cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Was There a Broad Spectrum Revolution in Southwest Europe

This volume has explored the evidence for the presence of a Broad Spectrum Revolution in Late Paleolithic Southwest Europe from theoretical, paleoenvironmental, site location, and archaeofaunal perspectives. This chapter summarizes the findings of previous chapters and explores the connection between human demographic pressure and environmental stress. While the mammalian archeofaunal record from southern France does suggest change at the Pleistocene–Holocene transition (as does to a lesser extent that of Euro-Siberian Iberia), I find little evidence for environmental stress in this region and time period. Instead, local environmental variability seems to have shaped human response to warming climates.
Understanding Strengths in Relation to Complex Trauma and Mental Health Symptoms within Child Welfare

Strengths can have a potent effect in mitigating the impact of trauma on mental health needs and functioning. Yet, evidence is limited on the role that strengths may have in ameliorating trauma-related or mental health symptoms over time. Providing a comprehensive assessment that includes strengths, as well as needs, is an important step in making appropriate service recommendations for youth in child welfare. This study assessed 7,483 children and adolescents entering an intensive stabilization program through the Illinois child welfare system. The interaction of individual, child strengths in relation to complex trauma exposure, traumatic stress symptoms, risk behaviors, and other mental health needs were examined. Results indicated strengths are relatively stable over time and inversely associated with several negative outcomes, including risk behaviors (−.32, p < .001), emotional/ behavioral needs (−.33, p < .001) and overall functioning (−.47, p < .001). Traumatic stress symptoms were also related to increases in these negative outcomes. Overall, strengths had a buffering effect on traumatic stress symptoms and outcomes over time. The role of strengths in relation to traumatic stress symptoms, however, was less consistent. Youth with histories of complex trauma exposure had significantly fewer useable strengths than youth without this exposure. However, strengths improved for both youth with and without complex trauma exposure over the course of stabilization services. These findings suggest that early identification and development of child strengths can mitigate risk-taking behaviors, mental health, and functional difficulties among youth in the child welfare system. Implications for more targeted trauma-informed and strengths-based assessment, and treatment/service planning are discussed.
Enhancing Physician Empathy: Optimizing Learner Potential for Narrative Transportation

This article argues for the pedagogical usefulness of engaging with literary texts in the formal training of physicians and healthcare workers. It suggests that particular “skills” in reading and engaging with narrative are as readily teachable to healthcare students as are skills in reading x-rays or in diagnosing symptoms. It focuses on three phenomena associated with literary (and other forms) of narrative – namely, the recognition of characters, vicarious experience, and the experience of fellow feeling – and relates them to three categories in cognitive psychology: Theory of Mind, Narrative Transportation, and Empathy. It presents a survey of empirical studies in cognitive psychology that demonstrates the effectiveness of literary narrative in producing these psychological states, and ends by demonstrating how the teaching of a literary narrative – Bastard Out of Carolina – has enhanced these states in students planning on a career in medicine. Such enhancement, the article suggests, are produced by literary features such as imagery, defamiliarization, and patterned organization on the levels of phonology, semantics, and story structure.
History of the Cognitive Development Society: The First 16 Years

ABSTRACTThis article briefly outlines the history of the Cognitive Development Society (CDS) since its inception in 1999 through 2016. At its biennial meeting in October of 2015 CDS celebrated 16 years of contributions to the community of cognitive development researchers. This article continues that celebration.
Digital (Library Services) and (Digital Library) Services

This paper is an exploration of digital library services, in both possible senses: services provided digitally by physical libraries, and services provided by digital libraries. Services, regardless of the environment in which they are provided, break down into services performed on materials (technical services) and services provided to individual users and communities of users (public services). Both traditional and new services are discussed as a means for exploring the question of what a library service is. Value is proposed as the concept unifying all library services. Libraries are called upon to experiment with providing new services, and to study users’ perceptions of value and methods of value creation.
Airway epithelial anion secretion and barrier function following exposure to fungal aeroallergens: role of oxidative stress

Aeroallergens produced by Alternaria alternata can elicit life-threatening exacerbations of asthma in patients sensitized to this fungus. In this study, the effect of Alternaria on ion transport me...
Increased Left Ventricular Diastolic Stiffness Is Associated With Heart Failure Symptoms in Aortic Stenosis Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Abstract Background Clinical risk factors associated with heart failure (HF) symptoms in aortic stenosis (AS) patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF) have not been fully identified. We hypothesized that left ventricular (LV) diastolic stiffness is associated with HF symptoms in patients with AS. Methods and Results We retrospectively evaluated 275 patients with at least moderate AS (aortic valve area 2 ) and preserved EF (≥50%). LV diastolic stiffness was evaluated with the use of echocardiographic parameters, diastolic wall strain (DWS, a measure of LV wall stiffness), and K LV (a marker of LV chamber stiffness). There were 69 patients with HF. Patients with HF were older, were more likely to be African American, had a higher body mass index, and had more hypertension and coronary artery disease ( P P LV 0.17 ± 0.11 vs 0.13 ± 0.08 [ P Conclusions LV diastolic stiffness is independently associated with HF in AS patients with preserved EF.
Silencing of Soybean Raffinose Synthase Gene Reduced Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides and Increased True Metabolizable Energy of Poultry Feed

Soybean (Glycine max) is the number one oil and protein crop in the United States, but the seed contains several anti-nutritional factors that are toxic to both humans and livestock. RNA interference technology has become an increasingly popular technique in gene silencing because it allows for both temporal and spatial targeting of specific genes. The objective of this research is to use RNA-mediated gene silencing to down-regulate the soybean gene raffinose synthase 2 (RS2), to reduce total raffinose content in mature seed. Raffinose is a trisaccharide that is indigestible to humans and monogastric animals, and as monogastric animals are the largest consumers of soy products, reducing raffinose would improve the nutritional quality of soybean. An RNAi construct targeting RS2 was designed, cloned, and transformed to the soybean genome via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Resulting plants were analyzed for the presence and number of copies of the transgene by PCR and Southern blot. The efficiency of mRNA silencing was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. Total raffinose content was determined by HPLC analysis. Transgenic plant lines were recovered that exhibited dramatically reduced levels of raffinose in mature seed, and these lines were further analyzed for other phenotypes such as development and yield. Additionally, a precision-fed rooster assay was conducted to measure the true metabolizable energy (TME) in full-fat soybean meal made from the wild-type or transgenic low-raffinose soybean lines. Transgenic low-raffinose soy had a measured TME of 2703 kcal/kg, an increase as compared with 2411 kcal/kg for wild-type. As low digestible energy is a major limiting factor in the percent of soybean meal that can be used in poultry diets, these results may substantiate the use of higher concentrations of low-raffinose, full-fat soy in formulated livestock diets.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae and health outcomes in children with asthma

Abstract Background Acute infections with Mycoplasma pneumoniae ( Mp ) have been associated with worsening asthma in children. Mp can be present in the respiratory tract for extended periods; it is unknown whether the long-term persistence of Mp in the respiratory tract affects long-term asthma control. Objective To determine the effect of Mp on asthma control. Methods We enrolled 31 pediatric subjects 3 to 10 years of age with persistent asthma who completed up to 8 visits over a 24-month period. We detected Mp by antigen capture and polymerase chain reaction. Primary outcome measurements included symptom scores, quality of life, medication scores, oral corticosteroid use, health care usage, school absences, and exhaled breath condensate pH. Results Low levels of Mp community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome toxin were detected in 20 subjects (64.5%) at enrollment. Subjects with Mp positivity at a given visit had a .579 probability of remaining Mp positive at the subsequent visit, whereas those with Mp negativity had a .348 probability of becoming Mp positive at the following visit. The incidence of Mp overall was higher in the spring and summer months. Overall, we found no significant relation between the detection of Mp and worse outcome measurements at the same visit or at subsequent visits. Conclusion The long-term persistence of Mp in the respiratory tract is common in children with asthma. However, the detection of Mp was not associated significantly with worse asthma symptoms, quality of life, health care usage, school absences, or exhaled breath condensate pH in this pediatric asthma cohort.
Neurologic injury and patient displacement in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery using a beanbag and shoulder supports

Objective To quantify the incidence of peripheral neuropathy in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery using a combination of beanbag, eggcrate foam, and shoulder supports; and to assess patient displacement during surgery in a steep Trendelenburg position and determine variables correlated with displacement. Methods A retrospective study included all gynecologic laparoscopic surgeries performed by one high-volume surgeon at a US center between September 15, 2007, and September 15, 2012. Data included neurologic deficits or extremity pain, any other complications, and—for the final study year—surgical time as well as patient and beanbag displacement. Results Among 967 patients, no long-term neuropathy was reported, 6 (0.6%) patients had transient shoulder pain beyond the first 24 hours (resolved by initial postoperative visit), and 7 (0.7%) were lost to follow-up. No neurologic complications were reported. Median beanbag and total patient displacement were 0 cm (interquartile range 0–0) and 0 cm (interquartile range 0–2), respectively. Patient displacement relative to the table was correlated with the total surgical time (P=0.025) and patient weight (P=0.023). The median displacement was greater in hysterectomy than non-hysterectomy procedures (P=0.003). Conclusion Use of beanbags with shoulder supports and convoluted foam armboard pads was associated with minimal patient displacement and risk of arm and leg neurologic injury. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Comparative spigot ontogeny across the spider tree of life.

Spiders are well known for their silk and its varying use across taxa. Very few studies have examined the silk spigot ontogeny of the entire spinning field of a spider. Historically the spider phylogeny was based on morphological data and behavioral data associated with silk. Recent phylogenomics studies have shifted major paradigms in our understanding of silk use evolution, reordering phylogenetic relationships that were once thought to be monophyletic. Considering this, we explored spigot ontogeny in 22 species, including Dolomedes tenebrosus and Hogna carolinensis, reported here for the first time. This is the first study of its kind and the first to incorporate the Araneae Tree of Life. After rigorous testing for phylogenetic signal and model fit, we performed 60 phylogenetic generalized least squares analyses on adult female and second instar spigot morphology. Six analyses had significant correlation coefficients, suggesting that instar, strategy, and spigot variety are good predictors of spigot number in spiders, after correcting for bias of shared evolutionary history. We performed ancestral character estimation of singular, fiber producing spigots on the posterior lateral spinneret whose potential homology has long been debated. We found that the ancestral root of our phylogram of 22 species, with the addition of five additional cribellate and ecribellate lineages, was more likely to have either none or a modified spigot rather than a pseudoflagelliform gland spigot or a flagelliform spigot. This spigot ontogeny approach is novel and we can build on our efforts from this study by growing the dataset to include deeper taxon sampling and working towards the capability to incorporate full ontogeny in the analysis.
Comparative study of intracellular glutathione content in rat lymphocyte cultures treated with 2-mercaptoethanol and interleukin-2

The level of intracellular glutathione (GSH) in mitogen-stimulated mouse lymphocytes is increased in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), an enhancer of lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Since proliferation of lymphocytes in response to mitogens involves direct activation by a mitogen followed by continued proliferation in response to interleukin-2 (IL-2), we have investigated the effect of 2-ME and exogenous IL-2 on the GSH content and cell proliferation of rat lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). PHA stimulation increased both GSH content and the magnitude of the proliferative response, as measured by thymidine incorporation into cellular DNA. However, incubation of stimulated lymphocytes with 2-ME or IL-2 for 72 hr produced a significant further elevation of GSH levels and thymidine incorporation. 2-ME also increased the GSH content in unstimulated cultures, but it had little effect on thymidine incorporation. IL-2 increased GSH content and decreased thymidine incorporation in unstimulated lymphocytes. Exposure of cells to DL-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis, significantly depleted GSH and lowered the proliferative response, suggesting a crucial role of de novo GSH synthesis for lymphocyte activation. The data suggest that both 2-ME and IL-2 promote lymphocyte proliferation, although the mechanisms by which intracellular GSH levels are increased by the agents are apparently different.
Bilingualism as a Borderland: Researching Youth’s Practices, Perspectives, and Positioning Between Languages:

Seen from a critical intersectional perspective, the experiences of bilinguals are embedded in liminal spaces between language and cultural practices. Yet, rather than leverage these novel and hybr...
Implementation of anti-corruption model as one of the major instruments in fighting corruption

The article deals with historical aspects and international experience in developing anti-corruption models as well as describing the problems of implementation of such models in governmental establishments in Ukraine. Traditionally, corruption is the biggest problem for developing countries which is hard to fight. Fighting corruption in Ukraine has been presented in several comprehensive reviews. The reviews show us a list of concerns about serious changes in the field. Currently, there is an objective necessity to make more decisive steps to tackle corruption, which certainly is the important feature towards the improvement of the economic situation in the country. It should be noted that the implementation of anti-corruption models has been one of the most effective means of combating corruption for economically developed countries. In Ukraine, a course for implementing an anti-corruption model based on the creation of specialized anti-corruption bodies was chosen. However, there is the urgent need to mend a number of the legal and technical flaws of current legislation in order to guarantee the proper functioning of newly established state anti-corruption institutions.
Evidence of green signaling in green hotels

Abstract Green signaling posits that environment-friendly purchases signal consumers’ pro-sociality and willingness to pay more for societal/environmental well-being, enhancing their social status. Using three scenario-based quasi-experimental studies, we sought evidence of green signaling by guests in green hotels when status motive is activated, consumption condition is manipulated, and hotel price is varied. Results showed that, when status motive is activated, consumers signal the intent to purchase better-quality conventional hotels when green hotels are priced more or equal and when the consumption condition is private. In public consumption condition, when controlling for price, and in private consumption condition, when green hotels are priced lower, no significant difference was found between purchase intentions regarding conventional and green hotels. This represents slight, although inconclusive, evidence of green signaling. Industry practitioners in green hotels should lower prices and make the consumption process public by providing consumers with opportunities to engage more actively via social media.
Re-Discovering a Roman Wall Painting at Harvard: New Research on a Fragment from the Villa at Boscotrecase

This article presents historical and scientific analysis, as well as the conservation treatment of a newly rediscovered Roman wall painting fragment, now in the collection of the Harvard Art Museum...
Complications and Month of Surgery: Does Scheduling Make a Difference?

Objective: This study evaluated if there were differences in perioperative morbidity associated with elective surgery based on the month in which surgery was performed. An electronic medical record...
Lower Eyelid Retraction: Middle/Posterior Lamellar Correction Using Xenografts

Current alternatives for xenograft use in correction of lower eyelid retraction are reviewed, together with strategies for patient evaluation, typical surgical techniques, and postoperative management.
Measurement of Voltage, Current and Power at Distorted Waveforms

Electric power systems have been designed to operate under sinusoidal voltage and current conditions at power frequencies, mainly 50 Hz and 60 Hz, and by far most electrical energy transmission occurs at 50 Hz and 60 Hz. Electric utilities are responsible for providing a sinusoidal voltage to their residential, commercial and industrial customers. The customers are, on their side, responsible for not causing excessive distortion of the voltage and current in the system. Since voltage and current, in practice, are periodical but not exactly sinusoidal, they contain higher frequency components—harmonies—in addition to the fundamental frequency component (50 Hz or 60 Hz).
Updated seismic fragility functions for cold-formed steel framed shear walls per FEMA P-58 methodology

Abstract Performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) provides a robust alternative to traditional earthquake design. PBEE enables engineers to estimate expected damage, repair costs, and economic losses due to downtime for a candidate design, potentially leading to novel new designs or retrofit solutions. With the increasing application of light-frame structural systems, such as cold-formed steel (CFS) panels, in residential and commercial construction, it is necessary to develop and employ fragility functions for these systems to enable PBEE. In this regard, a set of fragility functions was previously developed by researchers based on a series of monotonic and cyclic tests for CFS framed shear walls with wood structural panel sheathing, flat strap X-bracing, and steel sheet sheathing. Recently, the senior author has led in the development of a large database of CFS framed shear wall tests, including 617 monotonic and cyclic tests conducted in the last 20 years from 25 primary sources. Based on the wider database, the fragility functions for CFS framed shear walls are re-evaluated. The developed fragility functions provide updated knowledge for application of PBEE per the FEMA P-58 methodology and are recommended for future use.
Reliability of intraocular pressure measurements in a low contact drivethrough setting

Purpose : The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred innovation beyond traditional healthcare. At our institution, a drive-through intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement protocol using the iCare tonometer was established to facilitate low-contact monitoring of select glaucoma patients. However, the iCare may be prone to error due to variable measurement technique and local air currents.2We endeavored to assess the reliability of drive-through IOP measurements by comparing them with recent measurements taken in clinic settings. Methods : Inclusion criteria were all patients with drive-through IOP measurements performed from May 11-Aug. 11, 2020;exclusion criteria were any patients with IOP medication change or ophthalmic procedure between the studied IOP measurements. Drive-through IOP measurements were compared with the most recent prior in-clinic IOP measurements. Data was gathered using the Sight Outcomes Research Collaborative (SOURCE) data repository2. Results : The study group consisted of 338 patients receiving drive-through IOP measurements. Significant differences were found between drive-through IOPs and prior in-clinic measurements. The mean drive-through vs. in-clinic IOP OD was 17.0 mmHg (SD 5.3) vs. 14.5 mmHg (SD 4.2), and OS was 17.8 mmHg (SD 5.6) vs. 15.1 mmHg (SD 4.5), a difference of 17.6% OD and 17.8% OS. Differences between individual measurements ranged from-5.5 mmHg to +12 mmHg. 71.4% of drive-through IOPs were higher than corresponding in-clinic IOPs;22.7% were lower. 30.5% of drive-through IOPs were higher than >5 mmHg. In 18.4% of cases, drive-through IOP measurements resulted in management changes (typically, the addition of an IOP-lowering drop). In comparison, only 10.5% of in-clinic measurements resulted in management changes-the equivalent of a 75% increase in intervention. Conclusions : Low-contact forms of IOP monitoring will continue to play a role in teleophthalmology. However, our data reveals potential inaccuracies in drive-through iCare IOP measurements which tend to overestimate IOP, thus triggering interventions in more drive-through cases than typically seen in clinic.
HepaCAM shapes astrocyte territories, stabilizes gap-junction coupling, and influences neuronal excitability

How astrocytes form non-overlapping territories within synaptic neuropil is not understood. In this issue of Neuron, Baldwin et al. (2021) report that the cell adhesion molecule hepaCAM shapes murine astrocyte territories and that hepaCAM loss impairs gap-junction cell coupling and the balance between synaptic excitation and inhibition.
Research universities, incubators of (urban) innovation

The intellectual might and the creative and innovative spirit of the faculty and students at our research universities play a key role in providing the basis for many inventions and innovations that address pressing problems of today’s society. Many universities have built the vibrant culture and the nurturing environment that supports academic innovation and entrepreneurship and they have developed mechanisms that encourage and incentivize the translation of research breakthroughs into new products and processes. Urban environments, particularly big cities, face unprecedented challenges to address the needs of its citizens as more and more people move from rural parts of the world to cities in search of a better life and more economic opportunities. Securing reliable transportation of people and goods, adequate electrical power and water to satisfy the needs of the growing urban population, addressing the ever increasing waste disposal needs, maintaining the health and wellness of the general population, but especially of older adults and people with disabilities require a new paradigm for urban science, engineering, and innovation. Many universities have responded to this challenge and have developed research pillars around the challenges and opportunities that complex urban systems pose.
Designing Online Learning Environments for Professional Development

Internet-based technologies have expanded the range of options for teacher professional development. This chapter focuses on the design of online learning environments for teacher professional development. The empirical foundations of the work are based on online courses that the author has designed and taught to science teachers. The course participants have been practicing teachers with at least 2 years of experience. The theoretical foundations of the course design are grounded in assumptions about adult learners. Malcolm Knowles (The modern practice of adult education, 1980) identified several key characteristics of adult learners. Among them are the following: (1) adult learners are autonomous, self-directed, and strongly goal oriented; (2) adult learners have accumulated a foundation of life experiences and knowledge and have a need to connect learning to this knowledge and experience base; and (3) adult learners are practical and have a strong preference for learning that is most useful to their work. In addition to that, it has been recognized that teachers are usually isolated and have a professional need to interact and learn from fellow practitioners The new technologies afford opportunities for creating communities of practice among geographically dispersed practitioners (Fishman and Davis, The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences, 535–550, 2006).
Chapter 21 Not-for-profit ownership and hospital behavior

Abstract The for-profit hospital is in the minority numerically in all developed countries. Although the for-profits' market share has been quite stable for decades, for-profit chains have grown in share and influence in the United States. By contrast, for-profit chains have made few inroads in other countries. The literature on hospital ownership addresses three fundamental questions. First, why do private not-for-profit organizations dominate the hospital industry? Second, how do private not-for-profits differ from for-profits in their behavior? Third, is the private not-for-profit form more efficient in this industry? The main difference between for-profit and private not-for-profit organizations is in the distribution of accounting profit. The latter do not distribute profits to equity holders and enjoy some competitive advantages, including tax exemptions and the ability to receive private donations. Various reasons for why the not-for-profit form is dominant are explored. Reasons involve: transactions costs of various ownership forms; fiduciary relationships between patients and providers; public goods; implicit and explicit subsidies; inertia; cartelization; and lack of profit opportunities. The review concludes that there is merit in an number of explanations, but no single explanation works perfectly. Certainly the transactions cost of various ownership forms must provide a partial explanation for observed patterns of hospital ownership. There is a rich empirical literature on hospital behavior. This chapter discusses comparative evidence by hospital ownership form on hospital cost, profitability, pricing and cost-shifting, uncompensated care, diffusion of technology, quality of care, and hospital capital funds and investment. In recent years, changes in hospital ownership have been common in the United States. Changes have occurred in all directions — from private not-for-profit to for-profit and the reverse, for example. Comparing hospital behavior before and after the conversion, the fact that a hospital converted seems to be more important than the type of ownership change that occurred. As competition among hospitals increases, differences in behavior among hospitals with different ownership forms should narrow. Privately owned hospitals in the U.S. were more alike than different. Private not-for-profit hospitals will have less latitude than previously to produce outputs they deem to be socially worthy. The chapter ends with the author's agenda for future research.
Preload reduction with right ventricular pacing: effects on left ventricular hemodynamics and contractile pattern.

Studies were performed in 32 patients to evaluate left ventricular pressure-volume changes and contractile pattern during right ventricular pacing as compared to normal sinus rhythm. Coronary artery disease was present in 27 patients, while 5 patients (control group) had no evidence of coronary artery or left ventricular disease. Studies were performed during both normal sinus rhythm and right ventricular pacing at comparable heart rates, utilizing angiographic methods to determine heart volumes. Right ventricular pacing in all patients resulted in decreased left ventricular systolic (p< 0.01) and diastolic (p< 0.01) pressures and decreased stroke work (p< 0.001). In the control group, right ventricular pacing caused a decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (p< 0.01) and stroke volume (p< 0.01), with no change in ejection fraction. The patients with coronary artery disease were divided into four groups, dependent on the left ventricular contractile pattern during normal sinus rhythm and the percentage of change in hemiaxis shortening during right ventricular pacing. In group A (six patients with asynergy) and group B (seven patients with asynergy), there was no significant change in the percentage of hemiaxis shortening during right ventricular pacing when compared to normal sinus rhythm. Ventricular volume studies in these patients (groups A and B) were similar to the control groups and no change in contractile pattern was observed during pacing. In group C, twelve patients had asynergy and a 10% increase in percentage of hemiaxis shortening during right ventricular pacing when compared to normal sinus rhythm. Right ventricular pacing resulted in decreased end-diastolic pressure (p< 0.01) and end-diastolic volume (p< 0.001), no change in stroke volume, and an increased ejection fraction (p< 0.01). Contractile patterns improved in all patients in group C during pacing. Group D consisted of two patients with asynergy and a 10% decrease in percentage of hemiaxis shortening during pacing, associated with a decrease in end-diastolic volume and ejection fraction with deterioration of left ventricular contractile pattern. These results indicate that right ventricular pacing in patients with coronary artery disease decreases preload, which may be accompanied by improved left ventricular contractile pattern (11/27) and in some patients (2/27) deterioration of left ventricular function.
Rethinking Ricardian "Sum of Enjoyments": Gains from Trade in a Co-Creational Economy

The Ricardian principle of comparative advantage has long been at the foundation of a wide range of economic models. In the new Internetworked economy where co-creational experiences of value is rapidly gaining momentum, the vision of this principle has weakened. We provide a framework to align economic thinking on the principle of comparative advantage with co-creational value creation embedded at the core. We show how patterns of specialization and the resultant gains from trade, within or across borders, must be sensitive to value gained through co-creational experiences. In particular, an individual’s co-creational experience of value is at the foundation of what we posit as the principle of comparative co-creationaladvantage.
Unsupervised plan detection with factor graphs

Recognizing plans of moving agents is a natural goal for many sensor systems, with applications including robotic pathfinding, traffic control, and detection of anomalous behavior. This paper considers plan recognition complicated by the absence of contextual information such as labeled plans and relevant locations. Instead, we introduce 2 unsupervised methods to simultaneously estimate model parameters and hidden values within a Factor graph representing agent transitions over time. We evaluate our approach by applying it to goal prediction in a GPS dataset tracking 1074 ships over 5 days in the English channel.
Applications of the Mössbauer Effect to the Study of Mixed-Valence Compounds

The principal utility of Mossbauer Effect spectroscopy in the study of mixed-valence materials is its ability (through measurement of the chemical isomer shift) to distinguish between different oxidation states of the same element in similar chemical environments. By using Mossbauer Effect spectroscopy it is possible to distinguish between trapped and delocalized valence states in mixed-valence compounds. In addition, the rather long lifetime of the Mossbauer experiment, as compared to other forms of spectroscopy, permits evaluation of the rate of intervalence electron exchange in mixed-valence materials.
Deciphering the molecular and physiological connections between obesity and breast cancer

Obesity is associated with the higher risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The leptin signaling pathway is recognized to primarily regulate energy balance and associated with breast cancer. Furthermore, the estrogen signaling pathway plays a critical role in breast carcinogenesis. In this review, we discuss how obesity is linked to breast cancer via cross-talk of leptin and estrogen pathways.
Income of the Elderly Population Age 65 and Over, 2006

The U.S. retirement income system -- including employment-based retirement plans, Social Security, individual saving, and post-retirement employment -- can be assessed in part by examining the income of the current elderly population (age 65 and older). This paper reviews the latest available data on the older population's income (from the U.S. Census Bureau's March 2007 Current Population Survey) and how it has changed over time, as well as how the elderly's reliance on these sources varies across demographic characteristics. The PDF for the above title, published in the December 2007 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another December 2007 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: IRA Assets and Contributions, 2006.
DYNAMIC VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF SOY ISOLATE DOUGHS

The linear viscoelastic properties of soy isolate doughs have been determined as a function of flour concentration and temperature using a Rheometrics Mechanical Spectrometer. The material of lowest concentration (15%) which is classified as a dispersion rather than a dough exhibited values of storage (G′) and loss moduli (G″) which increased with increasing temperature above 50°C. On the other hand, values of G′ and G″ for 20% and 25% doughs showed only a slight increase with increasing temperature. The shape of the G’ and G” versus frequency (ω) curves is suggestive of solid-like behavior for the doughs. The shape of these curves does not change with temperature which indicates there is very little change in the ability of the protein molecules to undergo configurational rearrangements as the result of heating. The phenomenon of gelation does not arise in the doughs but only in the dispersion of lower concentration. The data indicate that the bonds between protein molecules are noncovalent in nature and that the process of cooking soy dough does not involve the formation of crosslinks.
Changes in streamwater chemistry after 20 years from forested watersheds in New Hampshire, U.S.A.

Long-term patterns of streamwater chemistry provide valuable evidence of the effects of environmental change on ecosystem biogeochemistry. Observations from old-growth forests may be particularly v...
Synthesis of aryleneisopropylidene polymers

Linear, high molecular weight aryleneisopropylidene (AIP) polymers have been synthesized via Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions. Monomers such as p-bis-2-chloroiso-propylbenzene condense readily with arylene compounds of high electron density such as naphthalene and diphenyl ether. Catalytic amounts of tritylhexafluoroarsenate catalysts in combination with aluminum chloride and nitrobenzene direct the synthetic reactions towards a pure AIP structure. Side reactions which give polyindane structures through dimerization of p-bis(2-chloroisopropyl)benzene are eliminated when the polymerization temperature is kept below −20°C. The preferred solvents are chlorinated compounds. A wide range of structural modifications and properties can be obtained by varying the monomer combinations. Desirable physical properties of AIP polymers include clarity, rigidity, impact toughness, oxidative stability, and resistance to stress cracking.
Kinneavy, Mathes, Mumford, and Lynn: Teaching the Classificatory Mode in Technical Writing

Kinneavy's theory of discourse and Mathes' concept of contextual editing can be effectively applied to teaching classification in technical writing. My procedure, in the nine steps described here, provides students with an understanding of classification as an analytical and generative tool. Its usefulness in analysis is discovered through a structural study of Mumford's “Machines, Utilities, and ‘The Machine‘”; an awareness of Mumford's classificatory structure helps students understand his essay. Students see for themselves, by organizing facts into paragraphs, the generative power of contextual editing applied to classification; the same kind of structuring Mumford uses can be used in their own writing. This generative application simulates the research-to-writing process and dramatically increases the coherence and clarity of much student writing.
Guatemalans in New England: Transnational Communities through Time and Space

The Guatemalan diaspora has come to form a significant part of the New England landscape and economy since the mid-1980s. This article describes the changes observed by the authors over the past 15 years in the area's Maya communities, focusing both on deleterious processes such as the mass deportations of the Obama period, as well as on the development of new, positive transnational communication modes, and commenting as well on the role of anthropologists as advocates and expert witnesses in the midst of shifting policies and hardened public sentiments toward immigrants.
The role of transcranial Doppler in confirming brain death: Sensitivity, specificity, and suggestions for performance and interpretation

We performed transcranial Doppler (TCD) examinations on 54 comatose patients over a 1-year period. Of 49 patients with technically adequate TCD examinations, 23 met criteria for determination of brain death by clinical and EEG criteria (21) or clinical criteria alone (2; EEG not performed). A TCD waveform abnormality, consisting of absent or reversed diastolic flow, or small early systolic spikes, in at least 2 intracranial arteries, occurred in 21 brain-dead patients, but in none of the other patients in coma. With appropriate guidelines for performance and interpretation, TCD could be incorporated into institutional protocols as a rapid and convenient alternative to EEG for confirmation of brain death.
The Intimidation Factor: How a Surveillance State Can Affect What You Read in Professional Publications

As the world watches the continuing fallout from Edward Snowden's leaks, it's useful to reflect on the implications these leaks have on professional publications. This column is a first-hand account.
On the use of Lie-Bäcklund operators in quantum mechanics

Abstract This paper uses Lie-Backlund operators to study the connection between classical and quantum-mechanical invariants and their relations to symmetry and to separation of variables. The problem of an isomorphic correspondence between classical and quantum mechanics is studied concretely and constructively. For functions at most quadratic in the momenta an isomorphism is possible which agrees with Weyl's transform and which takes invariants into invariants. It is not possible to extend the isomorphism indefinitely. The requirement that an invariant goes into an invariant may necessitate variants of Weyl's transform. This is illustrated for the case of cubic invariants. Finally, the case of a specific value of energy is considered.
Power-loss reduction of a MOSFET cross-coupled rectifier by employing zero-voltage switching

Ubiquitous monitoring of sensor data and long term reliable operation of sensor units have been studied extensively either for environmental monitoring or for biomedical applications. Long term operation of sensor units requires continuous wireless signal at the output. The proposed rectifier unit is designed and simulated using 0.5-μm standard CMOS process. Simulation results show that power supply from an external source to avoid unwieldy wires or periodic battery replacements. Inductive-power transfer, as a suitable way of driving the sensor electronics, needs a high efficiency rectifier unit to convert the harvested wireless energy into a usable DC level. However, conventional full-wave bridge rectifier with a lower output voltage and a significant power loss lowers the overall efficiency of the inductive-link system. In this paper, a class-E type zero-voltage-switching structure is presented to achieve a high efficiency rectifier circuit. The symmetrical differential class-E switching structures are driven by differential AC signals that result in a low-loss full-wave rectified the proposed rectifier circuit can achieve more than 76% power conversion efficiency for an input AC signal of 7 MHz frequency with signal amplitude of 2 V (peak).
Cytologic Diagnosis of Diseases of Invertebrates

Invertebrate medicine in the context of an exotic or zoo animal veterinary practice is in its infancy. Establishment of species-specific reference values and evaluation of the effectiveness of cytology for diagnosis of specific diseases are necessary. Despite the lack of normal reference parameters for most species encountered in clinical practice, important information may be obtained from cytologic examination of tissue imprints, aspirates, scrapings, and hemolymph. This information may be essential to establish a specific diagnosis, focus investigations, and influence treatments. It is hoped that this article stimulates veterinarians who work with invertebrates to use diagnostic cytology and disseminate the results of their experience.
A bit of history [IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering]

With this issue the IEEE efforts to provide a forum for the electrical engineers who have become very much a part of the oceanic engineering field have passed another milestone. The IEEE Oceanography Committee (OCC), consisting of representatives from seventeen groups and societies, was formed to provide a base from which the IEEE could manage its involvement in the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) with eight other organizations and to sponsor a new ocean-oriented conference series, the first of which took place at Panama City, FL, in September 1970. The committee has continued to participate in OTC and also continued to sponsor the ocean series conferences which were held successively after Panama City at San Diego, CA (Ocean '71), Newport, RI (Ocean '72), Seattle, WA (Ocean '73), and Halifax, N.S. (Ocean '74). Ocean '75 was held in San Diego under the joint sponsorship of both the IEEE and MTT and Ocean '76 will be held in Washington, DC, also under the same joint sponsorship. It is because of the above series of conferences that this Journal was started. A study by the IEEE/OCC in 1974 determined that many of the authors of papers given in the ocean series conferences felt that they had no appropriate journal to formally publish their work. Thus the OCC undertook to start such a publication. To take on this new responsibility, the OCC, under IEEE bylaws, was organized to become the Council on Oceanic Engineering in 1975 with a membership of 17 G/S and, as such, continues the old OCC activities with the additional responsibility of publishing this Journal. The IEEE Council on Oceanic Engineering sincerely hopes that this Journal will serve a real need in the electrical-oriented oceanic engineering field.
A theoretical model to determine solar and diffuse irradiance in valleys

Abstract A mathematical model to calculate global irradiance in valleys of any slope angle, orientation, and albedo is presented. The model is designed to accept measured data of global irradiance at clear, cloudy, and overcast sky conditions from unobstructed locations. Diffuse irradiance is treated as nonisotropic. Several examples of realistic valley configuration are presented to show the strength of the model.
Methyl bromide alternatives in a bell pepper–squash rotation

Abstract Field studies were conducted to evaluate potential methyl bromide alternatives against multiple pests in a bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) – squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cropping sequence. Early in the growing season, the most effective treatments in suppressing purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) emergence through the polyethylene mulch were methyl bromide, methyl iodide, and chisel-injected 1,3-dichloropropene plus chloropicrin [1,3-D+C35 (chisel)]. However by the end of the season in 1999, only methyl bromide treatment had less purple nutsedge emerging through the polyethylene than the nontreated control. Each soil-applied treatment resulted in nematode-susceptible pepper plants with lower root-gall indices [Meloidogyne spp. (root knot nematode)] than the nontreated control, while there were no differences among treatments with the nematode-resistant pepper cultivar. Total fungi isolated from soil was lower in all treated plots relative to the nontreated control, with the exception of methyl iodide. However, methyl bromide was the only treatment that was consistently effective against Pythium spp. and Fusarium spp. A treatment of metham prior to planting squash was beneficial in reducing root-gall indices in plots treated with 1,3-D+C35 (chisel) and methyl bromide prior to the pepper crop. Methyl bromide, methyl iodide, and 1,3-D+C35 (chisel) applied before pepper resulted in squash with lower root-gall indices than the nontreated control. Glyphosate applied between the first and second crop eliminated exposed weed foliage through the polyethylene mulch, possibly muting the effects of the second crop treatment on weed densities. Results of this study indicate that there are some potential methyl bromide alternatives available to growers for use in pest control, however there does not appear to be one broad-spectrum pesticide that will replace methyl bromide. Also, an effective control for nutsedge species within the pepper–squash cropping system is still elusive.
FMRP S499 Is Phosphorylated Independent of mTORC1-S6K1 Activity

Hyperactive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is associated with cognitive deficits in several neurological disorders including tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The phosphorylation of the mRNA-binding protein FMRP reportedly depends on mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) activity via p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1). Because this phosphorylation is thought to regulate the translation of messages important for synaptic plasticity, we explored whether FMRP phosphorylation of the S6K1-dependent residue (S499) is altered in TSC and states of dysregulated TSC-mTORC1 signaling. Surprisingly, we found that FMRP S499 phosphorylation was unchanged in heterozygous and conditional Tsc1 knockout mice despite significantly elevated mTORC1-S6K1 activity. Neither up- nor down-regulation of the mTORC1-S6K1 axis in vivo or in vitro had any effect on phospho-FMRP S499 levels. In addition, FMRP S499 phosphorylation was unaltered in S6K1-knockout mice. Collectively, these data strongly suggest that FMRP S499 phosphorylation is independent of mTORC1-S6K1 activity and is not altered in TSC.