cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Motion Detection and Adaptation in Crayfish Photoreceptors A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Linear Movement Sensitivity

Impulse and sine wave responses of crayfish photoreceptors were examined to establish the limits and the parameters of linear behavior. These receptors exhibit simple low pass behavior which is well described by the transfer function of a linear resistor-capacitor cascade of three to five stages, each with the same time constant (tau). Additionally, variations in mean light intensity modify tau twofold and the contrast sensitivity by fourfold. The angular sensitivity profile is Gaussian and the acceptance angle (phi) increases 3.2-fold with dark adaptation. The responses to moving stripes of positive and negative contrast were measured over a 100-fold velocity range. The amplitude, phase, and waveform of these responses were predicted from the convolution of the receptor's impulse response and angular sensitivity profile. A theoretical calculation based on the convolution of a linear impulse response and a Gaussian sensitivity profile indicates that the sensitivity to variations in stimulus velocity is determined by the ratio phi/tau. These two parameters are sufficient to predict the velocity of the half-maximal response over a wide range of ambient illumination levels. Because phi and tau vary in parallel during light adaptation, it is inferred that many arthropods can maintain approximately constant velocity sensitivity during large shifts in mean illumination and receptor time constant. The results are discussed relative to other arthropod and vertebrate receptors and the strategies that have evolved for movement detection in varying ambient illumination.
Overview of Nanoscale Energetic Materials Research at Los Alamos

Metastable Intermolecular Composite (MIC) materials are comprised of a mixture of oxidizer and fuel with particle sizes in the nanometer range. Characterizing their ignition and combustion is an ongoing effort at Los Alamos. In this paper we will present some recent studies at Los Alamos aimed at developing a better understanding of ignition and combustion of MIC materials. Ignition by impact has been studied using a laboratory gas gun using nano-aluminum (Al) and nano-tantalum (Ta) as the reducing agent and bismuth (III) oxide (Bi 2 O 3 ) as the oxidant. As expected from the chemical potential, the Al containing composites gave higher peak pressures. It was found, for the Al/Bi 2 O 3 system, that impact velocity under observed conditions plays no role in the pressure output until approximately 100 m/s, below which speed, impact energy is insufficient to ignite the reaction. This makes the experiment more useful in evaluating the reactive performance. Replacing the atmosphere on impact with an inert gas reduced both the amount of light produced and the realized peak pressure. The combustion of low-density MIC powders has also been studied. To better understand the reaction mechanisms of burning MIC materials, dynamic electrical conductivity measurements have been performed on a MIC material for the first time. Simultaneous optical measurements of the wave front position have shown that the reaction and conduction fronts are coincident within 160 μm.
Physics of unconventional shale gas reservoirs for a long-term production perspective

A simple unconventional reservoir model is developed that accounts for complex physics affecting production from hydraulically-fractured wells in shale resources. Integrating these physics and evaluating their order of importance on future production of an unconventional reservoir is very essential. The proposed model divides the formation into three zones, rock matrix (I), induced-fracture (II) and hydraulic fracture (III) that hold varying characteristics. Also, a history matching process with Marcellus shale field production data is performed in order to obtain the most uncertain parameters defined in the model. Results showed that combined effect of permeability losses of hydraulic and induced-fracture zones results in 15% gas production drop in 30 years. It is also concluded that the minimum ingredients required for long-term production forecast of unconventional shale gas reservoirs are considering two physics; shale surface methane desorption along with pressure-dependent permeability for fracture network and other physical phenomena are inconsequential. [Received: August 12, 2014; Accepted: December 13, 2014]
Manipulating Face Gender: Effects on Categorization and Recognition Judgments

Previous research has shown that faces coded as pixel-based images may be constructed from an appropriately weighted combination of statistical "features" (eigenvectors) which are useful for discriminating members of a learned set of images. We have shown previously that two of the most heavily weighted features are important in predicting face gender. Using a simple computational model, we adjusted weightings of these features in more masculine and more feminine directions for both male and female adult Caucasian faces. In Experiment 1, cross-gender face image alterations (e.g., feminizing male faces) reduced both gender classification speed and accuracy for young adult Caucasian observers, whereas same-gender alterations (e.g., masculinizing male faces) had no effect as compared to unaltered controls. Effects on femininity-masculinity ratings mirrored those obtained on gender classification speed and accuracy. We controlled statistically for possible effects of image distortion incurred by our gender manipulations. In Experiment 2 we replicated the same pattern of accuracy data. Combined, these data indicate the psychological relevance of the features derived from the computational model. Despite having different effects on the ease of gender classification, neither sort of gender alteration negatively impacted face recognition (Experiment 3), yielding evidence for a model of face recognition wherein gender and familiarity processing proceed in parallel.
Investigating the impact of oxygen concentration and blood flow variation on photodynamic therapy.

Type II photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used for cancer treatment based on the combined action of a photosensitizer, a special wavelength of light, oxygen (3O2) and generation of singlet oxygen (1O2). Intra-patient and inter-patient variability of oxygen concentration ([3O2]) before and after the treatment as well as photosensitizer concentration and hemodynamic parameters such as blood flow during PDT has been reported. Simulation of these variations is valuable, as it would be a means for the rapid assessment of treatment effect. A mathematical model has been previously developed to incorporate the diffusion equation for light transport in tissue and the macroscopic kinetic equations for simulation of [3O2], photosensitizers in ground and triplet states and concentration of the reacted singlet oxygen ([1O₂]rx) during PDT. In this study, the finite-element based calculation of the macroscopic kinetic equations is done for 2-(1- Hexyloxyethyl)-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide (HPPH)-mediated PDT by incorporating the information of the photosensitizer photochemical parameters as well as the tissue optical properties, photosensitizer concentration, initial oxygen concentration ([3O2]0), blood flow changes and Φ that have been measured in mice bearing radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF) tumors. Then, [1O2]rx calculated by using the measured [3O2] during the PDT is compared with [1O2]rx calculated based on the simulated [3O₂]; both calculations showed a reasonably good agreement. Moreover, the impacts of the blood flow changes and [3O2]0 on [1O2]rx have been investigated, which showed no pronounced effect of the blood flow changes on the long-term 1O2 generation. When [3O2]0 becomes limiting, small changes in [3O₂] have large effects on [1O2]rx.
Political Commentary on the History of Political Theory

The phrasing of the title telegraphs the thesis of this essay: study of the history of political theory ought to be understood and approached as a branch of political studies. Prior to the postwar success of empirical political science, the view would have seemed unexceptional. But the need for a defense against the empiricist attack impelled many theorists to turn to theories of interpretation in search of a philosophical and methodological identity. A preoccupation with issues of interpretation now threatens the customary, political study of the tradition. This essay, written in defense of a political understanding of the field, identifies fundamental propositions distinguishing "political commentary" and suggests critical standards appropriate to the enterprise. It also criticizes two currently fashionable applications of interpretative theory to the study of politics, historicist commentary and hermeneutical political science.
Stimulation of release and synthesis of growth hormone (GH) in tissue cultures of anterior pituitaries in response to GH-releasing hormone (GH-RH).

SummaryAddition of small amounts of pure or highly purified porcine GH-RH twice daily to rat anterior pituitary tissue, maintained for 5 days in Trowell's T8 medium, significantly increased the amounts of GH in the medium and tissues relative to the controls as measured by bioassay. Apparent incorporation of radioactive amino acids into the GH bands on polyacrylamide gels after electrophoresis of medium and tissue was increased also. These results support other findings from this laboratory on the identity and properties of this neurohormone.We are grateful to Mrs. C. Wooderson, Miss Nancy Moreland, and Miss K. Beightol for technical assistance and to the Endocrinology Study Section of the NIH for gifts of GH standard.
Experientially educating future consultants: benefits, challenges, and constructs

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss experiential education as a way to develop future consultants in human resource management and marketing with the goal of developing consulting competence. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper that proposes, outlines, and discusses a model, containing 11 dimensions of consulting competence. Findings – The conceptual model includes 11 building blocks: foreign language competence, non-verbal competence, perception of cultural distance, cultural self-awareness, knowledge, skills, motivation, effectiveness, appropriateness, contextual interaction patterns, and affinity. Considerations for each of these elements are introduced and discussed. Practical implications – This model and the explanation of its components should guide management and marketing educators in their efforts to build and develop experiential education programs of excellence. Originality/value – The model proposed and outline in this paper will assist institutions of highe...
Managing disruptive innovation with technology acquisitions: the informing case of software-based high-technology industries

ABSTRACTIn high-technology industries, the use of acquisitions as a means of sourcing expertise is important, because it provides a potential remedy to the challenges of disruptive innovation. Investigating this issue empirically in the context of software-based high-technology industries with nested econometric, large-scale descriptive and case study methods confirms a substitutive relationship between acquisitions and firms’ own research activities as a main driver. This relationship confirms that acquisitions are a remedy for disruptive innovations. For a subset of acquisitions, this is related to target characteristics, which reveals that acquisition waves do not explain the timing of acquisitions. This confirms that for software-based industries, disruptive innovation theory needs to be modified, in that the large incumbents need not be tied to an existing technological trajectory. Specifically, those incumbents with low patenting intensity acquire targets with many prior patents, and in doing so avo...
Erythrocyte autoantibody associated with alpha-methyldopa: heterogeneity of structure and specificity.

A case of Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia associated with alpha-methyldopa therapy was studied with particular attention to the structure and specificity of the erythrocyte autoantibodies. Eluted auotantibodies were found to be heterogeneous in both respects. Serologic evidence was obtained for the presence of at least four antibody specificities, all possibly related to the Rh complex: "anti-e," "anti-c," and at least two additional specificities for undefined antigens which may be a part of the hypothetic Rh "core" or precursor substance. The autoantibody population was found to contain γG globulins with both κ and λ light chains and three heavy-chain subclasses, in proportions approximating those found in normal human serum. These findings are judged to be most compatible with a response of basically normal lymphoid tissue to some antigenic alteration brought about by alpha-methyldopa or a derivative.
Deployment Scenarios for Vehicles with Higher-Order Automation

Tragically, traffic accidents continue to be an everyday aspect of motor vehicle operation as evidenced by statistics.
Recent Trends in California Hispanic Fertility Rates— a Comparative Analysis

In this article we did a comparative analysis of recent trends and differentials in Hispanic fertility rates in the State of California. Hispanics, largely composed of individuals of Mexican origins, were the largest racial/ethnic minority population in the State of California from 1999 to 2001, composing roughly 30 percent of the population, contributed approximately 50 percent of the births during this period. Hispanics, compared to other racial/ethnic groups, have high teenage fertility rates, which persist throughout the reproductive years. Hispanic total fertility rates were well above replacement level fertility and higher than those of other racial/ethnic populations. Two prime policy issues related to human reproduction emerged from an analysis of the data—education and medical care. Although teenage fertility rates declined for all racial/ethnic groups during this period, they still remain high, especially for Hispanics and also for Blacks and American Indians, highlighting the need for education on human reproduction for teenagers. With high teenage fertility rates and a diverse racial/ethnic population, the need for more pervasive prenatal care, especially in the first trimester, also emerged as a significant policy issue. / En este articulo hicimos un analisis comparativo de tendencias recientes y diferenciales en las tasas de fertilidad de hispanos en el estado de California. Hispanos, los cuales estan compuestos mayormente por individuos de origen Mexicano, fueron el grupo etnico/racial mas grande de la poblacion minoritaria en el estado de California desde el 1999 a el 2001, de manera que componen mas o menos 30 porciento de la poblacion y contribuyen a aproximadamente 50 porciento de los nacimientos en este periodo. Hispanos, comparados con otros grupos etnicos/raciales, tienen altas tasas de fertilidad adolescente, las cuales persisten a traves de sus anos reproductivos. Las tasas totales de fertilidad para Hispanos estuvieron bastante sobre el nivel de reemplazo de fertilidad y mas altas que aquellas de otras poblaciones etnicas/raciales. Dos asuntos de politica relacionados a la reproduccion humana salieron del analisis de la data- educacion y cuidado medico. Aunque las tasas de fertilidad para adolescentes disminuyo para todos los grupos etnicos/raciales en este periodo, todavia permanecen muy altas, especialmente para los hispanos pero tambien para afro-americanos e Indios Americanos, senalando la necesidad de educar a nuestros adolescentes acerca de la reproduccion humana. Con las altas tasas de fertilidad de adolescentes y una poblacion etnica/racial tan diversa, existe la necesidad para cuidados prenatales mas permeables, especialmente en el primer trimestre de embarazo, lo cual tambien surgio ser un tema de politica muy significante.
Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Analytical hierarchy process is a method in multi-criteria decision-making field that helps the designer to select proper solution in complex multi-objective problems. The origin of the method goes back to 1970–1980s when Professor Thomas L. Saaty originated and developed this method. In his words “The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a theory of measurement through pairwise comparisons and relies on the judgements of experts to derive priority scales. It is these scales that measure intangibles in relative terms. The comparisons are made using a scale of absolute judgements that represents, how much more, one element dominates another with respect to a given attribute.”
Stakeholders' perceptions of ways to support decisions about health insurance marketplace enrollment: a qualitative study.

Approximately 29 million individuals are expected to enroll in health insurance using the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace by 2022. Those seeking health insurance struggle to understand insurance options and choose a plan that best suits their needs. We interviewed stakeholders to identify the challenges associated with the ACA Marketplace health insurance enrollment and elicited feedback about what to include in health insurance decision support tools. Interviews were transcribed and themes were identified using inductive thematic analysis. Stakeholders stated that consumers felt frustrated by unclear terminology, high plan costs, and complex calculations required to assess costs. Consumers felt anxious about making the wrong choice and being unable to change plans within a calendar year. Stakeholders recommended using plain language tables defining complex terms, grouping information, and using engaging graphics to communicate information about health insurance. Stakeholders thought that narratives of how others made decisions about insurance might be helpful to consumers, but recommended that they be tailored to the needs of specific consumers. Strategies that clarify health insurance terms using plain language and graphics, acknowledge concern associated with making the wrong choice, calculate and enable cost comparison, and tailor information to consumers’ unique needs could benefit those enrolling in ACA Marketplace plans, Narratives developed should be simple and inclusive enough for diverse populations.
A game-theoretic model for energy trading of privacy-preserving Microgrid Social Networks

In this paper, we propose a game theoretic modelling paradigm for the energy trading market of a Microgrid Social Network (MGSN) architecture in which the networked Microgrids (MGs) are connected by a common physical bus and social networks. In the considered MGSN, individual MGs involved in energy trading, called market participants, make decision on energy trading based on the state estimation of other MGs that is achieved via social networks sharing the public marketing information and presenting the information published by individual producers/consumers belonging to different MGs. Considering the privacy concerns in social network, we exploit Bayesian-Stackelberg game to characterize and analyze the behaviors of individual MGs in energy trading market with imperfect information. Case studies demonstrate the performance of our proposed modelling paradigm.
Systematic Design of Coils in Series–Series Inductive Power Transfer for Power Transferability and Efficiency

The quality factor of coils should be high enough to deliver power efficiently during inductive power transfer. To achieve a higher quality factor, coils are designed either with a larger size and thicker wire or with a special structure, making the coils bulky and complicating the fabrication. This paper presents a systematic method to design the coils in series–series inductive power transfer with the smallest possible value of quality factor to realize the requirements of power transferability and efficiency. The electrical parameters of the coils are normalized, decoupled in equations, and designed sequentially. It is found that the smallest value of the quality factor for required efficiency is achieved using an optimal normalized impedance. The physical parameters of the coils are selected sequentially to realize the electrical parameters. This paper presents two operating conditions of series–series inductive power transfer, and example sets of coils with a 100-mm air gap are designed for these operating conditions using the same procedure. The coils were fabricated and tested in a 3.3-kW converter. The measured output voltage (200–400 V for 400 V input) and the coils' efficiency (98.9% at peak power) met the specifications. All switches turned on with zero voltage.
Assessment of the utility of gesture-based applications for the engagement of Chinese children with autism

Collaborative play, an educational tool for children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) spectrum, has been demonstrated as having potential for increasing the engagement of children with ASD. Researchers in China and the USA have assessed three approaches for accessible interface design and learning by students with ASD. With the use of known tools and appropriate occupational therapy interventions, an educational protocol was designed to evaluate the two selected applications and a commercially available application. The pilot studies, including experimental design and outcomes, are presented in this paper in the context of prior ASD intervention research, correlated with child development studies, and provide a solid foundation for comparative usability assessment of mid-air finger gesture interaction as well as hand gesture interaction for the wider population of users. Early results in China are promising, based on experiences in the USA.
The Finite Element Method for the Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of Additive Manufacturing Processes

This chapter outlines the methodology to numerically solve the equations which describe the thermal and mechanical equations for AM processes. This discussion follows that used by the Netfabb Simulation tool which was used to complete the FE validation studies in the rest of the book. However, the modeling approach is general, and may be applied to any AM code. First the necessity of using the non-linear finite element method is shown then a brief explanation of the non-linear FE process is given. The weakly or decoupled modeling method is described, along with reasons for its usefulness and caveats regarding its limitations. The thermal and mechanical models are described with the relevant boundary conditions. A treatment of the primary methods to model the addition of material is given, along with the advantages and limitations of each method. A brief discussion how temperature dependent material properties are applied in the modeling tool is presented. Meshing concerns and methods are then described. Methods of verifying a model is numerically correct by comparing model results to problems with known answers are discussed at length. Finally validation methods are outlined along with error metrics and a discussion of validation criteria.
Ferroelectric system dynamics simulated by a second-order Landau model

By using a second-order time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau model, we simulate the dynamic polarization hysteresis behavior of a ferroelectric system subjected to a sinusoidal electric field. We examine polarization hysteresis loop structure as a function of both field amplitude and field frequency. The relationship between the latter and hysteresis loop area, i.e., hysteresis dispersion, is calculated. Departing from previous work that established that the considered model produces experimentally expected hysteresis dispersion in the low-frequency regime, we demonstrate that (i) this model also produces experimentally expected hysteresis dispersion in the high-frequency regime; (ii) this dispersion implies, in agreement with experimental observations, that system relaxation is characterized by an effective characteristic time which is inversely proportional to field amplitude when the latter is sufficiently high; and (iii) the considered model predicts a symmetry-breaking transition that depends on both field...
Sustained Hospital Performance on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey Measures: What Are the Determinants?

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This study examines hospital characteristics associated with sustained superior performance on Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) measures. We classified hospitals as sustainers if they remained in the top 25th percentile of overall patient ratings of inpatient experience from 2009 through 2013. We classified hospital characteristics as modifiable or unmodifiable. Modifiable characteristics are operational measures that hospitals can change to improve performance; these characteristics include registered nurse (RN) staffing levels, presence of hospitalists, and level of physician integration. Unmodifiable characteristics are core structural dimensions, such as hospital size and teaching status, that require substantial investment to change, as well as market-level factors such as competition and unemployment rates. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that RN staffing levels, Medicare share of inpatient days, teaching status, and market competition were significant predictors of the likelihood that a given hospital sustained high levels of patient ratings over time (i.e., the likelihood of a hospital being classified as a sustainer). Hospitals with a higher ratio of inpatient days to RN staffing and higher Medicare share of inpatient days had lower odds of being classified as sustainers.
True Aneurysm of the Anterior Tibial Artery

Most anterior tibial aneurysm cases described in the literature are pseudoaneurysms resulting from trauma. Since 1967, only 8 cases published on true anterior tibial artery aneurysms were atraumatic. Recent experience with an atraumatic aneurysm of the anterior tibial artery prompted a literature review regarding their incidence, and accordingly, we feel the need exists for greater recognition and understanding of this entity.
In Memoriam: Pete J. Dunn (1942–2017)

Pete J. Dunn passed away on 8 November 2017, two days short of his seventy-fifth birthday. Pete was a museum specialist and mineralogist in the Smithsonian Institution's Department of Mineral Scien...
A Search-Theoretic Critique of Georgism

We develop a critique of the single-tax proposal of Henry George. We present a simple search-theoretic model for the discovery of natural resources and show that a tax on the unimproved value of land is distortionary. We then consider the time inconsistency and regime uncertainty problem created by even incremental Georgist policy. We discuss historical cases of land reform and the subsequent challenge to re-establish a credible commitment to property rights in land and natural resources.
16 – Neuroanatomical Micromagnetic Resonance Imaging

This chapter focuses on the anatomical aspects of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with special emphasis on imaging of the developing nervous system at high spatial resolution. It introduces the basics of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) phenomenon and methods of spatial encoding, discusses how contrast arises; how it may be modulated in the image; and how spatial resolution may be increased, and, finally, presents MR brain images from the amphibian, rodent, and primate orders. Due to the unique contrast characteristics of the MR image, an investigator can delicately alter the image contrast through adjustment of the many parameters that enter into any MR imaging scheme or by employing different schemes. The MR images can thus provide significant information unavailable through either positron–emission tomography or computed tomography. Signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio are two important quantities that specify the quality of the MR image. Two sources of noise are generally distinguished in biological imaging. These are the coil and its associated probe circuit and the sample itself. Due to the small size of the samples commonly employed sample noise is not as important as coil noise in high-field microscopic MRI. Several attempts have been made to design better microcoils and improve probe design.
Location Models in Healthcare

Determining the location of health care resources plays an integral role in societal planning of health care delivery. Ensuring that populations have proper access to health care resources such as preventive care, treatment facilities, and emergency services is often the primary criterion decision makers use in locating such resources. Location decisions in health care settings present unique challenges that need to be considered such as the implications on a population’s health outcomes. In this chapter, a diverse range of health care applications of location models are discussed. Common location model formulations are presented along with discussions of when each model formulation may be preferred. A case study is presented based on the location of stockpiled antidotes for a nerve agent response in North Carolina. Solutions to the location model formulations discussed are compared along with a solution resulting from an easy-to-implement heuristic. Future opportunities for location models in health care settings are identified.
Thermoablation of Renal Tumors

In the past several decades, there has been a growing trend in the utilization of minimally invasive treatment options aimed at decreasing the morbidity associated with surgical extirpation of renal tumors. Thermoablation is one such minimally invasive option that has emerged as an alternative treatment for the management of small renal masses. In contemporary practice, this is typically performed using either cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation. Now with long-term data demonstrating similar oncological outcomes to that of surgical extirpation, the role of ablative therapy will most certainly expand in the coming years. Additionally, repeat ablation after primary treatment failure is a reasonable treatment approach with promising medium-term outcomes. In this chapter, we will describe patient selection, surgical techniques, and perioperative outcomes of renal thermoablation. Additionally, we will summarize oncological outcomes and results of salvage cryoablation.
A novel combination of methods for the extraction and purification of arabinoxylan from byproducts of the cereal industry

Chemical characterization of arabinoxylan extracted using a novel combination of alkali extraction and purification methods provides insight into the effectiveness of this novel combination of methods. Arabinoxylan was extracted from three byproducts of the cereal industry: wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) bran, maize (Zea mays L.) bran, and dried distillers grain. The proximate composition, sugar profile, molecular weight, polydispersity index, and linkages were determined for all three types of arabinoxylan. The purities of the extracted arabinoxylan were as follows: 730 g kg−1 for wheat bran arabinoxylan, 850 g kg−1 for maize bran arabinoxylan, and 580 g kg−1 for dried distillers grain arabinoxylan. The arabinose to xylose ratio for all arabinoxylan extracts was 0.51. The maize bran arabinoxylan had the highest MW (7700333), and the dried distillers grain arabinoxylan had the lowest MW (5900000). The purity of the arabinoxylan obtained in this experiment is a clear indication of the effectiveness of the novel combination of alkali extraction and purification methods developed in this study.
Arctic loses carbon as winters wane

Warming in the Arctic is causing soils to decompose more rapidly, even during winter. Now, estimates of winter carbon dioxide loss indicate that it can offset carbon gains during the growing season, meaning that the region is a source of carbon.
Rewards and resistance: the importance of teaching women's and gender studies at a southern, comprehensive, liberal arts university

ABSTRACTThe discipline of women's and gender studies [WGS] often attracts criticism from the media, the public, and students. Few recent empirical studies focus on the experiences of faculty who te...
The Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in Rochester, Minnesota, 1945–1969

Publisher Summary The chapter presents the population-based incidence rates for diagnosed diabetes mellitus in a predominantly white community in the United States. The average annual incidence rate for diabetes mellitus was 133 new cases per 100,000 populations per year in this community over the period from 1945 through 1969, was greater for males than for females, and increased sharply with age for both sexes. A prominent peak in incidence rates for each sex group appeared in the period 1960–1964. Several facets of the available data lend plausibility to this interpretation of the findings, although the view that true changes in incidence have occurred cannot be rejected on the basis of the evidence at hand. If the characters of diabetes in the population are constant, as with respect to its overall incidence and the proportion of the population affected at given levels of severity, then the expansion of use of the diagnostic test in usual clinical practice is expected to result in an increasing proportion of milder cases among those diagnosed.
Advance Directive Completion and Its Associated Factors Among Older Chinese Americans.

Abstract Objectives To examine the factors of advance directive (AD) completion among older Chinese Americans. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting and Participants Data came from 435 Chinese Americans aged 55 years and older living in 2 metropolitan areas through self-administered questionnaires and research assistant–administered interviews in 2018. Participants' average age was 75 years (standard deviation = 9.4). Methods Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with AD completion. Results Approximately 14% of participants completed an AD. Older age [odds ratio (OR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.12], higher level of acculturation (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.39-3.33), higher expectation for intergenerational support (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.02-2.27), and having US citizenship (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.26-7.23) were positively associated with AD completion. Physical and mental health needs were not significantly associated with AD completion. Conclusions and Implications This study is among the first focusing on AD completion among Chinese Americans, one of the fastest-growing older minority populations in the United States. Findings highlight the influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on AD completion and illustrate the importance of developing culturally sensitive interventions to promote end-of-life care decision making among older Chinese Americans.
Nuclear reactor control

Attention is called to the fundamentals of the nuclear reactor art as it is practiced. Special attention is given to certain problems which confront electrical engineers who are responsible for the control of nuclear reactors.
Gender, Parenting, and The Rise of Remote Work During the Pandemic: Implications for Domestic Inequality in the United States:

We examine how the shift to remote work altered responsibilities for domestic labor among partnered couples and single parents. The study draws on data from a nationally representative survey of 2,...
Housing Cost Burden, Material Hardship, and Well-Being

Millions of households face housing affordability problems as house prices and rents rise faster than incomes. Yet little is known about how high housing expenditures affect well-being. Using data ...
Affirmative Action in College Admission Decisions and the Distribution of Human Capital

This paper presents a model consisting of a large number of students who differ by race and by the stock of human capital of their parents. Students choose effort levels in high school and college. College attendance is dependent on the student’s decision to attend college and the college’s decision to accept the student. Colleges in this paper enact admission policies that are not colorblind. The computational experiments reveal that under affirmative action, some minority students who were already attending college without affirmative action acquire less human capital because affirmative action reduces their incentive to exert effort in high school.
Training recursive structures for weighted order statistic filtering

The weighted order statistics (WOS) filter is an extension of the median filter where the inputs are weighted. As in linear filtering, optimal filtering theory has been developed for non-recursive WOS-filters. This theory is analogous to optimal FIR filtering. In this paper we develop optimal filtering theory for recursive WOS filters. A recursive WOS filter contains previously calculated outputs within the sample window and is analogous to the IIR filter. We show by simulation that, like the IIR filter, the advantage of the optimal recursive WOS filter is that it requires fewer sample points within the sample window compared to the optimal non-recursive WOS filter. Furthermore, the recursive WOS filter does not have the stability problems of the IIR filter. The optimal recursive WOS filter requires fewer sample points than the corresponding non-recursive WOS filter. A smaller sample window leads to a reduction in the complexity of the WOS implementation. >
Cytokine-Mediated Activation of NK Cells during Viral Infection

ABSTRACT Natural killer (NK) cells provide a first line of defense against infection via the production of antiviral cytokines and direct lysis of target cells. Cytokines such as interleukin 12 (IL-12) and IL-18 are critical regulators of NK cell activation, but much remains to be learned about how cytokines interact to regulate NK cell function. Here, we have examined cytokine-mediated activation of NK cells during infection with two natural mouse pathogens, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Using a systematic screen of 1,849 cytokine pairs, we identified the most potent combinations capable of eliciting gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production in NK cells. We observed that NK cell responses to cytokine stimulation were reduced 8 days after acute LCMV infection but recovered to preinfection levels by 60 days postinfection. In contrast, during MCMV infection, NK cell responses to cytokines remained robust at all time points examined. Ly49H-positive (Ly49H + ) NK cells recognizing viral ligand m157 showed preferential proliferation during early MCMV infection. A population of these cells was still detected beyond 60 days postinfection, but these divided cells did not demonstrate enhanced IFN-γ production in response to innate cytokine stimulation. Instead, the maturation state of the NK cells (as determined by CD11b or CD27 surface phenotype) was predictive of responsiveness to cytokines, regardless of Ly49H expression. These results help define cytokine interactions that regulate NK cell activation and highlight variations in NK cell function during two unrelated viral infections. IMPORTANCE Natural killer cells play an important role in immunity to many viral infections. From an initial screen of 1,849 cytokine pairs, we identified the most stimulatory cytokine combinations capable of inducing IFN-γ production by NK cells. Ly49H + NK cells, which can be directly activated by MCMV protein m157, preferentially proliferated during MCMV infection but did not show enhanced IFN-γ production following direct ex vivo cytokine stimulation. Instead, mature CD11b + and/or CD27 + NK cells responded similarly to innate cytokine stimulation regardless of Ly49H expression. Collectively, our data provide a better foundation for understanding cytokine-mediated NK cell activation during viral infection.
Instant Image: Transitive and Cyclical Snapshots in Distributed Storage Volumes

Snapshots are a useful mechanism to manage data, particularly for backups in high-availability storage systems. This paper presents the Instant Image algorithm for handling snapshots of storage volumes in a distributed storage system. The algorithm places no restrictions on the choice of storage volumes, allowing snapshot relationships between storage volumes that can be transitive and cyclical. In addition, in a distributed environment with snapshot relationships involving n storage subsystems per read or write to storage volumes involve only O(1) storage subsystems per read or write, thereby reducing messaging costs. Finally, the algorithm is not specific to storage systems and can be applied to other contexts requiring snapshots. A performance analysis indicates doubling of average read and write performance on a cluster of storage subsystems.
The Penn State Mini Medical School: A Prescription for Community Engagement in Health Care Issues and Research

The Penn State Mini Medical School is a high-impact community engagement program created and led by the Office of Continuing Education at the Penn State College of Medicine. The broad goals of the program are to respond to the general public's intense desire for health and medical information, to educate the community about biomedical science and the translation of medical research to clinical treatments, to enhance the pipeline for health care professionals, and to advance the land-grant mission of Penn State University to educate the general public to a level of competence for decision making in today's complex health care environment. This article reviews the development of mini medical schools across the country, describes one example of how this outreach activity has been applied in order to stimulate community engagement for downstream effects, and further suggests how the use of this outreach model might be incorporated in different disciplines and venues.
Progress on the multiphysics capabilities of the parallel electromagnetic ACE3P simulation suite

ACE3P is a 3D parallel simulation suite that is being developed at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Effectively utilizing supercomputer resources, ACE3P has become a key tool for the coupled electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical research and design of particle accelerators. Based on the existing finite-element infrastructure, a massively parallel eigensolver is developed for modal analysis of mechanical structures. It complements a set of the multi-physics tools in ACE3P and, in particular, can be used for the comprehensive study of microphonics in accelerating cavities ensuring the operational reliability of a particle accelerator.
A Review of “The Co-Presidency of Bush and Cheney”

Beginning with Gerald Ford's vice president, Nelson Rockefeller, the vice presidency has assumed a progressively more important role in contemporary presidential administrations. Given this progres...
Bacteriologic findings in the uterus during labor and the early puerperium

Abstract The bacteriologic findings in the uterine lochia in 171 consecutive uterine cultures is described. The patients were divided into four groups: Group 1: 37 patients who had afebrile puerperia or had low grade fevers, the temperature never exceeding 37.8° C. Group 2: 47 patients with spontaneous deliveries and no repair. Group 3: 42 patients with spontaneous deliveries who also had a perineal repair. Group 4: 45 patients who had operative deliveries with or without repair. In each of the last three groups the temperature reached 38° C. on one or more occasions, not including the first twenty-four hours postpartum. In each of the four groups it was noted that anaerobic streptococci were the most frequent organisms found. Anaerobic gas bacilli were recovered only in patients who had operative deliveries. The colon bacillus was found in the uterine lochia more frequently in patients with operative deliveries than in those with spontaneous deliveries. In the latter instance it is often associated with the same finding in the bladder urine. Staphylococcus aureus was recovered in only one uterine culture in the entire series. Staphylococcus albus was recovered eight times. A group of organisms is classified as anaerobic, gram-negative bacilli. They vary considerably morphologically but were not isolated in pure culture. They grew better in liquid media, and were very difficult to grow anaerobically on the surface of rabbit blood agar. No growth was obtained under aerobic conditions. Some members of this group resemble morphologically the Actinomyces pseudonecrophorus described by Harris and Brown. 7
Summary Discussion and Conclusions

This book summarizes current understanding of the biogeochemistry of a northern hardwood forest ecosystem at the HBEF in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It emphasizes the usefulness of the small watershed technique for biogeochemical measurement in shedding light on ecosystem function and change. The characteristics of the HBEF watersheds revolve around the forest that covers these hillslopes and the water that passes through this thin veneer of biological organisms.
Does proxy uncertainty affect the relations inferred between the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and wildfire activity in the western United States

[1] We examined a set of five proxy reconstructions of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) to test whether the choice of reconstruction affected the association between the PDO and widespread forest fires in the western United States. Exact binomial tests suggest the PDO has little direct impact on wildfires, with a statistically-significant association between the phase of the PDO and regional fire activity observed with only one reconstruction. Region-wide fires were not consistently associated with specific phase combinations of ENSO and the PDO. Any conclusion that extensive wildfires are more or less common when the PDO is in one phase or the other depends entirely on the choice of PDO reconstruction. Without a better understanding of low-frequency behavior in the north Pacific prior to 1900, efforts using proxy data to determine whether or not the PDO affects wildfire activity in the western United States will produce ambiguous results.
Benzyl(methoxymethyl)methylamine

(S) [64715-80-6] C10H15NO (MW 165.23) InChI = 1S/C10H15NO/c1-12-8-10(11)7-9-5-3-2-4-6-9/h2-6,10H,7-8,11H2,1H3/t10-/m1/s1 InChIKey = FAZIHZPDHJBQKN-SNVBAGLBSA-N (R) [59919-07-2] InChI = 1S/C10H15NO/c1-12-8-10(11)7-9-5-3-2-4-6-9/h2-6,10H,7-8,11H2,1H3/t10-/m0/s1 InChIKey = FAZIHZPDHJBQKN-JTQLQIEISA-N (chiral auxiliary for the enantioselective alkylation of ketones1 and aldehydes;2 can form chiral cuprate reagents3) Physical Data: (S) bp 55–59 °C/0.1 mmHg; mp HCl salt 151–152 °C; [α]d25 −14.4° (c 5.7, benzene); HCl salt [α]d25 +19.7° (c 2.5, EtOH). Preparative Method: these chiral methoxy amines are readily prepared from (S)- or (R)-phenylalanine via reduction followed by methylation.2 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: conversion of the freshly distilled amine to its hydrochloride salt is a convenient way to store and handle the compound. The free amine reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce the respective carbonate. The free amine should be stored tightly sealed under argon or nitrogen immediately after distillation to avoid CO2 adsorption.