cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teaching Diversity: The Impact of Race and Gender on Our Experiences as Educators

To date, little attention has been given to the ways in which college-level instructors' gender, class, race, and ethnicity impact their experiences as educators. While some authors have acknowledged the impact of their location within this matrix of identities, both upon the subjects they.choose to teach aswell as upon the ways in which students respond to them, this is still an aspect of tertiary education that is rarely explored in pedagogical training or when decisions regarding tenure and promotion are made. Drawing upon the experiences of two college professors who share different demographic characteristics and life experiences and who teach an array of courses at a large Midwestern university, this manuscript explores the ways in which an individual's identity impacts what they choose to teach, how they teach, and how students respond to them. Implications for instructors. as well as for administrators within institutions of higher learning are discussed.
Chronic low-level exposure to the common seafood toxin domoic acid causes cognitive deficits in mice.

Abstract The consumption of one meal of seafood containing domoic acid (DA) at levels high enough to induce seizures can cause gross histopathological lesions in hippocampal regions of the brain and permanent memory loss in humans and marine mammals. Seafood regulatory limits have been set at 20 mg DA/kg shellfish to protect human consumers from symptomatic acute exposure, but the effects of repetitive low-level asymptomatic exposure remain a critical knowledge gap. Recreational and Tribal-subsistence shellfish harvesters are known to regularly consume low levels of DA. The aim of this study was to determine if chronic low-level DA exposure, at doses below those that cause overt signs of neurotoxicity, has quantifiable impacts on cognitive function. To this end, female C57BL/6NJ mice were exposed to asymptomatic doses of DA (≈ 0.75 mg/kg) or vehicle once a week for several months. Spatial learning and memory were tested in a radial water maze paradigm at one, six and 25 weeks of exposure, after a nine-week recovery period following cessation of exposure, and at three old age time points (18, 24 and 28 months old). Mice from select time points were also tested for activity levels in a novel cage environment using a photobeam activity system. Chronic low-level DA exposure caused significant spatial learning impairment and hyperactivity after 25 weeks of exposure in the absence of visible histopathological lesions in hippocampal regions of the brain. These cognitive effects were reversible after a nine-week recovery period with no toxin exposure and recovery was sustained into old age. These findings identify a new potential health risk of chronic low-level exposure in a mammalian model. Unlike the permanent cognitive impacts of acute exposure, the chronic low-level effects observed in this study were reversible suggesting that these deficits could potentially be managed through cessation of exposure if they also occur in human seafood consumers.
Abstract 190: Understanding Delivery of Heart Failure Care by Provider Teams

Objective: There is strong evidence to support the contention that interdependence and collaboration among providers improves staff and patient outcomes. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) QUERI examined how care is provided to HF patients by “HF Care Groups” at the VA facilities. A “HF Care Group” is a group of providers at a VA facility dedicated to HF care for the facility’s patients. Method: In 2009 c ross-sectional surveys were administered to members (providers) of the CHF QUERI’s Heart Failure (HF) Provider Network which consists of providers interested in improving the quality of HF care. 217 providers completed these surveys. Results: Altogether, 99% (n=215) of the respondents reported that they provided HF care at their VA facility. A majority of these providers (59%) started providing HF care before 2003. Overall 63% (n=135) of these providers participated in a local HF Care Group which consisted of 1-3 providers (85%) to 4-7 providers (15%). Among the providers who participated in their HF Care Group almost all (99%) felt physicians and nurses in their team worked closely together, they identified and fixed problems in work processes (96%), focused on team-building and coaching (89%) and acquiring necessary resources for HF care (92%). But they reported experiencing difficulty in coordinating HF care outside their HF Care Group with non-HF physicians (77%), discharge nurses (71%) and home telehealth (55%). Looking at contextual factors, they reported receiving good support from own facility in terms of providing necessary physical space (84%), staffing (80%), quality improvement support (86%) and training and education (87%). Overall, 84% of these providers felt satisfied with their job providing HF care and similarly, 86% felt satisfied with the care they provide to their HF patients. Conclusions: Heart failure providers commonly participate in local teams of 1-3 people. The barriers to team care that we identified will be important to address in order to improve patient outcome for heart failure.
Tall building foundation design

As classified by the Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), tall buildings are 200–300 m high; super-tall buildings and mega-tall buildings are respectively 300–600 m and greater tha...
Asymptotic Behaviour of the Spectral Function

Let M be a closed n-dimensional manifold on which there is given a smooth positive density dx and let A be an elliptic, self-adjoint operator of degree m on M such that a m (x, ξ) > 0 for ξ ≠ 0. We will use the notations e (x, y, λ, ), N (λ), Vx(λ) and V(λ) introduced in § 15. The following theorem refines Theorems 15.1 and 15.2.
GaN Laser Diodes on Nonpolar and Semipolar Planes

Abstract GaN and its alloys with InN and AlN have already revolutionized the solid-state lighting market for their ability to emit a wide range of wavelengths in the visible spectrum. The past several years have seen remarkable progress in the GaN material system for visible laser diode (LD) applications. The market for direct-emission green LDs is expected to reach $500 million by the year 2016 ( Semiconductor Today, 2010 ), driven by high interest in portable, laser-based projector systems and other full-color display technologies. However, development of GaN LDs on the standard basal plane is challenged by the polar nature of the GaN wurtzite crystal structure, particularly for emission wavelengths beyond 500 nm. Alternate crystal orientations of GaN with reduced or no polarization are referred to as semipolar and nonpolar planes, respectively, and offer several benefits that may make them a superior candidate over the polar basal-plane GaN, especially for high-wavelength applications. These alternate planes are not without their own challenges related to crystal growth and device design. This chapter outlines some of the material properties, growth issues, and waveguide considerations for GaN-based LDs on nonpolar and semipolar planes for visible wavelength applications.
A Haploid Genetic Screening Method for Proteins Influencing Mammalian Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay Activity

Despite a long appreciation for the role of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) in the destruction of faulty, disease-causing mRNAs, as well as its role in the maintenance of normal, endogenous transcript abundance, systematic unbiased methods for uncovering modifiers of NMD activity in mammalian cells remain scant. Here we present and validate a haploid genetic screening method for identifying proteins and processes that stimulate NMD activity involving a 3'-untranslated region exon-junction complex. This reporter-based screening method can be adapted for interrogating other pathways whose output can be measured by the intracellular production of fluorescent proteins.
Absorber Considerations for H-3 Betavoltaic Devices

Betavoltaic converters are attractive power sources due to their long duration, continuous discharge and highenergy densities in comparison with other modes of energy harvesting. The main obstacle to widen the application of betavoltaics is their low power output. 2D Monte Carlo numerical simulations coupled with drift-diffusionmodeling were conducted to evaluate commercially available and emerging wideband gap semiconductors as potential absorbers with widely available tritium (H-3) isotope. Results show that power enhancement can be achieved by using emerging ultra wide bandgap material such as diamond. Using those materials, >40% increase in the power density in comparison with current 4H-SiC technology can be achieved.
Effect of Sr Substitution in LaMnO3(100) on Catalytic Conversion of Acetic Acid to Ketene and Combustion-Like Products

The chemistry of acetic acid reactions was studied over La1–xSrxMnO3(100) surfaces (x = 0, 0.3, or 0.7). Two types of temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) experiments were performed: pre-exposure ...
Should Immigration Status Information Be Considered Protected Health Information

In response to a case of an undocumented patient who was reported to immigration authorities, this commentary considers whether a patient's immigration status should be deemed protected health information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. A legal argument, supported by clinical data, is offered that immigration status should be regarded as PHI not subject to valid exception for release without patient authorization. This argument concludes that covered entities (eg, hospitals and health care professionals) are legally precluded under the HIPAA Privacy Rule from disclosing a patient's immigration status.
(100) Long-Term Outcomes of Adolescents with Juvenile-Onset Fibromyalgia into Adulthood, and Impact of Depressive Symptoms on Functioning Over Time

Juvenile-onset fibromyalgia (JFM) is a chronic pain condition typically diagnosed in adolescence and characterized by widespread pain and marked functional impairment, including mood difficulties. However, the long-term impact of JFM during the period when adolescents transition into young adulthood is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to describe physical and psychosocial outcomes of youth diagnosed with JFM in early adulthood (∼ 8-years after initial assessment), examine longitudinal trajectories of pain and depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood, and examine the impact of pain and depressive symptoms on physical functioning over time. Participants were 97 youth with JFM enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study, in which pain symptoms, physical and psychosocial functioning were assessed at four time points over approximately eight years. The 8-year follow-up data were evaluated descriptively, and trajectories were identified using growth mixture modeling analyses in MPlus. At the final assessment (T4) (Mage = 24.2 years), a majority of young adults continued to suffer from pain and impairment in physical, social, and psychological domains, with 58% meeting ACR 2010 criteria for adult fibromyalgia (FM). However, trajectories of pain and emotional symptoms showed varying patterns. Longitudinal analyses revealed two pain trajectories (Steady Improvement and Rapid Rebounding Improvement). Depressive symptoms followed three distinct trajectories (Low-Stable, Improving, and Worsening). The group with worsening depressive symptoms was associated with poorer physical functioning over time (p
Turning Oral Presentations at the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry's Annual Meeting Into Published Articles: A Review and Analysis

Background Oral presentations at academic conferences typically describe recent or ongoing research projects or provide literature reviews. However, conversion of these presentations into full-length journal articles is not routine. Objective We sought to assess the frequency with which oral presentations at the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry's annual meetings from 2012 to 2018 were turned into peer-reviewed publications and review the factors that affected publication of them. Methods Conference presentation titles and authors from the 2012–2018 Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Annual Meetings were searched using PubMed to find corresponding published reports by the presenters. Data were organized in an Excel spreadsheet, and the time to publication, the journals in which they were published, and general content areas were recorded and analyzed. Results Of the 287 oral presentations delivered during the study period, 47% were published in a peer-reviewed journal. Articles were published in 72 different journals; the journals that published the most articles were Psychosomatics, General Hospital Psychiatry, Psycho-oncology, Academic Psychiatry, and the Journal of General Internal Medicine. The most common subspecialty topics of the published articles were neuropsychiatry, psycho-oncology, surgery and transplantation, and delirium. The mean time to publication after presentation was 1 year. Conclusion Knowledge of the rate at which presentations are converted into peer-reviewed publications can be used to enhance the academic success of presenters, and strategies to enhance the rate of publication (e.g., by coaching on scientific writing or by selecting oral presentations with the highest publication potential) can be established.
Collaborative Micro-Retailing in Developing Economies

In many developing countries, micro-retailers in remote rural places struggle to survive due to high inventory replenishment costs caused by lack of efficient infrastructure and distribution networks. Consumers, in turn, suffer from higher prices and limited accessibility of products provided by these micro-retailers. Some of these products are necessities, including food or medical items. In some cases, micro-retailers are the only sources for consumers to obtain these products. In order to help micro-retailers and the communities they serve, NGOs have been exploring different approaches aiming to coordinate the retailers’ inventory replenishment strategy. This chapter explores two major types of collaborative strategies observed in practice, and studies their welfare implications for micro-retailers and local consumers. One strategy is based on an “open” cooperative where participating retailers jointly replenish inventories and share the travel cost incurred. The other strategy introduces an intermediary “non-profit” wholesaler who will consolidate retailers’ orders and replenish on their behalf under a low service charge. The study unveils several key trade-offs associated with these collaborative strategies. In particular, when retailers’ market entry is controlled and regulated, the cooperative strategy always leads to Pareto improvement. That is, retailers’ profit improves and consumers are also better off. However, establishing a non-profit wholesaler improves retailers’ profit at the expense of consumer welfare. This trade-off can be mitigated when retailers can freely enter the retail market. That is, the wholesaler strategy also leads to Pareto improvement under some general conditions. We further show that the cooperative strategy benefits the consumers more, while the non-profit wholesaler strategy is more effective in improving retailers’ profit and encouraging their market participation. We discuss the policy implications of these trade-offs for the deployment of collaborative replenishment for micro-retailers in practice.
STAT3 Inhibits CD103+ cDC1 Vaccine Efficacy in Murine Breast Cancer

Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are a critical immune population, composed of multiple subsets, and responsible for controlling adaptive immunity and tolerance. Although migratory type 1 cDCs (CD103+ cDC1s in mice) are necessary to mount CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, whether and how tumors modulate CD103+ cDC1 function remain understudied. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) mediates the intracellular signaling of tumor-associated immunosuppressive cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-10; thus, we hypothesized that STAT3 restrained anti-tumor immune responses elicited by CD103+ cDC1s. Herein, we show that in vitro-derived STAT3-deficient (Stat3∆/∆) CD103+ cDC1s are refractory to the inhibitory effects of IL-10 on Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist-induced maturation responses. In a tumor vaccination approach, we found Stat3∆/∆ CD103+ cDC1s restrained mammary gland tumor growth and increased mouse survival more effectively than STAT3-sufficient CD103+ cDC1s. In addition, vaccination with Stat3∆/∆ CD103+ cDC1s elicited increased amounts of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ+ CD4+ T cells in tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes versus phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated animals. Furthermore, IL-10 receptor-deficient CD103+ cDC1s controlled tumor growth to a similar degree as Stat3∆/∆ CD103+ cDC1s. Taken together, our data reveal an inhibitory role for STAT3 in CD103+ cDC1 maturation and regulation of anti-tumor immunity. Our results also suggest IL-10 is a key factor eliciting immunosuppressive STAT3 signaling in CD103+ cDC1s in breast cancer. Thus, inhibition of STAT3 in cDC1s may provide an important strategy to improve their efficacy in tumor vaccination approaches and cDC1-mediated control of anti-tumor immunity.
An Achievement Motivation Space for Brain-Robot Interface

The paper reports on an experimental investigation in Brain-Robot Interface where a EEG demultiplexer method is used. The task is to control a robotic arm to execute a movement trajectory avoiding an obstacle along the way. The task is represented in an achievement motivation space where paths from a stating to a goal region are investigated.
A Comparison of Prehospital Nonphysician and Hospital Physician Placed Tube Thoracostomy

BackgroundPrehospital chest decompression can be a lifesaving procedure in severe chest trauma. Studies investigating prehospital chest decompression are mostly European where physicians are assign...
Auger electron spectroscopy for surface ferroelectric domain differentiation in selectively poled MgO:LiNbO3

Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) as a method to characterize the ferroelectric polarization domains in magnesium-doped lithium niobate crystals is demonstrated. Preliminary measurements on a test sample show a clearly identifiable relative shift in the energy of the Auger oxygen KLL transition peak between poled (inverted) and un-poled domains. Auger electrons detected from the negative polarization domains (-Z) have a higher energy than those from the positive domains indicating a lower ionization energy at the -Z domain surface. The degree of electron energy separation between the −Z and +Z domains was found to be dependent on proximity to the domain boundary and was potentially diminished by the accumulated charge under the incident primary beam. Polarization domain resolution is demonstrated on both the micron and millimeter scale, suggesting potential applicability of this technique to surface investigation and domain structure characterization of nonlinear optical devices such as periodically poled lithium niobate.
Generalizing Complex/Hyper-complex Convolutions to Vector Map Convolutions

We show that the core reasons that complex and hypercomplex valued neural networks offer improvements over their real-valued counterparts is the weight sharing mechanism and treating multidimensional data as a single entity. Their algebra linearly combines the dimensions, making each dimension related to the others. However, both are constrained to a set number of dimensions, two for complex and four for quaternions. Here we introduce novel vector map convolutions which capture both of these properties provided by complex/hypercomplex convolutions, while dropping the unnatural dimensionality constraints they impose. This is achieved by introducing a system that mimics the unique linear combination of input dimensions, such as the Hamilton product for quaternions. We perform three experiments to show that these novel vector map convolutions seem to capture all the benefits of complex and hyper-complex networks, such as their ability to capture internal latent relations, while avoiding the dimensionality restriction.
Self-reported history of concussions is associated with risk factors for suicide completion among middle school students: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between self-reported history of concussion and risk factors for completed suicide among middle school students. Methods We analyzed state-level data from the 2017 YRBS. The study sample was n = 19,254 middle school students in 7 States: Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Virginia. We conducted multi-level, multivariate logistic regression models to assess the relationship between self-reported concussions and suicidal ideations, planned suicide attempt, and past suicide attempt. Results Approximately 17.8% of the sample self-reported a history of concussion. Self-reported history of concussion was significantly associated with greater odds for history of suicidal ideation (Adj OR: 1.31), planned suicide attempt (Adj OR: 1.36), and past suicide attempt (Adj OR: 1.67). Conclusions This is the first study to examine the relationship between self-reported concussion and risk factor for completed suicide among middle school students. Research findings mirror similar study done among high school students and young adults. Findings suggest the need to expand prevention programs, intervention strategies and education campaigns to include middle school students.
Privacy Considerations of the Visually Impaired with Camera Based Assistive Tools

People with visual impairments (PVIs) are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence (HI) based technologies in their daily lives to overcome their accessibility barriers. Such systems pose privacy and security risks for PVIs (as well as bystanders) because PVIs cannot review their photos before sharing with such services and inaccurate information can misinform PVIs and misrepresent bystanders. Through my doctoral research, I aim to create a privacy enhancing camera-based assistive system for people with visual impairments to address their privacy considerations. To inform designs for an effective, usable, and privacy-aware assistive system, I seek to gain an understanding of 1)~what privacy considerations PVIs have with camera based assistive technologies, and 2)~what factors should be considered to design privacy-aware assistive technologies.
Nationalization and Its Consequences for State Legislatures

Objective I theorize that as nationalization increases, state legislatures will take less legislative actions related to local topics and take more legislative actions on divisive, national issues. Method To measure nationalization I use election data as well as data on mass partisanship in a state. To measure a state's legislative agenda, I use data on legislative actions collected from LexisNexis. For my statistical analysis, I use two‐way linear fixed effects regression. Results I find that as nationalization increases, legislatures take less legislative actions pertaining to education, transportation, and localities. I also find that as nationalization increases, Republican‐controlled states increase the number of legislative actions related to abortion. Conclusion Taken together, the article provides evidence that nationalization delocalizes the agenda and places on the agenda issues associated with the national partisan conflict.
Physics Informed Deep Learning for Traffic State Estimation

The challenge of traffic state estimation (TSE) lies in the sparsity of observed traffic data and the sensor noise present in the data. This paper presents a new approach – physics informed deep learning (PIDL) method – to tackle this problem. PIDL equips a deep learning neural network with the strength of the physical law governing traffic flow to better estimate traffic conditions. A case study is conducted where the accuracy and convergence-time of the algorithm are tested for varying levels of scarcely observed traffic density data – both in Lagrangian and Eulerian frames. The estimation results are encouraging and demonstrate the capability of PIDL in making accurate and prompt estimation of traffic states.
Social Bubbles, Fake News, and Profits: Can Real News Survive?

We develop a game-theoretic model of strategic interaction between news providers and news consumers. News providers are profit maximizers while consumers maximize utility. News providers can provide true or fake news. Providing real news is costlier than providing fake news. Consumers can be biased, i.e., live in a social bubble, or unbiased. Real News that does not fit their world view is costly for biased consumers, while fake news imposes a negative externality on unbiased consumers because they have to spend time fact-checking. Heterogeneity in costs for both news purveyors and consumers drives Nash equilibria in static and dynamic game formulations. We conclude that market based rational choice systems can help understand the spread of fake news and biased people. Consequently, it is not enough to say that greedy profit-maximizing media companies drive fake news. Consumers drive the choices made by media companies, while media companies drive the consumer choice to be biased. Fetters on a free press may exacerbate the increase of biased consumers. Last, there may be a trade-off between two equally important democratic goals: the right information to make good decisions and freedom of thought.
Striatonigral Tachykinin Biosynthesis

Substance P (SP) and substance K (SK), two structurally related neuropeptides belonging to the tachykinin family, are derived from a single preprotachykinin (PPT) gene [1,2]. Recent evidence has suggested that these peptides are probably co-localized within the striatonigral tract [3]. Interactions of SP and dopamine (DA) in the basal ganglia are well known although the exact mechanisms are unclear [4]. DA antagonists decrease striatonigral tachykinins and striatal PPT mRNA levels [5–7; Bannon et al., this volume]. However, there are conflicting reports on effects of DA agonists on striatonigral substance P concentrations [7,8]. No data has been published on the effects of DA agonists on the levels of striatonigral SK or PPT mRNA. The present study attempts to clarify the effect of DA agonists on striatonigral SP and SK biosynthesis.
High throughput screening of substrates for synthesis and functionalization of 2D materials

Several two-dimensional (2D) materials have been synthesized experimentally, but many theoretically predicted 2D materials are yet to be synthesized. Here, we will review a density-functional theory based framework to enable high-throughput screening of suitable substrates for the stabilization and functionalization of 2D layers. A Materials Project based open source python tool, MPInterfaces, based on this framework, is being developed to automate the search of suitable substrates as well as to characterize their effect on the structural and electronic properties of 2D materials. Lattice-matching, symmetry-matching, substrate surface termination, configuration sampling, substrate induced structural distortion and doping estimation algorithms are being developed and will be described in this article. This computational tool will be employed to identify suitable substrates for scores of technologically relevant 2D materials, leading to acceleration of their synthesis and application, and more efficient use of experimental resources.
Radiometric performance assessment of Suomi NPP VIIRS SWIR Band (2.25 μm)

Suomi NPP VIIRS SWIR band M11 (2.25 μm) has larger radiometric uncertainty compared to the rest of the reflective solar bands. This is due to a number of reasons including prelaunch calibration uncertainties. One of the most commonly used technique to verify the radiometric stability and accuracy of VIIRS is by intercomparing it with other well calibrated radiometers such as MODIS. However one of the limitations of using MODIS is that VIIRS band M11 RSR doesn’t overlap with MODIS bands at all. Thus the accuracy of intercomparison relies completely on how well the spectral differences are analyzed over the given target. Since desert sites have higher reflectance and more flat spectra, this study uses desert sites to analyze M11 radiometric performance. In order to better match the RSR between instruments, we have chosen Landsat 8 OLI SWIR band 2 (2.20 μm) to perform intercomparison. This is mainly because OLI SWIR band 2 fully covers the VIIRS band M11 even though OLI has much wider RSR compared to VIIRS. The study suggests that there exists large radiometric inconsistency between VIIRS M11 and OLI, on the order of 5%. The impact due to spectral differences is estimated and accounted for using EO-1 Hyperion observations and MODTRAN.
In-Cylinder Measurement of Particulate Radiant Heat Transfer in a Direct Injection Diesel Engine

A method of determining the total hemispherical in-cylinder radiant heat transfer of a direct injection diesel engine was developed using the Two Color theory. A radiant probe was installed in the head of a single cylinder test engine version of a Cummins N14 diesel engine to facilitate the optical measurement. Two probes, installed one at a time, were used to provide the data to calculate the hemispherical radiant heat flux. Each of the probes had a different field of view but both had a near-hemispherical field of view and used a window material that exhibits a cosine-normalized response. The radiant probes were designed to be self-cleaning and remained free of soot deposits during engine operation at high load. The test engine was operated at 1200 and 1500 RPM and at 50, 75, and 100% load for each engine speed. At each operating combination of engine speed and load, measurements were made at several injection timings. Peak radiant heat flux values of 2.0 MW/m 2 were measured at high load. The radiant heat flux curves exhibited a characteristic shape with subtle variations at different operating conditions. A general trend was found for the time integrated radiant heat flux across all operation conditions. The value of time integrated heat flux was proportional the product of engine load, equivalence ratio, fuel flow and the percentage of energy release in the diffusion burn phase.
Properties of Electron Bubbles in Liquid Helium

We present calculations of a number of properties of electron bubbles in liquid helium. The size and shape of bubbles containing electrons in different quantum states is determined based on a simplified model. We then find how the geometry of these bubbles changes with the applied pressure. The radiative lifetime of bubbles with electrons in excited states is calculated. Finally, we use a quantum Monte Carlo method to determine the properties of a bubble containing two electrons. We show that this object is unstable against fission.
The Effect of Increased Travel Reimbursement Rates on Health Care Utilization in the VA

Purpose: The reimbursement rate that eligible veterans receive for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities increased from 11 to 28.5 cents per mile on February 1, 2008. We examined the effect of this policy change on utilization of outpatient, inpatient, and pharmacy services, stratifying veterans based on distance from a VA facility. Methods: We compared health care utilization and costs on a sample of VA patients in the 10.5 months before the reimbursement rate increase and the 10.5 months after the reimbursement rate increase. Using a difference-in-difference technique, we ran multivariable logistic and count regressions for utilization and generalized linear models (GLM) for cost outcomes. Regressions were stratified based on urban and rural residence, as well as by distance thresholds. Findings: Our cohort contained 250,958 veterans, 76.7% (n = 192,559) of whom were eligible to receive a travel reimbursement. After the reimbursement rate increase, eligible veterans at all distances were 6.8% more likely to have an outpatient encounter and had 2.6% more outpatient encounters in the VA compared to those not eligible for the reimbursement (P < .001). Similar results were found for prescription fills at all distances, but inpatient encounters remained generally unaffected. Conclusions: Our results suggest that this policy change was successful in increasing access to VA care for patients regardless of location of residence.
A performance evaluation of intrusion-tolerant routing in wireless sensor networks

This paper evaluates the performance of INSENS, an INtrusion-tolerant routing protocol for wireless SEnsor Networks. Security in sensor networks is important in battlefield monitoring and home security applications to prevent intruders from eavesdropping, from tampering with sensor data, and from launching denial-of-service (DOS) attacks against the entire network. The resilience of INSENS's multipath performance against various forms of communication-based attacks by intruders is evaluated in simulation. Within the context of INSENS, the paper evaluates implementations on the motes of the RC5 and AES encryption standards, an RC5-based scheme to generate message authentication codes (MACs), and an RC5-based generation of one-way sequence numbers.
Integrating Ubunifu, informal science, and community innovations in science classrooms in East Africa

This study examines the relationship between informal science and indigenous innovations in local communities in which students matured. The discussion considers methods for bridging the gap that exists between parents’ understanding of informal science (Ubunifu) and what students learn in secondary schools in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In an effort to reconcile the difference between students’ lived experiences and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) taught in classrooms, this study presents an experiential iSPACES instructional model as an example of curriculum integration in science classrooms. The culmination is presentation of lessons learned from history, including Africa’s unique contributions to science, theory, and indigenous innovations, in the hope that these lessons can spur the development of new instructional practices, standards, curriculum materials, professional and community development, and dialogue among nations.
Flammability of native understory species in pine flatwood and hardwood hammock ecosystems and implications for the wildland–urban interface

Six understory species from five pine flatwood sites and six understory species from five hardwood hammock sites were harvested for biomass analyses to compare potential flammability between two ecosystems in the south-eastern coastal plain of the United States. Plant components were separated into live and dead foliage, accumulated litter on and under the plant, and small and large stems. Foliar biomass was further analysed for moisture content, volatile solid content, and energy content. Statistical analyses revealed differences among species and between ecosystems. Serenoa repens plants present a wildfire hazard because they contain greater biomass than other species studied. Ilex glabra and Lyonia ferruginea are also hazardous to wildland–urban interface (WUI) structures because they have greater foliar energy content than other species studied. Callicarpa americana plants present the least wildfire hazard to WUI structures. We conclude that differences in flammability among species exist, but the causes of flammability are different among species. In addition, species in the same genus do not always have the same flammability. Based on measured characteristics, understory plants in pine flatwoods have greater ignitability, sustainability and combustibility than understory plants in hardwood hammocks. However, the measurements for consumability were similar between ecosystems.
A sinh resistor and its application to tanh linearization

We present a novel and simple subthreshold tunable resistor (sinhR) which exhibits a sinh I-V characteristic. This compact 8-transistor circuit generates an output current that is proportional to the sinh of its input differential voltage and has an offset-free characteristic, i.e., zero current at zero differential voltage, like a real resistor. In a 1.5-/spl mu/m CMOS chip implementation, we achieved a common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of 46 dB. As an example application, we use the expansive properties of our sinhR to linearize the compressive properties of a tanh differential pair by degeneration and cancel all nonlinearities up to fifth order. We demonstrate good agreement between theory and experimental results.
Energy Flow in Spermophilus franklinii

The energy flow value of Spermophilus franklinii based on results from oxygen and food consumption experiments for an estimated one animal per hectare for 1 day was 123.8 kilocalories. This value would be nearly equivalent to the energy of maintenance as a negligible amount would be used for growth in such a brief period. Actual metabolizable energy calculated from food consumption experiments was about double the estimated resting metabolizable energy ascertained from oxygen consumption. Oxygen consumption can be expressed as Y = 1.73–0.041 X for metabolic responses to ambient temperature changes below 26.5°C. The thermoneutral zone (26.5 to 31°C) gave a value of 0.64 cubic centimeters of oxygen per gram per hour. These values were close to those predicted by relating metabolism to body weight.
Searching for signatures of dark matter in the cosmic ray spectrum measured by AMS-01

A search for signatures of WIMP dark matter annihilating to charged cosmic rays via W+W− production was performed using data from the AMS-01 magnetic spectrometer, which flew for 10 days on the space shuttle Discovery in 1998. A brief description of the detector along with the analysis method and results is given.
Carrageenan-induced inflammation alters the content of i-cGMP and i-cAMP in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord

Abstract Hindpaw injections of carrageenan (CARRA) decreased paw withdrawal latencies to radiant heat and increased hindpaw edema. At the peak of hyperalgesia, the content of immunoreactive guanosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (i-cGMP) was increased, while immunoreactive adenosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (i-cAMP) was decreased in lumbar, but not cervical dorsal horn. In general, the content of i-cGMP in the dorsal horn was correlated with thermal hyperalgesia throughout the course of this model. These results indicate that a peripheral inflammation alters the content of i-cGMP and i-cAMP in the spinal cord and, further, suggest that these nucleotides are involved in the modulation of hyperalgesia in the spinal cord.
TWINS, CLOCKS AND GEOMETRY*,†

General covariance principle for operation and measurement requirements of space-time models
Extending greedy multicast routing to delay sensitive applications

Given a weighted undirected graph G(V,E) and a subset R of V, a Steiner tree is a subtree of G that contains each vertex in R. We present an online algorithm for finding a Steiner tree that simultaneously approximates the shortest path tree and the minimum weight Steiner tree, when the vertices in the set R are revealed in an online fashion. This problem arises naturally while trying to construct source-based multicast trees of low cost and good delay. The cost of the tree we construct is within an O(log |R|) factor of the optimal cost, and the path length from the root to any terminal is at most O(1) times the shortest path length. The algorithm needs to perform at most one reroute for each node in the tree. Our algorithm extends the results of Khuller etal and Awerbuch etal, who looked at the offline problem. We conduct extensive simulations to compare the performance of our algorithm (in terms of cost and delay) with that of two popular multicast routing strategies: shortest path trees and the online greedy Steiner tree algorithm.
Implementing backpressure-based rate control in wireless networks

From a theoretical standpoint, backpressure-based techniques present elegant cross-layer rate control solutions that use only local queue information. It is only recently that attempts are being made to design real world wireless protocols using these techniques. To aid this effort, we undertake a comprehensive experimental evaluation of backpressure mechanisms for multihop wireless networks, in particular, the first such study in the context of wireless sensor networks. Our evaluation yields two key insights into the design of such protocols. First, for wireless sensor networks, we show that a simple backpressure scheduling policy which allows nodes to transmit so long as they have a positive queue differential (irrespective of its size) gives performance comparable to more sophisticated heuristics. The advantage of this approach is that no changes are required to the underlying MAC. Second, we show that the performance of backpressure based protocols is highly sensitive to a parameter setting that depends upon current traffic conditions. Therefore, practical backpressure protocols must provide for automatic parameter adaptation.
Rapid Interpretation of CSEM Reconnaissance Data

Summary A new method called Quasi-3D Resistivity Mapping (Q3DRM) has been developed for rapid interpretation of controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) reconnaissance data. Q3DRM is based on scaled resistivity profiles generated from single or multi-frequency 1D inversion of amplitude and/or phase measurements from online, inline electric fields (Ex). Application of Q3DRM to model and actual grid-style reconnaissance surveys is shown. Results show that the method recovers the shallowest and largest reservoirs. Reservoir non-detections are due to combinations of reservoir size, depth, resistivity contrast, and survey density. 3D modeling also shows that incorporating phase measurements increases reservoir detectability and stability of the results. Although Q3DRM has limited sensitivity and accuracy due to assumptions and data limitations, it can be applied rapidly to CSEM surveys, even when very little is previously known about subsurface resistivities. This technique allows real-time detection of resistive anomalies during coarse-grid reconnaissance surveys for subsequent finer-grid surveying during the same vessel deployment. Q3DRM results also provide useful starting models for more detailed 3D interpretation and for full 3D imaging.
Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb) attenuates bacterial translocation in rats.

Intestinal barrier function is compromised following severe hemorrhage which may allow bacterial translocation (BT) to occur and subsequently initiate a systemic response leading to multiple system organ failure (MSOF). This study compared BT following hemorrhage and resuscitation with lactated Ringer's solution (LR) or diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin solution (DCLHb™). Rats (250-350 grams) were hemorrhaged to a base deficit of 15 ± 2 mmol/L and immediately resuscitated with either 3:1 LR or 1:1 DCLHb based on shed blood volume. Four hours following resuscitation, the mesenteric lymph node complex was harvested, homogenized and plated onto MacConkey and Columbia CNA agar culture media. Facultative anaerobic and obligate aerobic bacteria were identified 48 hours later in 11/22 (50%) LR-treated rats and in 4/21 (19%) DCLHb-treated rats (p±0.05). Following resuscitation, base excess (BE) and central venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) were not only restored to baseline but were significantly greater (p±0.05) in...
Failed-Art and Failed Art-Theory

An object being non-art appears only trivially informative. Some non-art objects, however, could be saliently ‘almost’ art, and therefore objects for which being non-art is non-trivially informative. I call these kinds of non-art objects ‘failed-art’ objects—non-art objects aetiologically similar to art-objects, diverging only in virtue of some relevant failure. I take failed-art to be the right sort of thing, to result from the right sort of action, and to have the right sort of history required to be art, but to be non-art by having failure where being art requires success. I assume that for something to be art that thing must be the product of intention-directed action. I then offer an account of attempts that captures the success conditions governing the relationship between intention-directed actions and their products. From this, I claim that to be failed-art is to be the product of a failed art-attempt, i.e., to be non-art as the result of the particular way in which that art-attempt failed. An art...
Unilateral Hearing Loss Is Associated With Worse Speech-Language Scores in Children

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) demonstrate worse language skills than their siblings with normal hearing, and whether children with UHL are more likely to receive extra assistance at school. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of 6- to 12-year-old children with UHL compared with sibling controls (74 pairs, n = 148). Scores on the oral portion of the Oral and Written Language Scales (OWLS) were the primary outcome measure. Multivariable analysis was used to determine whether UHL independently predicted OWLS scores after we controlled for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Children with UHL had worse scores than their siblings on language comprehension (91 vs 98; P = .003), oral expression (94 vs 101; P = .007), and oral composite (90 vs 99; P CONCLUSIONS: School-aged children with UHL demonstrated worse oral language scores than did their siblings with normal hearing. These findings suggest that the common practice of withholding hearing-related accommodations from children with UHL should be reconsidered and studied, and that parents and educators should be informed about the deleterious effects of UHL on oral language skills.
One-dimensional turbulence simulations of hydrogen-fueled HCCI combustion

Abstract Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines fueled by hydrogen have the potential to provide cost-effective power with high efficiencies and very low emissions. This paper investigates the ability of two of the most commonly used injection methods, port fuel injection (PFI) and single-pulse direct injection (DI), to prepare an ideal in-cylinder hydrogen-air mixture and control the autoignition process. Computations are performed using the one-dimensional turbulence (ODT) model formulated for engine simulations. It is found that direct injection is able to prepare a more uniformly lean mixture and control the autoignition more effectively than port fuel injection. A combination of ignition modes are found to be operating when PFI is used as compared to mainly volumetric autoignition in the case of DI. Also, DI is able to maintain comparatively lower temperatures than PFI.
Documenting Eighteenth-Century Satire: Pope, Swift, Gay, and Arbuthnot in Historical Context. By Pat Rogers. (Newcastle upon Tyne, England: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2012. Pp. xii, 310. $67.99.)

This book collects fourteen of its author's essays—eleven revised and three new. Pat Rogers discusses well‐known works (The Rape of the Lock, The Dunciad, The Beggar's Opera), less familiar works (...