cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Fate of Nascent APP in Hippocampal Neurons: A Live Cell Imaging Study

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is closely associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) because its proteolytic products form amyloid plaques and its mutations are linked to familial AD patients. As a membrane protein, APP is involved in neuronal development and plasticity. However, it remains unclear how nascent APP is distributed and transported to designated membrane compartments to execute its diverse functions. Here, we employed a dual-tagged APP fusion protein in combination with a synaptic vesicle marker to study the surface trafficking and cleavage of APP in hippocampal neurons immediately after its synthesis. Using long-term time-lapse imaging, we found that a considerable amount of nascent APP was directly transported to the somatodendritic surface, from which it propagates to distal neurites. Some APP in the plasma membrane was endocytosed and some was cleaved by α-secretase. Hence, we conclude that surface transportation of APP is a major step preceding its proteolytic processing and neuritic dist...
The Implications of the Formal and Social Organization of Policing in the U.S and Israel: Some Concerns and Opportunities

Policing around the world is organized at different levels of government, often with overlapping jurisdiction, function, and structure. As one surveys police systems across the world, the roles and functions of the police have similar overlapping, and at times, competing characteristics. Given complexity in the roles, functions, strategies, structures, and cultures of the police, modern-day policing has become even more complicated, being simultaneously focused on preventing and responding to “ordinary crime,” and now to responding to domestic and international terrorism. In the new millennium, policing throughout the world has increasingly taken on an expanded national security role, such that it might be expected that policing should be rapidly changing to meet its new challenges. This chapter considers the nature of such change in two very different countries – the United States and Israel, with particular concern with the evolving roles of each in the face of international and, at times, domestic terrorism. The chapter seeks to outline the structural, analytic, and personnel contours of policing in the two countries with the view that police entry into terrorism prevention, response, and mitigation roles is linked to, and has important implications for, the formal and social organization of the police.
Multi-agent Meeting Scheduling Using Mobile Context

Despite the use of newer and more powerful calendar and collaboration tools, the task of scheduling and rescheduling meetings is very time consuming for busy professionals, especially for highly mobile people. Research projects and commercial calendar products have worked since the early 1990s on implementing intelligent meeting organizers to automate meeting scheduling. However, automated schedulers have not been widely accepted or used by professionals around the world. Our research shows that the task of organizing meeting can be improved by reducing the scheduling workload and making meeting logistics more efficient. For example, new tools can decide meeting venues and dynamically handle exceptions, such as one participant not being able to arrive at the meeting location on time. In this paper, we discuss a solution to effectively employ the mobile user’s context in making more intelligent decisions on behalf of the user. Business Meeting Organizer (BMO) is a multi-agent meeting scheduling system, designed to automate time and venue decisions and to handle exceptions. Rather than using a traditional multi-user calendar-based scheduler, BMO has representatives (“software secretaries” implemented as software agents) for each user to negotiate a best time for a particular meeting, taking into account availability, context and preferences. Several technologies are used by BMO to provide secure and intelligent meeting scheduling functionality. By using agent technology, BMO keeps private calendar information invisible to other meeting participants and allows diverse intelligent negotiation and scheduling policies to be employed. Through the use of a rules engine, BMO can consider meeting participants’ personal preferences as to when to schedule the meeting. By means of mobile devices, BMO can get the user’s context information, such as the user’s physical location, which may be helpful in deciding the meeting venue and handling other meeting issues. In this paper, we discuss a solution to effectively employ the user’s mobile context information in making more intelligent decisions on behalf of the user.
Multiple Objective Decision Making

Decision making is the process of selecting a possible course of action from all available alternatives. In many cases, multiplicity of criteria for judging the alternatives is pervasive. Often the decision maker wants to attain more than one objective or goal in selecting a course of action, while satisfying constraints dictated by environment, processes, and resources.
Staggering the administration of polymyxin B and meropenem in time-kill against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae exhibiting a wide range of meropenem MICs

Abstract Little is known regarding the appropriate timing and sequencing of a carbapenem and polymyxin in combination against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Meropenem and polymyxin B were administered simultaneously or 1 agent 2 h prior to the other, in vitro. The carbapenem should be administered prior to the polymyxin when used in combination.
Turbulence mitigation using chaos-modulated image propagation along a slanted path under gamma-gamma atmospheric turbulence

Mitigation of distortion due to gamma-gamma turbulence is examined for propagation along a low-altitude slanted path using acousto-optic chaos and the Huffnagel-Valley model. System performance is measured using bit error rates and compared with non-chaotic propagation.
Open-Source EDA Tools and IP, A View from the Trenches

We describe our experience developing and promoting a set of open-source tools and IP over the last 9 years, including the Chisel hardware construction language, the Rocket Chip SoC generator, and the BAG analog layout generator.
Acupuncture: Real-world patient-reported outcomes of treatment-related symptoms in breast cancer survivors.

e23111Background: Acupuncture has been shown to reduce aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgias, as well as possibly hot flashes and fatigue, but research has been limited. The purpose of this study...
The Physics of Core-Collapse Supernova Explosions

Fresh insights and powerful numerical tools are revitalizing the theoretical exploration of the supernova mechanism. The realization that the protoneutron star is Rayleigh-Taylor unstable at various times and radii and, hence, that a multi-dimensional perspective is required is one agent of this revolution. However, a new physical understanding of the nature of explosions (even spherical explosions) that are driven by neutrino heating and that escape from deep within a gravitational potential well is also emerging. This, together with the new multi-dimensional approach, promises to establish a paradigm within which supernova explosions and their consequences can be studied in the future.
Understanding Filter Bubbles and Polarization in Social Networks

Recent studies suggest that social media usage -- while linked to an increased diversity of information and perspectives for users -- has exacerbated user polarization on many issues. A popular theory for this phenomenon centers on the concept of "filter bubbles": by automatically recommending content that a user is likely to agree with, social network algorithms create echo chambers of similarly-minded users that would not have arisen otherwise. However, while echo chambers have been observed in real-world networks, the evidence for filter bubbles is largely post-hoc. In this work, we develop a mathematical framework to study the filter bubble theory. We modify the classic Friedkin-Johnsen opinion dynamics model by introducing another actor, the network administrator, who filters content for users by making small changes to the edge weights of a social network (for example, adjusting a news feed algorithm to change the level of interaction between users). On real-world networks from Reddit and Twitter, we show that when the network administrator is incentivized to reduce disagreement among users, even relatively small edge changes can result in the formation of echo chambers in the network and increase user polarization. We theoretically support this observed sensitivity of social networks to outside intervention by analyzing synthetic graphs generated from the stochastic block model. Finally, we show that a slight modification to the incentives of the network administrator can mitigate the filter bubble effect while minimally affecting the administrator's target objective, user disagreement.
Towards the detection of partial feature interactions

Discrete feature interactions occur when the presence of overlapping, yet conflicting, features impact the functionality of an entire system such that one or more features are unsatisfied. However, adaptive systems may mitigate uncertainty by composing features from requirements that may be partially satisfied or partially unsatisfied (i.e., satisficed). In contrast to discrete interactions, these satisficed features that are composed of satisficed requirements may be partially unsatisfied due to a feature interaction. Feature interactions, in the case of satisficement, result in a proportional trade-off between conflicting objectives rather than a complete, or discrete, failure of features or the system. In this paper, we propose a new concept, partial feature interactions, to represent the class of feature interactions that allow for satisficement trade-offs between conflicting features. We also describe a method to reduce the dimensionality of the satisficement trade-offs to be reviewed when assessing the severity of the n-way interactions. Finally, we present a method for identifying Pareto optimal trade-offs among the conflicting features using the reduced dimensionality in order to detect partial feature interactions and multiple candidate adaptation points. We apply our method to an exemplar feature interaction from the automotive domain.
Stuck in the middle: Ideology, valence and the electoral failures of centrist parties

In recent years centrist-liberal parties, such as the German Free Democratic Party (FDP) in 2013 and the British Liberal Democrats in 2015 and 2017, suffered enormous electoral defeats. These defeats highlight a prominent puzzle in the study of party competition and voting behavior; the empty center phenomenon. That is, empirical evidence suggests that most parties do not converge to the median voter's position, despite the centripetal force of the voters’ preference distribution. Using survey data from Canada, Finland, Germany and the United Kingdom, this article shows that deterioration of centrist parties’ valence image is followed by a collapse of their vote shares. Using mathematical simulations, this article shows that centrist parties have limited strategic opportunities to regain their support. Differently from other parties, centrist parties cannot alter their policy platforms to compensate for their deteriorated valence image. These results have important implications for political representation and voters–elite linkages.
Cytopathology of Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma: a report of 5 cases.

Introduction Xp11.2 translocation-associated RCC (Xp11RCC) defined by molecular alterations involving TFE3 genetic rearrangements constitutes a large percentage of primary renal neoplasms in children, but less than 4% of adult cases. Fewer than 10 single case reports constitute the English cytopathology literature regarding this neoplasm. Our objective is to describe and illustrate the cytopathology of this uncommon renal neoplasm from a series of 5 cases using cytologic imprints, effusion specimens, and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. Materials and methods Review was made of our cytopathology and surgical pathology databases. FNA biopsy smears and imprint smears were performed using a standard technique. Effusion samples were processed using liquid-based slides. Results Five cytologic specimens from 4 patients with histopathologically confirmed Xp11RCC were identified (mean age: 36 years) over a period of 7 years. All cases contained large cells with voluminous amounts of vacuolated cytoplasm arranged in non-descript clusters and as single forms. A “tigroid” pattern consisting of linear strips of detached cytoplasm was seen in both imprint smear cases and the single FNA case. Psammomatous calcifications, true papillary structures, and hyaline globules were absent in all cases. Four examples were diagnosed as Xp11RCC, but 3 represented metastatic disease, and 1 was diagnosed using both cytology and core needle tissue histopathology. The remaining case was diagnosed nonspecifically as a clear cell malignant neoplasm. Conclusions The cytopathologic features of Xp1RCC are relatively nonspecific, and overlap with other renal cell carcinoma subtypes. A definitive diagnosis is only possible with ancillary immunohistochemistry with or without additional TFE3 fluorescence in situ hybridization.
TREATMENT OF TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION IN LATE-LIFE: THE OPTIMUM STUDY

Abstract TRD is the norm, not the exception in older depressed adults, as most fail to remit with standard antidepressant pharmacotherapy. Understanding the benefits vs. risk of medication is crucial for this population, however, evidence from clinical trials comparing effectiveness and safety of pharmacological strategies in TRD older adults unresponsive is limited. The Optimum study, funded by PCORI, is a 5-center collaboration that will recruit 1500 patients over 60 with TRD. The OPTIMUM trial, study design in below diagram, will provide evidence on the comparative effectiveness of switching versus augmentation strategies. This trial will be conducted in the community, with patients receiving treatment from their own physicians, with decision support from the OPTIMUM team to guide them through the two-step algorithm. The investigators will also explore how aging-related factors affect the benefits and risks of different antidepressant strategies. This pivotal study will provide information that helps older adults get effective treatment while improving their quality of life and minimizing risks of medications. The study is now in its third year and has recruited over 660 patients. In this symposium the first presentation will be about the development of the study design, the choices that were made, processes for stakeholder engagement, challenges, and lessons learned in the early phases of OPTIMUM. The second presentation will present descriptive data on the subjects recruited to date. The last presentation will be an open discussion between the audience and the Optimum investigators with the particular focus on getting feedback from the clinicians treating TRD older patients on what they think can be learned form Optimum that would meaningfully inform their clinical practice.
Outcomes of pediatric patients with oncologic disease or following hematopoietic stem cell transplant supported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: The PEDECOR experience.

BACKGROUND Outcomes for patients with oncologic disease and/or after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) requiring intensive care unit admission have improved, but indications for and outcomes after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support in this population are poorly characterized. PROCEDURE We analyzed data from consecutive patients < 18 years with oncologic disease and/or after HSCT reported to a pediatric ECMO registry by nine pediatric centers in the United States between 2011 and 2018. RESULTS We identified 18 ECMO patients with oncologic disease and/or HSCT, and 415 ECMO controls matched with a propensity score algorithm based on age, gender, race, severity of illness at admission, and reason for ECMO. The primary indication for ECMO was respiratory failure in 66.7% in the oncologic disease and/or HSCT group, and in 70.7% in the matched ECMO control group. Eleven of 18 patients survived to hospital discharge (61.1%), similar to the matched control group (60.8%), P = 0.979. Children with oncologic disease and/or HSCT had lower mean platelet counts during ECMO and received higher volumes of platelets compared with the control group, mean 14.6 mL/kg/day (standard deviations [SD], 9.8) versus mean 9.3 mL/kg/day (SD, 10.4), P = 0.001. Of the 11 surviving children with oncologic disease and/or HSCT, five sustained new neurologic disorders (45.5%) versus 45 of 222 (20.3%) in the control group, P = 0.061. Bleeding complications were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Outcomes of patients with oncologic disease and/or HSCT supported on ECMO in the current era are not significantly different compared with matched ECMO controls and are improved from previously published reports.
The Effect of Marijuana on the Voice: A Pilot Study.

Summary Marijuana is derived from the cannabis sativa plant originating in central and southeast Asia. In recent years, there was increasing popularity and use of marijuana in addition to the legalization of its recreational use in eleven states. However, the effect of marijuana on the voice is still unclear. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived impacts marijuana has on voice by surveying patients from a voice center. The inquiry included smoking, vaping, edible marijuana, and cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Methods and materials: An anonymous, web-based questionnaire was sent to adult voice center patients. The survey was distributed using The Research Electronic Data Capture (RED-Cap) tool, hosted by Drexel University. The survey was designed to collect relevant demographic data, past laryngeal history, marijuana use history, and beliefs about effects of marijuana on voice. Results: The survey was sent to 434 voice patients, 42 patients responded to the survey (response rate 9.68%). The average age of respondents was 45.7 (13 were male, 27 were female, and 2 were transgender). Of all, 88.10% reported having never used tobacco, 9.52% were former tobacco users, and 2.38% were current tobacco users. Of all, 75.61% of the respondents reported having tried some form of marijuana during their lifetime (16.13% reported medical use, 45.16% reported recreational use). Out of all, 21.43% were frequent (monthly) users, and 39.29% were infrequent (yearly) marijuana smokers. They reported symptoms that they attributed to marijuana use, including hoarseness, breathiness, and weakness. Conclusion: Marijuana may have negative effects on the voice.
Laminar Mechanisms of Saccadic Suppression in Primate Visual Cortex

Saccades are a ubiquitous and crucial component of our visual system, allowing for the efficient deployment of the fovea and its accompanying neural resources. Initiation of a saccade is known to cause saccadic suppression, a temporary reduction in visual sensitivity1,2 and visual cortical firing rates3-6. While saccadic suppression has been well characterized at the level of perception and single neurons, relatively little is known about the visual cortical networks governing this phenomenon. Here we examine the effects of saccadic suppression on distinct neural subpopulations within area V4. We find cortical layer- and cell type-specific differences in the magnitude and timing of peri-saccadic modulation. Neurons in the input layer show changes in firing rate and inter-neuronal correlations prior to saccade onset, suggesting that this layer receives information about impending saccades. Putative inhibitory interneurons in the input layer elevate their firing rate during saccades and may suppress the activity of other cortical subpopulations. A computational model of this circuit recapitulates our empirical observations and demonstrates that an input layer-targeting pathway can initiate saccadic suppression by enhancing local inhibitory activity. Together, our results provide a mechanistic understanding of how eye movement signaling interacts with cortical circuitry to enforce visual stability.
ForSense: Accelerating Online Research Through Sensemaking Integration and Machine Research Support

Online research is a frequent and important activity people perform on the Internet, yet current support for this task is basic, fragmented and not well integrated into web browser experiences. Guided by sensemaking theory, we present ForSense, a browser extension for accelerating people’s online research experience. The two primary sources of novelty of ForSense are the integration of multiple stages of online research and providing machine assistance to the user by leveraging recent advances in neural-driven machine reading. We use ForSense as a design probe to explore (1) the benefits of integrating multiple stages of online research, (2) the opportunities to accelerate online research using current advances in machine reading, and (3) the opportunities to support online research tasks under the presence of imprecise machine suggestions. In our study, we observe people performing online research tasks, and see that they benefit from ForSense’s integration and machine support for online research. From our study, we derive and share key recommendations for designing and supporting imprecise machine assistance for research tasks.
Is comprehensiveness critical? Comparing short and long format cognitive assessments in preclinical Alzheimer disease.

Comprehensive testing of cognitive functioning is standard practice in studies of Alzheimer disease (AD). Short-form tests like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) use a “sampling” of measures, administering key items in a shortened format to efficiently assess cognition while reducing time requirements, participant burden, and administrative costs. We compared the MoCA to a commonly used long-form cognitive battery in predicting AD symptom onset and sensitivity to AD neuroimaging biomarkers. Survival, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), and multiple regression analyses compared the MoCA and long-form measures in predicting time to symptom onset in cognitively normal older adults (n = 6230) from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) cohort who had, on average, 2.3 ± 1.2 annual assessments. Multiple regression models in a separate sample (n = 416) from the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center (Knight ADRC) compared the sensitivity of the MoCA and long-form measures to neuroimaging biomarkers including amyloid PET, tau PET, and cortical thickness. Hazard ratios suggested that both the MoCA and the long-form measures are similarly and modestly efficacious in predicting symptomatic conversion, although model comparison analyses indicated that the long-form measures slightly outperformed the MoCA (HRs > 1.57). AUC analyses indicated no difference between the measures in predicting conversion (DeLong’s test, Z = 1.48, p = 0.13). Sensitivity to AD neuroimaging biomarkers was similar for the two measures though there were only modest associations with tau PET (rs = − 0.13, ps < 0.02) and cortical thickness in cognitively normal participants (rs = 0.15–0.16, ps < 0.007). Both test formats showed weak associations with symptom onset, AUC analyses indicated low diagnostic accuracy, and biomarker correlations were modest in cognitively normal participants. Alternative assessment approaches are needed to improve how clinicians and researchers monitor cognitive changes and disease progression prior to symptom onset.
Compensation Effect Exhibited by Gold Bimetallic Nanoparticles during CO Oxidation.

While CO oxidation catalyzed by gold nanoparticles has been practiced academically for several decades, there are still important discoveries to be made. One area of current interest is to pair Au with another alloying metal and observe the catalytic consequences of the presence of the other metal. In this work, TiO2-supported bimetallic Au nanoparticles are alloyed with Cu, Co, Ni, Pd, and Ru and used as catalysts for CO oxidation. Two synthetic methods for the alloys are presented: a strong electrostatic adsorption (SEA) method and a sterically demanding ligand synthesis (SDLS) method which uses triphenylphosphine (TPP) as the ligand. The catalytic performance of the materials synthesized with the SEA and SDLS methods is compared in CO oxidation. The results indicate that the materials tested present an enthalpy-entropy compensation effect. Interestingly, both the enthalpy of activation, ΔH‡, and the entropy of activation, ΔS‡, generally decrease with particle size. AuCo and AuRu materials exhibit a decrease in the overall activity as compared to Au and the other Au alloys when synthesized via SEA. Au face-centered-cubic alloys AuCu, AuNi, and AuPd prepared via SEA show an improvement in activity compared to monometallic Au in our reaction conditions. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy presents two distinct regions for Au bimetallics where AuCo and AuRu show peak positions in the region of 2070-2050 cm-1, indicating a weaker interaction for AuCo and AuRu with CO when compared to that of the other alloys. For the SDLS method samples, the hypothesis is that TPP would enhance the CO oxidation rate by enhancing the charge transfer to the metallic surface. The results indicate that SDLS samples have lower CO oxidation rates and if any charge transfer occurs, it is masked by the lateral interactions of the CO π bonds and the phenyl groups of TPP.
Nonstandard methods for additive and combinatorial number theory. A survey

In this article my research on the subject described in the title is summarized. I am not the only person who has worked on this subject. For example, several interesting articles by Steve Leth [21], [22], [23] were published around 1988. I would like to apologize to the reader that no efforts have been made by the author to include other people’s research.
Thinking Critically About Equality: Government Can Make Us Equal

As kids we called it having to use the old noodle: needing to think real hard about something that was real hard to think about. It was the kind of thinking that would cause your face to get all scrunched up, and if you didn't stop or if someone didn't stop you - it would eventually make your head hurt. The expression came from our families when we figured something out: that's using your old noodle, they'd tell us. The noodle we eventually understood to be our brains, which, we reckon, do look something like noodles, though we were quite unaware of that fact. At the time, using your noodle was just one of those things our folks would say, and we could make sense of in a practical sort of way. There is no rule that only kids can use the old noodle: you don't have to stop when you grow up, even if you do call it something more distinguished, like problem solving or critical thinking. The authors of this article are grown-up law teachers, which means that, whatever they call it, they are pretty much professional noodle users. This brings us to our problem. Explaining his opposition to even the mildest form of affirmative action Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas offered the anti-egalitarian maxim for the new millennium: Government cannot make us equal. Some folks see something quite appealing in this pithy little quote. Its attraction, however is superficial. In fact, we are fairly certain that the proposition is quite wrong. Government can make us equal, and, under current circumstances, it should. But demonstrating the errors in the proposition is no easy matter. It will take, we think, some serious use of the old noodle. Fortunately, on this score, we have had good role models: our folks, our families, our friends. And Rodrigo. Professor Richard Delgado is one of the founders of Critical Race Theory. He offers a template for critical thinking in two senses - not just the radicalism associated with Critical Legal Studies (CLS) and Critical Race Theory (CRT) of questioning received wisdom, but more importantly, critical thinking in the most basic philosophical sense. He is concerned with the criteria by which we test notions of justice, fairness, and equality - in short, the criteria of knowledge and reasoning. In this article, we develop the idea of critical thinking as a concept of basic philosophy and race reform. By critical thinking, we mean both the criteria of good reasoning and propositions that, if widely understood, would make a large percentage of the populace revise its background beliefs and world views. To operationalize this concept of critical thinking, we apply it to test Justice Thomas's assertion that Government cannot make us equal.
Sensitivities of Foodborne Pathogens to Pressure Changes

Eight foodborne pathogens were suspended in ultrahigh-temperature whole milk and treated at pressure levels of 0.1 to 690 MPa at 21.5°C for 10 min. There was no clear trend in pressure resistance between gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. The order of the single strains tested, from most to least pressure sensitive, was Vibrio parahaemolyticus < Yersinia enterocolitica < Listeria monocytogenes < Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium < S. enterica serovar Enteritidis < Escherichia coli O157:H7 ≃ Staphylococcus aureus < Shigella flexneri. For each organism there existed a pressure range in which log(number of survivors) had a near linear relationship when plotted versus treatment pressure level. In this study, a decimal reduction pressure (DP) value was defined and used to measure the sensitivity of these pathogens to pressure changes. L. monocytogenes and V. parahaemolyticus were most sensitive to pressure changes, and S. flexneri was most resistant. The DP values were 16.3 MPa for L. monocytogen...
Robust dual stage HDD track follow control systems design for hand-off shaping

One of the challenges for the controller in a two-stage actuator system is determining the relative output contribution of the stages as a function of frequency. Two popular methods for controller design for two stage disk drive systems are /spl mu/-synthesis, and the PQ method. The PQ method specifically exploits the two-stage structure, while /spl mu/-synthesis is a more general multi-input multi-output (MIMO) robust control technique. This paper compares a design using /spl mu/-synthesis alone with a design using a combination of the PQ method and /spl mu/-synthesis. Both approaches account for modeling uncertainty in the primary actuator.
The Problem of the Redshifts

It is my intention in this brief paper to present once again some of the evidence which appears to show that a major contribution to the redshifts of QSOs and perhaps some galaxies is not associated with the expansion of the universe. The evidence continues to grow and it is of four kinds: (a) Evidence concerning galaxies with discrepant redshifts. (b) Connections between QSOs and galaxies. (c) Statistical information concerning the association of QSOs with galaxies. (d) Individual and very striking examples of pairings between QSOs and bright galaxies.
Meanings of Violence: A Cross Cultural Perspective.

Meanings of Violence:. Cross Cultural Perspective. Goran Aijmer and Jon Abbink. eds. New York: New York University Press, 2000. 256 pp.
Changing the Paradigm: Simulation, a Method of First Resort

Abstract : The computing capability to which Operations Research (OR) analysts have access today is over 1,000,000,000 times more powerful than the first simulation pioneers had sixty years ago, yet the concept that simulation is a method of last resort still plagues the OR community. Many real-world problems are complex, with properties such as high dimensionality, non-linear effects, stochastic elements, and dependence between variables. Solving these problems analytically often requires simplifying assumptions, running the risk of making a Type III error (i.e., getting the right answer to the wrong problem). This paper explores the development of computer simulation, and the key design principles that must be followed, to demonstrate how simulation is often the appropriate tool in understanding complex, real-world problems. Contrasting the results of a recently published analytical approach to the analysis of an airport check-in counter scheduling problem versus those of a simulation study of the same system, we demonstrate that simulation can quickly provide the same answers with any desired degree of precision and with no loss of insight. More importantly, simulation can easily use both empirical data and more realistic assumptions-which allows for the analyst to address the right problem. With current computational capabilities and methods, it is time to change the paradigm. Simulation is a method of first resort.
Beyond spatial pooling: Fine-grained representation learning in multiple domains

Object recognition systems have shown great progress over recent years. However, creating object representations that are robust to changes in viewpoint while capturing local visual details continues to be a challenge. In particular, recent convolutional architectures employ spatial pooling to achieve scale and shift invariances, but they are still sensitive to out-of-plane rotations. In this paper, we formulate a probabilistic framework for analyzing the performance of pooling. This framework suggests two directions for improvement. First, we apply multiple scales of filters coupled with different pooling granularities, and second we make use of color as an additional pooling domain, thereby reducing the sensitivity to spatial deformations. We evaluate our algorithm on the object instance recognition task using two independent publicly available RGB-D datasets, and demonstrate significant improvements over the current state-of-the-art. In addition, we present a new dataset for industrial objects to further validate the effectiveness of our approach versus other state-of-the-art approaches for object recognition using RGB-D data.
Isolation and Characterization of a Lactose-Positive Strain of Proteus morganii

The characterization of a lactose-positive Proteus morganii is presented. The increased incidence of such atypical microorganisms emphasizes the need for a thorough examination of Escherichia coli-like colonies by clinical microbiologists.
Millimeter-wave phase modulator based on vanadium dioxide meta-surfaces

We present an electronically-controlled vanadium dioxide (VO 2 )-based millimeter-wave phase modulator. The phase modulator consists of a resonant meta-surface fabricated on a thin VO 2 film integrated with a voltage-controlled heating electrode layer. By varying the applied voltage to the heating electrodes we control the electromagnetic properties of the VO 2 layer and shift the resonance frequency of the mata-surface, which results in a significant phase shift near the resonance frequency. Using the presented phase modulator design, we experimentally demonstrate the highest reported phase modulation of 60° at 85 GHz through a fully-integrated voltage-controlled device platform.
Segmenting consumers based on the benefits and risks of Internet shopping

Abstract An analytical model is developed to examine the role perceived benefits and risks of online shopping play in forming consumer preferences for online shopping. Two dimensions of perceived risk are considered in the model. Product risks follow from the consumers' inability to examine products online. Security Risks follow from the consumers' fear that the open Internet network would allow their personal data to be compromised. We segment the sample based on their sensitivity to the benefits and risks of Internet shopping. The segments are profiled based on their demographics. We hypothesize how the two dimensions of risks will vary across the segment characteristics. The model is calibrated on national survey data collected online. The hypotheses were largely supported by the data.
Adenin-1-ium hydrogen isophthalate di­methyl­formamide monosolvate

In the title proton-transfer organic salt, C5H6.3N5+·C8H4.7O4−·C3H7NO, the adeninium moiety is protonated at the N atom in the 1-position of the 6-amino-7H-purin-1-ium (adeninium) cation. In the solid state, the second acidic proton of isophthalic acid is partially transferred to the imidazole N atom of the adeninium cation [refined O—H versus N—H ratio = 0.70 (11):0.30 (11)]. Through the partially transferred proton, the adeninium cation is strongly hydrogen bonded (N—H⋯O/O—H⋯N) to the isophthalate anion. This strong inter­action is assisted by another N—H⋯O hydrogen bond originating from the adeninium NH2 group towards the isophthalate keto O atom, with an R22(8) graph-set motif. This arrangement is linked via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to the O atoms of the carboxyl­ate group of an isophthalate anion. Together, these hydrogen bonds lead to the formation criss-cross zigzag isophthalate⋯adeninium chains lying parallel to (501) and (50-1). The adeninium cations and the isophthalate anions are arranged in infinite π stacks that extend along the c-axis direction [inter­planar distance = 3.305 (3) A]. Mol­ecules are inclined with respect to this direction and within the stacks they are offset by ca. half a mol­ecule each. Combination of the N—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds with the π–π inter­actions forms infinitely stacked isophthalate⋯adeninium chains, thus leading to a two-dimensional supra­molecular structure with parallel inter­digitating layers formed by the π stacked isophthalate⋯adeninium chains. The DMF mol­ecules of crystallization are bonded to the adeninium cations through strong N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and project into the lattice space in between the anions and cations. There are also C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds present which, combined with the other inter­actions, form a three-dimensional network. The crystal under investigation was found to be split and was handled as if non-merohedrally twinned.
Button up Your Social Studies Classroom

(1996). Button up Your Social Studies Classroom. The Social Studies: Vol. 87, No. 2, pp. 52-55.
Atopic dermatitis prevention

A shift in focus from disease therapy toward disease prevention is occurring in many medical specialties, including dermatology. There are no generally accepted strategies for the prevention of atopic dermatitis. Most research has focused on allergen avoidance and has not produced consistently effective interventions. Immune cell modulation and skin barrier protection are examples of new approaches that hold promise for preventing, or modifying the course of, this common disease.
Variability of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone Simulated by an Atmospheric General Circulation Model

Interannual and decadal variability of the South Atlantic convergence zone (SACZ) during austral summer [season January‐February‐March (JFM)] is investigated. An attempt is made to separate the forced variability from the internal variability. This is accomplished by applying a signal-to-noise optimization procedure to an ensemble of multidecadal integrations of the latest version of the NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM3) forced with observed SST. The result yields two dominant forced atmospheric responses: a local response to Atlantic SST anomalies with interannual-decadal timescales and a remote response to Pacific SST anomalies at interannual timescales. The former is localized within the South Atlantic Ocean with almost no signal over land, consisting of a dipolelike structure in precipitation close to the coast of South America accompanied by a clockwise anomalous circulation of surface winds. The latter manifests itself mainly in the upper-level circulation, consisting of a northeastward shift of the SACZ with associated rainfall anomalies during warm ENSO events.
High performance solution-processed thin-film transistors based on In 2 O 3 nanocrystals

Metal-oxide semiconductors have received a great deal of focus in recent years as a means of realizing transparent electronics for next generation display applications; such materials are expected to enable the realization of transparent pixel transistors for display that do not block light, enabling realization of brighter displays with higher aperture ratio. In recent years, the demonstration of amorphous thin films of transition metal oxides with mobility an order of magnitude greater than that of amorphous silicon has resulted in dramatic interest and rapid advances in the field [1]. In particular, solution processable routes are considered particularly attractive since they may allow for low-cost fabrication techniques based on printing. There have been various reports of sol-gel based approaches to printable electronics based on these systems [2–4]; however, an approach utilizing colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals has several distinct advantages. First, the high temperature required for crystal nucleation and growth can occur during the synthesis phase, thus decoupling the high temperature crystallization step from the processing constraints of the substrate. Second, and possibly even more importantly, using nanocrystals as the starting point for inorganic semiconducting inks may provide better control over the stoichiometry of the material, more consistent film composition, and a pathway towards controlled doping of the channel material. Here we report a synthesis of indium oxide nanocrystals, and the fabrication conditions that result in high-performance TFTs based on the same.
Urinary Tract Infection Caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus

This study was designed to determine whether Staphylococcus saprophyticus was an important cause of urinary tract infection (UTI), as has been reported by European, but not by American, investigators, S. saprophyticus was the second most common cause of UTI in young (mean age, 20 years), sexually active female outpatients without known preexisting kidney disease or preceding manipulation of the urinary tract. Most cases presented as acute cystitis, but frank pyelonephritis and UTI in pregnant females were observed. The organism was rarely found as a contaminant in urine cultures. When present in the mucocutaneous flora of the anal-urogenital area, the organism was significantly associated with UTI by the same organism. These results show that S. saprophyticus should be accepted as an important urinary tract pathogen of young female patients in the United States. A simple adequate laboratory identification may be based on resistance to novobiocin (disk diffusion test), absence of hemolysis and coagulase, and intense pigment production (65% of strains yellow, 35% white).
Water Quality in the Near Coastal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Affected by Hurricane Katrina: Before and After the Storm

Water quality was assessed following Hurricane Katrina in the affected waters of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Post-landfall water quality was compared to pre-hurricane conditions using indicators assessed by EPA’s National Coastal Assessment program and additional indicators of contaminants in water and pathogens. Water quality data collected after Hurricane Katrina suggest that the coastal waters affected by the storm exhibited higher salinity and concentrations of chlorophyll a, dissolved inorganic phosphorus, and total suspended solids following the storm compared to the previous 5-year averages. Higher bottom dissolved oxygen concentrations and light attenuation were also observed. Contaminant concentrations measured in the water column were very low or undetectable, as were the presence of pathogens. Overall water quality did not significantly differ from water quality assessed in the five years preceding the storm. Statistical analyses indicate that use of a probabilistic survey design is appropriate for making pre-storm and post storm comparisons for water quality condition on an areal basis.
Using Natural Language And Voice To Control High Level Tasks In A Robotics Environment

RCA's Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL) has implemented an integrated system which permits control of high level tasks in a robotics environment through voice input in the form of natural language syntax. The paper to be presented will outline the architecture used to integrate voice recognition and synthesis hardware and natural language and intelligent reasoning software with a supervisory processor that controls robotic and vision operations in the robotic testbed. The application is intended to give the human operator of a Puma 782 industrial robot the ability to combine joystick teleoperation with voice input in order to provide a flexible man-machine interface in a hands-busy environment. The system is designed to give the operator a speech interface which is unobtrusive and undemanding in terms of predetermined syntax requirements. The voice recognizer accepts continuous speech and the natural language processor accepts full and partial sentence fragments and can perform a fair amount of disambiguation and context analysis. Output to the operator comes via the parallel channel of speech synthesis so that the operator does not have to consult the computer's CRT for messages. The messages are generated from the software and offer warnings about unacceptable situations, confirmations of actions completed, and feedback of system data.
Journal publication in economics: a view from the periphery*

In this paper we point to special problems faced by economists in 'peripheral' fields (like development economics), particularly those at early stages of their career, in publishing their research results in mainline journals, and how this creates a kind of vicious circle that may be damaging to our profession. Given the supreme importance of publication in journals for advancement in our profession it is not surprising that a fair amount of attention has been paid to analysing its patterns and trends.' The purpose of this short paper is to point to some specific problems faced by economists who write not primarily in the areas of mainstream concern in economics, but in the somewhat peripheral fields (like development, history, urban economics, etc.). These problems are largely neglected in the general analysis of journal publication. Having myself toiled for many years in the field of development economics, guided many young students in that field and edited one of the main field journals, I may have acquired over the years some understanding of the problems that economists in such peripheral fields, particularly those who are not yet established or tenured, face in the highly competitive world of journal publication. While many of my examples will be drawn from this field, I understand that some of the other fields have also encountered similar problems. I am writing this in the hope that some general awareness of these problems may enhance the quality of competition and productivity in this market and broaden the range of our professional priorities and concerns. Let me start with what many young economists in these peripheral fields will describe to you as a Catch-22. When they submit their papers to the mainline journals, they are often sent back (sometimes without a review, or with a cursory one) with the advice that they should try a field journal instead; and yet at tenure time the tenure committee is prone to count the number of papers in mainline journals. I know of cases where tenure has been denied to candidates with a fair number of splendid articles in field journals but a paucity of articles in the top three or four mainline journals (of course, not for their lack of trying) and at the time of denial they have sometimes been explicitly told so.