cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic Signatures of Sub-Second Laser-Calcined Dy3+-Doped Oxide Precursors for Use in ex Situ Thermal Impulse Sensors

We measure the phase-dependent spectroscopic signatures—photoluminescence (PL) emission spectrum, PL excitation spectrum, and PL lifetime—of three different heat treated Dy3+-doped oxide precursors (TiO2, Y2O3, and ZrO2), which are calcined at temperatures ranging from 440 to 1256 K for 100 ms. On the basis of these spectroscopic measurements we compute temperature calibration curves, which correlate a given spectroscopic signature to a specific calcination temperature. We find that the emission/excitation spectra-based calibration curves for a given material, in general, have the same transition temperature within uncertainty, but the lifetime-based calibration curve is found to transition at a lower temperature. This difference is due to the emission/excitation-based curves depending on crystallization of the oxide hosts, while the lifetime changes due to the decomposition of the precursor compound, which eliminates some PL quenchers, including high energy O–H, C–O, and C–O2 vibrations. The observation ...
A selective Aurora B kinase inhibitor with potent anticancer activity either as a single agent or in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11) in colon cancer cells

2304 AZD1152 is a novel, selective inhibitor of Aurora B that targets cell division in proliferating tumor cells. Clonogenic assay revealed an IC-50 of 20 nM in the colon cancer cell line HCT-116 with target inhibition (reduction of phosphorylation of histone H3 ser10) observed at this concentration by western blot and immunofluorescence. Irrespective of the p53 status of the cell line, AZD1152 induced its antiproliferative effect by inhibiting cytokinesis with endoreduplication of chromosomes. At a concentration of 100 nM AZD1152 induced all the cells to undergo polyploidy followed by significant apoptosis. AZD1152 also showed tumor suppression/ regression in mice bearing HCT-116 tumors in a dose dependent manner. However, 3 weeks after the therapy the tumors showed an increased proliferation rate and regrowth. Combination studies were done with the topoisomerase II poison CPT-11 and its active metabolite SN-38. In vitro studies showed a synergistic effect with SN-38. A close examination revealed an antagonistic effect when SN-38 was given prior to AZD1152. This was associated with SN-38 induced G2 cell cycle arrest and a decrease in AZD1152 induced polyploidy. In contrast, the reverse sequence of AZD1152 followed by SN-38 was most effective with persistence of the polyploid phenotype and increased apoptosis. This was confirmed using annexin V+, and DAPI staining, as well as western blot using PARP cleavage. This was next evaluated in tumor bearing mice. As expected the effect of tumor suppression/ regression against the HCT-116 xenografts was greatest in the combination therapy as compared with either single agent AZD1152 or CPT-11 therapy. The sequence of drug administration favored AZD1152 followed by CPT-11, though even the reverse sequence was better than either agent alone. In conclusion, AZD1152 is a potent inhibitor of cell growth in proliferating colon cancer cells, both as a single agent and in combination with CPT-11. Studies suggest that administration sequence may influence the outcome when an Aurora B kinase inhibitor is co-administered with a topoisomerase inhibitor. Supported by AstraZeneca.
A Task-Space Control Law for Free-Floating Space Robots

This paper examines the task-space control of a space robot in a free-floating mode of operation. The controller is developed by transforming the space robot's equations of motion into the task-space. It is then assumed that the space robot's translational thruster forces are zero and that its manipulator has three or more degrees of freedom. This presents an over-determined system of equations relating the space robot's actuator torques to the net task-space forces and torques. A computed-torque inner-feedback loop is then developed utilizing the pseudo-inverse solution that minimizes the norm of the actuator torques. The kinematics of the space robot's end-effector are then stabilized about a commanded pose with an error-quaternion based attitude control and a proportional translational position control. The computed-torque control is then further designed so that it drives the space robot at the velocities that stabilize the kinematics. This control technique is simulated on a space robot possessing a six degree of freedom manipulator.
DIFFERENCE IN MEDICATION ADHERENCE BETWEEN PATIENTS FILLING 30- VERSUS 90-DAY PRESCRIPTION SUPPLY AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

We hypothesize that 90-day prescription fills are underutilized in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients and may lead to higher adherence to evidence-based medications (EBMs) when compared with 30-day fills. We examined MI patients treated with PCI between 2011-2015 in the National
Exploring the effects of transducer models when training convolutional neural networks to eliminate reflection artifacts in experimental photoacoustic images

We previously proposed a method of removing reflection artifacts in photoacoustic images that uses deep learning. Our approach generally relies on using simulated photoacoustic channel data to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) that is capable of distinguishing sources from artifacts based on unique differences in their spatial impulse responses (manifested as depth-based differences in wavefront shapes). In this paper, we directly compare a CNN trained with our previous continuous transducer model to a CNN trained with an updated discrete acoustic receiver model that more closely matches an experimental ultrasound transducer. These two CNNs were trained with simulated data and tested on experimental data. The CNN trained using the continuous receiver model correctly classified 100% of sources and 70.3% of artifacts in the experimental data. In contrast, the CNN trained using the discrete receiver model correctly classified 100% of sources and 89.7% of artifacts in the experimental images. The 19.4% increase in artifact classification accuracy indicates that an acoustic receiver model that closely mimics the experimental transducer plays an important role in improving the classification of artifacts in experimental photoacoustic data. Results are promising for developing a method to display CNN-based images that remove artifacts in addition to only displaying network-identified sources as previously proposed.
On Psychological Capital: The Relationship with Human Capital, Social Capital and Performance

Over the past decade, a growing number of studies have demonstrated that psychological capital (PsyCap) has theoretical and empirical support. However, there are many questions to be addressed with...
The Influence of Microneedles on the Percutaneous Penetration of Selected Antihypertensive Agents: Diltiazem Hydrochloride and Perindopril Erbumine.

Background It is well documented in the scientific literature that high blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular disease. Untreated hypertension has clinical consequences such as coronary artery disease, stroke or kidney failure. Diltiazem hydrochloride (DH), a calcium-channel blocker, and perindopril erbumine (PE), an inhibitor of the angiotensin converting enzyme are used for the management of hypertension. Objective This project will examine the effect of microneedle rollers on the transport of DH and PE across pig ear skin. The use of the transcutaneous route of administration reduces and in sometimes eliminates the trauma and pain associated with injections. Furthermore, there is increased patient compliance. The purpose of this project was to study the effect of stainless steel microneedles on the transdermal delivery of DH and PE. Method We utilized vertical Franz diffusion cells to study in vitro transport of DH and PE across microneedle- treated pig ear skin. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to characterize microchannel depth. Transdermal flux values were determined from the slope of the linear portion of the cumulative amount versus time curve. Results There was a 113.59-fold increase in the transdermal permeation of DH following the application of microneedle roller compared to passive diffusion. Conclusion In the case of PE, there was an 11.99-fold increase in the drug transport across pig skin following the application of microneedle rollers in comparison with passive diffusion. Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney's rank sum test were used to determine statistically significant differences between experimental and control groups.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: An Uncontrollable Epidemic

There is an uncontrollable epidemic of drug abuse, with the misuse of opioids the most alarming. Along with the increase in opioid abuse, there exists a concomitant upsurge in the number of neonates experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to the effects of the mother's withdrawal from the drug. Neonates experiencing NAS exhibit various nervous system, gastrointestinal, and respiratory untoward symptoms. Diagnosis is determined by taking an accurate maternal history and assessment of clinical signs and symptoms. Clinical management strategies include pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies. Nursing care is evidence based, includes nonpharmacologic therapies, and focuses on prevention and support.
166 ZINC DYSHOMEOSTASIS IN RATS WITH ALDOSTERONISM: RESPONSE TO SPIRONOLACTONE.

Purpose Congestive heart failure (CHF) with secondary aldosteronism is accompanied by a systemic illness that includes oxidative stress in diverse tissues. Endogenous antioxidant defenses include intra- and extracellular Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), whose activities are dependent on the bioavailability of Cu and Zn. Hypozincemia occurs in patients with CHF. To elucidate potential mechanisms involved in Zn dyshomeostasis in CHF, we studied Zn balance, its tissue distribution, and plasma and tissue Cu/Zn-SOD activities in rats with aldosteronism. Methods and Results In rats receiving aldosterone/salt treatment (ALDOST) alone for 1 and 4 weeks or in combination with spironolactone (Spiro), an ALDO receptor antagonist, we monitored 24-hour urinary Zn excretion and tissue Zn levels in heart, liver, and skeletal muscle, together with tissue metallothionein (MT)-I, a Zn-binding protein, NADPH oxidase activation (gp91phox), and Cu/Zn-SOD activities in blood and tissues. Compared with untreated, age-/gender-matched controls (mean ± SEM), at days 7 and 28 of ALDOST, we found urinary Zn losses were increased (3.9 ± 0.2 vs 18.9 ± 3.1 and 20.2 ± 2.7 μg/24 h; p Conclusions Increased urinary Zn losses, together with Zn preferential translocation to sites of cardiac injury, contribute to Zn dyshomeostasis in rats with aldosteronism, and these responses can be prevented by Spiro. These findings shed light on hypozincemia found in CHF, where neurohormonal activation is present and Spiro cotreatment has proven efficacious.
A metabolomics-guided approach to discover Fusarium graminearum metabolites after removal of a repressive histone modification

Many secondary metabolites are produced by biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that are repressed during standard growth conditions, which complicates the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. In the genus Fusarium, many BGCs reside in chromatin enriched for trimethylated histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3), a modification correlated with transcriptional gene silencing. Here we report on our progress in assigning metabolites to genes by using a strain lacking the H3K27 methyltransferase, Kmt6. To guide isolation efforts, we coupled genetics to multivariate analysis of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) data from both wild type and kmt6, which allowed identification of compounds previously unknown from F. graminearum. We found low molecular weight, amino acid-derived metabolites (N-ethyl anthranilic acid, N-phenethylacetamide, N-acetyltryptamine). We identified one new compound, protofusarin, as derived from fusarin biosynthesis. Similarly, we isolated large amounts of fusaristatin A, gibepyrone A, and fusarpyrones A and B, simply by using the kmt6 mutant, instead of having to optimize growth media. To increase the abundance of metabolites underrepresented in wild type, we generated kmt6 fus1 double mutants and discovered tricinolone and tricinolonoic acid, two new sesquiterpenes belonging to the tricindiol class. Our approach allows rapid visualization and analyses of the genetically induced changes in metabolite production, and discovery of new molecules by a combination of chemical and genetic dereplication. Of 22 fungal metabolites identified here, 10 compounds had not been reported from F. graminearum before. We show that activating silent metabolic pathways by mutation of a repressive chromatin modification enzyme can result in the discovery of new chemistry even in a well-studied organism, and helps to connect new or known small molecules to the BGCs responsible for their production.
Constitutional Interpretation and Change in the United States: The Official and the Unofficial

This lecture, given at the Institut Villey in Paris, describes the processes of constitutional change in the American political and legal system.The first part of the lecture briefly summarizes the theory of framework originalism featured in Living Originalism.The second part of the lecture explains how the American constitutional system actually changes in practice, emphasizing two kinds of contributions to constitutional development. The first are the official contributions of laws and judicial doctrines. The second are the unofficial contributions of political parties and civil society, expressed through political mobilization, social influence, and cultural change.American constitutional development features a dialectic of legitimation. Efforts by the political branches to build out state functions, and efforts by civil society groups to make constitutional claims spur constitutional controversies. These controversies, in turn, may generate judicial doctrine that legitimates or holds illegitimate what political actors have done. Even when courts strike down particular laws or practices, their decisions may lead to other pathways for achieving political goals that will later be declared legitimate.The dialectic of legitimation explains the point of judicial review in the American constitutional system. Judicial review does not simply constrain or limit state power; rather judicial review legitimates, shapes and redirects political power. Indeed, modern democracies with judicial review are able to project power in ways that earlier states could never have imagined.The third part of the lecture explains why American constitutional theory appears to feature an opposition between living constitutionalism and originalism, an opposition which is actually illusory. Both calls for a return to original meaning and assertions that Americans have a living constitution are responses to the same phenomenon - the recognition that the world that produced the ancient constitution has dissolved. This is the experience of constitutional modernity.Constitutional modernity generates equal and opposite responses, which have been offered by both liberals and conservatives in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries - the need to cleave to the past and its symbols and concrete manifestations, and the need to transcend the past through pragmatic adaptation to a changed world.
Retrospective Evaluation of Remote Dielectric Sensing (ReDS) Vest Technology and its Impact on Heart Failure Readmission Rates and Diuretics Therapy

Purpose Early detection of fluid overload in CHF patients has previously shown to improve the quality and efficiency of care. ReDS vest is a non-invasive portable device that detects right lung fluid content. The purpose of this study was to assess if the use of ReDS technology was associated with decreased readmission rates, length of stay (LOS), and improvement in appropriateness of diuretic therapy in patients with CHF at our medical center. Methods An IRB approved retrospective chart review of 112 hospitalized adult patients with acute HF was conducted to evaluate the use of ReDS technology on patient outcomes. The ReDS vest readings were used at admission to aid the diagnosis of acute heart failure and adjust diuretics therapy. A two month time frame was used to assess the outcomes before and after device implementation. Eligible patients admitted June 1st to July 31st in 2017 without the guidance of ReDS vest served as the control group and patients admitted June 1st to July 31st in 2018 with the guidance of ReDS vest served as the study group. Baseline characteristics such as ejection fraction, BMP results, age, gender, and home and discharge diuretic regimens were reviewed. Each ReDS group patient was matched to a control patient based on all three criteria: age (±10 years), LVEF (≤ or >40%), and serum creatinine at admission (±0.3 mg/dL). The primary endpoint of this study was the rate of 30-day readmission. Secondary endpoints included LOS, changes in diuretic therapy based on ReDS reading, and changes in diuretics therapy between prior to admission and at discharge. The McNemar statistical test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyze the endpoints. Results A total 56 patients in the ReDS group were matched to 56 patients in the control group. For the primary endpoint of 30 day heart failure readmission rates, there were 4 readmissions in the ReDS group and 10 readmissions in the control group [OR = 2.5 (95% CI: 0.78-7.97); P = 0.09]. For the secondary endpoint of LOS, ReDS group patients stayed an average of 5.2 days and control group patients stayed an average of 6.3 days (p = 0.02). Three patients out of the ReDS group had inpatient diuretics therapy changed due to their ReDS reading. Lastly, when the prior to admissions diuretics therapy was compared to discharge therapy, the ReDS group had 19 patients with new diuretic additions, 8 patients with dose increases of current diuretics, and one patient with both a new addition and increased dose. In the control group, 22 patients had new diuretic additions, 5 patients had dose increases of current diuretics, and one patient had both a new addition and increased dose. Conclusion The use of the technology decreased the LOS for patients admitted for ADHF and was able to augment the clinician's ability to guide therapy for some patients. However, future studies covering a longer time frame are warranted to further evaluate its role in preventing 30 day heart failure readmissions.
Pulmonary Bleb Resection and Pleurodesis (Open and MIS Approaches)

This chapter describes surgical procedures for pulmonary bleb resection and pleurodesis performed via the thoracoscopic and open approaches. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: lung isolation, safe entry into the thoracic cavity, staple resection of pulmonary blebs, mechanical and chemical pleurodesis, and chest tube drainage.
98 Pediatric mortality during an intimate partner homicide: the role of firearms and protection orders

Statement of Purpose To describe the proportion of intimate partner homicides (IPH) that include pediatric deaths in the same incident, whether that differs by whether or not a firearm was used, and describe use of protection orders (PO) among IPH victims. Methods Using the National Violent Death Reporting System we identified all IPH in one of the reporting states from 2003–2017 to define our cohort. We used descriptive statistics to describe incident, perpetrator and victim characteristics in IPH cases where a firearm was used versus not, and where children ( Results We identified a total of 8,375 incidents, with 9,130 victims, that were IPH-related. Over half of all victims (58.8%) were killed in a firearm-related incident. A greater proportion of children were killed when a firearm was used than not (proportion difference = 1.6%; 95% CI: 0.8–2.4). Based on narrative review, 5.9% of incidents had a PO filed. No PO explicitly mentioned firearm removal. The majority were granted (95% of those filed), and 23% had been granted within 2 weeks of the incident. Conclusion The presence of firearms increases the risk of death to children in homes with domestic violence. POs were rarely obtained in our sample of IPH-related deaths, but often granted. Prior literature suggests that POs with firearm removal may be effective strategies for reducing risk of IPH, but we found no mention of firearm removal in POs. Significance Results highlight the additional risk posed to children in homes with firearms and domestic violence. POs were infrequently endorsed in the narratives, highlighting a potential opportunity to promote awareness and support their use, especially with firearm removal.
The Role of Immigration Background, Intergroup Processes, and Social-Cognitive Skills in Bystanders' Responses to Bias-Based Bullying Toward Immigrants During Adolescence.

This study examined how intergroup processes and social-cognitive factors shape bystander responses to bias-based and general bullying. Participants included sixth and ninth graders (N = 179, M = 13.23) who evaluated how likely they would be to intervene if they observed bullying of immigrant-origin and nonimmigrant-origin peers. Adolescents' grade, intergroup attitudes, and social-cognitive abilities were evaluated as predictors of bystander responses. Nonimmigrant-origin adolescents reported that they expect they would be less likely to intervene when the victim is an immigrant-origin peer. Furthermore, participants with more intergroup contact and higher theory of mind were more likely to expect they would intervene in response to bias-based bullying. Findings have important implications for understanding factors that inform antibullying interventions that aim to tackle bias-based bullying against immigrants.
Improving coal powder wettability using electrolyte assisted surfactant solution

Abstract Evidence has shown that the prevalence of Coal Worker’s Pneumoconiosis (CWP) has been increasing among coal workers due to over-exposure to coal dust. Water spray is a widely used approach to suppress the coal dust in underground coal mines. The high surface tension of water prevents the water droplets to effectively capture coal particles. Although the addition of surfactant into water has been implemented in the mining industry to increase dust suppression efficiency. However, it is still a challenge to most of the mining industries for meeting the latest regulation. Studies have shown that the suppression efficiency could be improved significantly by using the surfactant with the addition of electrolyte. Thus, the selection of an optimum compounding solution is important. In this study, a standardised sink test method, which is reliable and accurate, was first proposed for evaluating the wettability of surfactant solutions. After that, the established standardised sink test method together with the commonly used surface tension test is used to evaluate the effectiveness of adding four different electrolytes to three types of surfactants. The finding of this paper provides the insight of an easy-conduct sink test method which may benefit other researchers who conduct similar tests. And the result reveals that the addition of electrolyte can significantly improve the coal powder wettability in anionic and cationic surfactant solutions. This study provides a starting point for the development of a more efficient low-cost dust suppression solutions.
A systems approach to malaria control: an institutional perspective

This study introduces a systems approach to malaria control. Comprising organizations from the health, environmental, agricultural, economic, political, and social sectors, the malaria control system (MCS) at hand is organized around a common goal of improving living conditions through reduced malaria. The premise is that effective malaria control strategies require the establishment of organizational linkages for information and knowledge flow in the MCS. The study first describes the systems approach. It then compares it with an existing cross-sector approach and identifies areas where the developed approach complements the existing ones. Lastly, it shows the application of the developed approach in the context of malaria control in Ghana.
Localized stress amplification in inertialess channel flows of viscoelastic fluids

Abstract Nonmodal analysis typically uses square-integrated quantities to characterize amplification of disturbances. However, such measures may be misleading in viscoelastic fluids, where polymer stresses can be strongly amplified over a small region. Here, we show that when using a localized measure of disturbance amplification, spanwise-constant polymer-stress fluctuations can be more amplified than streamwise-constant polymer-stress fluctuations, which is the opposite of what is observed when a square-integrated measure of disturbance amplification is used. To demonstrate this, we consider a model problem involving two-dimensional pressure-driven inertialess channel flow of an Oldroyd-B fluid subject to a localized time-periodic body force. Nonmodal analysis of the linearized governing equations is performed using recently developed well-conditioned spectral methods that are suitable for resolving sharp stress gradients. It is found that polymer-stress fluctuations can be amplified by an order of magnitude while there is only negligible amplification of velocity fluctuations. The large stress amplification arises from the continuous spectrum of the linearized problem, and may put the flow into a regime where nonlinear terms are no longer negligible, thereby triggering a transition to elastic turbulence. The results suggest an alternate mechanism that may be useful for understanding recent experimental observations of elastic turbulence in microchannel flows of viscoelastic fluids.
Effects of Technological, Economic, Political, and Socio-Cultural Factors on Wellbeing

This chapter discusses evidence related to the effects of technological, economic, political, and socio-cultural factors on wellbeing and positive mental health. I start out by presenting a theoretical model that can help the reader better understand how these macro factors can translate through a chain of events to ultimately influence wellbeing and positive mental health. With respect to the economic factors, I review evidence related to economic fluctuations, market openness, income inequality, unemployment, inflation, welfare system, and labor unions. Concerning the political factors, I review research on democratic governance, economic and political freedoms, participatory democracy, good governance, and war. With respect to socio-cultural factors, I discuss the effects of social quality, social capital, cultural values, social change, and the pace of life.
Blockchain, Privacy, and Artwork Registries: Consensus between Constraints

Blockchain is claimed to be a liberating technology that can upend current social structures through its decentralized, immutable ledger. In reality, however, blockchain is not absolutely decentralized, trustless, or transparent. Rather, blockchain is a general technology with a wide variety of applications, many of which are sustaining and incorporative of existing models. Blockchain artwork title registry is one of the use cases that can improve market transparency and efficiency without disrupting current market structure or eliminating intermediaries. Moreover, privacy and transparency are not incompatible. As a tamper-proof ledger that does not disclose a record’s content, blockchain can actually increase protections for privacy. The adoption of such a blockchain-based registry is the foundation for the long-term development of other blockchain applications in the art market, such as artist resale royalties and fractional ownership. Therefore, the registry is a conservative use case of this novel technology, with the potential to promote wider blockchain adoption in, and interoperability across, the art world. Through literature review and interviews, this essay explores blockchain’s implication for the art market, examines blockchain’s potentials and constraints, and proposes a starting point for the art world to reach consensus.
A Phenomenological Exploration of Adoptive Parent Experiences of Support During the Adoption Process

Children who age out of foster care face adjustments and mental health issues at higher rates than their peers, but those who are adopted have the opportunity to heal from previous trauma and exper...
Evaluating the Usability of a Dosimetry Quality Assurance Checklist and Associated Workload, Performance and Patient Safety in Clinical Settings.

Purpose/Objective(s) The majority of errors during radiation therapy (RT) treatment planning and associated quality assurance (QA) processes are ascribed to ‘human error’. Most centers typically use in-house QA checklists but without formal human factors engineering evaluations. We herein comprehensively evaluate the perceived usability of a dosimetry-QA checklist and associated cognitive workload, performance, and patient safety in real clinical settings at an academic medical center. Materials/Methods Four dosimetrists (female = 2, male = 2) performed pre-treatment QA tasks on 76 different RT plans with varying degrees of difficulty (low (35), medium (35), and hard (6) based on subjective rating by physicists) in the clinic. For each plan, the perceived usability and workload were assessed using a variety of validated tools (see results). We compare these scores with the recommended standards in human-computer interaction and human factors and ergonomics. Performance was measured using the time taken to complete the QA tasks on 46 different RT plans. Patient safety was measured as the number of errors leading to patient harm. Results See Table 1. The perceived usability of the dosimetry-QA checklist meets only 1 out of 6 standards assessed. The workload assessments are within the recommended standards. The average time taken to complete pre-treatment QA tasks is 37.25 minutes. No errors leading to patient harm were reported. Conclusion Our institutional dosimetry-QA checklist has suboptimal usability, but the associated workload is acceptable. QA checklists should be evaluated for usability and redesigned to reduce the risk of human errors, which are likely, at least in part, to result from the use of sub optimally designed tools. Future studies evaluating the association between usability and workload of QA checklists with patient safety indicators may be helpful.
Acquiring a Computer

The entire process of establishing an in-house computer center is developed as a typical civil engineering design project requiring a formal approach of: (1) Sound engineering investigation, evaluation and preparation; and (2) sound business justification, contract negotiation and financing. General, step-by-step, guidelines and important points of consideration are presented to assist a potential computer consumer in the task of computer acquisition. The guidelines begin with the justification of a computer purchase, and they proceed through vendor market research, request for proposals, vendor selection, contract negotiation and preparation for the computer's arrival. Topics discussed and recommendations given include hardware and software needs, computer performance specifications, benchmarking, price and contract term negotiations, maintenance agreements and software development.
A23 Changes in walking activity following residential relocation: Longitudinal results from the CARDIA study

Abstract Background While many studies have found measures of the built environment to be associated with active transportation, most have relied on cross-sectional research designs that are particularly vulnerable to residential self-selection. This study contributes longitudinal evidence based on changes in walking behavior following residential relocation. Methods This analysis used data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, a population-based prospective epidemiologic study that began in 1985–1986 with 5,115 participants in Birmingham, Alabama; Chicago, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Oakland, California. The sample consisted of 1,063 respondents who moved residential locations between the year 15 (2000–2001) and year 20 (2005–2006) exams. The primary exposure variable was a walkability index derived from population density, land use, street connectivity, and local parks data, measured at the pre- and post-move residential locations. Physical activity from walking was operationalized as a categorical measure of participation and continuous measures of frequency and exercise units. Random effects and fixed effects models were used to estimate the associations between change in the walkability index and change in each measure of walking behavior, adjusting for sociodemographic and health covariates. Results In the random effects models, the walkability index was positively associated with the odds of engaging in any walking activity and with walking frequency and exercise units. However, no significant associations between walkability and walking behavior were observed in the fixed effects models. Hausman tests suggested that the random effects estimates were biased for walking participation and exercise units, favoring the use of fixed effects. Conclusions The built environment was associated with walking activity in random effects but not fixed effects models. Approaches that base estimates on variation between units (e.g., cross-sectional and random effects regression) may be subject to bias from unmeasured confounding, such as that arising from residential self-selection.
Mechanisms of chromosome banding: VI. Whole mount electron microscopy of banded metaphase chromosomes and a comparison with pachytene chromosomes☆

Abstract Chinese hamster chromosomes, banded by exposure to actinomycin D during the G 2 period, were examined by whole mount electron microscopy. Bands of condensed chromatin were present in unstained preparations that were not fixed with methanol-acetic acid indicating that the differential condensation of chromatin plays a role in banding by this technique. There was a tendency for interdigitation of the chromatin of the homologous bands on sister chromatids. Since previous studies had shown that the bands of mitotic chromosomes matched the chromomeres of meiotic chromosomes, whole mount electron microscope preparations of pachytene chromosomes were also examined. These suggest that in addition to condensation the chromatin of the chromomeres may also have a higher density of attachment sites to the lateral element of the synaptonemal complex, and probably to the nuclear membrane in interphase cells.
Building a Coalition of Non-Profit Agencies to Collaborate with a County Health and Human Services Agency

Abstract It is rare that a group of community-based non-profit social service providers can successfully develop a coalition that includes not only a range of providers, but the County Health and Human Service Agency as well. This is a case study of a coalition of non-profit agencies that has come together in an attempt to plan and implement a comprehensive service delivery system to address the human service needs of residents in Napa County, California. With the goal of developing a comprehensive and seamless system of care for all residents of Napa, this non-profit coalition has begun to transform: (a) the way that services are designed and delivered, (b) the way that non-profits work together, and (c) the role of the county health and human services agency. The case study includes a set of obstacles encountered and lessons learned.
Sustainable Marketing: Collaborating with and Cloning Consumer 3.0

The degree to which the digital networked environment connects and aggregates individuals has forced the crowd into the marketing equation. The crowd is made up of consumers who both consume and produce (prosumers) and to appropriately integrate them into the marketing process requires a shift in the marketing paradigm. Envisioning integrated marketing communication and brand building as the creation of a marketing ecosystem, where consumer intelligence and production sustains the organization and at the same time supports the prosumers to optimize their consumption decisions, will require a sustainable marketing model. Sustainable marketing develops long-term mutually satisfying relationships and co-prosperity for all stakeholders by collaborating with the audience on the marketing process. Sustainable marketers will have to develop broader perspectives of and deeper insights into prosumers' processing, reactions, and underlying preferences. They will have to build partnership with prosumers to construct relevant marketing narratives and product offerings, inviting all facets of a prosumer's different personas to participate in the development of that narrative. As individuals chronicle their activities, interests, and actions across the digitally connected universe, ideal material for research, communication, and promotion is offered up freely to marketers by consumers. Developing profiles or consumer clones from such data may offer insights into behavior and choice that consumers could not share, even if they were motivated to do so. To be sustainable, marketers must simply help consumers organize this information in a meaningful manner – assisting consumers in the level, timing, and composition of demand in a way that will help the individual improve consumption behavior as opposed to simply delivering on objectives of the firm. Thus, key aspects of integrated marketing communication will be the re-education of the consumers about themselves and support for consumers to make best consumption decisions, even if this requires restructuring firm goals. Keywords: internet marketing; sustainable marketing; participatory marketing; collaborative marketing; prosumer; consumer intelligence
Dynamic optical mesh networks: Drivers, challenges and solutions for the future

We discuss the scalability challenges facing the optical networks. Using the architecture based on spectrum-sliced elastic optical path network (SLICE), we demonstrate how the networking functionality can be effectively shifted to the optical domain.
Blackboard architecture and applications

Demonstrates the considerable interest that the blackboard model generates both in practitioners and academicians. The authors contrast it with more familiar computational models. >
Enforcement of Arbitration Agreements in Securities Fraud Disputes

In this Article, the Author discusses the Supreme Court's increased willingness in recent years to rely on the arbitral process for the resolution of securities disputes, and its willingness to enforce pre-dispute arbitration agreements under the Arbitration Act.
Crystal-field energies for Sr F 2 : Ce 3 +

Magnetic-susceptibility measurements have been used to locate the low-lying crystal-field levels of Sr${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$: ${\mathrm{Ce}}^{3+}$. Three of the four levels arising from the crystal-field-split $^{2}F_{\frac{7}{2}}$ manifold were located by optical-absorption spectra. The fourth level is predicted. The experimental results placed the seven tetragonally split crystal-field levels at 0, 39, 1085, 2215, 2280, 2393, and 3380 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$.
A virtual 3D blackboard: 3D finger tracking using a single camera

We present a method for tracking the 3D position of a finger, using a single camera placed several meters away from the user. After skin detection, we use motion to identify the gesticulating arm. The finger point is found by analyzing the arm's outline. To derive a 3D trajectory, we first track 2D positions of the user's elbow and shoulder. Given that a human's upper arm and lower arm have consistent length, we observe that the possible locations of a finger and elbow form two spheres with constant radii. From the previously tracked body points, we can reconstruct these spheres, computing the 3D position of the elbow and finger. These steps are fully automated and do not require human intervention. The system presented can be used as a visualization tool, or as a user input interface, in cases when the user would rather not be constrained by the camera system.
Diagonal Wear Predicted By a Simple Wear Model

Diagonal wear on tires is a significant problem that can cause noise and vibration, and reduce the useful life of the tire. A wear model is used to show how diagonal wear can develop across the tread under certain conditions of toe and camber on a nondrive axle. In a simple wear model, tread wear is taken to be proportional to abrasion and sliding length. Triaxial stress measurements made in the laboratory on the tread blocks of rolling tires provide data for the wear prediction model. Under nonzero toe and camber the magnitude of the predicted wear is increased and its pattern becomes diagonal; a higher wear rate is predicted near the leading edge of contact on one side of the tire and near the trailing edge on the opposite side. This prediction agrees with the diagonal wear pattern seen on tires run on the road at similar toe and camber settings.
Do Ammunition Background Checks Reduce Murder Rates

Do ammunition background check laws reduce murder rates? Analysis of the effects of New Jersey’s requirement that handgun ammunition can only be transferred to those with a pistol permit or firearms owner’s permit (both of which require a background check) suggest that these laws are either ineffective or reduce crime rates for crimes that never or seldom involve guns — an unlikely consequence.
Vincenzo Ruggiero: The Crimes of the Economy: A Criminological Analysis of Economic Thought

Vincenzo Ruggiero’s latest book, The Crimes of the Economy, as the title suggests is a book about the crimes of the economy not to be confused with economic crimes per se. More specifically, it is a book about the history of the capitalist economy and the crimes that have accompanied this form of economic development, a story that is too rarely shared by informed economists and criminologists alike. A story that when fully expounded on by Ruggiero explains exactly how and why reverse Keynesianism or socialism for the wealthy, along with neoliberalism and ‘‘free markets’’ have come together to replace religion in the twenty-first century as the new opiates for both the rich and poor to adapt to differentially. In regard to the subtitle—A criminological analysis of economic thought—I would argue that the author has written more than an investigation of economic thought through the lenses of criminological thought. In addition, the book is a philosophical treatise on the relations between market capitalism and legal as well as social justice. I would further contend that Ruggiero’s thorough yet abridged examination of the crimes of the economy is also a political, economic, and cultural analysis of capitalist practices and strategies from the fifteenth century to the present day. Overall, Ruggiero has provided the reader with a fundamental critique and demystification of the capitalist-ideological rationalizations for the production of crime, harm, injury, punishment, and victimization, which have always been adjudicated as acceptable costs for doing capitalism because these allow for and facilitate the progress, development, and survival of an economic and political system whose very structure and legitimation depends on the asymmetrical relations of privilege, domination, inequality, consumption, and profit. Pretentions aside, Ruggiero demonstrates that economics has never been a hard science, certainly not one subject to natural or universal laws. Quite the contrary: if there are any fundamental laws at work here, they are ones created by human beings. These
INVERTEBRATE AND FISH ASSEMBLAGE RELATIONS TO DISSOLVED OXYGEN MINIMA IN LOWLAND STREAMS OF SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in lowland streams are naturally lower than those in upland streams; however, in some regions where monitoring data are lacking, DO criteria originally established for upland streams have been applied to lowland streams. This study investigated the DO concentrations at which fish and invertebrate assemblages at 35 sites located on lowland streams in southwestern Louisiana began to demonstrate biological thresholds. Average threshold values for taxa richness, diversity and abundance metrics were 2.6 and 2.3 mg/L for the invertebrate and fish assemblages, respectively. These thresholds are approximately twice the DO concentration that some native fish species are capable of tolerating and are comparable with DO criteria that have been recently applied to some coastal streams in Louisiana and Texas. DO minima >2.5 mg/L were favoured for all but extremely tolerant taxa. Extremely tolerant taxa had respiratory adaptations that gave them a competitive advantage, and their success when DO minima were <2 mg/L could be related more to reductions in competition or predation than to DO concentration directly. DO generally had an inverse relation to the amount of agriculture in the buffer area; however, DO concentrations at sites with both low and high amounts of agriculture (including three least-disturbed sites) declined to <2.5 mg/L. Thus, although DO fell below a concentration that was identified as an approximate biological threshold, sources of this condition were sometimes natural (allochthonous material) and had little relation to anthropogenic activity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some Torymidae (Hymenoptera : Chalcidoidea) from India

Abstract This paper deals with a part of the Torymidae studied by us. It describes seven new species and records seven known species for the first time from India. The types of the new forms are retained, for the present, in the School of Entomology.
Density matrix approach to the study of a monovacancy in sodium

Abstract The electronic structure and energetics of a monovacancy in Na have been studied using a variational scheme of the density matrix within the framework of the Hohenberg-Kohn-Sham functional theory. The discreteness of the lattice is considered non-perturbately, and three dimensional density contour around the vacancy is obtained. The results are compared with previous calculations and experiment.
The Aesthetic Dimensions of U.S. and South Korean Responses to Web Home Pages: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

Culturally influenced preferences in website aesthetics is a topic often neglected by scholars in human–computer interaction. Kim, Lee, and Choi (2003) identified aesthetic design factors of web home pages that elicited particular responses in South Korean web users based on 13 secondary emotional dimensions. This study extends Kim et al.'s work to U.S. participants, comparing the original South Korean findings with U.S. findings. Results show that U.S. participants reliably applied translations of the emotional adjectives used in the South Korean study to the home pages. However, factor analysis revealed that the aesthetic perceptions of U.S. and South Korean participants formed different aesthetic dimensions composed of different sets of emotional adjectives, suggesting that U.S. and South Korean people perceive the aesthetics of home pages differently. These results indicate that website aesthetics can vary significantly between cultures.
The Anatomy of the Maine Lobster Comanagement Law

In fisheries management circles, there is growing interest in comanagement in which authority for managing fish stocks is shared between government agencies and the fishing industry. This article d...