cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
2K×2K NIR HGCDTE DETECTOR ARRAYS FOR VISTA AND OTHER APPLICATIONS

The demand for large-format NIR arrays has grown for both ground-based and space-based applications. These arrays are required for maintaining high resolution over very large fields of view for survey work. We describe results of the development of a 2048×2048 HgCdTe/CdZnTe array with 20 micron pixels that responds with high Quantum Efficiency (QE) over the wavelength range of 0.85 to 2.5 microns. With a single-layer antireflection coating, the responsive QE is greater than 70% from 0.9 micron to 2.4 microns. Dark current is typically less than 1e - /sec at 80 K. The modular package for this array, dubbed the VIRGO array, allows three-side butting to form larger mosaic arrays of 4K×2nK format. The VIRGO ROIC utilizes a PMOS Source Follower per Detector (SFD) input circuit with a well capacity of about 3×10 5 electrons and with a read noise of less than 20 e - rms with off-chip Correlated Double Sampling (CDS). Other features of the VIRGO array include 4 or 16 outputs (programmable), and a frame rate of up to 1.5 Hz in 16-output mode. Power dissipation is about 7 mW at a 1 Hz frame rate. Reset modes include both global reset and reset by row (ripple mode). Reference pixels are built-in to the output data stream. The first major application of the VIRGO array will be for VISTA, the UK's Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy. Raytheon Vision Systems has completed delivery of 16 Science Grade arrays and four Engineering arrays to VISTA. The VISTA FPA will operate at near 80 K. The cutoff wavelength of the HgCdTe detector can be adjusted for other applications. Space applications include SNAP, the Supernova/Acceleration Probe, which requires a shorter detector cutoff wavelength of 1.7 microns. For applications which require both visible and NIR response, the detector CdZnTe substrate can be removed after hybridization, allowing the thinned detector to respond to visible wavelengths as short as 0.4 microns.
Women's choice of childbirth setting

As part of a larger study on women's views of the childbirth experience, this study was focused on women's choice of childbirth setting. Sixty‐one Lamaze‐prepared, married multigravidae between the ages of 21 and 37 and experiencing a normal pregnancy were interviewed twice: at 36–38 weeks gestation in their homes and during their postpartum stay in the hospital. Data were collected using (a) two semistructured interview guides consisting of open‐ended questions about choosing a caregiver and the place of birth and about describing the actual childbirth experience, (b) a self‐administered sociodemographic questionnaire, and (c) an obstetrical and infant data form. The tape‐recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data analysis was focused on reasons for choosing a hospital and a physician, reasons for choosing or not choosing a birthing room, and the outcomes of the decisions. An understanding of women's childbirth needs as reflected in their choices can suggest areas where flexibility m...
The Prudent Professionalism of George Herbert Walker Bush

Just as the pre-presidential George Bush was described as a public servant who left no footprints, it is tempting to conclude that President Bush accomplished little or nothing during his time in the White House. In fact, he presided over the end of the Cold War and the largest United States military action since the Vietnam War, as well as a number of domestic achievements. Future presidents can derive positive lessons from Bush's often impressive political tactics, as well as cautions from his costly failures to make effective use of the bully pulpit and identify himself with a particular vision of the nation's future.
A CFD model of autothermal reforming

Abstract A numerical model based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was developed and validated to simulate the performance of a catalytic monolith reformer for the production of hydrogen that could be used in fuel cell systems. The whole reactor was modeled as porous media for the process of autothermal reforming with n -hexadecane feed. CFD results provided an adequate match to experimental data from literature with respect to temperature and the mole fractions of H 2 , CO 2 and CO products. The percentage difference between each experimental measurement of the mole fraction of hydrogen and the corresponding CFD prediction was less than 16.8%. It was found that the thermal conductivity of the solid catalyst substrate affected the temperature profile in the reactor, but its effect on product hydrogen concentration was negligible. The calculated reforming efficiency based on hydrogen decreased by 11.8% as power input was increased from 1.7 to 8.4 kW.
Wholly aromatic ether-imides. Potential materials for n-type semiconductors

We report on the synthesis and characterization of a novel series low-molar-mass ether-imide rod-shaped model compounds. All ether-imides were obtained by terminating the appropriate rigid core dianhydride, i.e. pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NDA), 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), and 3,3,4,4'-oxydiphthalic dianhydride (ODPA) with three flexible aryl-ether tails of different chain length. The mono-functional aryl-ether amines, i.e. 4-(3-phenoxy-phenoxy)-phenylamine (2) and 4-(3-phenoxy-3-phenoxy-phenoxy)-phenylamine (4), were synthesized using standard fluoro-displacement and Ullmann condensation techniques. The corresponding ether-imide model compounds were obtained in high yields using a one-step solution imidization procedure. Increasing the number of meta-substituted aryl-ether units reduces the melt transition temperatures and at the same time it increases the solubility of the model compounds. Most model compounds are crystalline solids and form isotropic melts upon heating. 2,7-Bis-(-4-phenoxy-phenyl)-benzo[Imn][3,8]phenanthroline1,3,6,8-tetraone (NDA-n0), however, displays a smectic A (SA) when cooled from the isotropic phase, followed by what appears to be either a highly ordered smectic phase or a, columnar phase. This is the first example, known to date, in which a mesophase is detected in a wholly aromatic ether-imide compound. For all compounds we present spectroscopic data and X-ray diffraction data. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the redox behavior and pertinent energy levels of the model compounds.
Stark effects in the gas phase: Dipole moment of 7-azaindole in its ground and electronically excited states

Abstract We study the influence of an applied electric field on the fully resolved electronic spectrum of 7-azaindole. We find the permanent dipole moment values μ(S0) = 1.59 and μ(S1) = 2.30 D. These values are substantially different from those of indole itself. The orientations of the dipoles also are significantly different in both molecules, in both electronic states. Dynamical consequences of these results are discussed.
Tits form numbers

We define the relative Tits form number W(G, V) of a valued bigraph G at a vertex v and derive some basic properties. We give a detailed analysis of the case when W (G,V) ≥½. The properties of these numbers were used without proof in the classification of Auslander algebras of finite representation type [IPTZ]
From stopping light to all-optical signal processing; leveraging coherent light-matter interactions

All-optical devices including optical buffers, wavelength converters, optical logic gates and ultra-low Vpi optical modulators can be enabled by leveraging coherent light-matter interactions to create tailorable dispersion characteristics in semiconductors. Recent advances will be discussed.
Flow-Field Prediction in Submerged and Confined Jet Impingement Using the Reynolds Stress Model

The flow field of a normally impinging, axisymmetric, confined and submerged liquid jet is predicted using the Reynolds Stress Model in the commercial finite-volume code FLUENT. The results are compared with experimental measurements and flow visualizations and are used to describe the position of the recirculating toroid in the outflow region which is characteristic of the confined flow field. Changes in the features of the recirculation pattern due to changes in Reynolds number, nozzle diameter, and nozzle-to-target plate spacing are documented. Results are presented for nozzle diameters of 3.18 and 6.35 mm, at jet Reynolds numbers in the range of 2000 to 23,000, and nozzle-to-target plate spacings of 2, 3, and 4 jet diameters. Up to three interacting vortical structures are predicted in the confinement region at the smaller Reynolds numbers. The center of the primary recirculation pattern moves away from the centerline of the jet with an increase in Reynolds number, nozzle diameter, and nozzle-to-target plate spacing. The computed flow patterns were found to be in very good qualitative agreement with experiments. The radial location of the center of the primary toroid was predicted to within ±40 percent and ±3 percent of the experimental position for Re = 2000–4000 and Re = 8500–23000, respectively. The magnitude of the centerline velocity of the jet after the nozzle exit was computed with an average error of 6 percent. Reasons for the differences between the numerical predictions at Re = 2000–4000 and experiments are discussed. Predictions of the flow field using the standard high-Reynolds number k-e and renormalization group theory (RNG) k-e models are shown to be inferior to Reynolds stress model predictions.
Gender-specific correlation of platelet ionized magnesium and serum low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in apparently healthy subjects

Abstract We previously found an inverse correlation between platelet Ionized magnesium concentration ((Mg 2+ 1 ) and serum total cholesterol concentration in normal male but not female subjects. In the present study, we determined the platelet (Mg 2+ ) 1 , by using a fluorescent Ionized magnesium (Mg 2+ ) Indicator, FURAPTRA, and measured the serum concentrations of the following: total cholesterol; very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); antioxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) autoantibodies; lipoprotein(a); apolipoproteins A-I (apo A-I) and B (apo B); triglycerides; estradiol-17 (E 2 ); ceruloplasmin (Cp); and selected electrolytes, including total and Ionized magnesium and calcium and total protein and albumin. In men, but not In women, platelet (Mg 2+ ) 1 significantly inversely correlated with serum total cholesterol (r = −0.52, p p p p 2+ )1 and any other variables, including serum total and Ionized magnesium, antioxidized LDL autoantibodles, Cp, and E 2 . We speculate that decreased platelet (Mg 2+ ) 1 Is a possible marker for platelet membrane alterations that may affect platelet Involvement In thrombosis and atherogenesis.
Social status, immune response and parasitism in males: a meta-analysis

In male vertebrates, two conflicting paradigms—the energetic costs of high dominance rank and the chronic stress of low rank—have been proposed to explain patterns of immune function and parasitism. To date, neither paradigm has provided a complete explanation for status-related differences in male health. Here, we applied meta-analyses to test for correlations between male social status, immune responses and parasitism. We used an ecoimmunological framework, which proposes that males should re-allocate investment in different immune components depending on the costs of dominance or subordination. Spanning 297 analyses, from 77 studies on several vertebrate taxa, we found that most immune responses were similar between subordinate and dominant males, and neither dominant nor subordinate males consistently invested in predictable immune components. However, subordinate males displayed significantly lower delayed-type hypersensitivity and higher levels of some inflammatory cytokines than dominant males, while dominant males exhibited relatively lower immunoglobulin responses than subordinate males. Despite few differences in immunity, dominant males exhibited consistently higher parasitism than subordinate males, including protozoan blood parasites, ectoparasites and gastrointestinal helminths. We discuss our results in the context of the costs of dominance and subordination and advocate future work that measures both parasitism and immune responses in wild systems.
Integrated Circuits and Microminiaturization

The meanings of the words microcircuits, molecular electronics, integrated circuits, and functional devices are examined with the conclusions that, as generally used, the only sensible definitions are as follows: a microcircuit is one in which connections are made between circuit elements on a microscopic scale. Molecular electronics, integrated circuits, and functional devices all have essentially the same meaning, which is that connections are made between circuit elements inside a single block of material without bringing leads out. The next order of miniaturization that is required for space vehicles and large-scale computers will use a microeletronic or molecular electronic technology in combination with conventional miniature techniques. The feasibility of very large components of systems being made by a molecular or microelectronic technique depends on the combination of many orders of magnitude reduction in manufacturing shrinkage combined with the design of circuits to tolerate unreliable or defective elements.
Using Symbiotic Displays to View Sensitive Information in Public

Symbiotic displays are intelligent network devices that can be enlisted on demand by mobile devices, offering higher resolutions and larger viewing areas. Users of small mobile devices can consequently map various kinds of information to the displays that are most appropriate for comfortably viewing them. The availability of these displays in public areas, where passersby may glimpse another's sensitive information, introduces a privacy issue. To address this, we suggest a technique that combines the blurring of sensitive words on the public symbiotic display with a user interface that allows these words to be read on the display of a personal mobile device. We describe three ways in which such interactions can be enabled and discuss the architectural trade-offs associated with these approaches. We also describe a prototype implementation of an email reading application utilizing an IBM WatchPad and an Everywhere Display projector. This prototype was demonstrated at PerCom'04
The Role Of Health Insurance Coverage In Reducing Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Health Care

Research showing racial/ethnic disparities in medical care obtained by people with comparable insurance has raised questions about the extent to which health insurance improves opportunities for care. To assess whether insurance expansions could be expected to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in access to care, this paper reviews evidence from studies specifically designed to quantify the contribution of health insurance to racial/ethnic disparities in access. The studies provide evidence that a sizable share of the differences in whether a person has a regular source of care could be reduced if Hispanics and African Americans were insured at levels comparable to those of whites.
Parallel Metagenomic Sequence Clustering Via Sketching and Maximal Quasi-clique Enumeration on Map-Reduce Clouds

Taxonomic clustering of species is an important and frequently arising problem in metagenomics. High-throughput next generation sequencing is facilitating the creation of large metagenomic samples, while at the same time making the clustering problem harder due to the short sequence length supported and unknown species sampled. In this paper, we present a parallel algorithm for hierarchical taxonomic clustering of large metagenomic samples with support for overlapping clusters. We adapt the sketching techniques originally developed for web document clustering to deduce significant similarities between pairs of sequences without resorting to expensive all vs. all alignments. We formulate the metagenomics classification problem as that of maximal quasi-clique enumeration in the resulting similarity graph, at multiple levels of the hierarchy as prescribed by different similarity thresholds. We cast execution of the underlying algorithmic steps as applications of the map-reduce framework to achieve a cloud based implementation. Apart from solving an important problem in metagenomics, this work demonstrates the applicability of map-reduce framework in relatively complicated algorithmic settings.
Permeability factors in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

The pathologic diagnosis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is associated with a syndrome of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and progressive renal insufficiency. The incidence of FSGS has increased in recent years. Known causes of FSGS include genetic abnormalities, viral infections, decreased nephron number, and hyperperfusion/hyperfiltration. The etiology is unknown in the majority of cases. FSGS recurs after initial renal transplantation in as many as 30% to 50% of patients. Recent studies have verified the hypothesis that plasma of patients with FSGS contains a factor or factors that increase permeability of glomerular capillaries and cause proteinuria after injection into rats. Patients who experience posttransplant recurrence of FSGS and those with rapidly progressive disease exhibit this activity. Permeability activity has been verified in functional assays and defined by measurement of albumin permeability (P(alb)) or glomerular volume variation (GVV). Permeability activity is decreased by plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption and can be recovered from discarded plasma or eluate from adsorption materials. Studies from our laboratory indicate that permeability activity is carried by small, highly glycosylated, hydrophobic protein(s)/peptide(s). Normal plasma contains substances capable of blocking or inactivating the FSGS permeability factor. Pharmacologic agents including cyclosporine, indomethacin, and derivatives of Trypterigium wilfordii also block permeability activity in vitro. The observation that permeability activity can be blocked by diverse agents raises hope that specific therapy may be designed for FSGS. Future investigations will permit identification of the active FSGS permeability factor, of mechanisms that initiate and perpetuate proteinuria, and of interventions to prevent renal failure in native kidneys and recurrence of disease in renal allografts.
Direct wind measurements of Saharan dust events from Terra and Aqua satellites

[1] Wind speed and direction, during Saharan dust episodes are calculated by estimating the movement of the dust plume between the morning observations from Terra and the afternoon observations from Aqua by the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The difference in the position of the dust front (easily identified both near the dust sources and over the ocean) between the Terra and Aqua observations is used to derive the actual wind field of the dust layer. The analysis is used to estimate the near-surface wind properties needed for dust mobilization in the Bodele depression. Comparison with NCEP reanalysis winds shows that NCEP underestimated by factor 2 the actual speed of the dust front progression near the sources and produced an azimuthal spread, three times wider than the measured one. Over the seashore, with more numerous meteorological observations, the NCEP wind field did match very well the dust measurements.
Host Cell DNA Repair Pathways in Adeno-Associated Viral Genome Processing

Recentstudies have shown that wild-type and recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV and rAAV) genomes persist in human tissue predominantly as double-stranded (ds) circular episomes derived from input linear single-stranded virion DNA. Using self-complementary recombinant AAV (scAAV) vectors, we generated intermediates that directly transition to ds circular episomes. The scAAV genome ends are palindromic hairpin-structured terminal repeats, resembling a double-stranded break repair intermediate. Utilizing this substrate, we found cellular DNA recombination and repair factors to be essential for generating circular episomal products. To identify the specific cellular proteins involved, the scAAV circularization-dependent vector was used as a reporter in 19 mammalian DNA repair-deficient cell lines. The results show that RecQ helicase family members (BLM and WRN), Mre11 and NBS1 of the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex, and ATM are required for efficient scAAV genome circularization. We further demonstrated that the scAAV genome requires ATM and DNA-PK(CS), but not NBS1, to efficiently convert to a circular form in nondividing cells in vivo using transgenic mice. These studies identify specific pathways involved for further elucidating viral and cellular mechanisms of DNA maintenance important to the viral life cycle and vector utilizations.
Active optimal vibration control using dynamic absorber

A typical spring-lumped mass system undergoing forced vibrations is discussed. A secondary absorber mass connected to the main system through an active force generating element (such as a piezoelectric pusher) is considered as a viable means of suppressing vibrations of the system. State variable techniques are used to formulate the complete system, and optimal state feedback control is studied for such a system. Two approaches for optimal control are taken. First, an optimal control law for a system with known disturbance is considered, while in the second approach optimal control for a linear quadratic regulator problem is studied. The response of the system obtained with optimal control is compared with the response under no control. The results obtained from the two approaches of optimal control are then compared. The results are also compared with those obtained from a previous study of an active dynamic absorber. >
Energy Modeling of Processors in Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Petri Nets

Power minimization is a serious issue in wireless sensor networks to extend the lifetime and minimize costs. However, in order to gain an accurate understanding of issues regarding power minimization, modeling techniques capable of accurately predicting energy consumptionare needed. This paper demonstrates that Petri nets are a viable option of modeling a processor. In fact, this paper shows that the Petri nets' accuracy surpasses a Markov model utilizing supplementary variables to account for constant delays.
A re-evaluation of rainfall variability in the sahel. Part I. Characteristics of rainfall fluctuations

This article deals with the characteristics of rainfall variability in West Africa. Time series of June—July, August—September and annual rainfall anomalies are derived for 19 regions, most of which are in the Sahel—Soudan zones of West Africa. The temporal characteristics of the series, such as trend, persistence, and low frequency variance are evaluated using regression, lag-1 autocorrelation, and spectral analysis. High-frequency-filtered series are also derived. The spatial teleconnections among the regions are examined using linear correlations and principal component analysis. The study shows that there are primarily three spatial modes of rainfall variability in the region and these differ with respect to the part of the rainy season in which they are most important and to what extent they describe high and low-frequency components of the variability. The study also defines three broad homogeneous sectors and demonstrates that the characteristics of rainfall variability in these sectors differ markedly. A strong contrast between the bulk of the Sahel—Soudan and its West Coast sector is apparent.
A comparison of insulin lispro and buffered regular human insulin administered via continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump

This study compared glycemic control achieved with insulin lispro or buffered regular human insulin in patients with Type 1 diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) using an external insulin pump. In this 24-week multicenter, randomized, two-way crossover, open-label trial, 58 patients on CSII with adequate glycemic control received either insulin lispro or buffered regular human insulin for 12 weeks, followed by the alternate treatment for another 12 weeks. Efficacy and safety measures included hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) at baseline and endpoint, home blood glucose monitoring, hypoglycemia, and frequency of pump catheter occlusion. Patients consumed a standard test meal on three occasions, with determinations of fasting, 1- and 2-h postprandial glucose values. Insulin lispro use was associated with a significantly lower HbA(1c) than was buffered regular human insulin (7.41+/-0.97 vs. 7.65+/-0.85 mmol/l; P=.004). Fasting serum glucose values before the test meal were similar between the two therapies. The 1-h (11.16+/-4.29 vs. 13.20+/-4.68 mmol/l; P=.012) and 2-h (9.64+/-4.10 vs. 12.53+/-4.64 mmol/l; P=.001) postprandial glucose concentrations were significantly lower during treatment with insulin lispro. No differences between treatments were observed in basal or bolus insulin doses, weight gain, or the incidence and rate of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or pump occlusions. When used in external pumps, insulin lispro provides better glycemic control than buffered regular human insulin with a similar adverse event profile.
Readability and Comprehensibility of Patient Education Material in Hand-Related Web Sites

Purpose As patients are more frequently referring to the Internet for information on their musculoskeletal problems, the readability and comprehensibility of these educational materials becomes increasingly more important to most of the lay public. In this study, we investigated the readability of the currently available web sites of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) that pertain to hand and wrist problems, to assess their usefulness as a source for patient information. Methods We analyzed all articles available in 2008 from the AAOS web site within the Patient Education Library under the heading, "Hand & Wrist" and from the ASSH web site under the heading, "Hand Conditions." A total of 83 articles were identified for hand conditions. Each article was analyzed by the Flesch-Kincaid program available in Microsoft Office Word software and the Dale-Chall grade-level assessor. These program models analyze all words in the specified text and return a grade level that corresponds to the difficulty level of the text. Results The AAOS web sites contained 34 articles with a mean Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 8.5 and a mean Dale-Chall grade level of 8.8. The ASSH web site contained 49 articles showing a mean Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 10.4 and a mean Dale-Chall grade level of 10.8. Conclusions Our results suggest that the patient education materials found on the AAOS and ASSH web sites have readability scores that are higher than the recommended reading levels and thus may be too difficult to be understood by a substantial portion of the U.S. population.
Signal processing for functional analysis of protein mutants

We present a new technique to predict the functional behaviour of protein mutants using their primary sequence. The amino acid sequences of proteins are used to form biochemical signals. Signal processing techniques are used to extract functionally meaningful measures from these signals. These computational measures are then used to distinguish functional classes of mutant proteins.
Constipation as a feature of anogenital lichen sclerosus in children

Objective. To call attention to constipation as a frequent sign of lichen sclerosus (LS) in girls. Methods. A focused questionnaire was sent to parents of 24 girls with anogenital LS seen in the pediatric dermatology clinic at the Children9s Hospital of Wisconsin between January 2001 and May 2004. Results. Eighteen of 24 questionnaires were completed and returned. The average age of onset of LS was 4.2 years, but average age at diagnosis was 5.2 years; only 1 patient was diagnosed correctly by her primary care physician. Itching was the most common symptom (78%). Severe constipation was reported in 67% of patients, and 89% had at least 1 gastrointestinal complaint (bleeding with bowel movements, fissuring, soiling, fecal impaction, or constipation). Conclusions. Childhood anogenital LS often presents with recalcitrant constipation or some other gastrointestinal complaint. Primary care physicians need to consider the diagnosis of LS and perform a thorough examination by looking for anogenital lesions when a female pediatric patient presents with unexplained constipation or other severe gastrointestinal complaints.
An information-theoretic approach to designing the plane spacing for multifocal plane microscopy

Multifocal plane microscopy (MUM) is a 3D imaging modality which enables the localization and tracking of single molecules at high spatial and temporal resolution by simultaneously imaging distinct focal planes within the sample. MUM overcomes the depth discrimination problem of conventional microscopy and allows high accuracy localization of a single molecule in 3D along the z-axis. An important question in the design of MUM experiments concerns the appropriate number of focal planes and their spacings to achieve the best possible 3D localization accuracy along the z-axis. Ideally, it is desired to obtain a 3D localization accuracy that is uniform over a large depth and has small numerical values, which guarantee that the single molecule is continuously detectable. Here, we address this concern by developing a plane spacing design strategy based on the Fisher information. In particular, we analyze the Fisher information matrix for the 3D localization problem along the z-axis and propose spacing scenarios termed the strong coupling and the weak coupling spacings, which provide appropriate 3D localization accuracies. Using these spacing scenarios, we investigate the detectability of the single molecule along the z-axis and study the effect of changing the number of focal planes on the 3D localization accuracy. We further review a software module we recently introduced, the MUMDesignTool, that helps to design the plane spacings for a MUM setup.
Using Photography to Visualize Children's Culture of Play: A Socio‐Spatial Perspective

Visual methodologies have great potential to offer insight into children's culture and how it shapes childhood. We explore children's culture of play in an urban, low‐income neighborhood using phot...
Virtues, Values, and the Good Life: Alasdair MacIntyre's Virtue Ethics and Its Implications for Counseling

The philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre's critique of modern ethics and his virtue-centered alternative suggest that counseling can be considered a form of applied virtue ethics, helping clients cultivate the qualities necessary to live the good life. Although similar to developmental theory and positive psychology, this perspective also questions whether counseling is value neutral and suggests that counseling should account for the (often hidden) traditions, virtues, and practices of the good life it promotes. Comparison with spiritual direction suggests ways counseling can apply the insights of this model ethically within a pluralistic setting.
Generalized Nonnegative Matrix Approximations with Bregman Divergences

Nonnegative matrix approximation (NNMA) is a recent technique for dimensionality reduction and data analysis that yields a parts based, sparse nonnegative representation for nonnegative input data. NNMA has found a wide variety of applications, including text analysis, document clustering, face/image recognition, language modeling, speech processing and many others. Despite these numerous applications, the algorithmic development for computing the NNMA factors has been relatively deficient. This paper makes algorithmic progress by modeling and solving (using multiplicative updates) new generalized NNMA problems that minimize Bregman divergences between the input matrix and its low-rank approximation. The multiplicative update formulae in the pioneering work by Lee and Seung [11] arise as a special case of our algorithms. In addition, the paper shows how to use penalty functions for incorporating constraints other than nonnegativity into the problem. Further, some interesting extensions to the use of "link" functions for modeling nonlinear relationships are also discussed.
Disease-modifying drugs for systemic sclerosis: why have we not found them yet?

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis [SSc]) is a disease characterized by skin and visceral organ fibrosis, vascular abnormalities and humoral and cellular immune dysregulation. Despite significant adva...
Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and meso-Zeaxanthin in the Clinical Management of Eye Disease

Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids found within the retina and throughout the visual system. The retina is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body. The highest concentration of xanthophylls is found within the retina, and this selective presence has generated many theories regarding their role in supporting retinal function. Subsequently, the effect of xanthophylls in the prevention and treatment of various eye diseases has been examined through epidemiological studies, animal studies, and clinical trials. This paper attempts to review the epidemiological studies and clinical trials investigating the effects of xanthophylls on the incidence and progression of various eye diseases. Observational studies have reported that increased dietary intake and higher serum levels of lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with lower risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), especially late AMD. Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that xanthophyll supplementation increases macular pigment levels, improves visual function, and decreases the risk of progression to late AMD, especially neovascular AMD. Current publications on the preventive and therapeutic effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity have reported encouraging results.
The Employment and Insurance Concerns of Cancer Survivors

The employment and insurance concerns of cancer survivors have changed dramatically during the past generation. In the 1970s, fewer than one-half of those diagnosed with cancer survived more than 5 years. Treatment options were few, often disabling, and commonly ineffective. Myths about cancer prevailed. Consequently, many survivors experienced substantial problems obtaining and retaining employment and adequate health insurance.
Steel-plate composite (SC) walls: In-plane shear behavior, database, and design

Abstract The in-plane shear strength of steel-plate composite (SC) walls is governed by the onset of Von Mises yielding in the steel faceplates. This paper uses a mechanics based model (MBM) to present the fundamental in-plane shear force–shear strain ( V– γ) response of SC walls. The MBM accounts for concrete cracking due to principal tensile stresses, and the post-cracking orthotropic composite behavior of SC walls subjected to pure in-plane shear forces. This fundamental behavior of SC walls is illustrated using the results from a large-scale in-plane shear test of an SC wall specimen (with flange walls), and compared to the predictions from the MBM. The paper also includes a comprehensive experimental database of all in-plane shear tests conducted in Japan, S. Korea, and US. The database consists of 26 SC wall tests with a wide range of parameters for the wall thickness, reinforcement ratio, aspect ratio, and the presence (or absence) of axial stress. The experimental results are used to identify the key parameter influencing the in-plane shear strength of SC walls, which is shown to be the steel faceplate reinforcement ratio. The design code equations used in engineering practice around the world are used to predict the in-plane shear strength of all 26 SC wall specimens in the database. The conservatism and accuracy of the code predictions of strength are evaluated by comparing them with experimental results, and reliability analysis are performed to estimate the associated strength reduction ( ϕ ) factors.
Counseling Attitudes and Stigma among Polynesian Americans

There is a paucity of research on the mental health of Pacific Islanders living in the United States, including those of Polynesian descent. This study examined coping strategies, attitudes toward seeking mental health counseling, public and self-stigma toward seeking mental health services, and psychological adjustment among 638 Polynesian Americans. On average, participants held neither favorable nor unfavorable attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, but men endorsed moderate self-stigma about mental illness and women endorsed high levels of public stigma about mental illness. Women showed relatively more favorable attitudes than men about seeking help from professional mental health providers. Participants reported benefitting more from culturally congruent practices for coping with distress (accepting, reframing, striving, family support, and religiosity/spirituality) than from seeking assistance from private emotional outlets (e.g., therapy) or avoidance and detachment. Mental heal...
In Defense of the Damned

From Cicero to Daniel Webster to Abe Lincoln to Bill O'Reilly, from sage philosophers to eloquent practitioners to the wisest of role models to the outraged demagogue, the criminal defense attorney who zealously defends even those who are likely to be guilty is steeped in controversy. In this Essay, the author postulates that the defense of the guilty is, as it has been for thousands of years, an integral part of keeping systems or criminal justice both honest and accurate and remains the primary bulwark against the conviction of the innocent.
Amino acids, independent of insulin, attenuate skeletal muscle autophagy in neonatal pigs during endotoxemia.

Sepsis induces loss of skeletal muscle mass by activating the ubiquitin proteasome (UPS) and autophagy systems. Although muscle protein synthesis in healthy neonatal piglets is responsive to amino acids (AA) stimulation, it is not known if AA can prevent the activation of muscle protein degradation induced by sepsis. We hypothesize that AA attenuate the sepsis-induced activation of UPS and autophagy in neonates. Newborn pigs were infused for 8 h with liposaccharide (LPS) (0 and 10 μg·kg−1·h−1), while circulating glucose and insulin were maintained at fasting levels; circulating AA were clamped at fasting or fed levels. Markers of protein degradation and AA transporters in longissimus dorsi (LD) were examined. Fasting AA increased muscle microtubule-associated protein light 1 chain 3 II (LC3-II) abundance in LPS compared to control, while fed AA levels decreased LC3-II abundance in both LPS and controls. There was no effect of AA supplementation on activated protein kinase (AMP), forkhead box O1 and O4 phosphorylation, nor on sodium-coupled neutral AA transporter 2 and light chain AA transporter 1, muscle RING-finger protein-1 and muscle Atrophy F-Box/Atrogin-1 abundance. These findings suggest that supplementation of AA antagonize autophagy signal activation in skeletal muscle of neonates during endotoxemia.
Efficacy of high available phosphorus corn in laying hen diets

Our objective was to determine if high available phosphorus corn would provide sufficient available phosphorus (AP) to laying hens fed corn-soybean meal diets from 57 to 69 wk of age. Six replications of 12 Dekalb Sigma Leghorn hens were fed a normal yellow dent (YD) corn-soybean meal diet or high available phosphorus (HAP) corn-soybean meal diet without and with 0.04% supplemental inorganic P. The unsupplemented YD diet was calculated to contain 17% CP, 3.8% Ca, and 0.10% AP, and the unsupplemented HAP diet contained 17% CP, 3.8% Ca, and 0.16% AP. In addition, a positive control, YD diet (17% CP, 3.8% Ca, 0.45% AP) was also fed. The HAP corn was directly substituted for YD on a weight basis, and the amount of soybean meal was kept constant in all diets. Egg production, hen body weight, egg weight, egg mass, feed consumption, and feed efficiency were measured. The YD and the YD + 0.04% P treatments were terminated at 61 and 65 wk of age, respectively, due to severe depressions in egg production. Egg production and egg mass for hens fed HAP diets were not different (P > 0.05) from those of hens fed the 0.45% AP diet; however, hens fed the unsupplemented HAP diet did have lower hen body weights and feed intake (P < 0.05) compared to hens fed the positive control diet. Our results indicate that HAP corn contains more available P than normal YD corn and that hens can be fed HAP corn-soybean meal diets containing little or no P supplementation with only minimal effects on production performance.
Global stability of equilibria in a tick-borne disease model.

In this short note we establish global stability results for a four-dimensional nonlinear system that was developed in modeling a tick-borne disease by H.D. Gaff and L.J. Gross (Bull. Math. Biol., 69 (2007), 265--288) where local stability results were obtained. These results provide the parameter ranges for controlling long-term population and disease dynamics.
A Successive Linear Programming Approach to Solving the IV-ACOPF

Improved formulations of and solution techniques for the alternating current optimal power flow (ACOPF) problem are critical to improving current market practices in economic dispatch. We introduce the IV-ACOPF formulation that unlike canonical ACOPF formulations–which represent network balancing through nonlinear coupling–is based on a current injections approach that linearly couple the quadratic constraints at each bus; yet, the IV-ACOPF is mathematically equivalent to the canonical ACOPF formulation. We propose a successive linear programming (SLP) approach to solve the IV-ACOPF, which we refer to as the SLP IV-ACOPF algorithm. The SLP IV-ACOPF leverages commercial LP solvers and can be readily extended and integrated into more complex decision processes, e.g., unit commitment and transmission switching. We demonstrate with the standard MATPOWER test suite an acceptable quality of convergence to a best-known solution and linear scaling of computational time in proportion to network size.
Investigation on Relative Risk Factors of Chronic Diseases Among Residents in Tongxiong City

Objective To investigate the relative risk factors epidemic characteristics of chronic diseases among the residents in Tongxiang City and to provide evidence for preventing and controlling chronic diseases.Methods Altogether 248 residents aged 15 to 69 years from the 10 representative villages in Tongxiang City were selected to conduct the investi- gation through questionnaires.Results Residents medicare covering rate was 84.27%;smoking rate and passive smoking rate were 44.35% and 25.36% respectively;11.69% residents had never measured their blood pressure,76.52% residents had never measured blood lipid;only 13.31% residents had regular physical exercise.Conclusion Relative risk factors of chronic diseases exist in residents,and prevention and control of the chronic diseases should not be neglected.
Single Feature Indicator Systems in the Openbox

In this paper we describe a simple method for introducing instances of the class of Single Feature Indicator Systems into the Openbox, a framework for constructing heterogeneous proof environments. Single Feature Indicator Systems form a class of representation systems which employ a simple signalling strategy for representing information about their target domain. Using the new method allows Single Feature Indicator Systems to be implemented in the Openbox by describing the representation in a high-level language rather than by programming.
OpenMili: a 60 GHz software radio platform with a reconfigurable phased-array antenna

The 60 GHz wireless technology holds great potential for multi-Gbps communications and high-precision radio sensing. But the lack of an accessible experimental platform has been impeding its progress. In this paper, we overcome the barrier with OpenMili, a reconfigurable 60 GHz radio architecture. OpenMili builds from off-the-shelf FPGA processor, data converters and 60 GHz RF front-end. It employs customized clocking, channelization and interfacing modules, to achieve Gsps sampling bandwidth, Gbps wireless bit-rate, and Gsps sample streaming from/to a PC host. It also incorporates the first programmable, electronically steerable 60 GHz phased-array antenna. OpenMili adopts programming models that ease development, through automatic parallelization inside signal processing blocks, and modular, rate-insensitive interfaces across blocks. It provides common reference designs to bootstrap the development of new network protocols and sensing applications. We verify the effectiveness of OpenMili through benchmark communication/sensing experiments, and showcase its usage by prototyping a pairwise phased-array localization scheme, and a learning-assisted real-time beam adaptation protocol.
Electron Spin Relaxation in Liquids. Selected Topics

In this chapter we shall discuss the principles associated with the study of molecular motions in liquids by means of electron spin relaxation. In particular, we shall concentrate on molecular reorientations although other motions will also be discussed. In fact, it should be noted that a relatively unique application of magnetic resonance in liquid studies arises from the fact that although a variety of experimental techniques can be used to study molecular reorientation, only magnetic resonance and rotational raman studies can yield direct information concerning molecular angular momentum in liquids, and this information is obtained not by studying reorientation but by studying spin-rotational effects which are discussed in Chapter XI.
An accuracy study of mesh refinement on mapped grids

We test a high-resolution wave-propagation algorithm for hyperbolic conservation laws on mapped quadrilateral and hexahedral grids in the context of adaptive mesh refinement. We discuss some of the issues related to using non-Cartesian grids with AMR and study a test problem in which a grid refinement interface is fixed in space on a highly skewed portion of a mapped grid. Smooth and shock-wave solutions to the Euler equations are used to investigate the possibility that spurious reflections or other numerical errors might be generated at a grid interface.
Size, Sustainability, and Urban Climate Planning in a Multilevel Governance Framework

In the United States, the absence of federal leadership on climate change and a strong tradition of localism has created a system in which many greenhouse gas reduction efforts fall to the discretion of municipalities. This often leads to uncoordinated action across jurisdictional boundaries. Despite the widespread notion that cities can lead on climate policy from the bottom-up, I find, using a logistic regression analysis of data from 1837 municipalities, that local governments are more likely to enact climate change policies in an environment where higher levels of government have acted rather than in a decentralized one. Smaller municipalities, in particular, have increased odds of action when their states act. Using existing regional, state-based initiatives, I present options for a coordination and capacity building framework.