cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoid Modulation of Cell Proliferation in Cultured Osteoblast-Like Bone Cells: Differences between Rat and Mouse*

Glucocorticoids are important regulators of cell proliferation, but divergent effects have been noted in various systems. In this study, the actions of glucocorticoids on cell proliferation were examined in primary cultures of osteoblast-like cells from perinatal rodents. The aim of the study was to determine whether rat and mouse bone cells exhibit species differences in their responses to glucocorticoids and whether the response of either species was influenced by the cell density and time of treatment. Cultured osteoblast-like cells were treated with dexamethasone or ethanol vehicle (less than 0.05%). Changes in the proliferation rate were assessed by measurement of cell number, DNA content, and thymidine incorporation rate. We found that the response to dexamethasone was dependent on the cell density at the time of treatment in rat cultures: inhibitory in sparse and stimulatory in dense cultures. In contrast, dexamethasone inhibited mouse cell proliferation at all cell densities. The stimulatory effects in rat cells were seen after 4 days of treatment but not after 2 days. Both the stimulatory and inhibitory effects in rat and mouse cells occurred between dexamethasone concentrations of 1.3-13 nM, with half-maximal effects seen at 6 nM. The divergent responses in sparse and dense rat cultures were found not to result from the selective attachment of cell subpopulations at different plating densities. Epidermal growth factor was mitogenic in both species. The effects of dexamethasone were not modified by the presence of epidermal growth factor in either low (1%) or high (10%) serum concentrations. In conclusion, these findings reemphasize the importance of species differences and the difficulty in comparing one system to another, even with closely related species such as mouse and rat. Furthermore, the data show that the culture conditions at the time of treatment dramatically influence the responses of these cells to glucocorticoids. These factors must be considered in studies of the hormonal regulation of bone cell proliferation.
Constant-Gain Linear Feedback Control of Piecewise Linear Structural Systems via Nonlinear Normal Modes

We present a technique for using constant-gain linear position feedback control to implement eigen- structure assignment of n-degrees-of-freedom conservative structural systems with piecewise linear nonlin- earities. We employ three distinct control strategies which utilize methods for approximating the nonlinear normal mode (NNM) frequencies and mode shapes. First, the piecewise modal method (PMM) for approx- imating NNM frequencies is used to determine n constant actuator gains for eigenvalue (pole) placement. Secondly, eigenvalue placement is accomplished by finding an approximate single-degree-of-freedom re- duced model with one actuator gain for the mode to be controlled. The third strategy allows the frequencies and mode shapes (eigenstructure) to be placed by using a full n n matrix of actuator gains and employing the local equivalent linear stiffness method (LELSM) for approximating NNM frequencies and mode shapes. The techniques are applied to a two-degrees-of-freedom system with two distinct types of nonlinearities: a bilinear clearance nonlinearity and a symmetric deadzone nonlinearity.
Optimal drug release schedule for in-situ radiosensitization of image guided permanent prostate implants

Planned in-situ radiosensitization may improve the therapeutic ratio of image guided 125 I prostate brachytherapy. Spacers used in permanent implants may be manufactured from a radiosensitizer-releasing polymer to deliver protracted localized sensitization of the prostate. Such devices will have a limited drug-loading capacity, and the drug release schedule that optimizes outcome, under such a constraint, is not known. This work determines the optimal elution schedules for 125 I prostate brachytherapy. The interaction between brachytherapy dose distributions and drug distribution around drug eluting spacers is modeled using a linear-quadratic (LQ) model of cell kill. Clinical brachytherapy plans were used to calculate the biologic effective dose (BED) for planned radiation dose distributions while adding the spatial distributions of radiosensitizer while varying the temporal release schedule subject to a constraint on the drug capacity of the eluting spacers. Results: The greatest increase in BED is achieved by schedules with the greatest sensitization early in the implant. Making brachytherapy spacers from radiosensitizer eluting polymer transforms inert parts of the implant process into a means of enhancing the effect of the brachytherapy radiation. Such an approach may increase the therapeutic ratio of prostate brachytherapy or offer a means of locally boosting the radiation effect without increasing the radiation dose to surrounding tissues.
Targeting Microtubules for Wound Repair.

Significance: Fast and seamless healing is essential for both deep and chronic wounds to restore the skin and protect the body from harmful pathogens. Thus, finding new targets that can both expedite and enhance the repair process without altering the upstream signaling milieu and causing serious side effects can improve the way we treat wounds. Since cell migration is key during the different stages of wound healing, it presents an ideal process and intracellular structural machineries to target. Recent Advances and Critical Issues: The microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton is rising as an important structural and functional regulator of wound healing. MTs have been reported to play different roles in the migration of the various cell types involved in wound healing. Specific microtubule regulatory proteins (MRPs) can be targeted to alter a section or subtype of the MT cytoskeleton and boost or hinder cell motility. However, inhibiting intracellular components can be challenging in vivo, especially using unstabl...
Stability of Nanometer-Size Si Crystals in Amorphous Si Thin Films under Ion Irradiation

In this paper we discuss the size-dependent shrinkage rate of nanometer-size Si crystals in amorphous Si thin films during ion irradiation. We obtain shrinkage rate of nanometersize crystals at low temperature under ion irradiation by studying the evolution of the crystal size distribution using transmission electron microscopy. Our results indicate that crystals less than 10 nm in diameter decrease in size faster than larger crystals under ion irradiation. In addition, we fit our data to a capillary model for growth of Si crystals in amorphous Si under ion irradiation.
Synthesis and crystal structure of (η5-C5H5)2Ti(NH(2,4-(C\({\equiv}\)CSiMe3)2C6H3))2

The crystal structure of the bis-amido complex of Ti(IV) (η5-C5H5)2Ti(NH(2,4-(C $${\equiv}$$ CSiMe3)2C6H3))2 is reported. This complex was prepared in 52% yield from the reaction of (η5-C5H5)2TiCl2 with two equivalents of LiNH(2,4-(C $${\equiv}$$ CSiMe3)2C6H3) (prepared in situ in THF at −78∘C). The substituted aniline H2N(2,4-(C $${\equiv}$$ CSiMe3)2C6H3) was prepared in 70% yield from the reaction of 2,4-dibromoaniline with Me3SiC $${\equiv}$$ CH using conventional Pd/Cu coupling methodology. The molecular structure of (η5-C5H5)2Ti(NH(2,4-(C $${\equiv}$$ CSiMe3)2C6H3))2 (monoclinic, space group C2/c, Z = 4, a = 29.7523(5) A, b = 9.5339(2) A, c = 15.8864(3) A, β = 93.022(1)∘ features a titanium (IV) center with a distorted tetrahedral geometry which lies on a crystallographic twofold axis. The amido units are arranged so that steric interactions are minimized. The Ti– N distance is 2.016(2) A.
Design, kinematics, and control of a soft spatial fluidic elastomer manipulator

This paper presents a robotic manipulation system capable of autonomously positioning a multi-segment soft fluidic elastomer robot in three dimensions. Specifically, we present an extremely soft robotic manipulator morphology that is composed entirely from low durometer elastomer, powered by pressurized air, and designed to be both modular and durable. To understand the deformation of a single arm segment, we develop and experimentally validate a static deformation model. Then, to kinematically model the multi-segment manipulator, we use a piece-wise constant curvature assumption consistent with more traditional continuum manipulators. In addition, we define a complete fabrication process for this new manipulator and use this process to make multiple functional prototypes. In order to power the robot's spatial actuation, a high capacity fluidic drive cylinder array is implemented, providing continuously variable, closed-circuit gas delivery. Next, using real-time data from a vision system, we develop a processing and control algorithm that generates realizable kinematic curvature trajectories and controls the manipulator's configuration along these trajectories. Lastly, we experimentally demonstrate new capabilities offered by this soft fluidic elastomer manipulation system such as entering and advancing through confined three-dimensional environments as well as conforming to goal shape-configurations within a sagittal plane under closed-loop control.
E-cigarette Curiosity among U.S. Middle and High School Students: Findings from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey

Curiosity is a potential risk factor for electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, which has increased considerably among US youth in recent years. We examined the relationship between curiosity about e-cigarettes and perceived harm, comparative addictiveness, and e-cigarette advertisement exposure. Data came from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a nationally representative survey of U.S. middle and high school students. In 2014, 2.5% of middle school and 9.2% of high school students currently used cigarettes, while 3.9% of middle school and 13.4% of high school students reported current e-cigarette use. Among never e-cigarette users (n=17,286), descriptive statistics assessed curiosity about e-cigarettes by combustible tobacco use, sex, race/ethnicity, and school level. Associations between curiosity and perceived harm (absolute and comparative to cigarettes), comparative addictiveness, and e-cigarette advertising exposure were explored using multivariate models in 2015. Among youth who never used e-cigarettes, 25.8% reported curiosity about e-cigarettes. Higher levels of perceived absolute harm and comparative harm were associated with lower levels of curiosity, while no association was observed between comparative addictiveness and curiosity. Among never combustible tobacco users, the odds of high curiosity were greater among non-Hispanic blacks (odds ratio (OR): 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.02-1.88), Hispanics (OR=1.79; 95% CI:1.48-2.16), and non-Hispanic 'Other' (OR=1.47; 95% CI:1.15-1.89) race/ethnicities than non-Hispanic whites. One-quarter of middle and high school students who have never used e-cigarettes are curious about the products, with greater curiosity among those with lower perceptions of harm from these products. These findings may help inform future strategies aimed at reducing curiosity about e-cigarettes among youth.
On the Directing and Content of Cultural Development and Prosperity

Cultural development and prosperity is the important foundation and practical need of scientific development and social progress and civilization.Cultural development and improvement should do well in"the little things"related to culture and the construction.This paper analyzes the directing and content of cultural construction and development,puts forward some suggestions.It contains that non-material is more important and necessary for cultural development and prosperity;cultural construction and development should make contribution to improving the quality of national predispositions;cultural construction and development should highlight purifying and optimizing mother tongue;cultural development should clean thinking and the pursuit of the Great Leap Forward from ideas and methods;the popularity of natural social science knowledge and making people wise are major events in cultural construction.
Planning, Practising and Prioritising Wellness through an Integrative Behaviour Change Plan.

Study objective:To describe a successful approach to teaching principles and practices of behaviour change through a behaviour change plan (BCP) initiative to improve personal health while advancing health knowledge and general education intellectual skills. Students’ perspectives of obstacles, behaviours important towards goal attainment and the benefits of the BCP were also explored. The paper illustrates the feasibility, utility and various challenges of theory-based BCPs within a limited context.Design:A one-group posttest-only design was utilised to conduct quantitative analysis of reported BCP success and qualitative evaluation of students’ perspectives. Participants were 145 students enrolled in eight sections of a required freshman-level health education/general education course.Methodology:Students set and tracked a nutrition, fitness, sleep, smoking cessation or spirituality goal. They strategised to mitigate anticipated challenges, established support systems, rewards, self-assessed progress, d...
The Columbia River flood basalt province: Stratigraphy, areal extent, volume, and physical volcanology

The middle Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group is the youngest and smallest continental fl ood basalt province on Earth, covering over 210,000 km 2 of mainly Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, with an estimated basalt volume of ~210,000 km 3 . A well-established regional stratigraphic framework built upon six formations contains numerous fl ows and groups of fl that can be readily distinguished by their physical and compositional characteristics, thus producing mappable units, the areal extent and volume of which can be calculated and correlated with their respective feeder dikes. The distinct physical features that help to defi ne these units originated during their emplacement and solidifi cation, as the result of variations in cooling rates, degassing, thermal contraction, and interaction with their paleoenvironment. Columbia River Basalt Group fl ows can be subdivided into two basic fl ow geometries. Sheet fl ows dominate the basalt pile, but the earliest fl ows comprising the Steens Basalt and some of the Saddle Mountains Basalt fl ows are compound fl ows with elongated bodies composed of numerous, local, discontinuous, and relatively thin lobes of basalt lava. The internal physical characteristics of the voluminous sheet fl ows are recognizable throughout their extent, thus allowing mechanistic models to be developed for their emplacement. The emplacement and distribution of individual Columbia River Basalt Group fl ows resulted from the interplay among the regional structure, contemporaneous deformation, eruption rate, preexisting topography, and the development
Human Speech: A Restricted Use of the Mammalian Larynx.

Summary Purpose Speech has been hailed as unique to human evolution. Although the inventory of distinct sounds producible with vocal tract articulators is a great advantage in human oral communication, it is argued here that the larynx as a sound source in speech is limited in its range and capability because a low fundamental frequency is ideal for phonemic intelligibility and source-filter independence. Method Four existing data sets were combined to make an argument regarding exclusive use of the larynx for speech: (1) range of fundamental frequency, (2) laryngeal muscle activation, (3) vocal fold length in relation to sarcomere length of the major laryngeal muscles, and (4) vocal fold morphological development. Results Limited data support the notion that speech tends to produce a contracture of the larynx. The morphological design of the human vocal folds, like that of primates and other mammals, appears to be optimized for vocal communication over distances for which higher fundamental frequency, higher intensity, and fewer unvoiced segments are used. Conclusion The positive message is that raising one's voice to call, shout, or sing, or executing pitch glides to stretch the vocal folds, can counteract this trend toward a contracted state.
Biosecurity and Equine Infectious Diseases

The article provides an overview of biosecurity measures that apply to all potential pathogens in the horse exemplified by the control and management of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (an emergent disease), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (a zoonotoc disease), and strangles in horses, an ancient disease that remains a scourge of susceptible Equidae. The emphasis is on infectious disease within the United States, although the principles of biosecurity in limiting infectious disease spread are not restricted by boundaries.
Grandet: A Unified, Economical Object Store for Web Applications

Web applications are getting ubiquitous every day because they offer many useful services to consumers and businesses. Many of these web applications are quite storage-intensive. Cloud computing offers attractive and economical choices for meeting their storage needs. Unfortunately, it remains challenging for developers to best leverage them to minimize cost. This paper presents Grandet, an extensible storage system that significantly reduces storage cost for web applications deployed in the cloud. Grandet provides both a key-value interface and a file system interface, supporting a broad spectrum of web applications. Under the hood, it supports multiple heterogeneous stores and unifies them by placing each data object at the store deemed most economical. We implemented Grandet on Amazon Web Services and evaluated Grandet on a diverse set of four popular open-source web applications. Our results show that Grandet reduces their cost by an average of 42.4%, and it is fast, scalable, and easy to use. The source code of Grandet is at http://columbia.github.io/grandet.
Newton-Wellesley Hospital

How will Newton-Wellesley Hospital (NWH) preserve its private practice tradition while remaining effective and competitive in a healthcare industry demanding increasing integration between physicians and hospitals? This is the decision facing Newton–Wellesley Hospital president Mike Jellinek in 2009, as several trends - higher costs and lower revenues, shifting workforce demographics, and changing reimbursement models - threaten to disrupt NWH’s organizational model. Similar to other U.S. community hospitals, NWH has historically been staffed primarily with private practitioners; however, in recent years Jellinek has taken several steps toward further integration, such as hiring primary care physicians and hospitalists, and even proposing formation of a physicians’ organization (PO) - a move its veteran private practitioners sharply oppose. In 2009, NWH is renowned for high-quality care and is financially strong; yet, given external pressures, most at the hospital agree that reforms are needed to improve the hospital’s and physician’s profitability while maintaining highest-quality patient care. Diverging opinions over how to improve the hospital has exposed differences between some private practice physicians and the administration. The crux of their disagreement centers on one question: how to make the organizational changes required to keep NWH effective and competitive in the face of a diminishing revenue growth rate, while honoring its tradition of physician independence.
Genetic population structure of sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari, in sorghum, sugarcane, and Johnsongrass in the continental USA

In 2013, an outbreak of Melanaphis sacchari Zehntner (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was reported in sorghum in Texas, USA. Although this aphid has been reported in the continental USA for nearly a century, its occurrence was limited to Florida and Louisiana sugarcane. After 2013 and within just 3 years M. sacchari was reported in almost all sorghum growing regions from south central to southeastern states in the USA. Sorghum fields in affected areas have sustained considerable losses. This aphid has also been reported on Johnsongrass and other feral grasses. The speed at which this aphid has spread raises serious concerns about future infestations. Many aphid species present genetically distinct populations when feeding on different host plants. Thus, it was hypothesized that the recent outbreak in sorghum could be explained by a recent introduction of a sorghum‐specialized genotype. In this study, we genetically characterized M. sacchari in three of its most common host plants – sorghum, sugarcane, and Johnsongrass – across its geographic distribution in the continental USA. Although M. sacchari specimens were grouped within three genetically distinct clusters, we did not find evidence of host plant or geographic population structure. Our characterization of the genetic structure of this pest provides baseline data aimed to help explain its recent outbreak in sorghum, as well as information that may aid in the design of sustainable control strategies.
Enhancing Comparative Effectiveness Research With Automated Pediatric Pneumonia Detection in a Multi-Institutional Clinical Repository: A PHIS+ Pilot Study

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity. Administrative data are often used to conduct comparative effectiveness research (CER) with sufficient sample sizes to enhance detection of important outcomes. However, such studies are prone to misclassification errors because of the variable accuracy of discharge diagnosis codes. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop an automated, scalable, and accurate method to determine the presence or absence of pneumonia in children using chest imaging reports. Methods: The multi-institutional PHIS+ clinical repository was developed to support pediatric CER by expanding an administrative database of children’s hospitals with detailed clinical data. To develop a scalable approach to find patients with bacterial pneumonia more accurately, we developed a Natural Language Processing (NLP) application to extract relevant information from chest diagnostic imaging reports. Domain experts established a reference standard by manually annotating 282 reports to train and then test the NLP application. Findings of pleural effusion, pulmonary infiltrate, and pneumonia were automatically extracted from the reports and then used to automatically classify whether a report was consistent with bacterial pneumonia. Results: Compared with the annotated diagnostic imaging reports reference standard, the most accurate implementation of machine learning algorithms in our NLP application allowed extracting relevant findings with a sensitivity of .939 and a positive predictive value of .925. It allowed classifying reports with a sensitivity of .71, a positive predictive value of .86, and a specificity of .962. When compared with each of the domain experts manually annotating these reports, the NLP application allowed for significantly higher sensitivity (.71 vs .527) and similar positive predictive value and specificity . Conclusions: NLP-based pneumonia information extraction of pediatric diagnostic imaging reports performed better than domain experts in this pilot study. NLP is an efficient method to extract information from a large collection of imaging reports to facilitate CER. [J Med Internet Res 2017;19(5):e162]
Rock friction under variable normal stress

This study is to determine the detailed response of shear strength and other fault properties to changes in normal stress at room temperature using dry initial bare rock surfaces of granite at normal stresses between 5 and 7 MPa. Rapid normal stress changes result in gradual, approximately exponential changes in shear resistance with fault slip. The characteristic length of the exponential change is similar for both increases and decreases in normal stress. In contrast fault normal displacement and the amplitude of small high frequency elastic waves transmitted across the surface follow a two stage response consisting of a large immediate and a smaller gradual response with slip. The characteristic slip distance of the small gradual response is significantly smaller than that of shear resistance. The stability of sliding in response to large step decreases in normal stress is well-predicted using the shear resistance slip length observed in step increases. Analysis of the shear resistance and slip-time histories suggest nearly immediate changes in strength occur in response to rapid changes in normal stress; these are manifest as an immediate change in slip speed. These changes in slip speed can be qualitatively accounted for using a rate-independent strength model. Collectively the observations and model show that acceleration or deceleration in response to normal stress change depends on the size of the change, the frictional characteristics of the fault surface and the elastic properties of the loading system.
In Defense of Flossing: Part II-Can We Agree It's Premature to Claim Flossing Is Ineffective to Help Prevent Periodontal Diseases?

Abstract Periodontal diseases are complex, multifactorial disorders. Effective daily plaque control promotes gingival/periodontal health. Recent meta-analyses and other reviews have found inconclusive evidence to support that tooth flossing promotes gingival/periodontal health. Ideally, the claim should have been that, “at present, we do not have high-quality evidence from well-designed randomized clinical trials to determine whether flossing lowers the risk for periodontal diseases.” Rather than “not proven to be effective,” the lay public may now think that flossing is “almost entirely unhelpful and/or unnecessary.” How does the dental community communicate the nuances of this topic? Herein, we examine the key structural issues underlying this area of research. We assert that effective flossing between specific teeth can promote gingival/periodontal health. Furthermore, we explore the nuances for whom this may be true and untrue, why our evidence is lacking, and what can be done to clarify the effectiveness of flossing on clinical outcomes.
Zebrafish factor 10 and the life aquatic.

In this issue of Blood , Hu et al demonstrate that homozygous factor 10 gene ablation ( f10 −/− ) in the zebrafish does not result in either embryonic lethality or vascular developmental abnormalities. 1
Evaluation of a tactical surface metering tool for Charlotte Douglas international airport via human-in-the-loop simulation

NASA has been working with the FAA and aviation industry partners to develop and demonstrate new concepts and technologies that integrate arrival, departure, and surface traffic management capabilities. In March 2017, NASA conducted a human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation for integrated surface and airspace operations, modeling Charlotte Douglas International Airport, to evaluate the operational procedures and information requirements for the tactical surface metering tool, and data exchange elements between the airline controlled ramp and ATC Tower. In this paper, we focus on the calibration of the tactical surface metering tool using various metrics measured from the HITL simulation results. Key performance metrics include gate hold times from pushback advisories, taxi-in/out times, runway throughput, and departure queue size. Subjective metrics presented in this paper include workload, situational awareness, and acceptability of the metering tool and its calibration.
Relationship between man-made environment and slope stability: the case of 2014 rainfall events in the terraced landscape of the Liguria region (northwestern Italy)

ABSTRACTIn the autumn of 2014, a series of rainfall events affected several sectors of the Liguria region, triggering many shallow landslides and causing three casualties and severe structural damages. The most intensely unstable area covered 385 km2, in which more than 1600 landslides have been identified. After these events, an airborne Light Detection and Ranging survey was carried out. The survey yielded a high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) and aerial images that provided a means of identifying and mapping all the occurred landslides. The distribution analysis of slope instabilities highlighted the link with various human activities. In fact, the majority of the detected landslides occurred in man-modified areas. Geospatial and statistical analyses provided the identification of three main anthropic factors: terraces, their level of maintenance and road network. Moreover, they quantified their role in landslide triggering. These factors were not analysed as separate elements, but as a continu...
Advanced directional networking: Simulation results and prototype measurements

Advanced Directional Networking is a physical layer based technology that is composed of a network of fully-directional point-to-multipoint Advanced Nodes. This paper describes designs of advanced nodes, which are equipped with sets of antenna arrays for the tasks of scanning for user discovery, communication with users and forming node-node links. Highlights of the simulation results for advanced nodes are shown for LTE radios implementation. A hardware prototype of the advanced nodes consisting of 4×8 long slot antenna arrays, Butler Matrix based analog beamforming/scanning for mobile user discovery and dynamic digital beamforming for user tracking and maintaining directional communications, is being developed. Measurements of the prototype will be used for validation of the simulation results and provide guidelines for ultimate implementation and application in rural areas.
Geographic Representation in GIS and Art: Common Threads as Exemplified in Paintings by Seurat, Signac, Mondrian, and Diebenkorn

This article explores the relationship between geographic representation in geographic information systems (GIS) and in art, as illustrated by the vector and raster spatial data models used in GIS ...
The Wages Fund Controversy Revisited

“The wages fund theory is the crowning instance of an untrue abstraction … and it has probably done more injury to the reputation of economic theory than any other generalization ever received into economics textbooks and then expunged from them.” These words, by James Bonar, fairly well express the view that has dominated economic thought on the wages fund doctrine for the past century. Writing forty years after Bonar, Paul Samuelson claims he has been impressed by the “falseness and emptiness of the wage fund doctrine,” stating that the controversy it inspired “constitutes one of the most sterile chapters in that dreary gap between the classical age and the revolutionary neoclassical discoveries of that last third of the nineteenth century.”
Misplaced Prudence: The Role of Restraint in the Nuclear Threat Environment for North American Strategic Defense

International relations theory provides analytic lenses for evaluating the dynamics of today’s dangerous and unstable nuclear threat environment. Both realist and constructivist theories recognize the importance of restraint in these environments. Realists focus on the security dilemma, understanding that the pursuit of security can mistakenly incite fears of aggression on the part of others. Constructivists focus on normative, rather than strategic, restraint. Psychological insights deepen concerns about the wisdom of bellicose policies, given the potential to create spirals of conflict based on emotional and vitriolic reactions and the possibilities of misinterpreting signals. When psychological dynamics are added, restraint becomes more imperative, even as it becomes more difficult to achieve. These insights undermine strategies based on apparent ‘prudence’, requiring practitioners to consider not just interpretations of signals from adversaries but also how their own signals may be misinterpreted. We evaluate the threat posed by Iran and North Korea to North American strategic defense. Restraint remains one of the most difficult decisions for policy makers, one for which practitioners are often heavily criticized, yet key for North American defense. By relying more heavily on the special interlacing institutions providing North American strategic defense—U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), bi-national North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC)—policymakers acquire more perspectives to help overcome misperception, reinforce reassurance, and better safeguard North America.
Using VMWare and live CD's to configure a secure, flexible, easy to manage computer lab environment

The task of managing a networked computer lab for class instruction is a daunting task at best. Most environments of this nature are not homogeneous, i.e. they must accommodate various software, operating systems, database applications, and security configurations. Each class or lab most likely requires a specific set of applications and software configurations tailored to the nature of the course. Managing this type of environment is difficult even with the client/server imaging software available today. VMWare is an elegant solution to this problem. VMWare is an x86 hardware abstraction layer that sits between the host hardware and the virtual operating system. The virtual operating system can be Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server, Red Hat Linux, Fedora Core, Sun, or any number of popular operating systems. These operating systems are installed on top of VMWare running on the host. By using VMWare to provide software, operating system, and networking support for multiple dissimilar computer courses, a lab manager can reduce her management burden significantly while increasing the security of the lab machines, minimizing configuration inconsistencies, and providing maximum flexibility to computer science instructors.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous digoxin and digitoxin.

Healthy volunteers received single 1.0-mg doses of intravenous digoxin (n=10) or digitoxin (n=12). Glycoside pharmacokinetics were determined from multiple plasma samples drawn over the 48 hours (for digoxin) or 14 days (for digitoxin) after the dose. Electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and blood pressure were recorded at multiple time points 24 h after the dose. To control for nonspecific cardiovascular changes, pharmacodynamic measurements were repeated on a second occasion for 8 hours after an intravenous injection of saline. Mean (±S.E.) kinetic variables for digoxin were: volume of distribution (Vd), 8.3 (±0.6) l/kg; elimination half-life (t1/2), 49 (±5) h; clearance 2.1 (±0.2) ml/min/kg. Changes in blood pressure, ventricular rate, and corrected QT-interval attributable to digoxin were small. However, echocardiographically-determined mean rate of circumferential fibre shortening (mVcf) and ejection fraction (EF) increased significantly following digoxin when compared to saline infusion. Changes were maximal at 4–6 h after dosage, and were highly correlated with plasma digoxin concentration. mVcf and EF returned to baseline by 24 h post-dosage. Mean kinetic variables for digitoxin were: Vd, 0.63 (±0.03) l/kg; t1/2, 7.3 (±0.4) days; clearance, 0.043 (±0.003) ml/min/kg. Like digoxin, digitoxin infusion produced minimal change in blood pressure, ventricular rate, or QT-interval. However, mVcf and EF increased significantly when compared to saline control. Changes were maximal at 4–8 h after infusion, and were correlated with plasma digitoxin concentration; at 24 h post-dosage, mVcf and EF were still increased over baseline. Thus, digoxin and digitoxin significantly increase myocardial contractility in healthy humans, but without important change in heart rate and blood pressure. Changes in contractility are of slow onset, probably due to slow distribution of glycoside to sites of pharmacologic activity.
Principles of Rural Tourism Development

Rural tourism development is almost as difficult to do right as it is to define what it means. In this paper a number of critical features necessary to successful rural development were examined. Some of the features mentioned such as transportation fall into the domain of the public sector. Others such as human resource training and communication technology may be the responsibility of both the public and private sectors.
Toxicity of local anesthetic additives.

Background and Objectives. In a critical review of the possible agents that may cause or contribute to neurotoxicity of drugs given subarachnoid, the common and the new-age additives to local anesthetics must be considered. Methods. A review of the literature disclosed a wide array of animal models in which the expected physiologic effects of the drugs given were documented. Results. Research studies showed that epinephrine, phenylephrine, and clonidine produce vasoconstriction in the tissues around the spinal cord, but the clinical consequences of this response in humans was poorly defined. That the common additive dextrose, given alone, does not appear to be neurotoxic in spite of its hyperosmolar effect, but is suspect when combined with local anesthetics, indicated the need for dose-controlled studies to elucidate a synergistic interaction. The antioxidants have been the most studied of the additives, and the positive findings have resulted, appropriately, in changes in the formulations of local anesthetic preparations for clinical use. Evidence of neural tissue damage with short- and long-term opioid administration was inconclusive, as was that related to subarachnoid deposteroids. Conclusions. It is necessary to repeat neurotoxicity studies using modern-day techniques, and to then gain more significant insight through clinical correlation.
Social Support and Stress

Social support has been found to be a valuable resource for people undergoing stress. Social support has been defined as efforts to aid individuals or that encourage their sense of attachment to significant groups. Those who have more social support have been found to have greater wellbeing and physical health, and to be less negatively affected by stressful circumstances. The acquisition and maintenance of social support is seen as part of a caravan of resources that people acquire across the life span. Further, the use of social support is dependent in part on possessing other resources that enable support's more effective impact. Research further indicates that both the perceptions of support and its actual receipt are important, indicating that support's availability may serve as a resource, even if sources of support are not called on for assistance.
Bi2Te3–MoS2 Layered Nanoscale Heterostructures for Electron Transfer Catalysis

Bi2Te3–MoS2 layered heterostructures have been prepared by a hydrothermal reaction of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate with hydrazine in the presence of preformed Bi2Te3 hexagonal nanoplatelets as templ...
Trends in the Usage of Contrast Allergy Prophylaxis for Endourologic Procedures.

Abstract Objective To characterize current practice patterns of urologists in the management of intravenous (IV) contrast allergy in the setting of endourologic procedures. Methods A survey was administered to all members of the Endourological Society to assess management of IV contrast allergy prior to ureteroscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Treatment regimens, reports of adverse outcomes, and demographics of respondents were also collected. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests. Results The response rate was 15% (325/2100). A total of 21% and 28% of respondents reported giving prophylaxis prior to URS and PCNL, respectively. Nearly 3% of respondents reported having observed a severe adverse reaction to intraluminal contrast in the past. Approximately half reported giving prophylaxis only 1 hour prior to the procedure. Most respondents (77%) completed a fellowship, the most common being endourology. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant difference between giving prophylaxis for URS or PCNL and the respective case volumes (for URS, X2 = 8.3, P= .004; for PCNL, X2 = 8.5, P= .003) where urologists with the lowest and highest case volumes were more likely to give prophylaxis (Fig. 1). There was no significant difference between giving prophylaxis for URS or PCNL and recency of residency, fellowship training, practice setting, or practice type. Conclusion Most urologists do not give prophylaxis for patients with IV contrast allergy prior to URS and PCNL. Further studies are needed to evaluate the necessity of prophylaxis as well as to establish clear guidelines.
Chapter 69 – Flexible Learning of Optimal Strategies

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an agent-based computer simulation of equilibrium in some games that do not have dominant strategy equilibria. The agents learn optimal strategies through a flexible learning algorithm somewhat based on simulated annealing. The model proposed is distinguished from the large literature of such models by adopting ideas both from simulated annealing and from behavioral economics. The relation between the aspiration level and the outcomes thus determines the evolution of the resist, leading to the formation of approximately optimal habits in a range of game situations. It was found that agents adapted predictably to the Nash equilibrium, in most cases, as the population distribution of habits changes. In one case, a hawk-and-dove-like coordination game, however, the maximin solution strongly influences the equilibrium. Based on this and other tests, the model succeeds as a model of flexible learning. The one departure from Nash equilibria, in context, suggests that the model can contribute something to the understanding of the limits of that concept in game theory.
Introduction to Computing Capitalisms

Presents the first in a series of special issues that deploy new approaches in the study of capitalism to investigate the business history of computing. This series celebrates novel methods, questions, and dialogues within the field, and new ways of framing classic narratives.
Cognitive Function in Liver Transplant Recipients Who Survived More Than 6 Months

Introduction:Current research in the areas of liver transplant and cognitive function has primarily examined cognitive changes from pre- to 1-year posttransplant, resulting in an insufficient under...
Restructuring of an Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Research Rotation Correlates with Increased Academic Productivity in Teaching Faculty.

Introduction Contribution toward clinical research is paramount to the education of physician trainees and is required by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. From 1987 through 2015, our single institution orthopaedic surgery residency research experience included 2 dedicated research rotations. Because few resident projects were pursued to completion, feedback was used to restructure the curriculum, including the appointment of 2 clinical orthopaedic faculty to serve as codirectors, development of a revised curriculum, use of research teams, and a centralized research database. Our group previously displayed increased resident productivity within 2 years after the 2015 implementation. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of orthopaedic residency curricular changes on scholarly activity of orthopaedic teaching faculty. Methods The curriculum vitae (CVs) of a single institution's orthopaedic teaching faculty were collected and retrospectively reviewed from 2014 through 2018 to determine academic productivity of clinical faculty. Indicators of academic productivity included peer-reviewed publications (including journal impact factors) and podium or poster presentations. Results Twenty-three of 27 faculty members responded to our request for CVs. One hundred three CVs were reviewed on 23 faculty. All academic indicators increased over 5 years. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) using a multivariate repeated measures analysis was completed. A sphericity χ2 test was violated for all measures, precluding us from using unadjusted univariate analysis. Univariate MANOVA with repeated measures displays significance regarding impact factor (f < 0.02, p < 0.05) and journal publications (f < 0.004, p < 0.05). Subsequent multivariate analysis shows similar results regarding impact factor (f < 0.0008), journal publications (0.0005), and poster presentations (f < 0.016). Conclusions Improved structure of an established resident research rotation combined with enhanced faculty mentorship resulted in a significant increase in academic productivity for clinical teaching faculty of the department of orthopaedic surgery. This increase parallels that seen in orthopaedic resident research productivity; indicating a positive impact on teaching faculty scholarly activity. Level of Evidence III.
The properties of entropy as a measure of randomness in a clinical trial

Abstract We study entropy as a measure of randomness in a sequential clinical trial. For any randomization design, we consider the well-known sequence of conditional treatment assignment probabilities, P n , which complements the random allocation proportion. We then use P n to formulate and prove a statement about conditions for the asymptotic mean entropy of a randomization design to achieve its optimum value. We compare both response-adaptive and non response adaptive randomization designs with respect to the asymptotic mean entropy, connecting the variance of P n to the asymptotic mean entropy under normality. Then we explore whether both P n , as well as the allocation proportion, may have zero asymptotic variance.
Neuropsychological assessment in pediatric oncology survivorship care: utilization of services, results of evaluation, and educational and behavioral health outcomes.

Neuropsychological evaluation has become a standard component of long-term follow-up care for survivors of pediatric cancer. The purpose of the present study was to examine access to, and benefits of, neuropsychological evaluation for survivors. A retrospective chart review was conducted on cancer survivors who were referred for neuropsychological evaluation from a multidisciplinary long-term follow-up (LTFU) clinic approximately 5 years following treatment cessation. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and t-tests and chi-square analyses were utilized to examine variables that may impact survivors’ access to neuropsychological services. One hundred seven survivors between 6 and 26 years old were referred for a neuropsychological evaluation. Referred male patients were less likely than female patients to schedule an evaluation. Consultation with a neuropsychologist in the LTFU clinic was related to more referrals but did not improve attrition rates (55%). Twenty-four percent of evaluated patients displayed severe cognitive impairment and 75% were diagnosed with a psychological disorder. Utilization of educational and behavioral health services did not significantly change following evaluation. Survivors’ utilization of neuropsychological services is lower for males than females. The presence of a neuropsychologist in a multidisciplinary team clinic can improve identification of survivors that may benefit from neuropsychological evaluation. Many survivors did not receive recommended services, suggesting patients and families may need additional supports following evaluation. Future research should focus on improving survivors’ access to neuropsychological services and identifying barriers to receiving recommended services.
Engineering the niche to differentiate and deploy cardiovascular cells.

Applications for stem cells have ranged from therapeutic interventions to more conventional screening and in vitro modeling, but significant limitations to each is due to the lack of maturity from decades old monolayer protocols. While those methods remain the ‘gold standard,’ newer three-dimensional methods, when combined with engineered niche, stand to significantly improve cell maturity and enable new applications. Here in three parts, we first discuss past methods, and where and why we believe those methods produced suboptimal myocytes. Second, we note how newer methods are moving the field into an era of cell mechanical, electrical, and biological maturity. Finally, we highlight how these improvements will solve issues of scale and engraftment to yield clinical success. It is our conclusion that only through a combination of diverse cell populations and engineered niche will we create an engineered heart tissue with the maturity and vasculature to integrate successfully into a host.