cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Big Pixel Microworld

Microworlds are sandboxed learning environments, often used for a particular educational purpose. We introduce the Big Pixel Microworld, to allow young students to explore and visualize functions that operate on the discrete 'pixels' of the XY coordinate axes. They can change the size of a 'pixel' by 3x (a single 1x1 big 'pixel', or 3x3, 9x9, 27x27 grids etc. all the way down to 729x729, in which one displayed 'pixel' is one screen pixel). There are two modes: zooming and resolution. For some problems, zooming is better, in which the pixels remain fixed to the background function, and what is displayed appears as if the user is zooming in on a camera. We also feature resolution mode, in which we clamp the edges of the screen to the background function, and increasing the number of pixels on the screen appears as if the user is sampling the space higher. There are four distinct activities in this microworld: Paint, Function Exploration, Cellular Automata, and Color Exploration. We have used this microworld at our outreach events and in our Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) Middle School course, and have had very positive responses, but are looking for other ideas. What other spaces should we explore with this tool? What other microworlds should we build? What have others built? The goal of this lightning talk is to engage the SIGCSE community with this preliminary work and share best practices and ideas for possible future work.
Fragile fortunes: Afrodescendant women, witchcraft, and the remaking of urban Cartagena

On the evening of 6 September 1632, Inquisition officials arrested Teodora de Salcedo, a formerly enslaved woman, in Cartagena de Indias. That same night, they took a detailed inventory of her poss...
Post-discharge thrombosis and bleeding in medical patients: A novel risk score derived from ubiquitous biomarkers.

Background Some hospitalized medical patients experience venous thromboembolism (VTE) following discharge. Prophylaxis extended beyond hospital discharge (extended duration thromboprophylaxis [EDT]) may reduce this risk. However, EDT is costly and can cause bleeding, so selecting appropriate patients is essential. We formerly reported the performance of a mortality risk prediction score (Intermountain Risk Score [IMRS]) that was minimally predictive of 90-day hospital-associated venous thromboembolism (HA-VTE) and major bleeding (HA-MB). We used the components of the IMRS to calculate de novo risk scores to predict 90-day HA-VTE (HA-VTE IMRS) and major bleeding (HA-MB IMRS). Methods From 45 669 medical patients we randomly assigned 30 445 to derive the HA-VTE IMRS and the HA-MB IMRS. Backward stepwise regression and bootstrapping identified predictor covariates from the blood count and basic chemistry. These candidate variables were split into quintiles, and the referent quintile was that with the lowest event rate for HA-VTE and HA-MB; respectively. A clinically relevant rate of HA-VTE and HA-MB was used to inform outcome rates. Performance was assessed in the derivation set of 15 224 patients. Results The HA-VTE IMRS and HA-MB IMRS area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) in the derivation set were 0.646, and 0.691, respectively. In the validation set, the HA-VTE IMRS and HA-MB IMRS AUCs were 0.60 and 0.643. Conclusions Risk scores derived from components of routine labs ubiquitous in clinical care identify patients that are at risk for 90-day postdischarge HA-VTE and major bleeding. This may identify a subset of patients with high HA-VTE risk and low HA-MB risk who may benefit from EDT.
Comparison of Perceived Covid-19 Related Mental Health Stress in SMI and Non-SMI Psychiatric Populations

The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences in perceived COVID-19 associated mental health-related stress in individuals with psychiatric diagnoses at opposite ends of the DSM diagnostic severity spectrum. The opposite poles of the spectrum were represented by Adjustment Disorder (AjD) at one end and disorders categorized as Serious Mental Illness (SMI) at the other. The study hypothesized that persons with SMI disorders are more likely to report their mental health negatively affected by COVID-19 stress compared to individuals with non-SMI disorders. An observational, cross-sectional model was used to collect data from client intake forms completed between April 2020 and December 2020. Participants were 25 male and 23 female U.S. citizens (mean age = 32.9) diagnosed with either SMI or Adjustment Disorder. COVID-related mental health stress was measured by answering 'yes' or 'no' to the following question: "Do you feel that your mental health is being negatively impacted (for the worse) by the life-changes, hardships, and stress being caused by the current coronavirus outbreak?" A Pearson chi-square analysis was used to compare the two groups. Results indicated that individuals diagnosed with SMI disorders were significantly more likely to report their mental health negatively affected by COVID-related stress compared to individuals diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder (SMI 74% vs. AdJ 19%, p<.001). In this study, individuals with a pre-existing SMI disorder are almost four times (Risk Ratio: 3.89) more likely to be adversely affected by perceived stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic than individuals diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder. No significant differences were found between the two diagnostic groups on sociodemographic characteristics (gender/age/ethnicity). These findings suggest that the mental health of individuals diagnosed with SMI may be considerably more negatively impacted by current COVID-19 related stress and therefore require greater clinical attention compared to those diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder and other non-SMI diagnoses.
RIBBON: cost-effective and qos-aware deep learning model inference using a diverse pool of cloud computing instances

Deep learning model inference is a key service in many businesses and scientific discovery processes. This paper introduces Ribbon, a novel deep learning inference serving system that meets two competing objectives: quality-of-service (QoS) target and cost-effectiveness. The key idea behind Ribbon is to intelligently employ a diverse set of cloud computing instances (heterogeneous instances) to meet the QoS target and maximize cost savings. Ribbon devises a Bayesian Optimization-driven strategy that helps users build the optimal set of heterogeneous instances for their model inference service needs on cloud computing platforms - and, Ribbon demonstrates its superiority over existing approaches of inference serving systems using homogeneous instance pools. Ribbon saves up to 16% of the inference service cost for different learning models including emerging deep learning recommender system models and drug-discovery enabling models.
Northeast Corridor Transportation Project: Structure and Operation of Model System

Recognition of the increasing magnitude and intensity of intercity transportation problems along the Northeastern seaboard of the U.S. and of the inadequacies of existing policies and programs in meeting these problems led in 1964 to the establishment of the Northeast Corridor Transportation Project (NECTP). In a deliberately experimental way, the Corridor Project was to be a comprehensive and systematic attempt at determining the intercity transportation facility requirements of one of the world’s major urbanized regions. A system of mathematical models has been developed by the NECTP which simulates the forces of passenger transportation supply and demand in the Corridor and which permits examination of both competitive interrelationships among transport modes and interactions between transportation and other sectors of the Corridor economy. A brief overview of this system of models is given, in which emphasis is placed on the structure of the transport supply and demand models and on the process by which equilibrium between supply and demand is reached within systems comprised of a mix of conventional and innovative transport modes.
Approximate Search in Very Large Files Using the Pigeonhole Principle

This paper presents a new technique for efficient searching with fuzzy criteria in very large information systems. The suggested technique uses the Pigeonhole Principle approach. This approach can be utilized with different embodiments, but the most effective realization would be to amplify some already given intrinsic approximate matching capabilities, like those in the FuzzyFind method [1][2]. Considering the following problem, a data to be searched is presented as a bit-attribute vector. The searching operation consists of finding a subset of this bit-attribute vector that is within particular Hamming distance. Normally, this search with approximate matching criteria requires sequential lookup for the whole collection of the attribute vector. This process can be easily parallelized, but in very large information systems this still would be slow and energy consuming. The suggested method, in this paper, of approximate search in very large files using the Pigeonhole Principle, circumvents the sequential search operations and reduces the calculations tremendously
An Analysis of Volunteer Leader Behavior: Self-Reported Measures

Civic, social, and community service organizations are historically volunteer-led and are unique in their reliance on volunteers leading other volunteers at all levels. Volunteer leaders operate with limited authority and lead volunteers who may not see themselves as followers. Volunteer leader behavior may reflect these unique characteristics. This paper discusses differences between volunteer leader behavior and paid leader behavior as reported by 75 volunteer leaders in a large multi-level community service organization. Leadership behavior was measured by asking the volunteer leaders to report the degree to which they engaged in each of the five practices of exemplary leadership using the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) – Self instrument. These data were compared to normative LPI data for paid leaders. A statistically significant difference was found for one of the five practices of exemplary leadership. This paper discusses the findings, presents possible conclusions, and suggests implications for the practice of volunteer leadership.
Health consequences of adverse childhood experiences: a systematic review.

Purpose Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with negative health outcomes, but the evidence has had limited application in primary care practice. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the research on associations between ACEs and adult health outcomes to inform nurse practitioners (NPs) in primary care practice. Data sources The databases PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Social Abstracts were searched for articles published in English between 2008 and 2013 using the search term “adverse childhood experiences.” Forty-two research articles were included in the synthesis. The evidence was synthesized and is reported following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis procedure (PRISMA). Conclusions ACEs have been associated with health consequences including physical and psychological conditions, risk behaviors, developmental disruption, and increased healthcare utilization. Generalization of the results is limited by a majority of studies (41/42) measuring childhood adversity using self-report measures. Implications for practice NPs are encouraged to incorporate assessment of patients’ childhood history in routine primary care and to consider the evidence that supports a relationship between ACEs and health. Although difficult, talking about patient's childhood experiences may positively influence health outcomes.
On K3-Thurston 7-manifolds and their deformation space: A case study with remarks on general K3T and M-theory compactification

M-theory suggests the study of 11-dimensional space-times compactified on some 7-manifolds. From its intimate relation to superstrings, one possible class of such 7-manifolds are those that have Calabi-Yau threefolds as boundary. In this article, we construct a special class of such 7-manifolds, named as {\it K3-Thurston} (K3T) 7-manifolds. The factor from the K3 part of the deformation space of these K3T 7-manifolds admits a K\"{a}hler structure, while the factor of the deformation space from the Thurston part admits a special K\"{a}hler structure. The latter rings with the nature of the scalar manifold of a vector multiplet in an N=2 $d=4$ supersymmetric gauge theory. Remarks and examples on more general K3T 7-manifolds and issues to possible interfaces of K3T to M-theory are also discussed.
Mobile commerce: vision and challenges

Mobile commerce is a natural result of combining two strongly emerging trends: electronic commerce and pervasive computing. This panel explores the issues that arise from the mutual effects electronic commerce and pervasive computing have on each other.
Power Distribution System Fault Diagnosis Using Hybrid Algorithm of Fuzzy Classification and Artificial Immune Systems

As a vital lifeline of the modern society for maintaining adequate and reliable flows of energy, power distribution systems deliver the electricity from high voltage transmission circuits to customers. Any interruption in their service may cause economical loss, damage equipments, and even endanger people lives. When a power outage (i.e., the loss of the electricity supply to an area) occurs, it is of great importance to diagnose the fault and restore the system in a timely manner in order to maintain the system availability and reliability. However, the restoration process may take from tens of minutes to hours. Most utilities for safety concerns do not restore the system until the outage cause has been found: linemen may need to inspect the distribution lines section by section in an attempt to find evidences (e.g., burn marks on the pole for possible lightning caused faults, dead animal bodies for possible animal activity related faults) and to ensure safety prior to re-energizing the system (e.g., no down distribution lines). Sometimes specific crew need to be further dispatched for advanced tasks such as the removal of fallen trees. Effective identification of either the cause or the location of the outage can provide valuable information to expedite the restoration procedure.
Stress Channelling and Boundary Layers in Strongly Anisotropic Solids

Problems involving materials reinforced with strong fibers can be simplified very greatly by introducing the approximation that the fibers are inextensible. This leads to some striking results that at first do not appear to be correct, but which on closer examination are seen to be clear and forceful representations of real phenomena, phenomena which occur in highly anisotropic materials but not in the more familiar isotropic materials.
A randomized trial of real‐time automated clinical deterioration alerts sent to a rapid response team

BACKGROUND Episodes of patient deterioration on hospital units are expected to increasingly contribute to morbidity and healthcare costs. OBJECTIVE To determine if real-time alerts sent to the rapid response team (RRT) improved patient care. DESIGN Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING Eight medicine units (Barnes-Jewish Hospital). PATIENTS Five hundred seventy-one patients. INTERVENTION Real-time alerts generated by a validated deterioration algorithm were sent real-time to the RRT (intervention) or hidden (control). MEASUREMENTS Intensive care unit (ICU) transfer, hospital mortality, hospital duration. RESULTS ICU transfer (17.8% vs 18.2%; odds ratio: 0.972; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.635–1.490) and hospital mortality (7.3% vs 7.7%; odds ratio: 0.947; 95% CI: 0.509-1.764) were similar for the intervention and control groups. The number of patients requiring transfer to a nursing home or long-term acute care hospital was similar for patients in the intervention and control groups (26.9% vs 26.3%; odds ratio: 1.032; 95% CI: 0.712–1.495). Hospital duration (8.4 ± 9.5 days vs 9.4 ± 11.1 days; P = 0.038) was statistically shorter for the intervention group. The number of RRT calls initiated by the primary care team was similar for the intervention and control groups (19.9% vs 16.5%; odds ratio: 1.260; 95% CI: 0.823-1.931). CONCLUSIONS Real-time alerts sent to the RRT did not reduce ICU transfers, hospital mortality, or the need for subsequent long term care. However, hospital length of stay was modestly reduced. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:424–429. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
A CHROMOSOME REPLICATION PATTERN DEDUCED FROM PERICARP PHENOTYPES RESULTING FROM MOVEMENTS OF THE TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENT, MODULATOR, IN MAIZE

Modulator (Mp) was mapped after it transposed from the P locus on chromosome 1 by studying 105 light variegated/red twin sectors on medium variegated pericarp ears. Sixty-one percent of the receptor sites were detectably linked to P, and these showed an asymmetry of distribution adjacent to P. No transpositions were mapped in the 4 map units proximal to P, whereas 23 cases mapped to the same length distal to P. The remaining transpositions of Mp on chromosome 1, both proximal and distal to P, were equally scattered. It has previously been shown that when Modulator transposes it replicates at the P locus and a second time at the receptor site. The pattern of transposition adjacent to P is consistent with a hypothesis that a replicon initiation site is situated proximal to P; that Modulator transposes at the time of replication; that it is not able to transpose into a replicated region but only into a replicating one. No difference in distribution of receptor sites was found when the Modulator was detected vs. not detected in the red co-twins by testing with a Dissociation element.
Delivery of bioactive agents from recombinant polymers

Since their conception, genetically engineered protein-based polymers have stimulated researchers with the novelty of the synthetic strategy that allows unprecedented control over the sequence and macromolecular architecture of the produced biomaterials. Recombinant polymer synthesis allows the systematic correlation of polymer structure with function, thus enabling customization to suit specific delivery needs. Over the past few years we have focused on the design and development of recombinant polymers for localized delivery of bioactive agents. In this article progress made in the application of silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) as matrices for the delivery of drugs, genes, viral vectors, and recently tissue engineering is reviewed. In addition the conceptual design, biosynthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of a new polymer consisting of lysine residues to condense plasmid DNA, histidine residues to allow endosomal escape, and the basic fibroblast growth factor as a targeting moiety, for systemic gene delivery applications is discussed. Finally comments are made about the prospects and challenges in the development of recombinant polymers for controlled delivery of bioactive agents.
Re-evaluation of the Doriopsilla areolata Bergh, 1880 (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia) subspecies complex in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and its relationship to South African Doriopsilla miniata (Alder & Hancock, 1864) based on molecular data

Doriopsilla areolata is a nudibranch sea slug with a broad geographic range, spanning from mainland Spain (southwestern Europe) to Angola (southwestern Africa) in the eastern Atlantic, and is also found in the Caribbean. This species was divided into three subspecies: D. areolata areolata (Europe to Cape Verde), D. areolata albolineata (Ghana to Angola), and D. areolata nigrolineata (Caribbean), each with a discrete range. This paper uses phylogenetic and population genetics tools to determine whether the subspecies scheme is supported by molecular data. Additionally, specimens of Doriopsilla miniata from South Africa, a species that is hypothetically closely related to D. areolata, is also included in the analysis, primarily because of the morphological similarities between D. areolata and D. miniata. Results from AMOVA, Bayesian, and pairwise analyses revealed that the molecular data do not support the proposed subspecies scheme and suggest that South African populations identified as D. miniata belong to D. areolata.
Gender and Hmong Women's Handicrafts in Fenghuang's ‘Tourism Great Leap Forward,’ China

Fenghuang County in rural Hunan Province started its “Tourism Great Leap Forward” in 2002, when the county government granted a 50-year lease for development rights over eight local major tourist sites to Yellow Dragon Cave Corporation (YDCC) headquartered in Changsha City, the capital of Hunan. Based on ethnographic research in 2002 and 2005–2006, this article explores the sociocultural impacts of Fenghuang's tourism development on local Hmong women's gender roles and their traditional handicrafts. According to the official state development discourse, local Hmong communities' traditional ethnic culture is associated with both poverty and the solution to poverty. Local Hmong women's handicraft practice in the context of tourism is used in this article to illustrate how local people react to this dilemma, and how ethnic minorities and rural residents are being drawn into the widening orbit of contemporary China's neoliberal economic development.
Comparison of percutaneous ablation technologies in the treatment of malignant liver tumors.

Tumor ablation is a minimally invasive technique used to deliver chemical, thermal, electrical, or ultrasonic damage to a specific focal tumor in an attempt to achieve substantial tumor destruction or complete eradication. As the technology continues to advance, several image-guided tumor ablations have emerged to effectively manage primary and secondary malignancies in the liver. Percutaneous chemical ablation is one of the oldest and most established techniques for treating small hepatocellular carcinomas. However, this technique has been largely replaced by newer modalities including radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy, cryoablation, high-intensity–focused ultrasound ablation, and irreversible electroporation. Because there exist significant differences in underlying technological bases, understanding each mechanism of action is essential for achieving desirable outcomes. In this article, the authors review the current state of each ablation method including technological and clinical considerations.
An examination of two pathways to tropical cyclogenesis occurring in idealized simulations with a cloud-resolving numerical model

Abstract. Simulations are conducted with a cloud-resolving numerical model to examine the transformation of a weak incipient mid-level cyclonic vortex into a tropical cyclone. Results demonstrate that two distinct pathways are possible and that development along a particular pathway is sensitive to model physics and initial conditions. One pathway involves a steady increase of the surface winds to tropical cyclone strength as the radius of maximum winds gradually decreases. A notable feature of this evolution is the creation of small-scale lower tropospheric cyclonic vorticity anomalies by deep convective towers and subsequent merger and convergence by the low-level secondary circulation. The second pathway also begins with a strengthening low-level circulation, but eventually a significantly stronger mid-level circulation develops. Cyclogenesis occurs subsequently when a small-scale surface concentrated vortex forms abruptly near the center of the larger-scale circulation. The small-scale vortex is warm core throughout the troposphere and results in a fall in local surface pressure of a few millibars. It usually develops rapidly, undergoing a modest growth to form a small tropical cyclone. Many of the simulated systems approach or reach tropical cyclone strength prior to development of a prominent mid-level vortex so that the subsequent formation of a strong small-scale surface concentrated vortex in these cases could be considered intensification rather than genesis. Experiments are performed to investigate the dependence on the inclusion of the ice phase, radiation, the size and strength of the incipient mid-level vortex, the amount of moisture present in the initial vortex, and the sea surface temperature. Notably, as the sea surface temperature is raised, the likelihood of development along the second pathway is increased. This appears to be related to an increased production of ice. The sensitivity of the pathway taken to model physics and initial conditions revealed by these experiments raise the possibility that the solution to this initial value problem is near a bifurcation point. Future improvements to model parameterizations and more accurate observations of the transformation of disturbances to tropical cyclones should clarify the conditions that favor a particular pathway when starting from a mid-level vortex.
Mandatory fortification of the food supply with cobalamin: an idea whose time has not yet come

The success of folic acid fortification has generated consideration of similar fortification with cobalamin for its own sake but more so to mitigate possible neurologic risks from increased folate intake by cobalamin-deficient persons. However, the folate model itself, the success of which was predicted by successful clinical trials and the known favorable facts of high folic acid bioavailability and the infrequency of folate malabsorption, may not apply to cobalamin fortification. Cobalamin bioavailability is more restricted than folic acid and is unfortunately poorest in persons deficient in cobalamin. Moreover, clinical trials to demonstrate actual health benefits of relevant oral doses have not yet been done in persons with mild subclinical deficiency, who are the only practical targets of cobalamin fortification because >94% of persons with clinically overt cobalamin deficiency have severe malabsorption and therefore cannot respond to normal fortification doses. However, it is only in the severely malabsorptive disorders, such as pernicious anemia, not subclinical deficiency, that neurologic deterioration following folic acid therapy has been described to date. It is still unknown whether mild deficiency states, which usually arise from normal absorption or only food-bound cobalamin malabsorption, have real health consequences or how often they progress to overt clinical cobalamin deficiency. Reports of cognitive or other risks in the common subclinical deficiency state, although worrisome, have been inconsistent. Moreover, their observational nature proved neither causative connections nor documented health benefits. Extensive work, especially randomized clinical trials, must be done before mandatory dietary intervention on a national scale can be justified.
Effects of the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone on intracranial self-stimulation in C57BL/6J mice.

The neuroactive steroid (3α,5α)-3-hydroxy-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP, allopregnanolone) has effects on reward-related behaviors in mice and rats that suggest that it may activate brain reward circuits. Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) is an operant behavioral technique that detects changes in the sensitivity of brain reward circuitry following drug administration. To examine the effects of the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone on ICSS and to compare these effects to those of cocaine. Male C57BL/6J mice implanted with stimulating electrodes implanted into the medial forebrain bundle responded for reinforcement by electrical stimulation (brain stimulation reward (BSR)). Mice received cocaine (n = 11, 3.0–30.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) or the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone (n = 11, 3.0–17.0 mg/kg, i.p.). BSR thresholds (θ 0) and maximum (MAX) operant response rates after drug treatments were compared to those after vehicle injections. Cocaine and allopregnanolone dose dependently lowered BSR thresholds relative to vehicle injections. Cocaine was maximally effective (80 % reduction) in the second 15 min following the 30 mg/kg dose, while allopregnanolone was maximally effective (30 % reduction) 15–45 min after the 17 mg/kg dose. Neither drug had significant effects on MAX response rates. The effects of allopregnanolone on BSR thresholds are consistent with the previously reported effects of benzodiazepines and alcohol, suggesting that positive modulation of GABAA receptors can facilitate reward-related behaviors in C57BL/6J mice.
Advances in e-manufacturing: foundations of market-based collaborative planning and control of distributed multiple product development projects

Abstract e-Manufacturing is becoming popular with the increased use of the internet. Due the widespread availability of the Internet large-scale distributed projects in manufacturing are becoming popular. The authors present a distributed, collaborative, and adaptive planning and control approach for distributed multiple product development projects (DMPDPs), which is a representative project environment in modern e-enterprises. In DMPDP environment, multiple project groups share and compete for limited resources to achieve their own goals. On the other hand, the shared resource divisions intent to efficiently utilize their resources. It is suggested that this kind of situation can be well modeled and efficiently solved by using two novel approaches: multiagent based information infrastructure and market-based control mechanism. In this paper, the authors (i) formalize the DMPDP planning and control problem, and (ii) propose a market-based negotiation mechanism called unified-sequential market-clearing (U-SMC) protocol. The theoretical foundations of this novel concept are dealt with.
Cyclooxygenase- and lipoxygenase-dependent relaxation to arachidonic acid in rabbit small mesenteric arteries.

We recently reported that the lipoxygenase product 11,12,15-trihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (THETA) mediates arachidonic acid (AA)-induced relaxation in the rabbit aorta. This study was designed to d...
Microstructural influences on volumetric properties of styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymers

A water-displacement method was used to measure the specific volume of three styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) block copolymers over the temperature range 4°C to 65°C. The polymers contained 0.268. 0.293, and 0.482 weight fraction polystyrene, varied in molecular weight, and are known to be phase-separated at these temperatures. Coefficients of thermal expansion were also obtained and found to be constant over this temperature range. Results are compared with various models of composite behavior, the most successful of which is the linear mixing rule which gives good predictions over this composition range. Deviations for specific volume are negative, and for expansion coefficient positive, from the linear rules. More complex behavior is suggested, however, and this is interpreted in terms of microstructural characteristics. Some apparent contradictions in data reported by other workers are explained. Results are presented also for samples stretched uniaxially up to 300 percent strain; only slight evidence of dilation is seen at 22°C. but increase of the expansion coefficient is more apparent.
Development of a plant uptake model for cyanide.

A model for cyanide species uptake by willow (Salix eriocephala L. var. Michaux) was developed to interpret data from hydroponic experiments quantitatively. While the potential for cyanide phytoremediation has been demonstrated, modeling will aid in determining plant processes that contribute to cyanide transport and metabolism in willow and will target specific physiological parameters for field-scale phytoremediation design and optimization. The objective of the model development was to gain insight into the relative role of different processes with respect to dissolved free and iron-complexed cyanide transport and assimilation in plants and to determine rates at which these processes occur within the willow plant under the experimental conditions. A physiologically-based model describing plant uptake, transport, and metabolism of cyanide species was developed to reflect the processes that influence the movement of cyanide into and throughout the plant. Plant compartmentalization (root, stem, and leaf) ...
Drag reduction and mechanical degradation in polymer solutions in flow

Abstract A list of conclusions from experimental studies of drag reduction (DR) and mechanucal degradation in flow (MDF) is made. A statistical-mechanical model of chain conformations developed by the author9 is used, and its consequences for DR and MDF established. Experimental findings are explained in terms of the model, including those considered to be puzzling and contrary to expectations. A relation between the extent of mechanical degradation and flow time is derived. The equation obtained for relative drag reduction in function of time reproduces perfectly the experimental data for polystyrene+toluene solutions reported by Hunston and Zakin12. Some predictions from the present model have yet to be tested experimentally.
Novel methods for assessment of three-dimensional constitutive properties for composites

Accurate three-dimensional stress-strain constitutive properties are essential for understanding of complex deformation and failure mechanisms for glass-fiber and carbon-fiber reinforced polymer-matrix composites. A large number of different methods and specimen types, which are currently required to generate three-dimensional allowables for structural design, slow down material characterization. Also, some of the material constitutive properties are never measured due to prohibitive cost of the specimens needed. This work shows that simple short-beam shear specimens are well-suited for measurement of 3D constitutive properties for composite systems. In particular, a methodology to measure tensile and compressive material properties, generate shear stress-strain curves and measure the shear strength in a simple short beam shear test will be presented. The methodology is based on the Digital Image Correlation (DIC) full-field deformation measurement. Short-beam and curved-beam tests are accomplished to generate 3D stress-strain response for glass/epoxy and carbon/epoxy tape composite material systems. Accuracy of constitutive properties is also verified using standard methods and data available in the public domain.
Development and implementation of an integrated mobile situational awareness iPhone application VigiVU TM at an academic medical center

We describe the decision drivers, development and implementation of an integrated mobile situational awareness application for the perioperative environment. This digital operating room tool for anesthesiologists facilitates direct supervision of in-room staff without requiring being tied to a stationary computer workstation. The iOS platform was used to create the VigiVUTM mobile application at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The first working version was completed in 3 weeks with a scalable application for department-wide distribution requiring less than 1,000 development hours. The VigiVUTM application provides situational awareness via access to real time operating room video, patient vital signs, anesthetic interventions, OR management visualization tools, patient data protection, bidirectional voice and text communication, and integrated electronic medical record access. The application allows anesthesiologists to know the status of their patients in up to four locations simultaneously. The application provides the ability to visually follow the flow of patients through the operative suite and prioritize which patients need attention. The application provides a consistent user environment on several compatible iOS devices. A group of 40 beta testers has consistently used and maintained their copy of the application, suggesting user acceptance. We have demonstrated that it is possible to develop and implement an integrated mobile situational awareness application at a large academic medical center. Future research may determine whether perioperative deployment and utilization of VigiVUTM at our institution enhances patient safety and/or operating room efficiency.
PETEEI: a PET with evolving emotional intelligence

The emergence of, what is now called, ‘emotional intellige nce’ has revealed yet another aspect of human intelligence. Emot ions were shown to have a major impact on many of our everyday tasks, including decision-making, planning, communication, and behavior. Researchers have recently acknowledged this major role that emotions play, and thus we see a variety of models bei ng presented on simulating emotions in agents. However, emotion is not a simple process, it is often linked with many other pr ocesses, one of which is learning. As it has long been emphasized throug h psychology literature, memory and experience help shape and build the dynamic nature of the emotional process. In this pa per, we introduce PETEEI (a PET with Evolving Emotional Intelligence). PETEEI is a general model for simulating emotions in agents, with a particular emphasis on incorporating vario us learning mechanisms so that it can produce emotions accor ding to its own experience. Furthermore, it was modeled to recogniz e and cope with the various mood and emotional changes of its owne r. We have implemented PETEEI using fuzzy logic. An evaluation involving twenty-one subjects indicated that simulating the dynamic emotional process through learning provides a significantly more believable agent.
The role of basophils in inflammatory reactions

This review demonstrates that basophils reflect skin and lung mast cell reactivity and show characteristic changes in mediator release associated with clinical disease. Although the numbers of IgE molecules and IgE receptors on basophils have been enumerated, these have, in most instances, little influence on the release of histamine after challenge. There is, rather, a parameter of "releasability" that may be a major variable in allergic disease states. Basophils contain and release histamine, the eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECF-A), a slowly reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A), and a kailikrein. The release process is controlled by hormone-basophil receptor interactions that determine the cyclic AMP level; plasma and tissue adenosine levels appear prominent in this control. Histamine feeds back to negatively modulate basophil and mast cell release through a specific histamine 2-receptor; it also inhibits lymphocyte and neutrophil function. Like neutrophils, basophils contain beta-glucuronidase while neutrophils contain SRS-A and a low-molecular-weight ECE. The stimuli for primary basophil and neutrophil release are, however, quite different, although phagocytic stimuli, which fail to cause basophil mediator release, potentiate the IgE response. It is concluded that basophuls play a significant in vivo role in inflammation by acting as an interface between foreign antigens, the serum cascade systems, and other inflammatory cells.
Parenting in the Breach: How Parents Help Children Cope with Developmentally Challenging Circumstances

SYNOPSIS This article advocates for a new focus in the area parenting science; namely, how parents help their children cope with and recover from events and conditions that threaten serious disruption to normal, healthy development. These events and conditions, organized under the rubric of developmentally challenging circumstances (DCCs), include events such as war, natural disasters, parental suicide and sexual abuse, serious personal loss that may come with the death of a family member, highly destabilizing interpersonal circumstances such as can occur when family members have serious mental health and substance abuse problems or when children witness interparental violence, and highly destabilizing social or physical circumstances, which can occur as a result of divorce, homelessness, or parental incarceration. These circumstances are at the upper end of conditions that cause stress; they are of a kind that create high levels of emotional distress and threaten long-term maladaptive reorganization of p...
Cell Signaling Systems: A Course for Graduate Students

This course uses the primary literature to develop a systems-level understanding of the information flow through the various cell signaling pathways and networks. Current areas of research activities in the experimental and theoretical understanding of cell signaling research are highlighted. This Teaching Resource describes a sample syllabus and organization for this course. Each lecture is 2 hours. After each set of lectures, there is a 2-hour discussion period during which students present an in-depth analysis of a primary literature article, selected in consultation with the lecturer.
The Bleeding Time Effects of a Single Dose of Aspirin in Subjects Receiving Omega‐3 Fatty Acid Dietary Supplementation

Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids reduces platelet aggregation in subjects who usually eat a diet low in these fatty acids. Aspirin also has an antiplatelet effect. The clinical effects of the concomitant administration of these agents were examined in this double-blind controlled crossover trial. Twelve healthy adults were randomized to supplement their diet for 21 days with 8 g of omega-3 fatty acids or identical-looking olive oil capsules. At the end of each treatment period, bleeding times were obtained before and after the administration of one 325-mg aspirin tablet. Overall, percent change in bleeding time after omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was significantly prolonged compared with olive oil supplementation before aspirin administration but not after. Bleeding times were influenced significantly by the order of randomization in the two treatment groups. Changes in post-aspirin bleeding time varied in subjects after they received olive oil. Post-aspirin bleeding times after omega-3 fatty acid supplementation were prolonged compared with baseline values but not significantly prolonged when compared with those after olive oil administration. The authors concluded that the concomitant administration of a single dose of aspirin does not prolong bleeding time in subjects who eat a diet enriched by omega-3 fatty acids versus a diet enriched by olive oil.
One size does not fit all: psychometric properties of the Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ) among adolescents and young adults in Zimbabwe.

Abstract Background Depression is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. Onset commonly occurs during the adolescent period. Understanding how depression tools are functioning among adolescents has been relatively overlooked. Methods Using cross-sectional survey data among a sample of 2768 adolescents (aged 15–19) and 2027 young adults (aged 20–24) living in Zimbabwe this paper calibrated the Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ) against the Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and examined the performance indices of the SSQ based on various cut points for classification. Using a multivariate logistic regression model we isolated particular characteristics to test their association with the odds of being misclassified as non-depressed by the SSQ. Results A modified cut point of five or more substantially increases the depression estimates for both age groups. The prevalence of depression increased from 3.5% to 13.2% among adolescents and from 5.1% to 16.2% among young adults based on these revisions. Adolescents who were orphaned or ever had sex had significantly a greater odd of being misclassified. When retested using the modified cut point of five or greater, associations with misclassification disappeared. Limitations Scales were not administered separately or in their entirety but rather overlapping items were only asked once, utilizing exclusively SRQ-20 phrasing rather than the culturally-emic language in the SSQ. Conclusions Not all depression scales are appropriate for use among adolescents given their unique developmental stage. An alternative cut point for depression classification could improve detection of depression among Zimbabwean adolescents.
Secondary solid tumors and lymphoma in patients with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera – single center experience

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) are chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) with increased risk of thrombosis, and evolution to myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukemia...
Flow cytometry as an adjunct to cytomorphologic analysis of serous effusions.

The role of flow cytometry (FC) in the diagnosis of lymphoid lesions by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is well established. However, studies evaluating the usefulness of FC in serous cavity effusions (SCE) are few. We performed a retrospective review of 115 consecutive SCE with concurrent FC analysis, comparing the provisional cytopathologic diagnosis (PCD), i.e., before the FC results were added, with final diagnoses as modified by subsequent FC immunophenotyping. The predominant clinical indication for the FC analysis was the presence of a spontaneous SCE in a patient with a history of malignant lymphoma. Three- or four-color analysis was performed using antibodies against CD45, CD71, CD33, CD22, CD19, CD20, κ, λ, CD5, CD3, and CD56. The PCD was benign in 47%, atypical in 16%, and malignant in 37% of cases. The latter category consisted mostly of malignant lymphoma (n = 32), but also included acute lymphoblastic leukemia (1 case), T-cell lymphoma/leukemia (2 cases), acute myelogenous leukemia (1 case), multiple myeloma (1 case), Hodgkin's lymphoma (1 case), sarcoma (1 case), and adenocarcinoma (4 cases). In 18 cases (16%), the PCD was later modified by the FC results from atypical/suspicious to benign (8) and from benign or atypical/suspicious to malignant (10 cases). The latter group included acute natural killer (NK) cell leukemia (1 case), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (1 case), mantle cell lymphoma (2 cases), follicular lymphoma (3 cases), angioimmunoblastic lymphoma (1 case), large cell lymphoma (1 case), and multiple myeloma (1 case). As expected, FC was noncontributory in cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma and nonlymphoid malignancies. In summary, immunophenotyping by FC modified the PCD significantly in 16% of SCE, permitting appropriate cancer staging and management. The above data underscore the importance of FC as an adjunct to cytomorphology in SCE. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2003;29:74–78. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Role of the Headgear in Growth Modification

A review of the literature reveals that the use of a cervical facebow headgear can modify growth of the maxilla. Orthopedic forces that may be employed with headgears not only distalize the molars but may have a restraining effect on growth at the maxillary sutures. Short-term use of the headgear may not produce a sustained growth modification. There is also the "catch-up effect " once the headgear has been discontinued. Our research has shown that the negative effects attributed to the cervical headgear, such as the downward tipping of the palatal, occlusal, and mandibular planes that may increase the facial convexity and lower anterior facial height, may be avoided or attenuated if the outer facebow is adjusted alternately up and down in relation to the occlusal plane during the treatment. In the treatment of Class II malocclusions, the use of cervical pull headgear deserves special consideration because when used appropriately, it is a reliable method of molar distalization and restraining of maxillary growth without collateral negative effects. However, patient cooperation is an important issue that requires both patient motivation and parental involvement.