cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular basis of activity coefficient (isobaric-isothermal ensemble approach)

Abstract Through the application of isobaric-isothermal (NPT) ensemble theory, molecular relations for thermodynamic properties of mixtures are derived with pressure and temperature as the independent variables. Use of the NPT-ensemble approach has made it possible to derive exact molecular thermodynamic relations for activity coefficients of mixtures in the form of the Redlich-Kister power series. It has also become possible to examine the fundamental implications of some of the approximation correlations for the activity coefficient.
Energy-Efficient LDPC Decoders Based on Error-Resiliency

Low density parity check (LDPC) codes are used in various communication standards. However, LDPC decoders are complex and power hungry. In this paper, we present an energy-efficient LDPC decoder based on statistical error compensation (SEC). Three different size LDPC codes, (50,25), (800,400), and (1800,900) were implemented with 5 iterations/block. Circuit simulations in a commercial 45nm process show that the SEC based LDPC decoder can operate at a supply voltage up to 38% less than the nominal voltage and tolerate up to 30X more errors over an SNR range of 3dB to 8dB, while maintaining less than 3X degradation in BER. This is equivalent with energy savings of 45.7% compared to conventional LDPC decoders, and 33.2% compared to a sign bit protected LDPC decoder.
Empirical and computational support for context-dependent representations of serial order: reply to Bowers, Damian, and Davis (2009).

J. S. Bowers, M. F. Damian, and C. J. Davis (2009) critiqued the computational model of serial order memory put forth in M. Botvinick and D. C. Plaut (2006), purporting to show that the model does not generalize in a way that people do. They attributed this supposed failure to the model's dependence on context-dependent representations, translating this argument into a general critique of all parallel distributed processing models. The authors reply here, addressing both Bowers et al.'s criticisms of the Botvinick and Plaut model and the former's assessment of parallel distributed processing models in general.
Modification of planetary atmospheres by material from the rings

The atmospheres and ionospheres of ringed planets can be, and perhaps are, modified by the injection of gaseous neutral and ionized species, and dust of ring origin. Although no direct evidence for such interactionexists,many of the unresolved characteristicsof planetary ccn,position,thermal structureand ionospherewould be understood if the rings supplied certain materials to theirparent planets.
Are the effects of statins on HDL-cholesterol clinically relevant?

It has been established that the level of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol is inversely proportional to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). HDL particles are highly heterogeneous, particularly in terms of their biological activities, many of which are atheroprotective. For example, in addition to carrying out reverse cholesterol transport, HDL protects the vascular endothelium by inhibiting monocyte adhesion and the oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), eliminates some of the atherogenic products of LDL oxidation, and possesses antithrombotic activity, due to the inhibition of platelet activation and aggregation. Statin therapy has been shown to increase the level of plasma HDL-cholesterol. However, the clinical benefit of statin-induced elevation of HDL-cholesterol is unclear from trial data, perhaps as a result of the concomitant overwhelming risk benefit of statin-induced reduction of LDL-cholesterol.
Segmentation-free word recognition with application to Arabic

This paper describes the design and implementation of a system that recognizes machine-printed Arabic words without prior segmentation. The technique is based on describing symbols in terms of shape primitives. At recognition time, the primitives are detected on a word image using mathematical morphology operations. The system then matches the detected primitives with symbol models. This leads to a spatial arrangement of matched symbol models. The system conducts a search in the space of spatial arrangements of models and outputs the arrangement with the highest posterior probability as the recognition of the word. The advantage of using this whole word approach versus a segmentation approach is that the result of recognition is optimized with regard to the whole word. Results of preliminary experiments using a lexicon of 42,000 words show a recognition rate of 99.4% for noise-free text and 73% for scanned text.
Risk Sharing, Fiduciary Duty, and Corporate Risk Attitudes

In this paper, we consider the problem of determining corporate risk preferences that reflect the preferences of the company's shareholders. Although we do not assume that the company necessarily has a utility function, we can use shareholder risk preferences to place bounds on the firm's risk tolerances and certainty equivalents. Using these bounds with published estimates for individual risk tolerances, we find that large companies with reasonably diversified shareholders should have risk tolerances that are much larger than those typically suggested in the decision analysis literature. We also find that, in contrast with what is commonly assumed in the finance literature, market prices for gambles generally do not reflect the interests of shareholders, and market-value maximization can lead to the selection of dominated alternatives.
A compilation of corrosion potentials for magnesium alloys

A compilation of the reported corrosion potentials for Mg alloys and selected intermetallic compounds is presented. This study presents a galvanic series for Mg alloys based on a collection of data...
Exploring self-neglect in older adults: preliminary findings of the self-neglect severity scale and next steps

Despite the public health implications of self-neglect, no tool exists for characterizing this condition. Self-neglecters often have no caregivers or surrogates to interview regarding the neglect and are often too cognitively impaired to provide valid self-reports. In response to this need, researchers from the Consortium for Research in Elder Self-neglect of Texas (CREST) collaborated with other experts in the field of elder self-neglect to design the Self-neglect Severity Scale (SSS). The SSS assesses three domains of self-neglect (hygiene, functioning, and environment) and relies on observational ratings assigned by trained observers. After pilot testing and revision, the SSS was field tested in the homes of subjects who had been reported to and substantiated by Texas Adult Protective Services (APS) as self-neglecting and compared with results of subjects recruited from a local geriatric clinic who were reported to APS but had no history of self-neglect. The first field test demonstrated that the SSS could distinguish elderly self-neglecters from community dwellers who do not self-neglect. The SSS exhibited adequate scale reliability (Cronbach alpha) and correlation with case status. Interrater reliability also appeared adequate, although sensitivity and specificity fell below the conventional acceptable range. Future methods are proposed for refining the SSS to improve its use as the benchmark for identifying elder self-neglect.
Identity Matching-To-Sample with Olfactory Stimuli in Rats

Identity matching-to-sample has been difficult to demonstrate in rats, but most studies have used visual stimuli. There is evidence that rats can acquire complex forms of olfactory stimulus control, and the present study explored the possibility that identity matching might be facilitated in rats if olfactory stimuli were used. Four rats were trained on an identity match-to-sample procedure with odorants mixed in cups of sand as stimuli. Digging in the sample cup produced two comparison cups, and digging in the comparison cup that contained the same scent as the sample was reinforced. When criterion accuracy levels were reached, novel stimuli were added to the baseline training regimen. All 4 rats reached terminal performance of above 90% correct matching with more than 20 different baseline stimuli and matched novel stimulus combinations with above-chance accuracy; 3 of the 4 rats matched novel stimuli at levels significantly above chance. Accurate matching performance was demonstrated both with 2- and 3-comparison procedures. These results suggest that generalized matching-to-sample can be observed in rats when olfactory stimuli are used and, furthermore, that multiple-exemplar training may be important for its emergence.
Teaching operating systems using android

The computing landscape is shifting towards mobile devices. To learn about operating systems, it is increasingly important for students to gain hands-on kernel programming experience in these environments, which are quite different from traditional desktops and servers. We present our work at Columbia University to teach operating systems using Android, an open, commercially supported software platform increasingly used on mobile and embedded devices. We introduce a series of five Android kernel programming projects suitable for a one semester introductory operating systems course. Each project teaches a core operating system concept infused with Android or mobile device specific context, such as Android specific process relationships, use of sensors, and design considerations for resource constrained mobile devices. We also introduce an Android virtual laboratory based on virtual appliances, distributed version control, and live demonstrations which gives students hands-on Android experience, with minimal computing infrastructure. We have used these Android kernel programming projects and the Android virtual lab to teach an introductory operating systems course. Although this was our first time teaching the course using Android, over 80% of students surveyed enjoyed using Android and the majority of students preferred Android to traditional desktop development.
The Spanish mood/subordination/reference interface

This study deals with the discourse function of the Spanish subjunctive mood. Traditional approaches focus on its semantics, invoking the notions of volition, doubt, negation, and emotion while maintaining the importance of the clause's subordinate status and change of subject from matrix verb to subordinate verb. Notwithstanding, thirty years of linguistic research on the Spanish mood contrast have given rise to the descriptors ± assertion: indicative is +assertive while subjunctive is -assertive. Although these descriptors are appropriate, viewing the subjunctive mood as a discourse cohesive device makes apparent the true nature of the mood contrast. Anaphoric, exophoric, and cataphoric features of languages refer to antecedents, elements of the physical context, or foreshadowed events/information, respectively. This article proposes a mechanism by which Spanish subjunctive clauses fulfill all three functions, circumscribing the Spanish mood contrast within the language's deictic system, and suggests avenues for future research.
Integrated cavity-backed ka-band phased array antenna

A planar 4x4 phased array antenna with 0.5 wavelength element spacing at 36 GHz is presented in this paper. The antenna is fabricated by a sequential surface micromachining process with ten structural layers. The radiators are rectangular coaxial line fed cavity backed patches. They are 2.8 mm long and 3.2 mm wide and have two slits for impedance matching and six holes for releasing sacrificial photoresist. The patches are supported with feeding probe and two metallic posts located in a plane of zero electric field. Analysis and design are conducted with finite element and finite integration based codes. The individual antenna elements have impedance bandwidth of about 5.1% around 36 GHz, with simulated gain and radiation efficiency of about 6.8 dBi and 95%, respectively. Computed characteristics of 16 independent, simultaneously available beams are also presented.
Examination of humidity effects on measured thickness and interfacial phenomena of exfoliated graphene on silicon dioxide via amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy

The properties of Few-Layer Graphene (FLG) change with the number of layers and Amplitude Modulation (AM) Atomic Force Microscopy(AFM) is commonly used to determine the thickness of FLG. However, AFM measurements have been shown to be sensitive to environmental conditions such as relative humidity (RH). In the present study, AM-AFM is used to measure the thickness and loss tangent of exfoliated graphene on silicon dioxide (SiO2) as RH is increased from 10% to 80%. We show that the measured thickness of graphene is dependent on RH. The loss tangent values of the graphene and oxide regions are both affected by humidity, with generally higher loss tangent for graphene than SiO2. As RH increases, we observe the loss tangent of both materials approaches the same value. We hypothesize that there is a layer of water trapped between the graphene and SiO2 substrate to explain this observation. Using this interpretation, the loss tangent images also indicate movement and change in this trapped water layer as RH increases, which impacts the measured thickness of graphene using AM-AFM.
Provoked coronary spasm and acute coronary syndromes.

Although coronary artery spasm (CAS) has been linked with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and vulnerable plaque ([1][1]), thrombosis ([2][2]), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and stenting ([3–7][3]), very limited attention is given to CAS in the current era. This may be related to
Reactive Ion Etching of Multi-Layer Resist

Multi-layer resist has been utilized commonly in optical and E-beam lithography for its ability to resolve submicron feastures over topography. In addition, the use of a low-Z(atomic number) material as the intermediate layer reduces the proximity effect. This paper describes the development of etching process used to pattern a tri-level resist based on polyimide, an inorganic intermediate layer, and positive resist as top image layer. A highaspect-ratio image can be anisotropically transfered from the inorganic intermediate layer into the polyimide planarizing layer by oxygen RIE. Directionality, profile control, and backsputtering residue are the primary considerations during the pattern transfer etching. The influence of pressure, power and self-bias voltage on the etching process are described. The residue is caused by sputtering of the electrode material and the etch barrier material. Backsputtering residue from electrode can be prevented by covering all exposed conducting surfaces with an organic dielectric material, in this case an ardel plate. Etch residue contributed by the intermediate layer is quantified according to its pattern density and the influence of the pressure. Sidewall profiles and their relationship to planarizing layer thickness are also discussed.
Computation of Mean Flow Refraction Effects on Jet Noise

It is well-known that sound generated by localized sources embedded in a jet undergoes refraction as the acoustic waves propagate through the jet mean flow. For isothermal or hot jets, the effect of refraction causes the deflection of the radiated sound waves away from the jet flow direction. This gives rise to a cone of silence around the jet axis where there is a significant reduction in the radiated sound intensity. In this work, the mean flow refraction problem is investigated through the use of the reciprocity principle. Instead of the direct source Green's function, the adjoint Green's function with the source and observation points interchanged is used to quantify the effect of mean flow on sound radiation. One advantage of the adjoint Green's function is that the Green's functions for all the source locations in the jet radiating to a given direction in the far field can be obtained in a single calculation. This provides great savings in computational effort. Another advantage of the adjoint Green's function is that there is no singularity in the jet flow so that the problem can be solved numerically with axial as well as radial mean flow gradients included in a fairly straightforward manner. Extensive numerical computations have been carried out for realistic jet flow profiles with and without exercising the locally parallel flow approximation. It is concluded that the locally parallel flow approximation is valid as long as the direction of radiation is outside the cone of silence.
Abstract P2-04-06: Transgenic expression of a breast-cancer specific GATA3 mutant leads to mammary hyperplasia

GATA3 is expressed in normal luminal breast epithelial cells and is a key transcription factor in mammary gland development. In human breast tumors, high GATA3 protein levels are associated with estrogen receptor (ER) positivity and low grade. Recent published reports indicate that somatic mutations of GATA3 occur in up to 21% of ER+ tumors. These authors suggest, but do not demonstrate, that these GATA3 mutations are loss-of-function null alleles and that GATA3 is a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor gene. The published mutational data indicate a striking enrichment of GATA3 mutations in exons 5 and 6 (amino acids 309–443) which encode the second of two DNA binding zinc fingers. This suggests that mutant proteins lacking this zinc finger may confer a survival advantage on breast cancer cells. Given this apparently strong selective pressure for mutations in this hotspot, it seems unlikely that these mutations are loss-of-function alleles. We explored this directly by generating a MMTV-GATA3mutant mouse which specifically expresses a mutant GATA3 protein in the mammary gland. Non-parous pubertal transgenic mice exhibit a pronounced mammary hyperplasia and have increased ductal branching compared to wildtype littermates. These data confirm that the mutant GATA3 mutations commonly found in breast cancer are not null alleles, but that they instead have a gain-of-function phenotype. We are currently evaluating the effect of mutant GATA3 on the kinetics of mammary tumorigenesis by crossing these mice to the MMTV-PyMT model. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-04-06.
Allozymes Used to Estimate Gene Flow Among Populations of Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Hawaii

Gene flow and movement among Hawaiian populations of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) , were examined using indirect and direct methods. Estimates of genetic differentiation of subpopulations ( F ST)based on electrophoretic variation at four polymorphic loci varied from 0.038 to 0.028. Using Wright's method, estimates of the number of migrants exchanged per generation per population ( N e m ) from F ST estimates based on four loci ranged from 6 to 9. There was little variation between islands, and only slightly more variation between Hawaiian populations and two populations from the continental United States ( F region-total = 0.011). The results are consistent with the recent arrival of the diamondback moth in Hawaii. There has probably been sufficient time since its introduction for local populations to have differentiated, but it is less likely that enough time has passed for larger regional population units to differentiate from each other. Results from field experiments in an area surrounding a cabbage plot also suggest that diamondback moth is highly mobile. Average moth density in the 900 m2 surrounding the plot was 7.8% of the density of moths within the plot, suggesting substantial emigration out of the plot. The data indicate that local variation in insecticide resistance among Hawaiian diamondback moth populations is not an indication of restricted gene flow and is most probably a result of local variation in selection.
Statistical Indexes of the Social Aspects of Communities

private office-holding). Leaders of both types have different functions in the community organization process. (6) When the mechanism for facilitating community organization (i.e., community council) is used for operating a special program (i.e., teenage center) or for providing special services to individuals (i.e., financial assistance to the needy), it loses much of its effectiveness in the achievement of the original purposes of the process. (7) Factors making for difficulty in community organization may include: (a) heterogeneity and complexity in the social structure of the community; (b) failure to enlist the participation and support of the real leaders of the community; (c) discrepancies in value systems between different social groups or different strata in the community; (d) lack of administrative know-how in the operation of a formal mechanism for community organization (i.e., community council); (e) discrepancies between agreed upon objectives for community organization and the basic functional prerequisites fulfilled by the social systems of the community; (f) obstruction of the community organization process by elements in the power structure of the community; (g) discrepancies between the objectives of the community organization effort and the methods used, on the one hand, and the value systems inherent in the social structure, on the other; (h) efforts to hurry the process faster than the understanding of the people can be developed and faster than modifications in a complex social structure can be attained on a lasting basis. These are suggested, then, as sample hypotheses relating to community organization which should be investigated within the framework of structure-function theory.
A Common-Fate Analysis of Pornography Acceptance, Use, and Sexual Satisfaction Among Heterosexual Married Couples

Using matched, heterosexual couple data from the Relationship Evaluation Questionnaire (RELATE; n = 326 couples), an adapted common-fate approach was used to examine both common and unique attributes of husbands' and wives' acceptance of pornography and sexual satisfaction as well as husbands' and wives' pornography use. It was expected that spouses' unique as well as shared variance of pornography acceptance would be significantly associated with husbands' and wives' levels of personal pornography use and that these use patterns would be significantly associated with husbands' and wives' unique as well as shared variance of sexual satisfaction. It was also expected that pornography use would significantly mediate the relationship between pornography acceptance and sexual satisfaction. Results indicated that the shared variance of pornography acceptance was positively associated with both spouses' pornography use and that spouses' pornography use was negatively associated with their own sexual satisfaction. Wives' pornography use was found to be positively associated with the couple's shared variance of sexual satisfaction, but pornography use did not significantly mediate the relationship between pornography acceptance and sexual satisfaction. These findings emphasize the complexity of pornography use in couple relationships and the importance of studying pornography acceptance and use as a coupling dynamic within marriages rather than just an individual behavior.
Autoinflammation and HLA-B27: Beyond Antigen Presentation

HLA-B27 associated disorders comprise a group of inflammatory conditions which have in common an association with the HLA class I molecule, HLA-B27. Given this association, these diseases are classically considered disorders of adaptive immunity. However, mounting data are challenging this assumption and confirming that innate immunity plays a more prominent role in pathogenesis than previously suspected. In this review, the concept of autoinflammation is discussed and evidence is presented from human and animal models to support a key role for innate immunity in HLA-B27 associated disorders.
Are we reaching the healthcare consumer

With the diversity of our communities and waiting rooms increasing, can we continue to justify the lack of diversity among healthcare professionals? This article reports the demographic composition of the U.S. and compares those data with the professional healthcare workforce. With a non-White population of nearly 25%, only 10% of RNs are non-White and about 12% of medical students are non-White. Four reasons are presented for increasing diversity among healthcare professionals. These four include: improved culturally competent care, access to healthcare, healthcare outcomes and research, and provider access in high-need service areas. Healthcare organizations have gone on record as supporting increased diversity within high-skilled healthcare professions but without a commitment to increasing enrollments in professional healthcare programs, diversity goals will never be reached.
Sweat electrolytes in glycogen storage disease, type I.

The cause of high concentration of electrolytes in sweat in a small group of patients with glycogen storage disease has interested us. Sodium and chloride concentration in sweat of three boys with glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency has been found in a range comparable to that seen in patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. These children seem to have a preference for salty food and also have frequent periods of hypoglycemia. While such factors have been known to influence the sweat test, heretofore such association in patients with glycogen storage has not been recorded. Table I presents data on five children with glycogen storage disease type I. Significantly high electrolyte concentrations in sweat were found in one male, moderately high concentrations in two males, and normal concentrations in the two females. Two males with phosphorylase defect had normal electrolyte concentrations. Sweat tests by pilocarpine iontophoresis were done by the method of Gibson and Cooke on 484 children between the ages of 4 weeks and 5 years. Collections were made on the left forearm, usually for less than 60 minutes. As shown in Table II, 73 of the tests were on children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and eight on children with glycogen storage disease. The remaining 403 tests included 84 on CF siblings and other relatives of children with CF. Since no difference was discernible between results of tests on these relatives and other normal individuals, they were grouped together as controls. Among normal individuals, sodium, and chloride values in sweat were below 30 meq/1 in 96%. A few patients with cystic fibrosis or glycogen storage disease had values in the borderline range of 40-49 meq/l. All the males with glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency had values above 50 meq/l.
Serum protein concentrations in pregnancy. 3. Analysis of maternal-cord serum pairs.

Abstract The concentrations of 7 serum proteins have been measured by the technique of single radial immunodiffusion in maternal-cord serum pairs from term pregnancies. Statistical analysis of the data reveals an effect of labor and the mode of delivery on the concentration of several proteins in both maternal and cord sera, which appears different for each macromolecule concentration measured. From the data obtained, IgG, the protein known to cross the placenta, does not appear to be actively transported nor transported against a concentration gradient. The data also suggest that measurement of protein concentration in serum obtained following labor and delivery may not accurately reflect the condition of the fetus in utero.
The Clinical Spectrum of ABO Incompatibility and Hemolytic Disease in the Newborn

Abstract 1182 Introduction: ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs almost exclusively in infants of blood group A or B who are born to group O mothers. Although ABO incompatibility is common, its related hemolytic disease has been reported to be low. In this study, we aimed to investigate the rate of direct anti-globulin test (DAT) positivity and clinical events, such as hyperbilirubinemia or anemia in infants born to group O mothers. Methods: Using the charge code for cord blood evaluation, we were able to identify all cord blood evaluations from January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2007, and then select out the ABO incompatible births from group O mothers. We then reviewed the electronic medical records for demographic, clinical and laboratory information. Clinical events (anemia, jaundice, hemolytic disease) were investigated only in babies born at 37 weeks or higher gestation. Chi-square tests were used to cross-tabulate clinical events, demographic parameters (gender, ethnicity), and laboratory parameters (AO versus BO incompatibility, DAT-positivity). Results: There were 10,891 live births during the two-year period and 1519 (14%) of these were ABO incompatible. ‘Black’ ethnicity was registered in 80% of these babies. AO and BO incompatibility comprised 57.8% and 42.2% of the cases, respectively. 5.3% of the cases had concomitant Rh incompatibility. DAT was positive in 16.7% of the cases: 13.8% weakly or 1+ positive, and 2.9% 2+ or 3+ positive. DAT was more commonly positive among BO-incompatible cases compared to AO-incompatible cases (21.7% versus 13.1%). Among blacks, DAT-positivity in BO incompatibility was more common (24.9% among blacks compared to 7.8% among non-blacks, p 1299 babies were born at term (3 37 weeks gestation).of these infants, hyperbilirubinemia (defined as indirect bilirubin 3 8 mg/dL) was detected in 17.3% of babies. This was significantly associated with DAT positivity (40.6% in DAT-positive cases vs 12.3% in DAT-negative cases, p Discussion: Our study indicated that cord blood DAT was positive in 16.7% of ABO incompatible pregnancies. BO-incompatible cases were more likely to be DAT-positive in blacks. AO-incompatibility was more common among girls, consistent with earlier studies that had shown a stronger A antigen expression among female newborns. DAT-positive cases were more likely to develop hyperbilirubinemia or hemolytic anemia. In addition, black ethnicity and BO incompatibility conferred significantly increased risk of hemolytic anemia in our study. Despite this strong association, the sensitivity of the positive DAT was 41.3% for hyperbilirubinemia and 70.5% for hemolytic anemia in ABO incompatibility. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Learning from Education: If We’re Still Stuck on the Problems, Maybe We’re Taking the Wrong Exam

The Cleveland mayoral election of 1975 was fought between incumbent Mayor Ralph Perk and Arnold Pinkney, President of the School Board.1 According to the Oakland Tribune of November 3, “Pinkney … cites what he says is a high rate of street crime under Perk and … Perk … says crime is bred in the schools where Pinkney has jurisdiction.”
The “Five Civilized Nations”

Perhaps the earliest instance of European-style schooling controlled by an Indian people was among the Cherokee. After several decades of government-funded missionary schools, the Treaty of 1835 provided an annual sum of $16,000 a year from the federal government to support Cherokee public schools. Although for some years the teachers were white, often recruited from New England, eventually almost all were Cherokees trained at the Cherokee-controlled secondary schools.1
Slovenia: Post-Socialist and Neoliberal Landscapes in Response to the European Refugee Crisis:

As a nation-state, Slovenia represents an increasingly rare case wherein 80 percent of the country identifies as ethnically homogeneous. Even in the face of this fact, Slovenia's ethno-national ide...
Relationships Between Ongoing Professional Development and Educators' Beliefs Relative to Response to Intervention

ABSTRACTQuestions remain regarding whether professional development focused on response to intervention can be implemented effectively on a large scale. One important goal of professional development involves educators' beliefs regarding foundational response-to-intervention concepts (e.g., data-based decision making, importance of effective instruction). This study examined the relations between professional development focused on response to intervention and educators' beliefs. Participants (N = 3,961) were from 34 pilot and 27 comparison schools in a southeastern state. School leadership teams responsible for facilitating response-to-intervention implementation at pilot schools participated in 13 full-day trainings across 3 years. In addition, coaching support was provided to all pilot school educators including leadership team members. Multilevel modeling indicated that school leadership team membership predicted positive changes in beliefs regarding data-based decision making when compared with the r...
The Experience of Bereavement by Older Adults

Bereavement is generally a normal response to loss, an experience shared by all ages and all cultures and even by a number of species (Averill, 1979). It is not an experience unique to the oldest among us, but it probably happens most often and most regularly to them. For example, each year in the United States approximately 800,000 people lose a spouse (Murrell & Himmelfarb, 1989). Most of these people are over age 60. LaRue, Dessonville, and Jarvik (1985) reported that 51% of women and 13.6% of men over the age of 65 have been widowed at least once.
The Discovery of the Upsilon Family

The discovery in 1977 of the upsilon family of resonances represented the culmination of many years of experimentation in dilepton production by hadron collisions. Following the pioneering experiment at the Brookhaven AGS, a series of Fermilab experiments by the Columbia/Fermilab/Stony Brook collaboration found the three lowest-lying bound states of the b\(\bar b\) system, establishing the existence of the b quark and confirming the third generation of fundamental fermions. Like most stories, this one had its share of false starts and loose ends, some of which are discussed; a few modest morals are drawn.
Otto Hahn, Science, and Social Responsibility

Otto Hahn is widely portrayed as a warm, considerate, charming person. The characterization is accurate. In fact, precisely because the personality of this decent human being suffered no great changes throughout his career, he offers us a touchstone to determined the extent of changes in scientists’ perceptions of their obligations to society during the twentieth century.
Broadening Participation in Computing via Professional Development for Community College CS/IT Faculty

This paper describes the creation of a virtual, interactive professional development course to build the capacity of community college faculty to recruit and retain women and underrepresented minorities in computing programs. The project was designed in response to community college faculty reporting need for practical methods to broaden participation in their programs and their feelings of isolation from like-minded faculty. The 12-session prototype has been piloted with eight community college faculty. The finalized PD will be available as free, standalone web-based modules. The course includes instruction on research-based practices for recruiting and retaining women and underrepresented minorities in computing. Evaluation mechanisms are developed to assess the impacts of the PD on faculty attitudes and teaching practices, and the effect of changed practices on introductory computing students' engagement and persistence. Here we report preliminary findings from interviews. The project outputs will include polished online content modules, validated student survey instruments, a classroom observation protocol, and student and faculty interview instruments.
Laser interaction with projected graphics

The need for natural methods of input into computers has been a major research direction in computer science since its inception. Recently, the focus of this work has turned from the computer itself to the event that is actually taking place. Within group situations, there is a need to have a more natural method of input into computers than using a keyboard and mouse. Currently, computers can be more of a hindrance than an aid because of the amount of attention users are required to give to them. For example, during presentations, computers are often a distraction to the presenter who can become tied to the computer in order to control their presentation and thereby neglect their audience.
The moms' empowerment program addresses traumatic stress in mothers with preschool-age children experiencing intimate partner violence

Objective: The Moms’ Empowerment Program (MEP) provides affordable services to address the effects of women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and to enhance their mental health. In past ...
Recruitment and Retention in Clinical Trials of Deep Brain Stimulation in Early-Stage Parkinson's Disease: Past Experiences and Future Considerations.

Background Clinical trials are often hindered by inadequate patient recruitment. Overly optimistic investigator predictions of participation can lead to unmet recruitment goals and costly trial extensions. A patient-focused approach estimating recruitment in clinical trials may provide higher accuracy. Objective To assess the feasibility of recruitment in a future deep brain stimulation (DBS) in early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD) multicenter trial by understanding motivations and concerns to participation of past and potential future DBS in early-stage PD clinical trial subjects. Methods To identify motivating factors and barriers influencing trial participation, an end-of-trial survey was administered to subjects enrolled in a DBS in early-stage PD pilot trial with subjects randomized to receive DBS plus optimal drug therapy (DBS+ODT) or ODT alone (NCT#00282152, IDE#G050016). Pilot trial survey results were analyzed in conjunction with results of a previously-reported survey querying PD patients about potential participation in a trial for DBS in early-stage PD with similar inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results Pilot trial subjects reported high levels of satisfaction with their participation in the study. Similar motivations and barriers to participation were expressed in comparable proportions by subjects who successfully completed the pilot trial and patients with early-stage PD considering enrollment in a comparable DBS study. Conclusions The FDA has approved a prospective, randomized, double-blind, phase III, multicenter, pivotal clinical trial evaluating DBS in early-stage PD (IDE#G050016). These results suggest that the successful recruitment and retention of early-stage PD subjects, as observed in the pilot trial, is attainable in a future pivotal trial.
Identifying and Quantifying Adolescent and Young Adult Patient Preferences in Cancer Care: Development of a Conjoint Analysis-Based Decision-Making Tool

Compared with younger children and older adults, adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer receive more intensive end-of-life (EOL) care. We hypothesize that enhanced understanding of AYA preferences, increased engagement of these patients in decision-making, and improved communication of their preferences with family members and the medical team will lead to increased provision of goal-concordant care and decreased intensity of EOL care. In this study, we describe the development of a novel tool that quantifies the relative importance of numerous factors considered by AYA patients with cancer, their parents, and health care providers when choosing between treatment options.
Real-time liquid-phase organic reaction monitoring with mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance dual frequency comb spectroscopy

Abstract We combine mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance measurements to provide in-situ monitoring of a chemical reaction. The mid-infrared dual-comb spectrometer measures quantitative absorption cross-sections of mesityl oxide and diacetone alcohol in the region of 3300–2700 cm−1 (3.0–3.7 μm). Based on these spectra, the system is then used to monitor the hydration of mesityl oxide to diacetone alcohol from which we extract reaction kinetics values. This work shows the potential of dual comb systems to measure and monitor reactions in the condensed phase.
A Novel Method for Physical-Layer Authentication via Channel State Information

The channel response between a wireless transmitter node and a receiver node changes as the nodes move and the environment changes. Recent studies have suggested several approaches to leverage such changes in channel response as an attribute for authenticating a communication node's claimed identity. We propose a specular reflector mapping approach to enable authentication of a communication node's reported location by comparing measured transmission channel characteristics to those expected for emissions from the reported location. This work focuses on how a specular reflecting plane can be estimated from the multipath time delay measurements over multiple transmitter positions presenting theoretical limits to estimating such a reflecting plane. Additionally, we provide a brief example to illustrate the value such a reflecting plane can bring in regards to authenticating a transmission's claimed position of origin.
Characterization of pulmonary vein reconnection post Cryoballoon ablation

Abstract Background The Arctic Front Cryoballoon System is a technology in which substrate alterations in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence have not been well characterized. In this study, we evaluated sites of pulmonary vein (PV) reconnections and the accuracy of the Achieve™ circular mapping catheter in detecting these reconnections after cryoablation. Methods This study included 15 patients undergoing redo AF ablation after a prior single cryoablation procedure . PV reconnection sites were determined by measuring PV signals and high output pacing from 4 vectors of the Achieve catheter. The results were compared with a roving mapping catheter guided by rotational intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in the left atrium. Results All patients had PV reconnections (2.1 ± 0.8 veins/patient). The left superior PV was most commonly reconnected (n = 11), whereas the right inferior PV was least likely (n = 3). Both carinas (left: n = 11; right: n = 7) and left atrial appendage ridge (n = 11) were also frequently reconnected. Mapping with the Achieve catheter showed a positive predictive value (PPV) 100% and negative predictive value (NPV) 96% when compared with ICE guided mapping. In 2 patients, right superior PV reconnection was not identified by the Achieve. Conclusion During redo AF ablation after index cryoablation, multiple PVs are usually reconnected, with both carinas and left atrial appendage ridge being common sites of reconnection. The Achieve mapping catheter was able to identify reconnection with high positive and negative predictive values.
Physical Punishment of Children: Sweden and the U.S.A.

Banning corporal punishment in childrearing, as Swedens 1979 law does, has been advocated as an important child abuse preventive. This study explores the relationship between nationality and cultu...
Practical anatheology: A kenotic and perichoretic navigation of binaries:

In contexts of harmful and increasing polarization, Richard Kearney’s anatheism constitutes a generative approach to hospitality across divisions. Kearney’s anatheism can foster critical hospitalit...
Promotion of murine marrow alloengraftment and hematopoietic recovery across the major histocompatibility barrier by administration of recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha [see comments]

Irradiated C57BL/6 (H-2b) recipients of T-cell-depleted (TCD) BALB/c (H- 2d) bone marrow (BM) and recombinant interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) (1 microgram/d) had a significantly (P less than or equal to .006) higher 100-day actuarial survival rate, accelerated hematopoietic recovery, and higher levels of alloengraftment than a group of transplanted control mice treated identically, but given phosphate- buffered saline (PBS). To elucidate the mechanisms involved with IL-1 alpha-induced promotion of alloengraftment and hematopoietic recovery, we performed sequential splenic FACS studies on transplanted mice and secondary transfer studies in syngeneic mice given IL-1 alpha or PBS. Splenic phenotyping showed that recipients of IL-1 alpha had a higher proportion of donor granulocytes (52% v 19%) as compared with PBS controls as early as 7 days after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). On day 11 post-BMT, recipients of IL-1 alpha had a more than fourfold increase in splenocyte number, which included a higher percentage (90% v 59%) of donor cells, especially donor granulocytes (52% vs 32%), and a sevenfold increase in donor T cells as compared with controls. Host T- cell numbers were not affected. Taken together, these data suggest that IL-1 alpha stimulated bipotential (myeloid and lymphoid) donor cell engraftment. In a syngeneic BMT system, administration of IL-1 alpha resulted in a higher incidence of survival when recipients were transplanted with BM cells, indicating that IL-1 alpha administration probably either expanded or potentiated engraftment of a committed progenitor cell pool. Secondary transfer experiments using marrow from IL-1 alpha-treated mice showed that the number of day 12 colony-forming unit-spleen (CFU-S) cells was unaltered compared with untreated control mice, suggesting that more primitive, albeit committed, hematopoietic progenitor cells were not affected. We also examined the potential additive effects of IL-1 alpha and granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF) administered in combination (for 14 days). Mice receiving a suboptimal amount of IL-1 alpha along with GM-CSF had significantly higher levels of donor alloengraftment (92%) with superior hematopoietic recovery, as compared with mice receiving either IL-1 alpha (57%) or GM-CSF (18%) alone.
Genetics of Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening episode of hyperinflammation driven by excessive activation and expansion of T cells (mainly CD8) and hemophagocytic macrophages producing proinflammatory cytokines. MAS has been reported in association with almost every rheumatic disease, but it is by far the most common in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Clinically, MAS is similar to familial or primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (pHLH), a group of rare autosomal recessive disorders linked to various genetic defects all affecting the perforin-mediated cytolytic pathway employed by NK cells and cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes. Decreased cytolytic activity in pHLH patients leads to prolonged survival of target cells associated with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines that overstimulate macrophages. The resulting cytokine storm is believed to be responsible for the frequently fatal multiorgan system failure see in MAS. Whole-exome sequencing as well as targeted sequencing of pHLH-associated genes in patients with sJIA-associated MAS, demonstrated increased “burden” of rare protein altering variants affecting the cytolytic pathway compared to healthy controls. These observations suggest that as in pHLH, genetic variability in the cytolytic pathway contributes to MAS predisposition. Functional studies of some of the novel variants have shown that even in a heterozygous state their presence partially reduces cytolytic activity that may lead to increased cytokine production. In patients with gain-of-function mutations in the NLRC4 gene, MAS-like clinical presentation seems to be induced by a macrophage-intrinsic defect in the absence of primary cytotoxic abnormalities suggesting that in the future the search for pathogenic variants in SJIA/MAS should be extended beyond the cytolytic pathway and include macrophage activation pathways as well.