cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Residential proximity to concentrated animal feeding operations and allergic and respiratory disease.

Abstract Background Air emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) have been associated with respiratory and allergic symptoms among farm workers, primarily on swine farms. Despite the increasing prevalence of CAFOs, few studies have assessed respiratory health implications among residents living near CAFOs and few have looked at the health impacts of dairy CAFOs. Objectives The goal of this study was to examine objective and subjective measures of respiratory and allergic health among rural residents living near dairy CAFOs in a general population living in the Upper Midwest of the United States. Methods Data were from the 2008–2016 Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) cohort ( n = 5338), a representative, population based sample of rural adults (age 18+). The association between distance to the nearest CAFO and the prevalence of self-reported physician-diagnosed allergies, asthma, episodes of asthma in the last 12 months, and asthma medication use was examined using logistic regression, adjusting for covariates and sampling design. Similarly, the association between distance to the nearest CAFO and lung function, measured using spirometry, was examined using multivariate linear regression. Restricted cubic splines accounted for nonlinear relationships between distance to the nearest CAFO and the aforementioned outcomes. Results Living 1.5 miles from a CAFO was associated with increased odds of self-reported nasal allergies (OR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.38, 3.14), lung allergies (OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.59, 4.66), asthma (OR = 2.67; 95% CI: 1.39, 5.13), asthma medication (OR = 3.31; 95% CI: 1.65 6.62), and uncontrolled asthma, reported as an asthma episode in last 12 months (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.11, 4.92) when compared to living 5 miles from a CAFO. Predicted FEV1 was 7.72% (95% CI: −14.63, −0.81) lower at a residential distance 1.5 miles from a CAFO when compared with a residence distance of 3 miles from a CAFO. Conclusions Results suggest CAFOs may be an important source of adverse air quality associated with reduced respiratory and allergic health among rural residents living in close proximity to a CAFO.
James A. Birchler

James “Jim” A. Birchler, Curators’ Distinguished Professor at the University of Missouri (MU or Mizzou), is perhaps the closest thing that the 21st century gets to a “jack of all trades.” He’s known by the fly world as the scientist who discovered cosuppression in Drosophila , by the
Metformin Blunts Exercise-Induced Improvements in Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Respiration Independent of Changes in Mitochondrial Biogenesis

The anti-hyperglycemic agent Metformin and exercise independently prevent the progression from prediabetes to overt type two diabetes (T2D) and are both implicated in healthspan extension. However,...
Changing realities, changing methods: digital research methods

It is hard to believe that the internet was founded roughly sixty years ago. With the advent of the internet came new vocabulary: big data, social networks, data smog, data traces, data collaborati...
Perceptions and understanding of research situations as a function of consent form characteristics and experimenter instructions

Abstract Two studies examined how research methodology affected participant behaviors. Study 1 tested (a) consent form perspective (1st, 2nd, or 3rd person) and (b) information on participants’ right to sue upon perceptions of coercion, ability to recall consent information, and performance on experimental tasks. Unexpectedly, participants who received instructions without the right to sue information had significantly better recall of their research rights. Study 2 manipulated (a) consent form complexity (presence or absence of jargon) and (b) the detail of verbal instructions (simple, elaborate); participants who received a consent form with simpler language spent more time on a difficult task, and participants in the elaborate instruction condition recalled more details. Together, these studies suggest (a) explaining the right to sue may actually be counterproductive; (b) providing a more detailed explanation may help participants remember procedural details; and (c) using jargon may decrease task performance.
Phase Demodulation by Frequency Chirping in Coherence Microwave Photonic Interferometry

This article presents a signal processing method to demodulate the optical interference phase of cascaded individual optical fiber intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (IFPI) sensors in a coherent microwave-photonic interferometry (CMPI) distributed sensing system. The new method utilizes the chirp effect of electro-optic modulator (EOM) to create a quasi-quadrature optical interference phase shift between two adjacent pulses which correspond to two adjacent reflection points in the time domain. The phase shift can be controlled by adjusting the bias voltage that is applied to the EOM. The interference phase is calculated by elliptically fitting the phase shift. The interference phase change is proportional to the optical path difference (OPD) change of the interferometer, and the sign can be used to differentiate the increase or decrease of the OPD. The method is demonstrated for distributed strain sensing, showing good linearity, high resolution and large dynamic range.
Programming Parameters and Techniques in Trigeminal Ganglion Stimulation for Intractable Facial Pain

Objectives Atypical facial pain syndromes are challenging disorders to manage and often incur limited benefit with surgery for classical trigeminal neuralgia presentations, such as microvascular decompression or ablative procedures. Neurostimulation of the trigeminal ganglion and peripheral nerves can be effective at treating atypical presentations of trigeminal facial pain affecting the V1-3 dermatomes, and the surgical techniques are well described. The stimulation parameters, however, have thus far received limited description; we therefore sought to describe programming strategies. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective chart review, examining patients that underwent trigeminal ganglion stimulation (TGS) and nerve branch stimulation for atypical facial pain and trigeminal neuropathic pain, and describe the programming strategies in detail. Results We describe the use of high-frequency stimulation (1000 Hz), with alteration in pulse width (60-220 msec) and amplitude (0.5-3 V) to achieve effective treatment of refractory trigeminal facial pain. These parameters differ from existing published parameters for trigeminal nerve branch stimulation. We also describe the programming of specific contacts on each lead to target specific aspects of the individual patients' facial pain. Conclusions The use of effective programming strategies is critical to the success of neurostimulation surgical treatments; however, the critical details in programming strategies typically receive limited description. We report on the use of several successful programming strategies for TGS, to assist pain providers in successfully applying these surgical techniques in these difficult to manage atypical facial pain syndromes.
Performance evaluation of multimodal deep learning: object identification using UAV dataset

Object identification or classification has found many applications, ranging from civilian to defense application scenarios and there is a rising need for a both effective and efficient identification approach. One of the common methods for this task is using a neural network. However, it could be very difficult for such a network to obtain accurate answers due to complex environments, especially when the data is of single modality. In this paper, we attempt to build a combined deep learning model which takes two distinct data modalities to help us achieve high accuracy multimodal classification systems. An experiment is conducted on Multimodal Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Dataset for Low Altitude Traffic Surveillance (AU-AIR) using both visual and sensor data. We compare our results between a model trained with visual data only and another combined model trained with both visual and sensor data. Improved object classification performance is observed when the multimodal method is applied.
The Thirteenth Amendment and Human Trafficking: Lessons and Limitations

This Article urges a Thirteenth Amendment framework for human trafficking law and policy-- one that applies a race-conscious lens to the amendment’s prohibition on slavery, involuntary servitude and its evolving forms. This approach legitimizes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act as an appropriate exercise of Congress’s Section Two power to enforce the Thirteenth Amendment. It also encourages a structural analysis of human trafficking that highlights populations particularly vulnerable to race‑based economic subordination and identifies deficiencies in current anti‑trafficking policies and practices that fail to reach them. Importantly, this approach cautions against anti‑trafficking measures, which exceed the Thirteenth Amendment’s unfulfilled yet intended scope, to eliminate slavery, involuntary servitude and its "badges and incidents," namely those systems that maintain race‑based economic subordination. Such scrutiny would discourage the rush to policies that conflate human trafficking with an ever‑expanding range of exploitive conduct, which results in over‑criminalization and diverts attention away from the forced labor and services of people of color. It also helps to preserve the integrity of the Thirteenth Amendment as the constitutional paradigm by which to address race‑based economic subordination.
Efficiency-Optimized Current-Source Resonant Converter for USB-C Power Delivery

This paper presents a resonant dc-dc converter capable of providing load-independent output current without the need for active current control. This converter comprises an LC3L resonant tank, with inductance and capacitance values selected based on a new design methodology that achieves two objectives: 1) the converter’s output current is independent of its output voltage, and 2) the resonant tank losses are minimized. The design methodology is based on minimizing inductive energy storage to improve the power conversion efficiency. This design methodology makes the converter suitable for applications that require constant current over a wide range of output voltages, such as USB-C power delivery (PD) based battery charging. An efficiency-optimized current-source LC3L converter prototype operating from 20-V input and delivering 6 A current with USB-C PD output voltages in the range from 5 V to 15 V is designed, built and tested. The prototype achieves a peak efficiency of 92%, maintains >87% efficiency over the entire output voltage range, and is also shown to have >10% lower losses compared to a conventionally designed prototype. A loss breakdown demonstrates how reduced inductive energy storage results in lower system losses.
Assessment and Research Standards in Group Work: A Call to Action for Counselors, Counselor Educators, and Researchers

The field of professional counseling has grown and matured exponentially over the last several years and with this growth there is an increased focus on how we conduct our work as practitioners, ed...
Fish Oil Supplementation May Improve Partial Thromboplastin Time in Individuals with Blood Type A

Individuals with non-O blood types are at an increased risk for developing and dying from heart disease. Non-O blood type also increases risk for pulmonary embolism. Thrombotic occlusion is often t...
Shared Integrated Library System Migration From a Technical Services Perspective

In this article the authors provide an overview of the Washington State University Libraries’ journey from planning the implementation of a new shared integrated library system to ‘go live’ from a technical services perspective and discusses the challenges encountered by Washington State University Libraries Technical Services. Examples from the literature and the authors’ own experiences are used to discuss aspects of data migration and implementation of a new shared integrated library system. This article should be of interest to those planning data migration, whether to a traditional integrated library system or a cloud based library management system.
X-trace: a pervasive network tracing framework

Modern Internet systems often combine different applications (e.g., DNS, web, and database), span different administrative domains, and function in the context of network mechanisms like tunnels, VPNs, NATs, and overlays. Diagnosing these complex systems is a daunting challenge. Although many diagnostic tools exist, they are typically designed for a specific layer (e.g., traceroute) or application, and there is currently no tool for reconstructing a comprehensive view of service behavior. In this paper we propose X-Trace, a tracing framework that provides such a comprehensive view for systems that adopt it. We have implemented X-Trace in several protocols and software systems, and we discuss how it works in three deployed scenarios: DNS resolution, a three-tiered photo-hosting website, and a service accessed through an overlay network.
Analysis of Child Food Requests and Maternal Compliance in Low‐income Hispanic and Non‐Hispanic Families

This study examined child food requests, maternal compliance to those requests, and how these differed between Hispanic and non-Hispanic participants. Low-income mother–child dyads (N = 149) completed an in-home structured interview, and height and weight were measured. The average number of requests per child by food group from most to least was as follows: grains, combination, sweets, dairy, fruits, fats, beverages, meats, and vegetables. The average rate of maternal compliance by food group from highest to lowest was as follows: vegetables, meat, fruits, combination, beverages, dairy, grains, fats, and sweets. Hispanic children requested significantly more dairy (p < .001), beverages (p < .001), and combination foods (p = .045) compared to non-Hispanic children, but maternal compliance rates were not significantly different between groups. Utilizing child influence on dietary behaviors could be a strategy for future nutrition interventions in this population.
Shielding of the Final Focusing System in the Robust Point Design

The Heavy Ion Fusion Virtual National Laboratory (HIF-VNL) recently initiated an effort to reach an updated, self-consistent, integrated point design for a thick-liquid inertial fusion energy power plant. We call this design the Robust Point Design. As part of this effort, the shielding design of the final focusing system has been evaluated, in an iterative fashion, with other elements of the design. The present work reports on the status of the shielding design from the perspectives of superconductor/insulator radiation lifetimes, recirculating power needed to counter nuclear heating, and neutron activation, which affects both system maintainability and waste management. Models used herein include the last three focusing magnets, and a full, three-dimensional model for the target chamber. Analyses have been performed for 9-by-9 beam arrays, with a total of 120 beams (60 per side). Results and directions for future work are presented.
Satisfiability and Resiliency in Workflow Authorization Systems

We propose the role-and-relation-based access control (R2BAC) model for workflow authorization systems. In R2BAC, in addition to a user’s role memberships, the user’s relationships with other users help determine whether the user is allowed to perform a certain step in a workflow. For example, a constraint may require that two steps must not be performed by users who have conflicts of interests. We study computational complexity of the workflow satisfiability problem, which asks whether a set of users can complete a workflow. In particular, we apply tools from parameterized complexity theory to better understand the complexities of this problem. Furthermore, we reduce the workflow satisfiability problem to SAT and apply SAT solvers to address the problem. Experiments show that our algorithm can solve instances of reasonable size efficiently. Finally, it is sometimes not enough to ensure that a workflow can be completed in normal situations. We study the resiliency problem in workflow authorization systems, which asks whether a workflow can be completed even if a number of users may be absent. We formally define three levels of resiliency in workflow systems and study computational problems related to these notions of resiliency.
Optic neuritis and recurrent myelitis in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus

Optic neuritis and myelitis can occur as manifestations of idiopathic demyelinating syndromes, as well as of systemic rheumatic syndromes. In this Case Study, Drs Birnbaum and Kerr present a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and concomitant neuromyelitis optica (also known as Devic's syndrome), and discuss the distinguishing clinical and radiographic features critical for an accurate diagnosis. Background A 38-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with headaches and bilateral hearing loss. Brain MRI was initially suggestive of small-vessel disease developing in the context of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Several months later, the patient developed optic neuritis, followed by recurrent attacks of myelitis. Investigations MRI of the spine revealed multifocal regions of myelitis affecting the cervical spine. Serological evaluation revealed the presence of neuromyelitis optica-IgG antibodies. MRI of the brain was nondiagnostic for multiple sclerosis. Diagnosis Recurrent myelitis and optic neuritis, occurring in the context of neuromyelitis optica (also known as Devic's syndrome). Management The patient had recurrent attacks of myelitis despite treatment with pulse cyclophosphamide. After initiation of rituximab, the patient experienced symptomatic improvement and had no further attacks of opticospinal disease.
Solid-State Heteronuclear-Correlation NMR Studies of Multicomponent Phosphate Glasses

The correlation between 23Na and 31P nuclei in alkali phosphates has been investigated by cross-polarization MAS NMR spectroscopy. Connectivity between sodium ions with various phosphorus tetrahedra has been demonstrated in a variety of crystalline-and amorphous alkali phosphates. CPMAS NMR experiments were also performed on sodium aluminophosphate glasses from both quadrupolar nuclei (23Na and 27Al) to the phosphorus nuclei to establish connectivity of sodium and phosphorus as well as aluminum and phosphorus nuclei in these systems.
An Analysis of the Farmer-Owned Reserve Program, 1977–82

An econometric model of the U.S. agricultural sector is utilized to examine the effects of the Farmer-Owned Reserve Program on crop and livestock production and prices, farm income, crop carry-over levels, and government outlays. The program has had a positive impact on commodity prices and farm income but has not significantly reduced the annual variation in commodity prices. It also increased government outlays for agricultural commodity programs, but all of the increase is potentially recoverable. The continued use of the FORP to enhance commodity prices likely will lead to excessive government outlays in the long run.
Rotation diffusion effects in the specific heat of a dilute solid solution of ortho-H2 in para-H2

Abstract Measurements have been made of the specific heat of solid H2 with low ortho concentration. The results are described by a Debye lattice term and a pair-EQQ term with Γ k = 0.9 ±0.1 K . The magnitude of the second term indicates clustering in the solid due to rotation diffusion.
EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF KAWASAKI SYNDROME IN MIDMANHATTAN AND IN JAPAN

We compared epidemiologic and clinical features of Kawasaki Syndrome (KS) in 110 pts aged 2 wks to 12 9/12 yrs and seen Jan '80 to Aug '86 with large series from Japan. Similarities: age below 5 yrs (72%), sex (61% male), urban and suburban dwelling almost entirely, recurrence rate (2%), myocardial infarction (1%), and death rate (1%). Incidence of coronary aneurysms (18%) was associated in both areas with duration of fever (≥4 days) and in NY with Oriental race and height of platelet count. Yearly seasonal incidence was highest in springtime, as in Japan during epidemics. Dissimilarities: Heterogeneity in NY (50% Caucasian, 18% Black, 16% Hispanic, 16% Asian); mean age in NY (3½ yrs) higher than in Japan (1½h yrs); 32% <2 yrs in NY vs 50-60% in Japan; higher incidence of clinically apparent acute myocarditis (8%), but lower incidence of late cardiac failure (1%) and valvular regurgitation (2%) in NY. Personal interview with 60 families revealed use of rug shampoo within 1 month of onset in 12 (20%) and 1 case of recurrence after 2nd shampoo. This was the only family with 2 siblings affected, 1 wk apart. We conclude that KS in a heterogeneous Manhattan population resembles KS in Japan except for age distribution. In NY it occurred more often and more severely in Asians than in non-Asians.
A critical reevaluation of the stationary axonal cytoskeleton hypothesis

Neurofilaments are transported along axons in a rapid intermittent and bidirectional manner but there is a long-standing controversy about whether this applies to all axonal neurofilaments. Some have proposed that only a small proportion of axonal neurofilaments are mobile and that most are deposited into a persistently stationary and extensively cross-linked cytoskeleton that remains fixed in place for many months without movement, turning over very slowly. In contrast, others have proposed that this hypothesis is based on a misinterpretation of the experimental data and that, in fact, all axonal neurofilaments move. These contrary perspectives have distinct implications for our understanding of how neurofilaments are organized and reorganized in axons both in health and disease. Here, we discuss the history and substance of this controversy. We show that the published data on the kinetics and distribution of neurofilaments along axons favor a simple “stop and go” transport model in which axons contain a single population of neurofilaments that all move in a stochastic, bidirectional and intermittent manner. Based on these considerations, we propose a dynamic view of the neuronal cytoskeleton in which all neurofilaments cycle repeatedly between moving and pausing states throughout their journey along the axon. The filaments move infrequently, but the average pause duration is on the order of hours rather than weeks or months. Against this fluid backdrop, the action of molecular motors on neurofilaments can have dramatic effects on neurofilament organization that would not be possible if the neurofilaments were extensively cross-linked into a truly stationary network. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Effect of sodium on cellular calcium transport in rat kidney

The influence of extracellular Na (Nao) on cellular Ca transport and distribution was studied in rat kidney slices. Calcium efflux from prelabeled slices was depressed when Nao was completely replaced by choline or tetraethylammonium (TEA) ions and it was markedly stimulated when Na was reintroduced in a Na-free medium. However, reducing Nao (with choline or TEA as substituting ions) did not increase the total slice40Ca, their total exchangeable Ca pool, or the40Ca or45Ca of mitochondria isolated from these slices. Kinetic analyses of steady-state45Ca desaturation curves showed that reducing Nao depressed the exchange of Ca across the plasma membrane, slightly decreased the cytosolic Ca pool, but did not significantly affect the mitochondrial Ca pool and Ca cycling. Ouabain (10−3m) which should reduce the Na gradient across the plasma membrane had no effect on calcium distribution and transport. These results suggest that in kidney cells low Nao depresses Ca influx as well as Ca efflux; there may be an interaction between Na and Ca at a possible carrier located in the plasma membrane, but there is no Na/Ca exchange as described in several excitable tissues.
X-ray Sources in the Galaxy

A SEARCH for X-ray emission from galactic objects on April 29, 1963, disclosed two localized sources, one of which appeared in Scorpius and the other in the direction of the Crab Nebula. The observations were made with a proportional counter flown in an Aerobee rocket from White Sands, New Mexico.
Women's satisfaction with genetic counseling for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer: Psychological aspects

Women who participate in BRCA1/2 cancer genetic counseling do so for a variety of reasons, including learning quantitative risk information about their chances of developing hereditary breast-ovarian cancer at some point during their lifetimes. For these women, obtaining pre-test and disclosure genetic counseling with a professional affords them numerous potential benefits, including adequate preparation for, and accurate interpretation of, their test results. In consequence, women commonly report being highly satisfied with their cancer genetic counseling experience, even if the information learned through testing suggests they are at increased cancer risk. This occurrence raises an interesting question, namely, what are the psychological aspects of satisfaction with genetic counseling for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer in women? To answer this question, we administered the Genetic Counseling Satisfaction Scale (GCSS) to a convenience sample of 61 women participating in BRCA1/2 pretest genetic counseling, and re-administered the GCSS to approximately one-third of these women at disclosure. Available psychological data included personality, distress, and family functioning. In bivariate analyses, optimism and family functioning were positively associated with pretest satisfaction. With respect to satisfaction at disclosure, general and cancer-specific distress were negatively associated with satisfaction. Our findings suggest that psychological aspects of satisfaction with cancer genetic counseling vary, with individual differences and family functioning playing a role at pretest, and distress playing a role at disclosure. The implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
The influence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on surgeon practice patterns for stage II breast cancer patients

INTRODUCTION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NeoCTX) is standard management for locally advanced breast cancer. Phase III clinical trials reveal equivalent survival and improved breast conservation surgery (BCS) eligibility in Stage II breast cancer patients receiving neoCTX compared to postoperative CTX. Controversy persists regarding optimal integration of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNBx) into neoCTX protocols. We evaluated evolving surgical practice patterns regarding neoCTX, BCS, and SLNBx for Stage II breast cancer.
Human factors and safety considerations of night-vision systems flight using thermal imaging systems

Helmet Mounted Systems (HMS) must be lightweight, balanced and compatible with life support and head protection assemblies. This paper discusses the design of one particular HMS, the GEC Ferranti NITE-OP/NIGHTBIRD aviator's Night Vision Goggle (NVG) developed under contracts to the Ministry of Defence for all three services in the United Kingdom (UK) for Rotary Wing and fast jet aircraft. The existing equipment constraints, safety, human factor and optical performance requirements are discussed before the design solution is presented after consideration of these material and manufacturing options.
Absence of immunoreactive cytokines in supernatants of individual preimplantation human embryos.

Problem The purpose of this study was to determine if it was possible to use commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits to quantitate specific cytokine production from individual embryos. Methods We examined the supernatants of individual two to six cell preimplantation human embryos using commercially available kits for IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and LIF. Results Cytokines were undetectable in all media samples analyzed. Conclusion While it is possible that individual preimplantation embryos may produce cytokines, we believe these concentrations are below the detectable limits of the commercial assays used in this study.
CURRENTS OF SUFISM IN NINETEENTH‐ AND TWENTIETH‐CENTURY INDO‐PAKISTAN: AN OVERVIEW

L'A. analyse particulierement le cas de Jama'at Ali Shah qui utilise frequemment la presse ecrite, le chemin de fer et les modeles modernes d'organisation. Par consequent ce soufi est exemplaire des types de dynamiques a l'oeuvre chez les maitres soufis modernes indo-pakistanais. Apres l'independance du pays, le gouvernement pakistanais s'est efforce de controler les sanctuaires soufis et de promouvoir une version moderne officielle du soufisme. L'A. affirme qu'une conception universelle de l'islam a partir de la presse ecrite et des structures coloniales, a contribue aux transformations du soufisme indo-pakistanais
Physician introduction to opioids for pain among patients with opioid dependence and depressive symptoms

This study determined the frequency of reporting being introduced to opioids by a physician among opioid-dependent patients. Cross-sectional analyses were performed using baseline data from a cohort of opioid addicts seeking treatment with buprenorphine. The primary outcome was a response to the question: "Who introduced you to opiates?" Covariates included sociodemographics, depression, pain, and current and prior substance use. Of 140 participants, 29% reported that they had been introduced to opioids by a physician. Of those who were introduced to opioids by a physician, all indicated that they had initially used opioids for pain, versus only 11% of those who did not report being introduced to opioids by a physician (p < .01). There was no difference in current pain (78% vs. 85%, p = .29); however, participants who were introduced to opioids by a physician were more likely to have chronic pain (63% vs. 43%, p = .04). A substantial proportion of individuals with opioid dependence seeking treatment may have been introduced to opioids by a physician.
Capacity-driven pricing mechanism in special service industries

We propose a capacity-driven pricing mechanism for a class of service industries in which the customer behavior, the price–demand relationship, and the competition are distinct from other industries. The customers, in these industries, typically do not plan in advance and make a strategic decision to purchase the service. Our observations also revealed that the price–demand relationship in these industries could not be defined by fitted curves and the competition is largely local. We analyze both ‘risk-neutral’ and ‘risk-aversion’ based pricing models and conclude that the proposed capacity-driven model could define an ‘optimal’ solution, under mild assumptions. The resulting pricing mechanism has yielded positive results at our industrial partner, since its implementation in 2005.
Spectral fingerprinting of structural defects in plasma-treated carbon nanotubes

Controlled introduction of defects into aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was achieved by time-dependent plasma etching. The subsequent morphological changes in MWCNTs have been fingerprinted using Raman and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, by which induction of defects by functionalization was confirmed. We found that the introduction of defects along the nanotube body affects all Raman vibrational modes. A systematic analysis of the relationship between D, D′, D*, and G modes leads us to believe that no one peak can be used as an accurate standard for estimation of defects in nanotubes.
MODELS OF GERIATRICS PRACTICE: Outpatient Geriatric Evaluation and Management*

Objective To describe the development and operation of a practical model of outpatient geriatric evaluation and management (GEM) for high-risk, community-dwelling older adults. Participants Community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries age 70 years and older who were medically stable but had a high probability of repeated admission to hospitals (P(ra) > .40) in the future (n = 248). Intervention Outpatient GEM. Measurements Demographic, clinical, and use-of-hospital characteristics of patients; nature and quantity of GEM services; satisfaction of patients and their established primary physicians. Results At enrollment, the average patient was 78.7 years old, took 5.0 long-term prescription medications and was unable to perform 0.5 (of six) activities of daily living (ADL) and 1.4 (of seven) instrumental ADL. Many patients (71.3%) reported hospital days during the previous year. Each of three interdisciplinary teams (geriatrician, gerontological nurse practitioner, nurse and social worker) performed comprehensive assessments and then provided primary care and case management to a case load of 45 to 52 patients. On average, GEM required 6 months, during which patients visited the GEM clinic 7.4 times, had 10.4 active problems addressed, spoke to GEM staff members weekly by telephone, and were referred to two other providers. Most patients (94.4%) completed the GEM program; 66.7% completed advance directives. Satisfaction with GEM was high among the patients and their established primary physicians. The cost of the GEM personnel averaged about $1540 per patient treated. Conclusions This model of outpatient GEM provided 6 months of targeted intensive care at a reasonable cost. The satisfaction ratings of patients and their primary physicians were high.
History of biological aerosol standoff detection at the Applied Physics Laboratory

Since this is the tenth Chemical and Biological Sensing Conference, it is timely to reflect on progress in this field. We present a perspective on biological standoff detection from the point of view of past and current programs at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Topics will include our role in field testing, laboratory measurements and system modeling. We will also review the APL program in optical property determination of biological aerosols. Many challenges have been overcome and many lessons learned over the years that are worth reporting.
Science Communication, Information and Participatory Methodologies: Key Success Factors in a Public Debate on the Freshwater Crisis

The article considers how discrete disciplines such as documentary research, participatory methodologies and the public communication of science can, if used synergistically, provide the necessary elements for a public debate on a scientific issue of current interest. In this instance, the debate formed part of a CNR- British Council, Rome branch and the Civil Protection Department project for the communication of science to young people, and the theme chosen for dis- cussion was the freshwater crisis. It is important to ensure that schools offer suitable learning environments and provide innovative teaching techniques to encourage students to explore the social dimensions of the scientific issues they are dealing with.
A Multimethod Assessment of the Psychology Major.

This article describes a multimethod assessment of psychology student outcomes. Nineteen goals and objectives for psychology majors were identified. Attainment of these goals was measured by a multiple-choice test, senior and alumni surveys, a capstone course, and nonintrusive methods. I describe changes in the psychology program that were prompted by the assessment results.
A quantitative analysis of the spatial summation of excitation within the receptive field centers of retinal neurons.

In light-adapted cats action potentials of single optic tract fibers were recorded. Four light-stimuli of 0.09 degree diameter and 0.18 degree distance were projected to the receptive field center (sinusoidal stimulation 0.5 to 25 cps, degrce of modulation>0.9, maximal luminance 54 to 122 asb). The position of the 4 spot stimulus pattern was adjusted within the RF-center, as each light-spot elicited approximately the same neuronal activation. The spatial summation of the response of on-center and off-center neurons to one, two, three and four-spot illumination does not support a hypothesis of linear spatial summation and lateral interaction within the receptive field. The summing properties of on-center neurons in the RF-center are best described bymodels with multiplicative, lateral forward inhibition within the receptive field center [eq. (5–7)]. The inhibition coefficientk i in these equations was dependent on the stimulus frequency. It decreased with stimulus frequencies between 3 and 10 cps and increased above 10 cps. The experimental results indicate that the non-linear spatial summation of excitation within the RF-center is dependent on the temporal properties of the stimulus pattern.
Parent-child visiting policies of voluntary agencies

Abstract This article reports the results of a nationwide survey of the parent-child visiting policies of voluntary agencies providing foster care services. The majority of the 103 responding agencies had either developed their own visiting policy (54%) or adopted the policy of a public agency (18%), but a sizable minority (28%) had no visiting policy in effect. Those policies that had been developed emphasized the child's therapeutic needs and contained few standards regarding preferred frequency or location of visits or agency services to facilitate visiting, raising questions regarding protection of the parent-child relationship and correspondence between policies and the purposes of visiting as articulated in the literature.
Yoga leads to multiple physical improvements after stroke, a pilot study.

Summary Objective To assess change in physical functioning (pain, range of motion (ROM), strength, and endurance) after 8 weeks of therapeutic-yoga. Design Planned analyses of data from a randomized pilot study of yoga after stroke. Setting University-based research laboratory. Participants People with chronic stroke ( N =47) randomized to therapeutic-yoga ( n =37) or wait-list control ( n =10). Interventions 16 sessions of therapeutic yoga (twice a week/8 weeks). Yoga was delivered in a standardized and progressive format with postures, breathing, and meditation, and relaxation in sitting, standing, and supine. Main measures Pain was assessed with the PEG, a 3-item functional measure of the interference of pain. ROM included neck and hip active and passive ROM measurements). Upper and lower extremity strength were assessed with the arm curl test and chair-to-stand test, respectively. Endurance was assessed with the 6-minute walk and modified 2-min step test. Results After a Bonferroni Correction, pain, neck ROM, hip passive ROM, upper extremity strength, and the 6-min walk scores all significantly improved after 8 weeks of engaging in yoga. No changes occurred in the wait-list control group. Conclusions A group therapeutic-yoga intervention may improve multiple aspects of physical functioning after stroke. Such an intervention may be complementary to traditional rehabilitation.
Build your own glasses-free 3D display

Driven by the recent resurgence of 3D cinema, depth cameras and stereoscopic displays are becoming commonplace in the consumer market. Introduced last October, Microsoft Kinect has already fostered gesture-based interaction for applications well beyond the intended Xbox 360 platform. Similarly, consumer electronics manufacturers have begun selling stereoscopic displays and inexpensive stereoscopic cameras. Most commercial 3D displays continue to require cumbersome eyewear, but inexpensive, glasses-free 3D displays are imminent with the release of the Nintendo 3DS.At SIGGRAPH 2010, the Build Your Own 3D Display course demonstrated how to construct both LCD shutter glasses and glasses-free lenticular screens, providing Matlab-based code for batch encoding of 3D imagery. This follow-up course focuses more narrowly on glasses-free displays, describing in greater detail the practical aspects of real-time, OpenGL-based encoding for such multi-view, spatially multiplexed displays.The course reviews historical and perceptual aspects, emphasizing the goal of achieving disparity, motion parallax, accommodation, and convergence cues without glasses. It summarizes state-of-the-art methods and areas of active research. And it provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to construct a lenticular display. The course concludes with an extended question-and-answer session, during which prototype hardware is available for inspection.
NOTES ON A GENERAL FRAMEWORK FOR OBSERVED SCORE EQUATING

The purpose of this paper is to extend von Davier, Holland, and Thayer's (2004b) framework of kernel equating so that it can incorporate raw data and traditional equipercentile equating methods. One result of this more general framework is that previous equating methodology research can be viewed more comprehensively. Another result is that the standard error of equated score difference (SEED) has a wider application than originally proposed. The methods described in this paper are empirically evaluated in an accompanying simulation study (Moses & Holland, 2007).
Characterization of sarcomas by means of gene expression

Sarcomas represent a heterogeneous group of diseases of a variety of recognized histologic types. Among these subtypes is malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), a diagnosis no longer recognized as a specific diagnosis at some institutions. In this study, gene expression in 38 histologically well-defined sarcoma samples, 17 MFH samples, 12 samples of sarcomas classified simply as high-grade sarcoma (NOS, standing for "not otherwise specified"), and 26 other mesenchymal tumors was determined at Gene Logic Inc (Gaithersburg, MD), with the use of Affymetrix GeneChip U_133 arrays containing approximately 40,000 known genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Gene-expression analysis was performed with the use of the Gene Logic Gene Express(R) Software System. Differences in gene expression were quantified as the fold change in gene expression between the various sets of well-defined sarcomas. A set of genes was then identified that could be used to distinguish the well-defined sets of 11 liposarcomas, 9 leiomyosarcomas, 4 synovial sarcomas, 8 schwannomas, and 12 cases of aggressive fibromatosis through the use of Eisen clustering. Eisen clustering was then repeated with the same set of gene fragments with the sample set of 38 histologically well-defined sarcomas, the 17 sarcomas classified as MFH, 12 sarcomas classified as high-grade sarcoma (NOS), and 26 other mesenchymal tumors. Under these conditions, each of the samples of well-defined sarcoma formed distinct clusters that contained some of the MFH and NOS samples. In addition, distinct clusters were observed that contained only MFH and NOS samples. We conclude that gene-expression patterns may be useful in helping further classify subtypes of sarcomas.
Electoral Competition and the Frequency of Initiative Use in the U.S. States

To what extent has direct democracy, specifically the ballot initiative process, served to substitute for perceived deficiencies of representative democracy in the United States? Despite extensive literatures on both direct democracy and democratic representation, there exist very few direct evaluations of the interplay between the two. I examine whether variation in the frequency of a state’s initiative use is related to the extent to which that state’s representative institutions lack electoral competition. I find that initiative states with a higher percentage of uncontested elections for representative office see more initiative use than states with more competitive elections, conditional on the ideological divergence between citizens and legislators. The results contribute much to our understanding of the processes driving cycles of initiative use and identify a tangible consequence of the presence of misrepresentative state institutions.
Phytohemagglutinin lymphocyte stimulation in children with recurrent urinary tract infections.

Abstract The delayed hypersensitivity (T cell) response of children with recurrent urinary tract infections, normal children, and children with other bacterial infections was measured by the ability of their lymphocytes to react in vitro to phytohemagglutinin. A comparison among these three groups demonstrated no differences in response. We conclude that the delayed hypersensitivity response is grossly normal in most children with recurrent urinary tract infections.
Automotive air pollution research

Automotive air pollution research has as its objectives: (1) to understand the nature of the atmospheric effects, (2) to understand the nature of vehicle emissions, and (3) to develop concepts for the control of significant pollutants. Progress toward these objectives is reviewed with respect to photochemical smog, carbon monoxide, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, lead, and diesel smoke and odour. While we have come a long way in the scientific understanding of photochemical smog and carbon monoxide pollution, and technology for the control of these problems presses hard on the heels of understanding, the need for more scientific investigations of all aspects of automotive air pollution is clear.
C-terminal variations in beta-thymosin family members specify functional differences in actin-binding properties.

Mammalian cells express several isoforms of β-thymosin, a major actin monomer sequestering factor, including thymosins β4, β10, and β15. Differences in actin-binding properties of different β-thymosin family members have not been investigated. We find that thymosin β15 binds actin with a 2.4-fold higher affinity than does thymosin β4. Mutational analysis was performed to determine the amino acid differences in thymosin β15 that specify its increased actin-affinity. Previous work with thymosin β4 identified an α-helical domain, as well as a conserved central motif, as crucial for actin binding. Mutational analysis confirms that these domains are also vital for actin binding in thymosin β15, but that differences in these domains are not responsible for the variation in actin-binding properties between thymosins β4 and β15. Truncation of the unique C-terminal residues in thymosin β15 inhibits actin binding, suggesting that this domain also has an important role in mediating actin-binding affinity. Replacement of the 10 C-terminal amino acids of thymosin β15 with those of thymosin β4 did, however, reduce the actin-binding affinity of the hybrid relative to thymosin β15. Similarly, replacement of the thymosin β4 C-terminal amino acids with those of thymosin β15 led to increased actin binding. We conclude that functional differences between closely related β-thymosin family members are, in part, specified by the C-terminal variability between these isoforms. Such differences may have consequences for situations where β-thymosins are differentially expressed as in embryonic development and in cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 77:277–287, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mechanized Algebraic Operations (MAO)

A software package for Mechanized Algebraic Operations (MAO) is described. With MAO one is able to manipulate on the computer Poisson series in literal form. The system is operational; it has application in the fields of celestial mechanics, astrodynamics, and nonlinear mechanics. Besides describing the system, the present paper suggests various techniques to prepare problems such that they lend themselves for an automated treatment with MAO. Optimized implementation of the general subroutines is discussed.
Herstellung von methoxythiocarbonyl‐substituierten Harnstoffen

Die Alkalisalze 4 des Phenylthiocarbamidsaure-O-methylesters (1) liefern mit Phosgen ein Saurechlorid (5), welches einen bequemen Zugang zur bisher unbekannten Gruppe der methoxythio-carbonyl-substituierten Harnstoffe 6 eroffnet. Die Umsetzung von 4 mit Carbonylchloriden bzw. mit Sulfonylchloriden zeigt, das 4 das typische Verhalten einer ambifunktionellen Verbindung aufweist. Preparation of Methoxythiocarbonyl Substituted Ureas The alkali metal salts 4 of phenylthiocarbamic O-methyl ester (1) yields with phosgene a carbonyl chloride (5), which is a suitable starting material for the preparation of the hitherto unknown group of methoxythiocarbonyl substituted ureas. In its reactions with carbonyl chlorides or sulfonyl chlorides, 4 shows the typical behaviour of an ambident anion.