems. The algorithm lends itself for processing in a massively distributed environment. A synchronous relaxation method (SRM) is proposed, based on the k-coloring properties of the network graph. The method is tested in a simulated distributed environment on a sequential machine. Lower bounds for the expected efficiency of SRM are developed and compared with its performance as obtained through computional experiments.