cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Skills Intervention Participation and Associated Improvements in Executive Function Performance

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication. It has been postulated that such difficulties are related to disruptions in underlying cognitive processes such as executive function. The present study examined potential changes in executive function performance associated with participation in the Social Competence Intervention (SCI) program, a short-term intervention designed to improve social competence in adolescents with ASD. Laboratory behavioral performance measures were used to separately evaluate potential intervention-related changes in individual executive function component processes (i.e., working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility) in a sample of 22 adolescents with ASD both before and after intervention. For comparison purposes, a demographically matched sample of 14 individuals without ASD was assessed at identical time intervals. Intervention-related improvements were observed on the working memory task, with gains evident in spatial working memory and, to a slightly lesser degree, verbal working memory. Significant improvements were also found for a working memory-related aspect of the task switching test (i.e., mixing costs). Taken together, these findings provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that participation in the SCI program is accompanied by changes in underlying neurocognitive processes such as working memory.
Staying Power: Does the Uniformed Services University Continue to Meet Its Obligation to the Nation's Health Care Needs?

INTRODUCTION The Uniformed Services University F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine just passed its 45th anniversary, opening in 1972. A goal of the medical school, like those nationally, is the production of high-quality physicians. The purpose of this study is to describe the practice characteristics of our USU graduates and to compare data with the national cohort of U.S. MD graduates. MATERIALS AND METHODS To accomplish this, we performed a retrospective analysis of U.S. graduates (1980-2009). We used the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile to describe our graduates' current practice profile and compare them with the national cohort. In order to ascertain if USU is meeting our goal to provide high-quality physicians, we also compare our findings with national allopathic school data to norm-reference our results. RESULTS Our findings indicate that USU graduates contribute to both primary care and specialty care and they practice in all 50 states. USU graduates continue to serve their nation after their obligation is complete, with 64% continuing to practice in federal hospitals and agencies. USU graduates also have a higher board certification rate (90%) than the national cohort (88%). CONCLUSION Following our 45th anniversary, we provide continuing evidence that USU is keeping its contract with society. We provide evidence that USU continues to meet its obligation to the nation's health care needs by producing high-quality physicians who serve the country in multiple ways after their military obligation is complete, thus extending the definition of staying power. Our study is not without limitations. First, we could not precisely define the cohort to exclude graduates who still had service obligations. Second, the AMA Physician Masterfile had some missing data fields, so nonresponse or misclassification bias is possible in our results. Study strengths include the long period of time and large number of graduates in each cohort.
The carotenoid bixin: Optical studies of aggregation in polar/water solvents

Abstract In contrast to the H-aggregation that results in a 100 nm blue shift in the optical absorption maximum for all trans zeaxanthin and astaxanthin in methanol/water solutions, the carotenoid bixin in methanol water solution does not form an H-aggregate. Instead, it exhibits a 4 nm red shift in a 50% water-methanol solution, suggesting possible J-aggregation. The lack of H aggregation can be traced to the fact that the ground state geometry for bixin is cis and not trans, resulting in an unfavorable geometry for H-aggregate formation. However, bixin is one carotenoid that exhibits enhanced water solubility compared to other common carotenoids. The optical spectrum is reported for bixin in chloroform, dioxane, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, and methanol. The optical absorption maximum is blue shifted relative to chloroform as the polarizability of the solvent decreases and the polarity increases. A blue shift (0–4 nm) is observed when water is added to these solvents, the largest shift found for 5% water in acetonitrile, the most polar of the solvents besides methanol.
Computational Algorithms in Small-Animal Imaging

High-resolution small-animal imaging has seen recent advances on a number of fronts, with significant improvements coming in areas of detector technology, electronics, and collimation. Perhaps less recognized have been the accompanying software developments which have facilitated these hardware gains, including new algorithms that allow for better camera resolution, algorithms for faster reconstruction, algorithms for reconstructing data collected from irregular geometries, and modeling algorithms to improve reconstruction and to facilitate system design.
Exploring bilingual adolescents’ translanguaging strategies during online reading

Bilingual adolescents actively participate in literacy practices on the multilingual Internet. However, research has paid little attention to these readers’ use of their linguistic knowledge and sk...
Surface structure and metathesis activity of photoreduced allyl‐based Mo/SiO2 catalysts

XPS and metathesis activity studies were performed on oxidic allyl‐based Mo/SiO2 catalysts (0.5 wt% Mo) and the oxidic catalyst following photoreduction to various extents. XPS results and average oxidation state measurements from the amount of CO2 formed during photoreduction, indicated that controlled photoreduction of the oxidic catalyst, in CO atmosphere, produces a mixture of Mo6+ and Mo4+ oxidation states with Mo4+ in abundances ranging from 0 to 100%. Propene metathesis activity studies were performed on the oxidic and photoreduced allyl‐based Mo/SiO2 catalysts. The results indicated that metathesis activity appears on photoreduction and increases linearly with increasing abundance of Mo4+ present on the catalyst. The linear relationship between the % propene conversion and the % Mo4+ present on the catalyst is consistent with the proposed uniformity of the Mo species and with the hypothesis that the active site (or active site precursor) is associated with Mo4+.
Microwave-Assisted Extraction as an Alternative to Soxhlet, Sonication, and Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), Soxhlet, sonication, and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) were compared in their ability to extract 95 compounds listed in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method 8250. Freshly spiked soil samples and 2 standard reference materials were extracted with hexane-acetone (1 + 1) by MAE and Soxhlet extraction, with methylene chloride-acetone (1 + 1) by sonication extraction, and with supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 10% methanol by SFE. Results indicate that MAE is a promising extraction technique. Of 94 compounds for which we are reporting data, 51 compounds gave MAE recoveries of >80% ; 33, 50-79% ; 8, 20-49% ; and 2, 80% ; 32, 50-79% ; 8, 20-49% ; and 4, 80% ; 25, 50-79% ; 4, 20-49% ; and 2, 80% ; 37, 50-79% ; 12, 20-49%, and 8, 70%) with acetonitrile at 115°C.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 12 and Huntington’s Disease-Like 2: Clues to Pathogenesis

Russell L. Margolis1,2,5 ( ) · Susan E. Holmes1 · Elizabeth O’Hearn2,3 · Dobrila D. Rudnicki1 · John Hwang1 · Natividad Cortez-Apreza1 · Olga Pletnikova4 · Juan C. Troncoso2,4 1Laboratory of Genetic Neurobiology, Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, CMSL 8-121, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA rmargoli@jhmi.edu 2Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CMSL 8-121, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA 3Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CMSL 8-121, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA 4Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CMSL 8-121, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA 5Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CMSL 8-121, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
Diffusion Weighted Imaging in a Case of Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis in Neuromyelitis Optica (P6.395)

Objective: To present diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) findings in a patient with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM). Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease due to antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) channels. NMO characteristically affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. LETM is the imaging hallmark of NMO. Acutely, lesions are hypointense on T1 and contrast enhance in 33–71% of patients. DWI patterns of LETM in NMO have not been well described. Literature review suggests optic neuritis in NMO can demonstrate restricted diffusion, whereas optic neuritis from other causes does not. Limited data on DWI patterns in spinal cord lesions suggest that apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values are significantly higher in inflammatory lesions than in infarcts and in health controls. Design/Methods: Case report. Results: A 56 year old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, a mechanical mitral valve on warfarin, and a prior cardioembolic stroke presented with four days of progressive neurologic symptoms. Examination revealed bilateral lower extremity spastic paraplegia, mild right arm weakness sparing wrist extension, and a sensory level to T4 on the right and T6 on the left. Pulse steroids were started empirically without improvement. Lumbar puncture could not be performed acutely due to INR >2.0. Non-contrast MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine revealed centrally located T2W hyperintense signal with high DWI and low ADC signal from C1-T9. Although DWI findings suggested spinal cord infarction, plasmapheresis was initiated, despite the risk of worsening symptoms if caused by infarction. Seven days later, anti-AQP4 antibody returned positive (titer >40; positive >3.0, Quest). Conclusions: Limited data exist on DWI and ADC patterns in demyelinating disease, particularly for NMO and LETM. Understanding these neuroimaging patterns in patients who cannot receive gadolinium is important in diagnosing NMO and providing prompt treatment. Disclosure: Dr. Gluck has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vollbracht has received personal compensation for activities with Teva as a speaker.
Supervisees’ Contributions to Stellar Supervision Outcomes

This qualitative inquiry was conducted to acquire insight regarding the limited number of supervisees whose growth exceeds that of other good supervisees. Twelve experienced supervisors described s...
A deep learning approach to real-time parking occupancy prediction in spatio-temporal networks incorporating multiple spatio-temporal data sources

A deep learning model is applied for predicting block-level parking occupancy in real time. The model leverages Graph-Convolutional Neural Networks (GCNN) to extract the spatial relations of traffic flow in large-scale networks, and utilizes Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) with Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) to capture the temporal features. In addition, the model is capable of taking multiple heterogeneously structured traffic data sources as input, such as parking meter transactions, traffic speed, and weather conditions. The model performance is evaluated through a case study in Pittsburgh downtown area. The proposed model outperforms other baseline methods including multi-layer LSTM and Lasso with an average testing MAPE of 10.6\% when predicting block-level parking occupancies 30 minutes in advance. The case study also shows that, in generally, the prediction model works better for business areas than for recreational locations. We found that incorporating traffic speed and weather information can significantly improve the prediction performance. Weather data is particularly useful for improving predicting accuracy in recreational areas.
Optimal reduction of numerical dispersion for wave propagation problems. Part 1: Application to 1-D isogeometric elements

Abstract A numerical technique with the optimal coefficients of the stencil equation has been suggested. Based on this approach, new high-order isogeometric elements with the reduced dispersion error have been developed for wave propagation problems in the 1-D case. By the modification of the mass and stiffness matrices, the order of the dispersion error is improved from order 2 p (the conventional elements) to order 4 p (the new elements) where p is the order of the polynomial approximations. It was shown that the new approach yields the maximum order of the dispersion error for the stencil equations related to the high-order isogeometric elements. The analysis of the dispersion error of the high-order isogeometric elements with the lumped mass matrix has also shown that independent of the procedures for the calculation of the lumped mass matrix, the second order of the dispersion error cannot be improved with the conventional stiffness matrix. However, the dispersion error for the lumped mass matrix can be improved from the second order to order 2 p by the modification of the stiffness matrix. The numerical examples confirm the computational efficiency of the new high-order isogeometric elements with reduced dispersion. We have also showed that numerical results obtained by the new and conventional high-order isogeometric elements may include spurious oscillations due to the dispersion error. These oscillations can be quantified and filtered by the two-stage time-integration technique recently developed in our papers. The approach developed in the paper can be directly applied to other space-discretization techniques with similar stencil equations.
Early Postoperative Assessment of the Functional Patency of Ureterovesical Junction following Ureteroneocystostomy

AbstractWe studied 37 children soon after ureteroneocystostomy using diuretic radionuclide urography to assess the patency of the ureterovesical junction. Postoperative obstruction was excluded correctly in 90 per cent of the patients. Transient ureterovesical obstruction occurred in 5 patients, identification of which was useful in assigning risk and in guiding followup studies. Because it is a safe, non-invasive and relatively low radiation test the diuretic radionuclide urogram proves to be an attractive alternative to the excretory urogram in the early and late followup of patients undergoing a ureterovesical junction operation.
Heart disease in a mutant mouse model of spontaneous eosinophilic myocarditis maps to three loci.

Heart disease (HD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hypereosinophilic diseases. Due to a lack of adequate animal models, our understanding of the pathophysiology of eosinophil-mediated diseases with heart complications is limited. We have discovered a mouse mutant, now maintained on an A/J inbred background, that spontaneously develops hypereosinophilia in multiple organs. Cellular infiltration into the heart causes an eosinophilic myocarditis, with affected mice of the mutant line (i.e., A/JHD) demonstrating extensive myocardial damage and remodeling that leads to HD and premature death, usually by 15-weeks old. Maintaining the A/JHD line for many generations established that the HD trait was heritable and implied the mode of inheritance was not too complex. Backcross and intercross populations generated from mating A/JHD males with females from four different inbred strains produced recombinant populations with highly variable rates of affected offspring, ranging from none in C57BL/6 J intercrosses, to a few mice with HD using 129S1/SvImJ intercrosses and C57BL/6 J backcrosses, but nearly 8% of intercrosses and > 17% of backcrosses from SJL/J related populations developed HD. Linkage analyses of these SJL/J derived recombinants identified three highly significant loci: a recessive locus mapping to distal chromosome 5 (LOD = 4.88; named Emhd1 for eosinophilic myocarditis to heart disease-1); and two dominant variants mapping to chromosome 17, one (Emhd2; LOD = 7.51) proximal to the major histocompatibility complex, and a second (Emhd3; LOD = 6.89) that includes the major histocompatibility region. Haplotype analysis identified the specific crossovers that defined the Emhd1 (2.65 Mb), Emhd2 (8.46 Mb) and Emhd3 (14.59 Mb) intervals. These results indicate the HD trait in this mutant mouse model of eosinophilic myocarditis is oligogenic with variable penetrance, due to multiple segregating variants and possibly additional genetic or nongenetic factors. The A/JHD mouse model represents a unique and valuable resource to understand the interplay of causal factors that underlie the pathology of this newly discovered eosinophil-associated disease with cardiac complications.
Improving psychiatric medication use through the Michigan e-psychopharmacology course for nurse practitioners: A pre-post/follow-up study.

PURPOSE Increasing demands for mental health treatment represent a key opportunity for nurse practitioners (NPs) to provide more psychiatric medication treatment (psychopharmacology). Given this need, NPs could benefit from opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills in psychopharmacology. DESIGN AND METHODS A novel videoconference course was developed and tested, with 6 weekly sessions taught by a facilitator and a speaker, evaluated by multiple outcomes. FINDINGS Course feasibility and evidence of improved NP confidence and performance in psychopharmacology were both demonstrated. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Continuing education providers should consider adopting this model for effective and accessible NP psychopharmacology education, potentially expanding NP mental healthcare delivery.
Estrogen receptor-α signaling increases allergen-induced IL-33 release and airway inflammation

Background Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) are stimulated by IL-33 to increase IL-5 and IL-13 production and airway inflammation. While sex hormones regulate airway inflammation, it remained unclear whether estrogen signaling through estrogen receptor-α (ER-α, Esr1) or ER-β (Esr2) increased ILC2-mediated airway inflammation. We hypothesize that estrogen signaling increases allergen-induced IL-33 release, ILC2 cytokine production, and airway inflammation. Methods Female Esr1-/- , Esr2-/- , wild-type (WT), and IL33fl/fl eGFP mice were challenged with Alternaria extract (Alt Ext) or vehicle for 4 days. In select experiments, mice were administered tamoxifen or vehicle pellets for 21 days prior to challenge. Lung ILC2, IL-5 and IL-13 production, and BAL inflammatory cells were measured on day 5 of Alt Ext challenge model. Bone marrow from WT and Esr1-/- female mice was transferred (1:1 ratio) into WT female recipients for 6 weeks followed by Alt Ext challenge. hBE33 cells and normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) were pretreated with 17β-estradiol (E2), propyl-pyrazole-triol (PPT, ER-α agonist), or diarylpropionitrile (DPN, ER-β agonist) before allergen challenge to determine IL-33 gene expression and release, extracellular ATP release, DUOX-1 production, and necrosis. Results Alt Ext challenged Esr1-/- , but not Esr2-/- , mice had decreased IL-5 and IL-13 production, BAL eosinophils, and IL-33 release compared to WT mice. Tamoxifen decreased IL-5 and IL-13 production and BAL eosinophils. IL-33eGFP + epithelial cells were decreased in Alt Ext challenged Esr1-/- mice compared to WT mice. 17β-E2 or PPT, but not DPN, increased IL-33 gene expression, release, and DUOX-1 production in hBE33 or NHBE cells. Conclusion Estrogen receptor -α signaling increased IL-33 release and ILC2-mediated airway inflammation.
Learnersourcing at Scale to Overcome Expert Blind Spots for Introductory Programming: A Three-Year Deployment Study on the Python Tutor Website

It is hard for experts to create good instructional resources due to a phenomenon known as the expert blind spot: They forget what it was like to be a novice, so they cannot pinpoint exactly where novices commonly struggle and how to best phrase their explanations. To help overcome these expert blind spots for computer programming topics, we created a learnersourcing system that elicits explanations of misconceptions directly from learners while they are coding. We have deployed this system for the past three years to the widely-used Python Tutor coding website (pythontutor.com) and collected 16,791 learner-written explanations. To our knowledge, this is the largest dataset of explanations for programming misconceptions. By inspecting this dataset, we found surprising insights that we did not originally think of due to our own expert blind spots as programming instructors. We are now using these insights to improve compiler and run-time error messages to explain common novice misconceptions.
Challenges in Designing a Distributed Cryptographic File System

Online social networks, censorship resistance systems, document redaction systems and health care information systems have disparate requirements for confidentiality, integrity and availability. It is possible to address all of these, however, by combining elements of research in both filesystems and security protocols. We propose a set of techniques and combinations that can be employed to move beyond the current centralized/decentralized dichotomy and build a privacy-preserving optionally-distributed cryptographic filesystem. Such a filesystem, prototyped as UPSS: the user-centred private sharing system, can be used to build applications that enable rich, collaborative sharing in environments that have traditionally either avoided such interaction or else suffered the costs of out-of-control sharing on untrustworthy systems. We believe that our combination of filesystems and security protocols research demonstrates that sharing and security can go hand in hand.
Subcutaneous analgesic system versus epidural for post-operative pain control in surgical pediatric oncology patients.

Abstract Background/Purpose Pediatric oncology patients often undergo open operations for tumor resection, and epidural catheters are commonly utilized for pain control. Our purpose was to evaluate whether a subcutaneous analgesic system (SAS) provides equivalent post-operative pain control. Methods An IRB approved, retrospective chart review of children age Results Of 101 patients, median age was 7 years (2 months–17.9 years). There were 65 epidural and 36 SAS patients. Transverse laparotomy was the most common incision (41%), followed by thoracotomy (29%). Pain scores, MME, urinary catheter days, and post-operative length of stay (LOS) were similar between the two groups. Urinary catheter use was more common in epidural patients (70% vs 30%, p = Conclusion In pediatric oncology patients undergoing open abdominal, pelvic, and thoracic surgery, SAS may provide similar pain control to epidural, but with faster post-operative recovery, fewer complications, and less discharge narcotic use. A prospective study is needed to validate these results. Type of Study Retrospective Comparative Level of Evidence Level III
Hypogammaglobulinemia Identification and Management in Lung Transplant Patients: Survey of Provider Practices

Purpose Severe hypogammaglobulinemia (HG) in lung transplant recipients is associated with increased infections and one-year mortality. As standard protocols for HG screening and management do not exist, we surveyed lung transplant centers to characterize current practices in HG screening and management. Methods We created a survey which was reviewed by three experts in Lung Transplant Pulmonology and Allergy/Immunology. The survey consisted of eight long-answer questions, four yes/no questions, and three checkbox questions focused on IgG measurement and HG treatment practices pre- and post-lung transplant. We sent the survey to 50 physicians at 40 transplant centers internationally using Google Forms on February 4th, 2020. Results There were 24 (48%, 24/50) respondents from 19 lung transplant centers. Responses were tabulated for individual respondents as answers varied within centers. Respondents reported routinely measuring IgG levels in 54% (13/24) of pre-transplant patients and 38% (9/24) of post-transplant patients, with time points for checking IgG levels varying widely. In post-transplant patients with frequent infections, respondents reported routinely measuring IgG levels (83%, 20/24), routinely not measuring (13%, 3/24), or not having a protocol (4%, 1/24). Reported criteria for initiating IgG replacement therapy (IgG-RT) were infection frequency only (n=2), IgG level only (n=6), or some combination of the two (n=9). IgG level cutoffs utilized to initiate IgG-RT ranged from Conclusion HG screening and management practices in lung transplant recipients vary greatly, potentially leaving patients vulnerable to worse clinical outcomes. Reported barriers include lack of guidance regarding HG treatment criteria and difficulties obtaining IgG-RT. Involving immunologists in screening and treatment decision-making could mitigate some of these barriers.
Velocity-Slip and Temperature-Jump Effects in Near-Continuum Hypersonic Flows

Velocity-slip and temperature-jump effects on sharp leading-edge geometries are studied for three canonical hypersonic flows: the hollow-cylinder-flare, the double-cone, and the double-wedge. Simul...
Open Data Visualized from Police Spreadsheets: A Case of Where Force, Race, and Place Collided

This research note is a case study that called into question police conduct and policy injustice discovered in two American big cities. The path to learn about Indianapolis (IN) and Baltimore (MD) policing patterns and crime events was due to availability of detailed data that focused on use-of-force. A specific goal was to conduct geospatial data analysis aimed at these two cities using location, force, and race as variables. A modest sampling of open data permitted statistical groundwork for iterations of a powerful method known as exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA). Bivariate scatterplots revealed possible police misconduct. Parallel coordinate plotting – an innovative multivariate tool – was then used to plot use-of-force and racial variables associated with key police districts in Indianapolis and Baltimore. Even “small data” can surprise if they are supported by descriptive statistics along with detailed visualizations that cartographically and dramatically compared force and race variables by way of co-occurring plots, graphs, and maps. Action items suggested were 1) a “social-justice” framework for future data-visualization, 2) significant heightening of standards for law enforcement reform, and 3) a compelling need to make a hypothetical “citizen’s arrest” of any future police misconduct. A conclusion offered a four-part model whereby this research report was situated within the mission, purpose, and founders’ values of the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) in the specific context of EDRA 52.
Effect of substituting whey cream for sweet cream on the textural and rheological properties of cream cheese.

ABSTRACT In the manufacture of cream cheese, sweet cream and milk are blended to prepare the cream cheese mix, although other ingredients such as condensed skim milk and skim milk powder may also be included. Whey cream (WC) is an underutilized fat source, which has smaller fat droplets and slightly different chemical composition than sweet cream. This study investigated the rheological and textural properties of cream cheeses manufactured by substituting sweet cream with various levels of WC. Three different cream cheese mixes were prepared: control mix (CC; 0% WC), cream cheese mixes containing 25% WC (25WC; i.e., 75% sweet cream), and cream cheese mixes with 75% WC (75WC; i.e., 25% sweet cream). The CC, 25WC, and 75WC mixes were then used to manufacture cream cheeses. We also studied the effect of WC on the initial step in cream cheese manufacture (i.e., the acid gelation process monitored using dynamic small amplitude rheology). Acid gels were also prepared with added denatured whey proteins or membrane proteins/phospholipids (PL) to evaluate how these components affected gel properties. The rheological, textural, and sensory properties of cream cheeses were also measured. The WC samples had significantly higher levels of PL and insoluble protein compared with sweet cream. An increase in the level of WC reduced the rate of acid gel development, similar to the effect of whey phospholipid concentrate added to mixes. In cream cheese, an increase in the level of added WC resulted in significantly lower storage modulus values at temperatures
Designing Tools to Counter Violence and Structural Oppression

Violence has been identified as a public health crisis. As a counter to violence, street outreach work is a prevention model in which organizations hire residents with strong relationships and local expertise to mediate violent conflicts in their communities. In this talk, I will present the results of a two-year co-design study between a street outreach organization and academic researchers in which we collaboratively designed, built, and deployed a mobile application, Street Peace, to support street outreach workers (SOWs). Used by three different organizations in Chicago for three months, results suggest that Street Peace supported SOWs’ transformative justice practices to build a counter-structure to traditional policing, which is historically oppressive to Black communities. The SOWs used the app to mediate potentially violent conflicts without police involvement, build community through in-person events, and extend their communities of care through positive stories and narratives that countered harmful stereotypes about Black criminality. By affording SOWs more agency over their communication with each other, the app enabled SOWs to connect their strengths and scale their existing practices that combat structural oppression and preFigure liberatory futures.
Micropropagation of Hesperaloe parviflora

We successfully micropropagatedHesperaloe parviflora from mature plants. Shoot cultures were directly initiated from mature plants using pedicel bud explants on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing Nitsch and Nitsch vitamins and 1 μM zeatin riboside. Axillary shoot multiplication from established cultures was most responsive to changing concentrations of N6-benzyladenine (BA) with the greatest production of 6 μM BA. Growing shoots on a medium supplemented with 6 μM BA for 6 wk and then transferring cultures to a 1 μM BA medium for 6 more wk increased the number of transferable shoots, but not significantly. However, our data predicts that the maximum number of transferable shoots produced from a single microshoot would occur on media with 5.4 μM zeatin riboside. Shoots rooted easilyin vitro orex vitro and rooted shoots were easily acclimatized. The methods described in this paper are being used to commercially micropropagateH. parviflora.
CONTINENTAL PHILOSOPHY: BACK TO THE FUTURE

In its many interwoven traditions, continental philosophy has a distinctive focus on what escapes the concept—experience, change, agency, responsibility, the future, the Other. The challenges that face us in the future are many: reaffirming and renewing what has already been thought and needs repeating, responding to emergent questions. None could be more urgent than the question of the animal and the fate of the planet. Addressing each of these requires that we suspend our normal conceptual assurances and think anew.
Solar Wind Consequences of a Coronal Hole Density Profile: Spartan 201-03 Coronagraph and Ulysses Observations from 1.15 R? to 4 AU

Spartan 201 is a small shuttle-launched and -retrieved satellite, whose mission is to study the origins of the solar wind. It carries on board two instruments, the Ultraviolet Coronal Spectrometer and the White-Light Coronagraph. The third mission of the Spartan 201 (1995 September 7-10) spacecraft was to provide a solar context for the in situ particles and fields measurements during the north polar passage of the Ulysses spacecraft. In this Letter, we characterize the physical conditions of the north polar coronal hole as derived from white-light coronal observations by the Spartan 201-03 White-Light Coronagraph, the ground-based K coronameter in Mauna Loa, Hawaii, and Ulysses observations of in situ particles and their velocity. For the first time, we are able to combine in situ and path-integrated measurements in a coronal hole, to yield a consistent electron density (N) profile from the Sun to the Earth and the outer heliosphere. By using the value of N measured by Ulysses (1.8-4 AU), we are able to determine the actual value of N and not just an upper limit in the polar coronal hole, near the Sun. The current N profile suggests that the acceleration of the fast solar wind in a coronal hole is complete by 10-15 R, much closer to the Sun than had been previously expected.
Introduction to the DSS minitrack on integrated modeling environments

The use of models to support problem solving is an established tradition in several disciplines. Modeling environments are software systems designed to support the modeling process. Several types of models are used in association with decision support systems. These range from structured system development models that are used to guide the development of decision support systems (DSS) to various types of mathematical and data models used within a DSS to support decision making. Often effective problem solving requires the ability to work with and integrate models derived from more than one paradigm. Integrated modeling environments are software systems that support this important additional dimension of the modeling process. The paper contains a representative sample of research in the modeling environments and model management literature. >
Mobicast: just-in-time multicast for sensor networks under spatiotemporal constraints

This paper is concerned with coordinated delivery of messages in sensor networks. The notion of multicast is re-examined in light of a new set of requirements that are specific to such networks. The result of this investigation is a new concept called mobicast. It entails the delivery of messages to large sets of nodes in a manner that satisfies a potentially dynamic set of spatiotemporal constraints. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of mobicast, we present a novel topology-aware protocol for sensor networks. Worst-case analysis shows that the protocol provides strong spatial and temporal delivery guarantees under a set of reasonable assumptions about the network. The design of the protocol relies on new notions of compactness for spatially distributed networks. By explicitly addressing the temporal domain associated with message delivery, mobicast is more general than geocast and makes it possible to save precious resources in sensor networks by exploiting its inherent just-in-time delivery semantics.
Ultrasonic testing of plates containing edge cracks

The stress wave factor (SWF) signal is utilized for the nondestructive evaluation of plates containing perpendicular edge cracks. The effects of the existence lateral location and depth of the crack on the magnitude spectra of individual reflections in the SWF signal are studied. If the reflections in the SWF signal are not overlapped the short time Fourier analysis is applied. If the reflections are overlapped the short time homomorphic analysis (cepstrum analysis) is applied. Several reflections which have average resonant frequencies approximately at 0.9, 1.3, and 1.7 MHz are analyzed. It is observed that the magnitude ratios evaluated at average resonant frequencies decrease more with increasing d/h if the crack is located between the transducers, where h is plate thickness and d is crack depth. Moreover, for the plates, crack geometries, reflections, and frequencies considered, the average decibel drop depends mainly on the dimensionless parameter d/h and it is approximately -1 dB per 0.07 d/h. Changes in the average resonant frequencies of the magnitude spectra are also observed due to changes in the location of the crack.
Inviscid Two-Dimensional Fluid Dynamics Experiments with Magnetized Electron Columns

Inviscid two-dimensional (2D) fluid phenomena like hurricanes, jet streams, Jupiter’s Red Spot, and protoplanetary disks are quite common in Nature. Unfortunately, 2D fluid phenomena are difficult to study in the laboratory because the finite size of laboratory apparati commonly introduces unwanted viscous and friction effects. Magnetized electron columns, however, behave like two-dimensional fluids and are not subject to viscous effects [1]. The columns behave like fluids because the equations which govern their behavior, the Drift-Poisson Equations, are identical to the 2D inviscid Euler equations which govern 2D fluids.
Psychological Assessment in Medical Settings

Fundamentals of Assessment: Psychologists in Medical Settings: Contributions to a Comprehensive Understanding of the Patient. Referral Logistics and Communication. General Clinical Considerations M. Caserta. Assessment at the Medical-Surgical-Psychological Interface: Psychosomatics and Somatoform Disorders. Adjustment Disorders Related to Illness and Psychological Disorders Contributing to Medical Illness. Assessment Prior to Stressful or Invasive Medical Procedures and Presurgery Assessment. Assessment of Families and Children: The Assessment of Families in Medical Settings L. Feldman Honor. Psychological Assessment in Pediatrics. Traditional Assessment: Neuropsychological Assessment in Rehabilitation. Neurology, and Psychiatry. Utility of Traditional Psychological Assessments R.V. Prescott. Special Clinical Assessment Areas: Emergency Room Assessment: Suicide, Violence, PTSD, and Acute Anxiety J.M. Dod. Special Assessment Issues in the Hospital System: Ethical Dilemmas and Legal Issues from a Psychosocial Perspective S. Kraft. 3 Additional Chapters. Index.
Shake-and-bake: an algorithm for automatic solution ab initio of crystal structures.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the computer program Shake -and- Bake that implements the minimal principle formulated and provides a routine and completely automatic solution of the phase problem when diffraction intensities to 1.2A or better are available. Shake -and- Bake yields initial values of the phases with an average error in the range of 20° to 30° in typical cases. Structures having as many as 600 independent nonhydrogen atoms have been solved routinely even when no heavy atom is present. It is assumed for simplicity that the structure consists of N identical atoms per unit cell, although the method is easily generalized to the case in which unequal atoms are present. The six-part Shake -and- Bake phase determination procedure combines minimal-function phase refinement and real-space filtering. It is an iterative process that is repeated until a solution is achieved or a designated number of cycles have been performed. A trial structure or model is generated that is composed of a number of randomly positioned atoms equal to the number of atoms in the unit cell.
Circular stapled pyloroplasty: a fast and effective technique for pyloric disruption during esophagectomy with gastric pull-up.

SUMMARY The necessity of pyloroplasty after esophagectomy and gastric pull-up is debated. Disadvantages of a standard pyloroplasty include the potential for leak, shortening of the length of the graft, and complexity when done during a minimally invasive procedure. The aim of this study is to report our experience with a novel internal pyloroplasty technique using a circular stapler (CS pyloroplasty), which is applicable for both laparoscopic and open esophagectomy. The records of all patients who underwent an esophagectomy with gastric pull-up and pyloroplasty between 2002 and 2007 were reviewed. The CS pyloroplasty was performed through a lesser curve gastrotomy with a 21-mm CS, while the standard pyloroplasty entailed a longitudinal full thickness incision through the pylorus with mucosal closure in the same direction and a Graham patch. A CS pyloroplasty was performed in 144 and a standard pyloroplasty in 133 patients. The median patient age was 66 years, and the median follow-up was 17 months, and was similar for both types of pyloroplasty. Routine postoperative videoesophagram was significantly more likely to show a delay in contrast transit through the pylorus after standard pyloroplasty (16% standard vs. 8% CS pyloroplasty, P= 0.03). Significantly more patients had postoperative endoscopy after standard pyloroplasty (40% standard vs. 24% CS pyloroplasty, P= 0.004), but the frequency of pyloric dilatation was similar. There were no leaks with either technique. A circular stapled pyloroplasty is as efficacious as a standard pyloroplasty after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up. Potential advantages include the ease and simplicity of the procedure along with virtually no risk of a leak and no graft shortening. The technique is amenable to both open and minimally invasive procedures.
Primitives, features, and exploratory procedures: Building a robot tactile perception system

Contrary to previously held notions, recent psychological experiments suggest that the human tactile system is both a fast and accurate recognition device for real objects. It seems reasonable, then, to build a robotic tactile perception system for the purpose of object identification. Toward this end, we present a set of low level tactile primitives and the exploratory and analytic procedures used to identify and extract them. We then discuss how these primitives may be combined into tactile features and, finally, how these features might be utilized by the robot perceptual system as a whole.
G-Protein β-Subunit Specificity in the Fast Membrane-Delimited Inhibition of Ca2+ Channels

We investigated which subtypes of G-protein beta subunits participate in voltage-dependent modulation of N-type calcium channels. Calcium currents were recorded from cultured rat superior cervical ganglion neurons injected intranuclearly with DNA encoding five different G-protein beta subunits. Gbeta1 and Gbeta2 strongly mimicked the fast voltage-dependent inhibition of calcium channels produced by many G-protein-coupled receptors. The Gbeta5 subunit produced much weaker effects than Gbeta1 and Gbeta2, whereas Gbeta3 and Gbeta4 were nearly inactive in these electrophysiological studies. The specificity implied by these results was confirmed and extended using the yeast two-hybrid system to test for protein-protein interactions. Here, Gbeta1 or Gbeta2 coupled to the GAL4-activation domain interacted strongly with a channel sequence corresponding to the intracellular loop connecting domains I and II of a alpha1 subunit of the class B calcium channel fused to the GAL4 DNA-binding domain. In this assay, the Gbeta5 subunit interacted weakly, and Gbeta3 and Gbeta4 failed to interact. Together, these results suggest that Gbeta1 and/or Gbeta2 subunits account for most of the voltage-dependent inhibition of N-type calcium channels and that the linker between domains I and II of the calcium channel alpha1 subunit is a principal receptor for this inhibition.
UNSOLVED PROBLEMS IN POLYMER PROCESSING

Polymer processing consists of basically three functional steps: plasticization of a solid polymer, forming of the plasticized polymer into a desired shape, and solidification of the formed polymer. Polymer processing requires a good knowledge in the melt rheology, morphology, mechanochemistry, melting and crystallization behavior of the polymer as well as engineering knowledge in heating, cooling and deformation processes. Thus, it presents an unusual challenge to polymer engineers and scientists. The gap between theory and practice is extremely large in polymer processing. In spite of extensive fundamental knowledge, many problems in the procedure still remains “practically” unsolved. In this paper, three important examples of the unsolved problems in polymer processing—namely, screw extrusion process, weld-line (self-diffusion) behavior of polymer melt, and temperature build-up in capillary flow—are discussed in detail.
OPTIMAL BURN-IN SIMULATION ON HIGHLY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SYSTEMS

Bum-in, a screening technique to improve product reliability, is especially useful for highly integrated circuit systems. But, in most applications, the resulting systems reliability after burn-in is worse than what has been forecasted, because of “incompatibility” not only among components but also among different subsystems and at the system level. To deal with this phenomenon, we present a simulation method to compensate for the lack of field data. Also, a stress-strength model is implemented using weighted factors and a model based on nonlinear programming theory is designed to find the optimal burn-in policy that satisfies the reliability requirement and cost restriction. The program presented here can serve as an “IC Information Query System” for system designers to consider at the design stage.
The Basics of Medical Malpractice: A Primer on Navigating the System

Medical malpractice with its associated costs, including insurance premiums, impact on practice, consequences for career and insurability, and emotional toll, is a reality of practicing medicine in the United States. Understanding the types of claims that may be asserted, the issues to consider when securing insurance coverage, how to manage the cost of insurance, the nuances of the claims process, and the implications of the claims process are critical to the successful management of this aspect of medical practice. This article provides a guide for practicing physicians on the legal, financial, and practical considerations involved.
Signal-to-noise ratios in inductive and mechanical detection of magnetic resonance.

Magnetic resonance usually is detected inductively, using resonant circuits. Recent experiments have detected magnetic resonance mechanically, using the magnetic force acting between a sample and a nearby force microscope cantilever. This article compares the sensitivity of inductive and mechanical methods for detecting magnetic resonance. We show that, as mechanical oscillators are made smaller, their ability to detect magnetic resonance signals improves, such that existing force microscope cantilevers provide a viable alternative to inductive methods for detecting magnetic resonance.
On the parallel complexity of loops

Many methods have been proposed to parallelize loops for different scenarios using various syntax and/or semantics analysis techniques. An interesting fundamental question is whether one can build a “general” compiler which is able to produce an efficient parallel algorithm for every instance of a nested loop. We give a theoretical analysis using the PRAM complexity theory and present some positive and negative results.