cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Healthcare Professionals' Use of Narrative Mediation Approaches to Address Disclosure and Apology in the Aftermath of Medical Errors

Despite the overwhelming evidence that suggests that patients, families and health care systems benefit from offering appropriate disclosures and apologies to patients and families following the aftermath of medical errors, few health care organizations in the U.S. invest in providing systemic training in disclosure and apology. Using a narrative analysis this paper explores the cultural barriers in the United States healthcare environment that impede health care providers from engaging in restorative conversations with patients and families when things go wrong. The paper identifies a handful of programs and models that provide disclosure and apology training and argues for the unique contributions of narrative mediation to assist health care professionals to disclose adverse events to patients and families to restore trust.
Genetic Diagnosis of Skeletal Dysplasias

Genetic skeletal disorders make up one of the largest groups among rare inherited conditions. Referred to as skeletal dysplasias, these hereditary diseases of bone may be classified according to radiologic anatomic appearance, density of bone, and state of mineralization. This chapter examines a number of selected skeletal dysplasias representing each of the three groups: (1) sclerosing bone disorders defined as thickening either of trabecular or cortical bone; (2) disorders of defective mineralization with low bone mass called either rickets in childhood or osteomalacia in adults; and (3) dysplasias of bone and cartilage with normal or low bone mass, called osteopenia or osteoporosis in the absence of a defect in mineralization. In the absence of unique radiographic changes, diseases can be classified using a combination of bone histology, serum chemistries, and genetic mutations.
Intracardiac myocardial elastography for lesion quantification in cardiac radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation of the myocardium is used to treat various cardiac arrhythmias. The size, spacing, and transmurality of lesions have been shown to affect the success of the ablation procedure; however, there is currently no method to directly image the size and formation of ablation lesions in real time. Intracardiac myocardial elastrography has been used previously to image the reduction in end-systolic strain in the ablated region as a result of the lesion formation. However, the relationship between end-systolic strain change and lesion size has not been investigated. In this study, a large animal model is used to establish a relationship between the area affected by the strain reduction and lesion volume. Ablation lesions (n=10) were created in the left ventricular epicardium in five anesthetized canines. A clinical intracardiac echocardiography machine was programmed to emit a custom diverging beam sequence at 600 Hz and used to image the ablation site before and after the induction of a lesion. Cumulative strains were estimated over systole using a normalized cross-correlation displacement algorithm and a Savitzky-Golay strain kernel. The reduction in strain as a result of the ablation was computed by comparing cumulative end-systolic strains before and after ablation. Lesion volume was also measured ex vivo and compared to the area of significant strain change (>8% reduction) for each lesion. A good correlation was found between the area of significant strain change and lesion volume (r2 = 0.86). These results indicate that end-systolic strain measured using ME can be used to estimate the size of lesions induced during an RF ablation procedure, potentially assisting clinicians in lesion formation assessment during the procedure.
Development, Initial Testing and Challenges of an Ecologically Valid Reward Prediction Error FMRI Task for Alcoholism.

Aims To advance translational studies of the role of reward prediction error (PE) in alcohol use disorder, the present study sought to develop and conduct an initial test of an alcohol-specific PE task paradigm using functional magnetic resonance imaging in humans. Methods Alcohol dependent or social drinkers received small tastes of their preferred alcohol beverage or control beverage, with preceding visual cues indicating whether alcohol (or water) would be delivered. To assess both positive and negative PE signals, expectancies were systematically violated in both positive (i.e. expecting water and receiving alcohol) and negative (i.e. expecting alcohol and receiving water) directions. Exploratory trial-by-trial analyses were conducted to explore temporal fluctuations of activation within a priori-defined regions of interest that have been implicated in cue reactivity and PE processing. Results Across the entire sample of participants, positive PE-related brain activation was found in a large cluster comprised of frontal lobe regions, as well as insular cortex, and motor/sensory cortices. Compared to social drinking subjects, alcohol dependent subjects had greater positive PE-related brain activity in left superior parietal lobule, lateral occipital cortex and postcentral gyrus. Exploratory trial-by-trial analyses indicated differences in activation specific to type of taste, mostly at earlier trials. Conclusions This task-development oriented pilot study found that PE signaling may not be detected in expected brain regions when image analyses average across all PE trials of the task. Rather, a trial-by-trial analysis approach may help detect sparse, temporally distinct PE signaling in expected reward processing regions. Short summary This fMRI study of reward prediction error found greater positive prediction error-related activity (i.e. expecting water taste, receiving alcohol taste) in alcohol dependent individuals relative to social drinkers in parietal and occipital cortices. Trial-by-trial analyses may be able to better detect sparse prediction error signaling in expected reward processing regions.
Whole exome sequencing discloses a pathogenic MTM1 gene mutation and ends the diagnostic odyssey in an older woman with a progressive and seemingly sporadic myopathy: Case report and literature review of MTM1 manifesting female carriers.

Abstract We report the case of a 58-year-old woman with a progressive and seemingly sporadic myopathy who, later through whole exome sequencing, was diagnosed as a manifesting carrier of a myotubularin 1 gene mutation (c.342_342 + 4delAGTAA). As the case was a diagnostic challenge for 7 years, we thought it would be helpful to report the patient and review the other 25 cases thus far described. The manifesting carrier state is a rare cause for myopathic weakness in a female but should be strongly considered in kindreds with known affected males with myotubularin 1 gene mutations, and families with history of gestational polyhydramnios or male infantile death. Although the clinical phenotype is quite variable, the findings of ptosis, ophthalmoparesis, facial weakness, and asymmetrical limb involvement should raise the suspicion of the manifesting carrier state. Necklace fibers appear to be a highly sensitive and specific pathologic finding in such cases.
AUV homing and docking for remote operations

Abstract One of the major goals of the SUNRISE FP7 project is to make the Underwater Internet of Things a reality. In this context, the LOON-DOCK project presented here extends the existing Litoral Ocean Observatory Network testbed with a Docking Station tailored to the Sparus II AUV. The docking system allows a remote user to program survey-like missions through a web-based interface as well as to retrieve the data gathered by the AUV once a mission finalizes. To enable the autonomous docking of the AUV, two complementary and cost-effective localization systems have been developed. The first one implements a range-only localization algorithm to approach the docking station while the second, based on active light beacons, provides high accuracy at short ranges to complete the docking maneuver. The system has been extensively tested, in different trials from a controlled water tank environment to more realistic sea operation conditions proving its viability despite very poor water visibility conditions.
Using Sport Education in a University Physical Activity Course

At a majority of colleges and universities around the country, basic activity courses are taught predicated on teaching students basic skills and instilling healthy habits. The purpose of this arti...
Associative Rational Functions in Two Variables

A rational function R(x, y) over a field is said to be associative if $$ R(R(x,y),z) = R(x,R(y,z)). $$ Associative rational functions over a field define group laws on subsets of the field (plus the point at infinity). In this paper, all the associative rational functions of two variables over an arbitrary field are determined and consequently all the groups obtainable from such functions are determined as well.
Improvement of Abnormal Lymphocyte Responses in “Atypical” Mycobacteriosis with Indomethacin

Although chemotherapy of tuberculosis has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of new and active cases in the United States, relatively little improvement has been made in the treatment of diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria. Depending on the type of hospital and population served by the hospital, the incidence of “atypical” mycobacteria may be as high as 30% of all mycobacterial infections (1). Aside from the clinical importance and economic consequences of these infections, these chronically ill patients provide a valuable source of new information concerning cellular defense mechanisms and resistance to chronic infectious diseases. Unlike patients with chronic fungal infections who commonly develop disease during early childhood, patients with “atypical” mycobacterial diseases are usually well during early childhood and adolescence (2). Thus, to explain the predisposition of individuals to infections with these organisms, one would predict an abnormality of immunoregulatory mechanisms rather than a failure to develop immunocompetent lymphoid cells.
Potential Interactions of HIV and the Neurotropic Herpesviruses in AIDS Encephalopathy

Encephalitis caused by the neurotropic herpesviruses usually occurs from reactivation of a latent infection, and the disease runs an acute clinical course. There is a productive viral infection in neuronal and glial cells, and most often the process is focal. In contrast, HIV encephalitis is a slow virus infection. Viral replication in neuronal cells is not characteristically detected, and the pathology is primarily subcortical and diffuse rather than focal. Certain herpesvirus gene products have been shown to transactivate HIV in vitro, and it has been postulated that the herpesviruses may be cofactors for HIV infection. Potential sites of interaction outside the nervous system where both HIV and neurotropic herpesvirus infection occur (productive, abortive, or latent) include monocyte-macrophages, other peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the skin, and ocular tissue (cornea and retina). HIV proviral DNA can be detected in formalin-fixed brain tissue by polymerase chain reaction assays. This technique may prove helpful in screening AIDS brains for herpesvirus and other suspected viral cofactors.
Verbal Behavior and Communication Training

Communication deficits are a defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Thus, it is not surprising that improving communication skills is the primary focus of virtually all early intervention programs for children with ASD. Many of the most effective teaching strategies for building language come from the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) (see Matson, Benavidez, Compton, Paclawskyj, & Baglio, 1996 for a review). ABA-based intervention programs typically use well-established behavior-analytic teaching/intervention techniques such as positive reinforcement, shaping, prompting/prompt fading, chaining, extinction, imitation, modeling, and other behavioral procedures to teach communicative behavior to children with ASD.
When a physicist wanders into biology…: an interview with KC Huang.

Kerwyn Casey (“KC”) Huang is an Associate Professor at Stanford University, studying the physical nature of biological systems and the underpinnings of fundamental processes such as cell shape determination, cell division, and intracellular and microbial community organization. In this interview, KC discusses how the ability to pursue insights at scales from molecules to cellular communities can shed new light on longstanding questions, the necessity for new tools in exploring the microbiome, how to create an empowering lab environment, and why integrating chemistry with physics and biology can bring us closer to asking the right questions.
6th vital sign app: Testing validity and reliability for measuring gait speed

Abstract Background Gait speed tests are useful predictors of different health outcomes in people. These tests can be administered by the convenience of one’s smartphone. Research Question Is the 6th Vital Sign app valid and reliable for measuring gait speed? Methods The study used a prospective test-retest design. Fifteen college subjects were asked to walk at their normal pace for 2 min. Each subject performed two trials. Speed was recorded by the 6th Vital Sign app, Brower timing gates, and by hand-measurement of distance walked divided by the 2 min. Criterion validity was assessed by paired t-tests, Cohen’s D effect sizes, and Pearson correlation tests. Inter-trial reliability within each device was assessed with Pearson correlation tests. Results Speed measured by the app was significantly lower than speed measured by gates (p = 0.004) and by hand-measurement (p = 0.009). The difference between gates and hand-measurement was not significant (p = 0.684). The speed measured by gates and hand-measurement were very highly correlated (r = 0.974), but speed measured by app was only moderately correlated with gates (r = 0.370) and hand-measurement (r = 0.365). The inter-trial reliability was fairly high with correlations r = 0.916, 0.944, and 0.941 when speed was measured by the app, gates, and hand-measurement, respectively. Significance The app tended to underestimate speed when compared to gate and hand-measurements. Therefore, we conclude that the 6th Vital Sign app is not valid for use for clinical diagnosis or prognosis.
LncRNAs NR-026690 and ENST00000447867 are upregulated in CD4+ T cells in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Objective The aim of the study was to determine the expression profile of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in CD4+ T cells from COPD patients and explore the clinical value of the lncRNAs. Methods First, microarray analysis was performed. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) in samples from 56 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD), 56 patients with stable COPD, and 35 healthy controls. Meanwhile, the clinical value was tested by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The functions of lncRNAs were analyzed by the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. The potential target genes that might be regulated by NR-026690 and ENST00000447867 were identified by the lncRNA-mRNA network and competing endogenous RNA network. The transcriptional expression level of rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3 (RAPGEF3) was tested by qRT-PCR. The correlation of the expression between NR-026690, ENST00000447867, and RAPGEF3 was analyzed by Spearman's correlation test. Results We found that the relative expression levels of ENST00000447867 and NR-026690 in the CD4+ T cells of AECOPD patients were significantly higher than in the stable COPD patients and control subjects by microarray and qRT-PCR validation. The transcriptional expression level of RAPGEF3 in the CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in the AECOPD group compared to the control group (P<0.01) and the stable COPD group (P<0.05). RAPGEF3 expression was positively associated with NR-026690 (r=0.4925, P<0.01) and ENST00000447867 (r=0.4065, P<0.01). Conclusion NR-026690 and ENST00000447867 might be potential biomarkers for COPD. They might affect RAPGEF3 as miRNA sponges to regulate COPD development.
Aging Assessment of Oil-Paper Insulation of Power Equipment With Furfural Analysis Based on Furfural Generation and Partitioning

The effects of furfural generation and partitioning on the aging assessment of oil-paper insulation of power equipment were investigated. Oil-paper samples with various furfural contents were prepared using an accelerated thermal aging experiment. The mass of the furfural generated during the aging of insulation paper was calculated and used to establish the quantitative equation between the accumulated furfural and the degree of polymerization (DP) of the insulation paper. Results showed that the reciprocal of the DP value was linearly related to the amount of furfural generated by the insulation paper. Effects of temperature, moisture, and temperature on the furfural partitioning ratio between oil and paper were analyzed using a furfural partitioning experiment, and a furfural partitioning model was established. Results showed that the furfural partitioning ratio in oil was positively correlated with temperature and moisture but negatively correlated with the DP of the insulation paper. A method for assessing the age of an insulation paper by integrating the furfural generation and partitioning models was proposed and applied on a 500-kV reactor that was returned for factory maintenance. The application result indicated that the method could accurately assess the overall aging condition of the oil-paper insulation of the power equipment.
Notions of size in a semigroup: an update from a historical perspective

Previous papers have investigated relationships among several notions of largeness in a semigroup, some of which have their origins in topological dynamics, others with pure combinatorial roots, and still others based on the algebraic structure of the Stone–Cech compactification of a discrete semigroup. Here we consider 52 distinct notions of largeness, giving to the extent possible a description of the origins and why the notions are of interest. We establish implications that must hold among these notions. In the event the semigroup is commutative, these reduce to 24 distinct notions. We give examples in $$({\mathbb {N}},+)$$ showing that the notions satisfy only the implications which we have established for commutative semigroups.
Parent and Professional Organizations

Family involvement has been a hallmark of the field of intellectual disabilities. Organizations such as ARC and other family-centered programs are important resources for parents and caregivers of individuals with disabilities. There are also a number of professional organizations for researchers and professionals. Community programs such as the Special Olympics and Best Buddies include parent and professional involvement as well as community volunteers. A history of the field and the development of some of these organizations is reviewed, along with a description of each organization and their functions.
Impacts on access resistance of InP high electron mobility transistors from wafer processing

In this work, the authors evaluated the access resistance of InP high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and their degradation during wafer processing. The transfer resistance, which was rarely separated from other components of the total access resistance of InP HEMTs in the literature, was found to be the dominant component of the access resistance. It was also found that the transfer resistance degraded during wafer processing. The selection of the ohmic metal stack and its impact on both the metal-cap contact resistance and the transfer resistance was also investigated. The observations in their experiments and relevant discussions in the report are expected to be useful in the identification of improvement opportunities in both material growth and wafer fabrication of InP HEMTs.
Oxidative Stress Is Associated With Diastolic Dysfunction in Women With Ischemia With No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

Background Women with signs and symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease often have evidence of diastolic dysfunction. Oxidative stress (OS) is associated with cardiovascular...
Associations between NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery and in vivo brain amyloid and tau pathology in non-demented older adults.

Introduction The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) was developed to be a common assessment metric across a broad array of research studies. We investigated associations between NIHTB-CB and brain amyloid and tau deposition in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Methods One hundred eighteen community-based volunteers completed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Pittsburgh compound B (PiB)-PET (positron emission tomography) and AV-1451-PET neuroimaging, a neuropsychological evaluation, NIHTB-CB, and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Demographically adjusted regression models evaluated cognition-biomarker associations; standardized effect sizes allowed comparison of association strength across measures. Results No NIHTB-CB measures were associated with amyloid deposition. NIHTB-CB measures of fluid cognition, including Pattern Comparison Processing Speed, Dimensional Change Card Sort, and Fluid Cognition Composite, were associated with tau deposition in higher Braak regions. Pattern Comparison Processing Speed was the most robust association with sensitivity analyses. Discussion NIHTB-CB tasks of processing speed and executive functions may be sensitive to pathologic tau deposition on imaging in normal aging.
Alternative questions and their responses in English interaction

Abstract This conversation analytic study investigates the sequential organization and question constraints of alternative questions in English with a focus on response formats. Building on research on polar and wh-questions (among others, Enfield, Stivers and Levinson 2010; Raymond 2003; Thompson, Fox and Couper-Kuhlen 2015), this article shows that responses to alternative questions that include a repeat of one of the alternatives are type-conforming, those that do not are nonconforming. Additionally, even though the concept of contiguity (Sacks 1973/1987) might suggest that the second alternative be confirmed, participants confirm either alternative unproblematically. Finally, my work shows that alternative questions can create difficulties for action ascription, because as they are being produced, they often resemble polar questions. My study adds to our understanding of question-answer sequences in English by providing an overview of an understudied question type in English. The data are in American English.
PD-1-induced proliferating T cells exhibit a distinct transcriptional signature.

Ligation of the inhibitory receptor PD-1 on T cells results in the inhibition of numerous cellular functions. Despite the overtly inhibitory outcome of PD-1 signalling, there are additionally a collection of functions that are activated. We have observed that CD4+ T cells stimulated through the T-cell receptor and PD-1 primarily do not proliferate; however, there is a population of cells that proliferates more than T-cell receptor stimulation alone. These highly proliferating cells could potentially be associated with PD-1-blockade unresponsiveness in patients. In this study, we have performed RNA sequencing and found that following PD-1 ligation proliferating and non-proliferating T cells have distinct transcriptional signatures. Remarkably, the proliferating cells showed an enrichment of genes associated with an activated state despite PD-1 signalling. Additionally, circulating follicular helper T cells were significantly more prevalent in the non-proliferating population, demonstrated by enrichment of the associated genes CXCR5, CCR7, TCF7, BCL6 and PRDM1 and validated at the protein level. Translationally, we also show that there are more follicular helper T cells in patients that respond favourably to PD-1 blockade. Overall, the presence of transcriptionally and functionally distinct T cell populations responsive to PD-1 ligation may provide insights into the clinical differences observed following therapeutic PD-1 blockade.
Correlation of Diffusion Bonded Ti-6A1-4V Properties with Acoustic Emission, Pulse-Echo and Fractographic Data

A series of 6Al-4V titanium pieces was diffusion bonded utilizing hot retort-cold press and vacuum hot press techniques. The time, temperature, and pressure parameters were varied with each specimen. The bonded specimens were a) examined metallographically in the bond area before destructive testing, b) ultrasonically before testing, c) monitored for acoustic emission during tensile pulling, and d) examined in detail using optical and electron fractography techniques, as well as metallography at the bondline, after failure.
Ejaculate–female and sperm–female interactions

Publisher Summary The mechanisms of sexual reproduction are expected to be complex and evolutionarily dynamic in internally fertilizing species, where numerous biochemical, physiological, morphological, and behavioral mechanisms mediate insemination, sperm migration, sperm storage, the maintenance of sperm viability, and sperm modification, all of which must be properly executed before fertilization can begin. This situation provides the opportunity for postcopulatory sexual selection, which is predicted to further enhance complexity and diversification in genes contributing to differential male fertilization success and female control over paternity. It is becoming increasingly clear that sperm and ejaculate constituents evolve in response to selection pressures imposed by the female reproductive tract. Ejaculate–female interactions (EFIs) can determine whether or not a reproductive attempt is successful and can influence the outcome of sperm competition within populations. Evolutionary diversification of EFIs may further determine the extent of reproductive isolation and gene introgression between closely related species. This chapter aims to illustrate the pervasiveness of EFIs by discussing different types and what is known about their underlying mechanisms, and it considers the evolutionary significance of EFIs. Furthermore the chapter reviews evidence for rapid evolutionary diversification of EFI genes, correlated evolution of sex-specific EFI traits, and the relationship between genetic compatibility, male–female interactions, and patterns of sperm precedence.
BSW PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: DIRECTORS' PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR POWER TO MANAGE

Abstract A national survey of 299 bachelor of social work (BSW) program directors was conducted to identify management functions of director positions and perceptions of power to influence these functions. Sources of personal, structural, and institutional power were found to be important predictors of power for middle managers in academic settings. Findings indicated that BSW directors have varying perceptions of power to direct their programs and manage resources associated with departmental administration in higher education. This study supports the complexity of academic management and emphasizes the need to broaden social work education to help provide a foundation for administration in academic settings.
Scaling of sexual dimorphism in body mass : a phylogenetic analysis of Rensch's Rule in primates

We examined the relationship between body mass dimorphism, measured as the natural logarithm of the male/female ratio, and body mass, defined as ln (female mass), with interspecific allometry, phylogenetically independent contrasts, and phylogenetic autocorrelation in 105 primate species. We repeated the analyses for Strepsirhini (ND 23), Haplorhini (ND 82), Platyrrhinii (ND 32), and Catarrhini (ND 47). With independent contrasts, there is statistically significant (p< .05) positive allometry in Primates in general, Haplorhini, and Catarrhini, but not in Strepsirhini or Platyrrhini. The steepest slope (0.134) is for Catarrhini. Results differed when we conducted analyses with traditional interspecific allometry. For example, not only was the Catarrhini slope not statistically significant but also the magnitude of the slope was shallower than that of all other groups, except Strepsirhini. The results indicate that phylogenetic effects influence the scaling of sexual size dimorphism, and that the statistical method used has a large impact on the interpretation of this biological relationship. We discuss issues involved in applying these statistical methods in detail.
Teaching in a Research Context.

Many science faculty at large research universities are unaware of recent education research showing that even large classes built around active, inquiry-based, collaborative learning are significantly more effective in promoting student understanding than are the traditional lecture and recitation courses still used for most lower level science instruction. Awareness and adoption of new teaching methods are inhibited by the current compartmentalization of teaching and research activities and by institutional and disciplinary reward structures that provide little incentive for improvement of teaching. This Policy Forum describes a new initiative from the National Research Council, the National Academies Summer Institute on Undergraduate Education in Biology, will provide annual hands-on intensive workshops modeled after the Cold Spring Harbor research courses. In these workshops, well known scientist-educators will work as facilitators with research university faculty members in the life sciences who wish to learn new teaching methods and help to promote awareness of an emerging revolution in undergraduate science instruction.
Recent Statute of Limitations Developments in the New York Court of Appeals

This article analyzes recent developments in the statute of limitations case law under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules Article II and two related New York Court of Appeals decisions. Specifically, the article will examine the cases of Bazakos v. Lewis and Gotay v. Breitbart. In Bazakos, the Court of Appeals held that a claim against a doctor for his alleged negligence in performing an independent medical examination was governed by the two-year and six-month medical malpractice statute of limitations. In Gotay, the Court of Appeals held that the continuous representation doctrine did not toll the running of a three-year statute of limitations in a malpractice claim against a lawyer. Both decisions demonstrate the Court of Appeals' adherence to a strict and rigid application of statutory time periods in favor of defendants and against plaintiffs.
Tunneling of a many-Fermion system in one dimension

A method is presented for stochastic evaluation of ground state properties and tunneling decay of many-fermion systems in one spatial dimension. Application to a model problem defined to produce saturation, strong short-range repulsive-core correlations, and spontaneous fission provides the opportunity to test the stationary-phase approximation and assumptions concerning the effective interaction presently utilized in the mean-field theory of spontaneous fission.
DataScript - A Specification and Scripting Language for Binary Data

DataScript is a language to describe and manipulate binary data formats as types. DataScript consists of two components: a constraint-based specification language that uses DataScript types to describe the physical layout of data and a language binding that provides a simple programming interface to script binary data. A DataScript compiler generates Java libraries that are linked with DataScript scripts.DataScript specifications can be used to describe formats in a programmatic way, eliminating the vagaries and ambiguities often associated with prosaic format descriptions. The libraries generated by the DataScript compiler free the programmer from the tedious task of coding input and output routines. More importantly, they assure correctness and safety by validating both the input read and the output generated. We show examples that demonstrate that DataScript is simple, yet powerful enough to describe many commonly used formats. Similar to how scripting languages such as Perl allow the manipulation of text files, the libraries generated by the DataScript compiler can be used to quickly write scripts that safely manipulate binary files.
Approximation algorithms for new graph partitioning and facility location problems

In applications as diverse as data placement in peer-to-peer systems, control of epidemic outbreaks, and routing in sensor networks, the fundamental questions can be abstracted as problems in combinatorial optimization. However, many of these problems are NP-hard, which makes it unlikely that exact polynomial-time algorithms for them exist. Approximation algorithms are designed to circumvent this difficulty, by finding provably near-optimal solutions in polynomial time. This thesis introduces a number of new combinatorial optimization problems that arise from various applications and proposes approximation algorithms for them. These problems fall into two general areas: graph partitioning and facility location. The first problem that we introduce is the unbalanced graph cut problem. Here the goal is to find a graph cut, minimizing the size of one of the sides, while also respecting an upper bound on the number of edges cut. We develop two bicriteria approximation algorithms for this problem using the technique of Lagrangian relaxation, and a different algorithm for its maximization version. The other graph partitioning problem that we introduce and study is the min-max multiway cut problem. It aims to partition a graph into multiple components, minimizing the maximum number of edges coming out of any component. We present an approximation algorithm for this problem which uses unbalanced cuts as well as the greedy technique. In the second part of the thesis, we study two generalizations of the facility location problem, which aims to open facilities, assigning clients to them, in order to minimize the facility opening costs and the connection costs. In the facility location with hierarchical facility costs problem, the facility costs are more general, and depend on the set of assigned clients. Our algorithm, based on the local search technique, uses two new local improvement operations, achieving a constant-factor approximation guarantee. The second generalization is the load-balanced facility location problem, which specifies a lower bound for the number of clients assigned to an open facility. We give the first true constant-factor approximation algorithm, which uses a reduction to the capacitated facility location problem. The thesis is concluded with related open problems and directions for future research.
Capturing Hindutva: Rhetorics and Strategies

This article is the second of three in a series surveying research on Hindutva (Hindu nationalism or political Hinduism). Here I review prominent rhetorical characterizations and strategies that scholars have used to come to terms with and politically oppose Hindu religious politics, both in India and transnationally. The essay suggests that this literature represents a distinct approach to the study of hindutva that needs to be separated from other, less politically oriented studies. (The first essay in the series surveyed literature on seminal articulations of hindutva, both historical and contemporary; the third examines writings that take hindutva as a form of practice).
Development of an operator interface to improve landing accuracy of semi-autonomous parafoils

This work describes the development of novel interface prototypes for the control of a semiautonomous parafoil, with the specific aim of improving landing accuracy across a spectrum of users. The paper begins with an overview of the current tools and technologies available to parafoil operators. The work next then proposes and iteratively evaluates a series of different prototypes comprised of different display elements. Each element is specifically tailored to support a specific task or phase of flight in the overall parafoil guidance task.
Ionylideneacetic acids and abscisic acid biosynthesis by Cercospora rosicola.

Several compounds having the basic α-ionylideneacetic acid structure were tested in Cercospora rosicola resuspensions. At 100 μm, all the compounds inhibited abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis. Time studies with unlabelled and deuterated (2Z,4E)- and (2E,4E)-α-ionylideneacetic acids showed rapid conversions into both (2Z,4E)- and (2E,4E)-4′-keto-α-ionylideneacetic acids as major products. Incorporation of the label into ABA was specific for the 2Z,4E-isomer. Minor products, identified by GC-MS, were (2Z,4E)- and (2E,4E)-4′-hydroxy-α-ionylideneacetic acids and (2Z,4E)-1′-hydroxy-α-ionylideneacetic acid. The conversion to (2Z,4E)-l′-hydroxy-α-ionylideneacetic acid has not been previously reported and was specific for the 2Z,4E-isomer. A time study for the conversion of methyl esters of [2H3]-(2Z,4E)- and [2H3]-(2E,4E)-4′-keto-α-ionylideneacetates showed a slow introduction of the l′-hydroxyl group and specificity for 2Z,4E-isomer. Conversion of the ethyl esters of (2Z,4E)- and (2E,4E)-l′-hydroxy-α-ionylidenea...
Effect of pore structure and surface chemistry of virgin activated carbons on removal of hydrogen sulfide

Three activated carbons of various origins were tested as H2S adsorbents, chosen to differ significantly in surface area, pore structure and surface chemistry. The carbons were characterized by sorption of nitrogen and water vapor, potentiometric titration, Boehm titration, and thermal analysis. The results showed that a heterogeneous carbon (having micro- and mesopores) with chemical surface functionality performs better than apparently neutral, predominantly microporous materials with high surface areas. This is thought to be due to the adsorption of water on surface groups which enhances the oxidation of H2S to sulfur or ultimately to sulfuric acid.
DAF-16/Forkhead Box O Transcription Factor: Many Paths to a Single Fork(head) in the Road

The Caenorhabditis elegans Forkhead box O transcription factor (FOXO) homolog DAF-16 functions as a central mediator of multiple biological processes such as longevity, development, fat storage, stress resistance, and reproduction. In C. elegans, similar to other systems, DAF-16 functions as the downstream target of a conserved, well-characterized insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 signaling pathway. This cascade is comprised of an insulin/IGF-1 receptor, which signals through a conserved PI 3-kinase/AKT pathway that ultimately downregulates DAF-16/FOXO activity. Importantly, studies have shown that multiple pathways intersect with the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway and impinge on DAF-16 for their regulation. Therefore, in C. elegans, the single FOXO family member, DAF-16, integrates signals from several pathways and then regulates its many downstream target genes.
Development of non-dissipative numerical schemes for computational aeroacoustics

The ability of popular computational fluid dynamic (CFD) methods t o simulate the propagation of acoustic waves is assessed both theoretically and by numerical experiment. The schemes are used to model acoustic waves generated by a noise source situated at the aft end of a convergent-divergent nozzle. It is found that the acoustic signal that traverses up the nozzle has difficulty maintaining its correct amplitude as the frequency of the noise increases. When the sound is of sufficiently high frequency, the acoustic wave is dissipated so much that it does not reach the front end of the channel. Based on this experience, we argue for schemes that are inherently free of dissipation. In one dimension, we study an "upwind" form of the leapfrog scheme, and show how it can be used to compute a linearized perturbation of the nonlinear solution obtained from any Euler code. This method is non-dissipative and can accurately model the correct amplitude of the acoustic wave no matter what the frequency of its source. The scheme is extended to multiple space dimensions by employing bicharacteristic equations defined for a certain 'staggered' storage of the unknowns. It remains free from dissipation, and the solution for the waves propagated into a half space by an oscillating piston is in excellent agreement with the analytical solution.
Control of photophysical and photochemistry of colloidal quantum dots via metal and metal-oxide coated substrates

We studied how deposition of a very thin layer of gold or chromium oxide on glass substrates can modify the way irradiation changes the fluorescence of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots. We found that the gold layer tends to shield the quantum dots from the substrate, preventing photoinduced fluorescence enhancement caused by the Coulomb blockage. In this case the emission of the quantum dots did not show also any broadening but rather a slight red shift, independent of the irradiation time. In the case of the chromium-oxide coated substrates we observed significant broadening and blue shift, indicating such oxide could enhance photo-oxidation of colloidal quantum dots significantly.
Facial expressions of mice in aggressive and fearful contexts

Some animals display a variety of context dependent facial expressions. Previous studies have shown that rodents display a facial grimace while in pain. To determine if the facial expressions of mice extend beyond pain, facial expressions were analyzed in the presence of non-social, social and predator stimuli. In a vibrissae contact test, the whiskers of mice were stroked by the bristles of a brush. In a social proximity test, two mice were placed together in a small chamber where contact was virtually unavoidable. In a resident-intruder test of aggression, an unknown mouse was placed into the homecage of another mouse. In a cat odor exposure test and in a live rat exposure test, mice were presented with the respective stimuli. Results from this study indicated that mice showed two patterns of expression, either a full display of changes in the measured facial components, characterized by tightened eyes, flattened ears, nose swells and cheek swells; or a more limited display of these facial changes. The full display of changes occurred in the vibrissae contact test, the social proximity test, and in resident mice in the resident-intruder test. The more limited display of facial changes occurred in the cat odor exposure test, the rat exposure test and in intruder mice in the resident-intruder test. The differential display of facial changes across conditions indicated that mice showed tightened eyes and flattened ears in situations that provided the immediate potential for contact, suggesting that such changes are involved in protection of sensitive and/or vulnerable body parts. Furthermore, the display of facial expressions by mice indicates that these expressions are widely distributed across evolution.
POETIC PRISM: THE CANADIAN FORUM IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION

(1976). POETIC PRISM: THE CANADIAN FORUM IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION. American Review of Canadian Studies: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 56-85.
Cucurbitacins: Specific Insect Attractants in Cucurbitaceae

In vivo studies of cucurbitacins, the bitter principles present in Cucurbitaceae, indicated a quantitative relation between the concentrations of cucurbitacin in the plant and the degree of insect feeding. In vitro studies demonstrated the attractiveness of these compounds when they were separated from influences of other components of the host plants.
Intravenous cyclosporin in ulcerative colitis: long-term follow-up of the university of Chicago experience

Intravenous cyclosporin in ulcerative colitis: long-term follow-up of the university of Chicago experience
Coated Glass Microspheres in Erf Applications

ER fluids (ERFs) typically consist of a concentrated dispersion of solid particles in a non-conducting base fluid. As a result, particle sedimentation represents a significant problem for many formulations since, in most cases, the particulate phase is of higher density than the base fluid. To remedy this situation, higher density fluids have been widely used in ERFs (ρ > 1.1 g/cc) rather than less expensive mineral oils that display lower densities (0.8-0.9 g/cc). An alternative approach to density "matching" has been explored by Qi and Shaw who have successfully developed ERF particles based on low density, micron-sized hollow glass "balloons" that are polymer coated. These microballons are commercially available from the PQ Corporation and they exhibit an effective density of 0.7 g/cc. Using these materials, it becomes possible to engineer ERF particles that are "neutrally buoyant" in mineral oils by adjusting the coating weight of an ER active polymer on the glass spheres. In this study, a simple solution coating process was developed exploiting the unique surface chemistry of glass which contains -Si-O-Si- and -Si-OH sites capable of hydrogen bonding with hydrophillic polymers. A number of water-soluble ionic polysaccharides were evaluated as coatings because of their ability to form hydrogen bonds with glass surfaces. A synthetic alcohol-soluble polymer, sulfonated polyphenylene oxide, was also evaluated because of its thermal stability and mechanical durability.
Tandem criteria for analytic rotation in factor analysis.

Two related orthogonal analytic rotation criteria for factor analysis are proposed. Criterion I is based upon the principle that variables which appear on the same factor should be correlated. Criterion II is based upon the principle that variables which are uncorrelated should not appear on the same factor. The recommended procedure is to rotate first by criterion I, eliminate the minor factors, and then rerotate the remaining major factors by criterion II. An example is presented in which this procedure produced a rotational solution very close to expectations whereas a varimax solution exhibited certain distortions. A computer program is provided.