cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
559 Examining the relationship between education and alcohol-attributable non-fatal injury risk in brazil

Background In Brazil, alcohol use is a leading risk factor for injury contributing to over 8% of DALYs lost. While alcohol consumption increases with income, there is an inverse risk of alcohol-attributable mortality with socioeconomic status (SES). Education is an important measure of SES; yet its effect on risk for non-fatal injury is unclear. This project investigates education level most at risk for alcohol positive injury in Maringa, Brazil. Methods Self-reported alcohol usage two hours prior to injury was collected during a survey on treatment-seeking behaviour following injury in Maringa, Brazil between May and September 2015. Households provided demographics, and one randomly selected household member supplied injury history. Alcohol usage prior to injury and demographics were analysed using frequencies and logistic regression. Risk ratios were calculated using primary school incomplete, the lowest risk group, as reference. Results Of 2678 people surveyed, 797 reported injury. Only 56 (7.02%) reported alcohol use of which 85.7% were male. Of all alcohol-attributable injured patients, 3 (5.4%) did not complete primary school, 8 (14.3%) completed primary school, 12 (21.4%) completed secondary school, and 15 (26.8%) completed professional school. Those who completed primary education and professional education were at similar risk for alcohol-attributable injuries. Completing primary school (RR = 4.14, p = 0.032) and professional school (RR = 3.43, p = 0.047) had the highest risk of alcohol-induced non-fatal injury. Conclusions Alcohol use is a major risk factor for injury and is influenced by education. While our sample size is small and only includes non-fatal injuries, it mirrors the general pattern of alcohol usage seen in Brazil. We found low and high levels of education were at highest risk for alcohol-related injury. Our data suggests an indirect dependence of education on alcohol-induced injury however this relationship requires more in depth research.
Assessing the impacts of real-time occupancy state transitions on building heating/cooling loads

Abstract Even though it has been widely accepted that occupancy is one of the most important factors impacting energy use of HVAC systems, how occupancy is associated with heating/cooling loads for sustained and maximum energy efficiency in multi-zone buildings is still not well understood. This study analyses the impact of occupancy on heating/cooling loads at the building level using occupancy state transitions. A data-driven approach is developed applying an enhanced Variable Neighborhood Search algorithm to determine setpoint controls for individual zones and to minimize the heating/cooling loads based on occupancy state transitions. Simulations are used to compare the loads after implementing the proposed approach with the baseline control to quantify the impacts. Based on the results, the optimal combinations of setpoint/setback schedules and distances for each zone were identified to minimize heating/cooling loads at the building level. The convergence of the search was not influenced by different occupancy assignments or initial solutions, and there was no random solution that could outperform the proposed approach to reduce heating/cooling loads based on occupancy transitions. A minimum of 10.4% and a maximum of 28.3% load reduction were achieved in the case study building, compared to the baseline control.
Role of HIF as a Growth and Survival Factor in Multiple Myeloma.

Abstract Given that hypoxia and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) induce hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1)-dependent vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in different cancer models, we began to explore the possibility that HIF-1α may act as a proliferative and survival factor in multiple myeloma cells. In this study, we demonstrate that MM cells express constitutive HIF-1α protein levels and that hypoxia and cobalt chloride, a hypoxia mimetic, increase HIF-1α and VEGF expression in several MM cell lines (ARP-1, MM1.S, RPMI8266). In the presence of IGF-1, maximal induction of HIF-1α expression in MM cells under normoxic conditions occurred after 12 hr of IGF-1 and declined thereafter. In contrast to hypoxia which inhibits the proteasomal degradation of HIF-1α, IGF-1 requires de novo protein synthesis of HIF-1α. Pharmacologic inhibition of PI3K/Akt or MAPK signaling pathways prevented IGF-1 induced HIF-1α and VEGF expression in ARP-1 cells. Since 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) has been shown to inhibit MM growth and associated angiogenesis, we examined whether 2-ME would inhibit the accumulation of IGF-1 induced HIF-1α expression. 2-ME markedly reduced constitutive and IGF-1-induced HIF-1α protein levels in ARP-1 cells. To further demonstrate that HIF-1α plays a role in the growth and survival of MM cells, RNA interference was used to inhibit HIF-1α expression. in ARP-1 cells. Nucleofection of ARP-1 cells with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HIF-1α inhibited constitutive HIF-1α as well as IGF-1-induced HIF-1α protein levels. HIF-1β protein levels were unaffected. Consequently, the suppression of HIF-1α inhibited the proliferation of untreated and IGF-1 treated ARP-1 cells. More interestingly, IGF-1 did not fully overcome the growth inhibitory effect of dexamethasone in ARP-1 cells that were nucleofected with HIF-1 siRNA. Taken together, our results suggest that HIF-1 plays a role in the pathophysiology of MM.
Resisting Guilt: Mothers’ Breastfeeding Intentions and Formula Use

ABSTRACTBreastfeeding, the topic of numerous government-supported initiatives, is widely considered the optimal mode of infant feeding and is a central component of cultural ideals of good mothering. Prior research has indicated that one outcome of the emphasis placed on breastfeeding is the experience of guilt, regret, shame, or inadequacy that mothers may feel when they do not or cannot breastfeed. Using data from 96 interviews with 22 first-time mothers, the experiences of mothers who wanted to breastfeed but used formula are explored. Mothers engaged in three strategies that helped maintain a positive maternal identity: framing the use of formula as not a choice, recognizing the effort placed into breastfeeding, and focusing on overall health and happiness. Results indicate that the focus on individual choice in breastfeeding promotion highlights resulting guilt or failure, to the exclusion of recognizing women’s agency in using resistance strategies and the broader social context of breastfeeding.
Surviving Napoleon. A case study of small town discursive strategies during the Piacentino rebellion (1805–1806)

In December 1805 a violent anti-French rural insurgency broke out in the mountainous area around Piacenza, in the States of Parma. Castell’Arquato was one of the centres of this rebellion: local leaders devised a strategy that, using to advantage the dominant French imperial discourse of competent and progressive government, saved the town from the anticipated reprisals. Close reading of this particular case of narrative ingeniousness brings into focus the larger issue of agency local Italians were able to derive from the French quest for stability in the region.
Use of Audiometric Measurement for Assessment of Vocal-Fold Function in Postextubation Infants.

Importance Infants with vocal-fold motion impairment (VFMI) have an increased risk of aspiration and pulmonary complications. Flexible nasolaryngoscopy (FNL) is the gold standard for evaluation of vocal-fold mobility. Although safe, FNL causes measurable physiologic changes. Noxious stimuli, especially in neonates in the cardiovascular intensive care unit, may cause imbalance between the pulmonary and systemic circulations and potentially circulatory collapse. Objective To examine whether bedside measurement of infant cry volume using a smartphone application can be a screening tool for vocal-fold movement in FNL. Design, Study, and Participants This case-control study performed from December 1, 2013, through January 31, 2015, included 42 infants in the intensive care unit at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston. Main Outcomes and Measures Patient cry volume in decibels was recorded using a smartphone application placed 12 in from their mouth. Results Forty-two infants were identified at the intensive care unit (median age, 33 days; 20 [48%] female and 22 [52%] male), 21 with VFMI and 21 without, based on FNL findings. A statistically significant difference was found in the mean cry volume of infants with (76.60 dB) and without (85.72 dB) VFMI. The absolute difference in the mean cry volume was 9.12 dB (95% CI, 2.74-15.50 dB). A cry volume of 90 dB or greater had a sensitivity of 90.4% (95% CI, 71%-97%) for identification of normal vocal-fold mobility. A cry volume of 75 dB or less had a specificity of 90.5% (95% CI, 71%-97%) for the identification of VFMI. The mean (SE) area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.721 (0.080) (95% CI, 0.565-0.877). The cry volume, however, was not a good screen for aspiration. Conclusions and Relevance Bedside measurement of the cry volume with a smartphone application can be used by untrained health care professionals to screen patients for further evaluation of vocal-fold mobility using FNL.
Ambiguous Results When Using the Ambiguous-Cue Paradigm to Assess Learning and Cognitive Bias in Gorillas and a Black Bear

Cognitive bias tests are frequently used to assess affective state in nonhumans. We adapted the ambiguous-cue paradigm to assess affective states and to compare learning of reward associations in two distantly related species, an American black bear and three Western lowland gorillas. Subjects were presented with three training stimuli: one that was always rewarded (P), one that was never rewarded (N) and one that was ambiguous (A) because its reward association depended on whether it had been paired with P (PA pairing) or N (NA pairing). Differential learning of NA and PA pairs provided insight into affective state as the bear and one gorilla learned NA pairs more readily, indicating that they focused on cues of reinforcement more than cues of non-reinforcement, whereas the opposite was true of one gorilla. A third gorilla did not learn either pairings at above chance levels. Although all subjects experienced difficulty learning the pairings, we were able to assess responses to A during probe trials in the bear and one gorilla. Both responded optimistically, but it was difficult to determine whether their responses were a true reflection of affective state or were due to preferences for specific stimuli.
Students' enjoyment of a game-based tutoring system

iSTART-ME is a new game-based learning environment developed on top of an existing ITS (iSTART). The current study deviates from previous work focusing on individual ITS components, and utilizes a smaller number of students (n=9) who engaged with the entire system over a period of several weeks. The participants indicated that they enjoyed the game-based aspects of the system significantly more than the non-game aspects. These results support the use of iSTART-ME as a system that promotes long-term enjoyment.
Incidence of Prolonged Systemic Steroid Treatment after Surgery for Acoustic Neuroma and Its Implications.

Objectives To determine the incidence of prolonged postoperative systemic corticosteroid therapy after surgery for acoustic neuroma as well as the indications and associated risk factors that could lead to prolonged steroid administration, and the incidence of steroid-related adverse effects. Study Designs Retrospective chart review. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients undergoing resection of acoustic neuroma between 2010 and 2017 at two tertiary care medical centers. Patient and tumor characteristics, operative approach, hospital length of stay, initial postoperative taper length, number of discrete postoperative steroid courses, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results There were 220 patients (99 male, 121 female) with an average age of 49.4 (range 16–78). There were 124 left-sided tumors and 96 right-sided tumors. Within the group, 191 tumors were operated through a retrosigmoid approach, 25 tumors through a translabyrinthine approach, and 4 tumors with a combined retrosigmoid–translabyrinthine approach under the same anesthetic. In total, 35 (15.9%) patients received an extended initial course of postoperative systemic steroids, defined as a taper longer than 18 days. Twenty six (11.8%) patients received additional courses of systemic steroids after the initial postoperative taper. There were 5 (2.3%) patients who required an extended initial taper as well as additional courses of steroids. Aseptic meningitis, often manifested as headache, was the most common indication for additional steroids (14 cases of prolonged taper and 17 cases of additional courses). None of the patient or tumor factors including age, gender, side, size, and approach were statistically significantly associated with either a prolonged initial steroid taper or additional courses of steroids. An extended hospital length of stay was associated with a prolonged initial steroid taper (p = 0.03), though the initial taper length was not predictive of additional courses of steroids. The cumulative number of days on steroids was associated with need for additional procedures (p Conclusions Systemic corticosteroids are routinely administered postoperatively for patients undergoing craniotomy for the resection of acoustic neuromas. In a review of 220 patients operated by a single neurotologist, no patient or tumor factors were predictive of requiring prolonged initial steroid taper or additional courses of steroids. The cumulative number of days on systemic steroids was associated with undergoing additional procedures and steroid-related side effects. The most common indications for prolonged or additional steroids were aseptic meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and facial paresis. Additional steroids for postoperative facial paresis did not significantly improve outcomes. Patient-reported steroid-related complications were infrequent and were most commonly psychiatric including agitation, anxiety, and mood lability.
Electroencephalographic and cardiovascular markers of vulnerability within families of suicidal adolescents: A pilot study

Abstract Suicide, self-injury, and predisposing vulnerabilities aggregate in families. Those at greatest risk often show deficits in two biologically-mediated domains: behavioral control and emotion regulation. This pilot study explored electroencephalographic and cardiovascular indices of self-regulation among typical and suicidal adolescents (n = 30/group) and biological family members (mothers, fathers, and siblings). We measured event-related potentials during a flanker task designed to evoke impulsive responding and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) at rest and during social rejection. Multilevel models indicate control families’ RSA was unaffected by social rejection (slope = 0.136, p = .097, d = 0.09), whereas clinical families demonstrated RSA withdrawal (slope = −0.191, p = .036, d = −0.13). Clinical families displayed weaker positive voltage (Pe) deflections following behavioral errors relative to controls (coefficient = −2.723, p = .017, d = −0.45), indicating risk for compromised cognitive control. Thus, families with suicidal adolescents showed autonomic and central nervous system differences in biological markers associated with suicide risk.
Post-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts for overall survival in brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a surrogate for systemic inflammatory response and its elevation has been shown to be a poor prognostic factor in various malignancies. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can induce a leukocyte-predominant inflammatory response. This study investigates the prognostic impact of post-SRS NLR in patients with brain metastases (BM). BM patients treated with SRS from 2003 to 2015 were retrospectively identified. NLR was calculated from the most recent full blood counts post-SRS. Overall survival (OS) and intracranial outcomes were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and cumulative incidence with competing risk for death, respectively. 188 patients with 328 BM treated with SRS had calculable post-treatment NLR values. Of these, 51 (27.1%) had a NLR > 6. The overall median imaging follow-up was 13.2 (14.0 vs. 8.7 for NLR ≤ 6.0 vs. > 6.0) months. Baseline patient and treatment characteristics were well balanced, except for lower rate of ECOG performance status 0 in the NLR > 6 cohort (33.3 vs. 44.2%, p = 0.026). NLR > 6 was associated with worse 1- and 2-year OS: 59.9 vs. 72.9% and 24.6 vs. 43.8%, (p = 0.028). On multivariable analysis, NLR > 6 (HR: 1.53; 95% CI 1.03–2.26, p = 0.036) and presence of extracranial metastases (HR: 1.90; 95% CI 1.30–2.78; p < 0.001) were significant predictors for worse OS. No association was seen with NLR and intracranial outcomes. Post-treatment NLR, a potential marker for post-SRS inflammatory response, is inversely associated with OS in patients with BM. If prospectively validated, NLR is a simple, systemic marker that can be easily used to guide subsequent management.
Rapid nickel oxalate thermal decomposition for producing fine nickel metal powders. Part 2: Global kinetics

Abstract The global kinetics for the thermal decomposition of nickel oxalate within an aerosol flow reactor are studied by developing a one-dimensional particle phase model that describes the particle behavior within the reactor. The solid precursor is nickel oxalate with an average particle size of 12 μm. The particles are large enough in size for the gravitational force to cause slip between the particle and fluid phases, thus the particles pass through the reactor slightly faster than the gas phase. The particle residence times for the kinetic study range from 2–6 s for reactor temperatures of 695–767 K. First-order kinetics best fit the experimental conversion data. The decomposition reaction is interpreted as instantaneous nucleation of nano-sized product nickel, followed by two-dimensional growth of these nuclei, controlled by diffusion of product carbon dioxide.
Equity Returns Following Changes in Default Risk: New Insights into the Informational Content of Credit Ratings

Previous studies report the existence of persistent abnormal negative equity returns following downgrades, and the absence of an equity reaction following upgrades. The above result is viewed as a puzzling anomaly, and there are attempts to explain it using behavioral theories. In this paper, we show that the above result is specific to the method used in previous studies to compute abnormal returns. In particular, we show that when returns are adjusted for the variation in default risk around downgrades, the abnormal negative returns in short horizons disappear. We use Merton's (1974) model to compute the default risk of firms each month. We then show that, consistent with rational behavior, firms whose default risk goes up earn higher subsequent returns than firms whose default risk goes down. We also note that many of the firms that experience a downgrade are bound to be downgraded again in the three-year period following the initial downgrade. When this fact is taken into account, any abnormal negative returns in the 2- to 3-year horizon also disappear. Our analysis has implications for the information content of credit ratings, as well as for the value that rating agencies provide to the investment community.
Determining attenuation and propagation constants of microstrip line in long-wave infrared

Low-loss planar transmission lines are required for integrated optical or plasmonic nanocircuits. Full characterization of these lines is necessary for designing nanocircuits. This paper shows a method to calculate the attenuation and propagation constants of a patch-antenna-coupled microstrip transmission line (MTL) at 28.3THz that is suitable for measurement implementation via near-field microscopy techniques. After illumination with a Gaussian beam, a standing wave is formed by the electric near field along the MTL observed at the metal-air interface. By fitting an analytical standing wave expression to the near-field standing wave, the attenuation and propagation constants are determined. With the MTL characterized, a similar technique can be applied to determine the input impedance of an unknown load fed by the MTL. The quantification of antenna impedance and transmission line parameters provide requisite information for improving impedance matching and collection efficiency. Ansys High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) is implemented to predict the computational results.
MPRAD: A Multiparametric Radiomics Framework

Multiparametric radiological imaging is vital for detection, characterization and diagnosis of many different diseases. The use of radiomics for quantitative extraction of textural features from radiological imaging is increasing moving towards clinical decision support. However, current methods in radiomics are limited to using single images for the extraction of these textural features and may limit the applicable scope of radiomics in different clinical settings. Thus, in the current form, they are not capable of capturing the true underlying tissue characteristics in high dimensional multiparametric imaging space. To overcome this challenge, we have developed a multiparametric imaging radiomic framework termed MPRAD for extraction of radiomic features from high dimensional datasets. MPRAD was tested on two different organs and diseases; breast cancer and cerebrovascular accidents in brain, commonly referred to as stroke. The MPRAD framework classified malignant from benign breast lesions with excellent sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 80.5% respectively with an AUC of 0.88 providing a 9%-28% increase in AUC over single radiomic parameters. More importantly, in breast, the glandular tissue MPRAD were similar between each group with no significance differences. Similarly, the MPRAD features in brain stroke demonstrated increased performance in distinguishing the perfusion-diffusion mismatch compared to single parameter radiomics and there were no differences within the white and gray matter tissue. In conclusion, we have introduced the use of multiparametric radiomics into a clinical setting
Validation of a wireless shoe insole for ground reaction force measurement

ABSTRACTGround reaction force measurements are a fundamental element of kinetic analyses of locomotion, yet they are traditionally constrained to laboratory settings or stationary frames. This study assessed the validity and reliability of a new wireless in-shoe system (Novel Loadsol/Pedoped) for field-based ground reaction force measurement in hopping, walking, and running. Twenty participants bilaterally hopped on a force plate and walked (5 km/hr) and ran (10 km/hr) on an instrumented treadmill on two separate days while wearing the insoles. GRFs were recorded simultaneously on each respective system. Peak GRF in hopping and peak GRF, contact time (CT), and impulse (IMP) in walking and running were compared on a per-hop and step-by-step basis. In hopping, the insoles demonstrated excellent agreement with the force plate (ICC: 0.96). In walking and running, the insoles demonstrated good-to-excellent agreement with the treadmill across all measures (ICCs: 0.88–0.96) and were reliable across sessions (ICC...
Discurso pronunciado en el 30° Aniversario de la Fundación de la Escuela de Enfermeras Carlos Van Buren

Discurso pronunciado por Primer Director de la Escuela de Enfermeras “Carlos Van Buren” de Valparaiso
To University of Minnesota

I was twenty-six years old when I flew to America to enter the graduate school at University of Minnesota. I landed in San Francisco and stayed at the shabby YMCA on a street lined with bars catering to seamen. When I walked out at night, the strong wind blew old newspapers high into the sky. A sailor who was obviously from the countryside asked me directions. I was enveloped by a sense of liberation that “no one here knows my past,” and a pleasant tension that “there is no one I can lean on from now on.” I had experienced various twists and turns, but now I had been given the chance to reset my life in America. I felt that I had touched deep in my heart the unfathomable, frightening quality of this country of America. The next day was full of California’s sunshine. My mood turned completely optimistic.
Using free space optics research to teach optics and optoelectronics

Free space optics research encompasses a variety of optics and optoelectronics concepts making it an ideal educational venue. The research and development of a free space optics wireless link was used to teach optics and optoelectronics to undergraduate students. Essential to the educational component in the experiment was an actively mode locked ultrashort pulse laser system, designed for telecom research, which offered a clear visual correlation between the optically modulated data signal, displayed on a digital communication analyzer, and the received electrical signal, obtained by an Indium Gallium Arsenide detector, displayed on an oscilloscope. Data patterns generated by a bit error rate tester were modulated onto the laser using a Mach Zehnder Modulator. Optical taps on the laser allowed the students to view the mode locking of the laser and the output signal from the modulator. Both taps were crucial for teaching the students how changes made to the laser cavity, effect the performance of the laser and the modulated output. At the receive end of the link, students learn how the optical signal is transmitted, detected and converted from an optical signal to an electrical signal via the detector. The students can view the received data pattern on an oscilloscope and compare it to the transmitted data pattern. Using the error detector on a bit error rate tester, the students can also determine the bit error rate. This free space optics research project supports course instruction for optics courses, optoelectronics courses and undergraduate research.
Cocaine-Related Acute Spinal Cord Infarction

We report a rare case of anterior spinal artery syndrome in the setting of acute cocaine use. A 31-year-old man presented to the hospital unarousable with leukocytosis and a positive toxicology screen for opioids, cocaine, benzodiazepines and cannabis. He was placed on intravenous naloxone. As the patient regained consciousness, he was found to have paraplegia, sensory loss below the level of T5, and urinary retention. MRI findings showed a signal intensity abnormality from the level of T1-4, highly suggestive of an acute ischemic spinal cord infarct. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2018-02.asp].
Joint analysis of the impacts of built environment on bikeshare station capacity and trip attractions

Abstract Shared micromobility is proliferating throughout the world. Many researchers have extensively studied the links among factors representing the built and natural environment and bikeshare demand. One common feature of the existing demand models is that they view bikeshare infrastructure as a group of exogenous variables along with other influential factors. Indeed, this assumption is seldom true in planning practices. Bikeshare system operators usually allocate resources in dense urban areas based upon the environmental correlates. This study contributes to the literature by jointly exploring the determinants of bikeshare station capacity (i.e., the number of docking points) and trip arrivals at the station-level. The research dataset is constructed from the Citi Bike system in New York City in September 2016. The analytical results reveal that the effects of built environment characteristics on bikeshare usage could be carefully considered during the system installation process. We find existing bicycle facilities do not significantly influence the supply of docking points at the station-level. However, they exert direct and positive effects on hourly trip arrivals. The findings improve our understanding of the bikeshare system installation process.
Multi-Task Adapters for On-Device Audio Inference

The deployment of deep networks on mobile devices requires to efficiently use the scarce computational resources, expressed as either available memory or computing cost. When addressing multiple tasks simultaneously, it is extremely important to share resources across tasks, especially when they all consume the same input data, e.g., audio samples captured by the on-board microphones. In this paper we propose a multi-task model architecture that consists of a shared encoder and multiple task-specific adapters. During training, we learn the model parameters as well as the allocation of the task-specific additional resources across both tasks and layers. A global tuning parameter can be used to obtain different multi-task network configurations finding the desired trade-off between cost and the level of accuracy across tasks. Our results show that this solution significantly outperforms a multi-head model baseline. Interestingly, we observe that the optimal resource allocation depends on both the task intrinsic characteristics as well as on the targeted cost measure (e.g., memory or computing cost).
Participatory Approaches for Designing and Sustaining Privacy-Oriented Library Services

Privacy is a long-held value of information professionals, but new technologies of the contemporary digital age pose new risks to privacy. In an effort to build participatory, profession-wide action in support of designing privacy-oriented library services, two groups were formed with the goal of generating ideas and sustaining action: the National Forum on Web Privacy and Web Analytics, and Digital Library Federation Technologies of Surveillance Working Group. In this paper, members of these two groups present case study descriptions and analysis via reflective self-assessment. The authors discuss how these groups can serve as models of participatory action for integrating the value of privacy into the design of library services, technologies, policy, and outreach.
Band Alignment of Nearly Lattice-Matched ScAlN/GaN Heterojunction

The natural band alignment of nearly lattice-matched ScAlN/GaN heterojunction is investigated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) with local density approximation (LDA). A type-I ScAlN / GaN heterostructure with large band offsets is suggested for future implementation in GaN-based quantum wells (QWs).
Comment on “optical homogeneous linewidths of resorufin in ethanol glass: an apparent contradiction between hole-burning and photon-echo results?”

Abstract Inaccurate speculations (Chem. Phys. Letters 137 (1987) 201) that photon-echo measurements on resorufin in ethanol glass (Chem. Phys. Letters 120 (1986) 6; J. Chem. Phys. 86 (1987) 77) were performed on the glassy plastic crystal phase of ethanol and were systematically in error are corrected. Control experiments reported in the original papers and recent results on resorufin in glycerol, which does not form multiple phases, are cited. The original conclusion that photon-echo and hole-burning experiments measure different physical properties in these systems is confirmed. Recent theoretical work has shown that the difference between the two experiments results from slow relaxation processes known to exist in glasses and that the comparison of the two experiments is a valuable means of studying these processes.
Social network characteristics moderate associations between cortical thickness and cognitive functioning in older adults.

Introduction Prior research suggests that the strength of association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and lower cognitive performance is influenced by modifiable psychosocial factors, such as social network size. However, little is known about distinct social relationship types. Methods The current cross-sectional study used data from the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project to examine whether social network characteristics (i.e., total size, spouse/partner, number of children, other relatives, friends) moderate associations between cortical thickness in regions implicated in AD and cognitive performance. Results Lower cortical thickness was associated with worse global cognition among individuals with smaller friend networks, but not among individuals with larger friend networks. This pattern of results was most prominent for language and speed/executive functioning. Discussion Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to determine whether these cross-sectional findings reflect a protective effect of later-life friendships for maintaining cognitive performance in the context of poorer brain health.
A Systems Approach to Real-Time Reservoir Operations

The problem of real-time reservoir operations is: given uncertainty about future conditions such as precipitation, streamflows and water related demands, and given long-term operating goals or objectives, and given shorter term guidelines for operation, how much water should be released from each dam during the next hour or day? The current methods used to address this problem in the United States often given considerable discretion to the reservoir operators who generally use their experience, rules of thumb, and intuition to decide on the next period’s releases. This decision process can often be well represented by an optimization model that formalizes the objectives and constraints of operation, and provides a focus for discussion on improved operations. This lecture will provide a review of the real-time reservoir operations problem; an overview of current operating methods; a survey of several optimization modeling approaches to the problem; and comments on several applications of these approaches.
ADP-Ribosylation of Leukemia Cell Membrane Proteins Correlates with Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Dependent Differentiation

Modulation of myelopoiesis is a receptor mediated process which requires colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) for differentiation and maturation (1). The genes for several of these factors have been cloned and their products have been characterized. Thus, much is known regarding the interaction of these factors with their respective target cells (2). However little is known concerning the metabolic reactions that follow receptor binding such as subsequent signal transduction and other events which lead to the initiation of differentiation.
Knowledge provenance in virtual observatories: application to image data pipelines

Scientific data services are increasing in usage and scope, and with these increases comes growing need for access to provenance information. Our goal is to design and implement an extensible provenance solution that is deployed at the science data ingest time. In this paper, we describe our work in the setting of a particular set of data services in the area of solar coronal physics. The paper focuses on one existing federated data service and one proposed observatory. Our claim is both that the design and implementation are useful for the particular scientific image data services we designed for, but further that the design provides an operational specification for other scientific data applications. We highlight the need for and usage of semantic technologies and tools in our design and implemented service.
Verifying pipelined hardware using symbolic logic simulation

A method is presented for automated verification of synchronous pipelined circuits, based on symbolic simulation and the well-known program verification concept of representation functions. The use of representation functions to allow straightforward formulation of readable and intuitive specifications is demonstrated, along with the use of a symbolic switch-level simulator to automatically prove that a circuit meets its specification. As an example, a systolic stack with more than 5000 transistors can be formally verified in a few minutes on a VAX 8800. >
Constitutive activation of EGFR results in a highly metastatic phenotype in an orthotopic model of colon cancer

Abstract Introduction. The human colon cancer cell line HCT116 has constitutive activation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and subsequently is tumorigenic in xenograft models. These models, however, do not allow for the study of the metastatic process. The objective of this study was to determine the behavior of HCT116 in an orthotopic model of colon cancer. Methods. 5 × 106 HCT116 cells were subcutaneously injected into BALB/c nude male mice. At 1 cm3 the xenograft was explanted, and two 1-mm3 pieces were subserosally implanted on to the colons of 13 other BALB/c nude male mice. Animals with green fluorescent protein (GFP) transfected HCT116 were imaged weekly for GFP expression for up to 8 weeks when all animals were euthanized and autopsied. Tissues were submitted for histologic evaluation. Results. All 13 animals showed primary tumor growth and peritoneal metastases (Fig. A, day 16 postimplant; Fig B, day 45). Histologic evaluation confirmed primary tumor invasion, growth, and peritoneal disease in all 13 animals. Liver and lung metastases were histologically confirmed in 9 and 7 mice, respectively (Fig. C). Immunohistochemical stains confirmed the activation status of EGFR. Conclusions. HCT116 demonstrates a highly metastatic phenotype in an orthotopic colon cancer model that mimics aggressive colon cancer behavior in humans. The rate-limiting steps in metastasis of local invasion and distant colony formation are fulfilled. Thus, this model will allow for the study of the complex process of metastasis. Download : Download full-size image
How plants sense ethylene gas — The ethylene receptors

Ethylene is a hormone that affects many processes important for plant growth, development, and responses to stresses. The first step in ethylene signal transduction is when ethylene binds to its receptors. Numerous studies have examined how these receptors function. In this review we summarize many of these studies and present our current understanding about how ethylene binds to the receptors. The biochemical output of the receptors is not known but current models predict that when ethylene binds to the receptors, the activity of the associated protein kinase, CTR1 (constitutive triple response1), is reduced. This results in downstream transcriptional changes leading to ethylene responses. We present a model where a copper cofactor is required and the binding of ethylene causes the receptor to pass through a transition state to become non-signaling leading to lower CTR1 activity.
Aggregate Annual Health Care Expenditures Associated with Heart Transplantation in the United States: 1980-2011

Purpose No attempt has been made to estimate the aggregate annual health care expenditures associated with heart transplantation in the U.S. Methods and Materials The data required for this analysis were abstracted from previously published reports. Results The average billed charge for a heart transplant in 1983 was $96,538. This figure included hospital charges, physician fees, and organ procurement costs. Based on actuarial analyses, this figure has substantially increased.Furthermore, as shown, the actual average billed per procedure charge greatly exceeds the expected average charge, given inflation. There is no obvious explanation for the observed variation between actual and expected charges, other than inflated hospital markups intended to address substantial third party payer discounts, which are typically based on a percentage of billed charges. For example, one major insurer promotes its so-called “centers of excellence network” by claiming that “clients save an average of 51 percent per transplant episode.” National estimates of health care expenditures reflect billed charges, not actual reimbursement. This is misleading but, if the same logic is applied to heart transplantation, insurers were billed $1.9 billion for heart transplants in 2011, compared with $695.0 million in 1988, the year after Medicare began paying for heart transplantation and $10.4 million in 1980. Conclusions Third party reimbursement for heart transplantation is increasingly adverse. To cope, hospitals have increased their charges. Thus, in constant dollars, total health care expenditures associated with heart transplantation in the U.S continue to increase disproportionately relative to inflation. Heart Tranplantation Procedure Average Billed Charges ($) Year Actual Charge Expected Charge Difference 1983 96,538 96,538 0 1993 166,600 139,980 26,620 1996 202,800 152,530 50,270 1999 228,100 161,218 66,882 2002 296,700 174,734 121,966 2005 349,800 189,214 160,586 2006 370,600 195,007 175,593 2007 513,500 200,799 312,701 2008 631,500 208,522 422,978 2011 782,400 218,176 564,224
Work Values of Black, Unwed Adolescent Parents

Summary.-The work values of black unwed adolescent parents were explored using the Values Scale. On 21 scales, the scores of 47 youth (12 to 20 years old) were compared with those of a normative sample presented in the test manual. Significant differences between the two groups were found on 16 of the 21 scales. The values of these black adolescent parents were less crystallized than were those of the normative group and reflect the concern for this group's satisfaction of their basic needs in which physical, safety, and self-esteem needs appeared most dominant. The study of values has been of interest to behavioral scientists seeking to understand human behavior. Rokeach (1973) defines values as something people see as having worth. He views values as three-dimensional and as having cognitive, affective, and behavioral sides. The cognitive values, he postulates, provide guidance for individuals in achieving their goals. Affectively, values indicate approval or disapproval. Behaviorally, values serve as - intervening variables in explaining actions taken when people are motivated. Super (1983), however, defines values as objectives people seek in satisfying their needs and as important determinants in making career decisions. The satisfactions individuals want in work influence their career choices. Failure to satisfy such work needs may lead to job dissatisfaction. Disadvantaged youth usually have limited work experience. Work, if done, is likely to be primarily in the service sector, and these young people have little knowledge of career and work opportunities but may be familiar with a narrow range of jobs and career fields (W. T. Grant Commission, 1988). This appears to be poor preparation considering the requirements of the work place now and in the near future. Jobs in the year 2000 will demand a workforce whose median level of education is 13.5 years, so three of four jobs will require educational and technical training. According to current demographic projections, minority group members w~Ll compose a larger percentage of the workforce. One group who present a challenge to educators and career counselors are adolescent parents of minority groups. Klein (1989) reported that such youth who come from low socioeconomic backgrounds face multiple risks of having to drop out of school and becoming a part of the economic underclass. Hoyt (1989) emphasized that helping poor persons of minority groups
The Cs-Symmetric Aminoboranediyl-Bridged Zirconocene Dichloride [(η-9-C13H8)- BN(iPr)2(η-C5H4)]ZrCl2: Its Synthesis, Structure, and Behavior as an Olefin Polymerization Catalyst

The sequential reaction of 9-fluorenyllithium and CpNa with (iPr)2NBCl2 followed by the sequential treatment with LDA and ZrCl4 afforded [(η5-C13H8)BN(iPr)2(η5-C5H4)ZrCl2 (2e). The structure of 2e was determined by X-ray diffraction, which shows that the molecule has Cs symmetry. On activation by excess methylaluminoxane (MAO) 2e was converted to an active catalyst for polymerization of ethylene and propylene. The polypropylene is syndiotactic (81% rr triads).
Response characteristics of visual and extravisual neurons in the pulvinar and lateral posterior nuclei of the cat

Abstract Extracellular single cell recordings were carried out from the pulvinar and lateralis posterior nuclei of cats maintained on a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. Of the 320 cells tested for responses to visual and extravisual stimuli, 42.5% were found to be visually sensitive, and less than 10% yielded auditory and/or somatosensory responses. For most of the exclusively visually responsive neurons (37.8%) specific response properties could not be delimited (and these were classified as diffuse), whereas the next largest category was movement-sensitive (36.9%), and some were also directionally selective (18%) or showed orientation specificity (7.3%). The size of the visual receptive fields varied considerably, and there was a clear tendency for receptive field areas to increase as a function of retinal eccentricity. Of the 70 cells tested for binocularity, 54.3% responded to stimulation of either eye, 38.6% responded only to stimulation of the contralateral eye, and less than 7.1% were only ipsilaterally responsive. Polymodal and extravisually responsive cells were quite rare and these did not appear to be localized to any particular subarea of the pulvinar-lateralis posterior complex. Only three cells (in ventral lateralis posterior) were encountered which showed a clear spatial correspondence of visual and extravisual receptive fields.
An Ecologial Significance of Seasonal Leaf Variability in a Desert Shrub

Encelia farinosa is one of a number of species of desert perennial shrubs in which individuals exhibit considerable seasonal variation in the amount and structure of leaf tissue. The function of seasonal leaf variability in adapting this species to the desert environment was investigated. Field observations demonstrated that leaf quantity and structure are controlled by the moisture status of the environment. The field observations also established the influence which leaf quantity and structure have on the CO2 exchange capacity and water status of the shrub. These observations were corroborated by laboratory experiments. The laboratory investigations also indicated that the influences of leaf structure are brought about by alterations in the resistances to CO2 and water vapor diffusion. See full-text article at JSTOR
Interatrial septal thickening preventing percutaneous mitral valve balloon valvuloplasty

Avant de faire une dilatation mitrale par voie percutanee, il faut verifier l'epaisseur de la cloison interauriculaire par echocardiographie car, trop epaisse, elle est infranchissable
When the World Was Young – By Tony Romano

In a novel about an Italian‐American family during a period popularly thought of as an age of innocence, the author weaves a fascinating story of intergenerational conflict between immigrant parent...
Computational models of collective behavior

Computational models of human collective behavior offer promise in providing quantitative and empirically verifiable accounts of how individual decisions lead to the emergence of group-level organizations. Agent-based models (ABMs) describe interactions among individual agents and their environment, and provide a process-oriented alternative to descriptive mathematical models. Recent ABMs provide compelling accounts of group pattern formation, contagion and cooperation, and can be used to predict, manipulate and improve upon collective behavior. ABMs overcome an assumption that underlies much of cognitive science – that the individual is the crucial unit of cognition. The alternative advocated here is that individuals participate in collective organizations that they might not understand or even perceive, and that these organizations affect and are affected by individual behavior.