cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crossbills were unlikely resident in the Bahamas; thus, there was no population to be extirpated.

In PNAS, Steadman and Franklin (1) make the argument that the large reduction in land area and shift in vegetation in the Bahamian Archipelago from ∼15–9 ka caused declines and extirpation of two bird species, the Eastern bluebird ( Sialia sialis ) and Hispaniolan crossbill ( Loxia megaplaga ). Their evidence for L. megaplaga resides in fossil bones from the Bahamian island of Abaco, representing eight individuals from >9 ka. Two of three qualitative traits from the only mandible recovered provided a better match for L. megaplaga than for red crossbills ( Loxia curvirostra ) from North America. However, their measurements of the postcranial bones for their other specimens do not allow one to eliminate the possibility that they represent L. curvirostra (Fig. 1). Fig. 1. Plots showing means and ranges of measurements of crossbill ( Loxia … [↵][1]1Email: cbenkman{at}uwyo.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Examination of the Premature Infant

The definition of prematurity has changed over the last 10–15 years with the realization that not all small infants are born significantly early. It is clear that birth weight and gestational age are usually closely correlated, but in individual cases they may be discrepant. This has given rise to the concept of a child having appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA), being small for gestational age (SGA), or being large for gestional age (LGA). Each of these states has implications for specific underlying problems, common complications, and prognosis1 (Table 3-1). They are defined by plotting the child’s gestational age against birth weight and determining whether or not the weight is outside of acceptable limits, generally set at two or more standard deviations from the mean (Figure 3-1).
Guidelines for Time Use Data Collection and Analysis

Time diaries provide the opportunity to carry out a wide range of studies, explore a wide variety of issues, and present temporal and activity information in many different ways. This chapter has only touched on some of the many interesting ways the time use data can be analyzed and presented. Above all, in the collection and storing of time-diary data, it is important to preserve as far as possible the precise detail attendant with the activity as recorded in a diary. While the aggregate times and participation rates are interesting and useful, the real value of time-diary studies is in their ability to provide insight into the very fine grain of human activity and to link objective and subjective states. There is no area of human behavior for which time use studies cannot provide valuable and interesting data. As such, they provide any researcher a complex and fascinating opportunity and challenge.
Uncertainty propagation applied to radiation-induced microelectronics failures

Although radiation is known to drive microelectronics failures in the high-energy space radiation environment, the associated uncertainties present a challenge in creating accurate reliability models. Measures including shielding, radiation hardening, and material selection are taken into account in a model to maximize reliability As semiconductor devices operate in space, they gradually become ionized from the radiation and the design parameters shift, causing degradation. This paper proposes a model using Bayesian methodology to account for uncertainty in the space radiation environment, radiation transport, and device response. In the model, probability of failure is calculated as the area of the intersection of two uncertain quantities: the distribution over the predicted dose in the environment and the distribution over the dose required to fail the part. In this fashion, probability of failure can be solved as a function of the total ionizing dose (TID), incorporating the non-deterministic relationships and approximations. Reliability, is evaluated by applying a degradation model to spacecraft ground test data. The data tracked the threshold voltage shift in response to shielding thickness, the covariate, during irradiation. As failure data is collected, the Bayesian framework in the model will further reduce uncertainty in the failure prediction, which can help in many aspects of design and testing.
IGF - Autism Prevention/Amelioration

Autism continues to be a significant cause of psychosocial pathology in affected children and adults. Until recently, the predominant research thrust to uncover the cause of this condition has been the search for a major nuclear mutation. Although a small percentage of cases do demonstrate such a DNA fault, recent effort has come to emphasize problems in the biochemistry of its sufferers. In particular, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF) has become the center of concern in many laboratories. A deficiency in this growth factor, leading to insufficient neuron myelination and defective synapse function, appears to result in brain dysconnectivity during the first year of postpartum life, and cause social malfunction in childhood years and beyond. At least three approaches have been reported by which this deficiency can be corrected in neonates before irreversible damage has been caused. The overall purpose of this report is to bring together related observations and to evolve a coherent, plausible explanation of the cause and prevention of autism.
Biodegradability and toxicity of monorhamnolipid biosurfactant diastereomers.

Abstract Synthetic monorhamnolipids differ from biologically produced material because they are produced as single congeners, depending on the β-hydroxyalkanoic acid used during synthesis. Each congener is produced as one of four possible diastereomers resulting from two chiral centers at the carbinols of the lipid tails [(R,R), (R,S), (S,R) and (S,S)]. We compare the biodegradability (CO2 respirometry), acute toxicity (Microtox assay), embryo toxicity (Zebrafish assay), and cytotoxicity (xCELLigence and MTS assays) of synthetic rhamnosyl-β-hydroxydecanoyl-β-hydroxydecanoate (Rha-C10-C10) monorhamnolipids against biosynthesized monorhamnolipid mixtures (bio-mRL). All Rha-C10-C10 diastereomers and bio-mRL were inherently biodegradable ranging from 34 to 92% mineralized. The Microtox assay showed all Rha-C10-C10 diastereomers and bio-mRL are slightly toxic according to the US EPA ecotoxicity categories with 5 min EC50 values ranging from 39.6 to 87.5 μM. The zebrafish assay showed that of 22 developmental endpoints tested, only mortality was observed at 120 h post fertilization; all Rha-C10-C10 diastereomers and bio-mRL caused significant mortality at 640 μM, except the Rha-C10-C10 (R,R) which showed no developmental effects. xCELLigence and MTS showed IC50 values ranging from 103.4 to 191.1 μM for human lung cell line H1299 after 72 h exposure. These data provide key information regarding Rha-C10-C10 diastereomers that is pertinent when considering potential applications.
Astronomy: Tycho's mystery companion.

A famous sixteenth-century supernova, seen by Tycho Brahe, is still a hot topic. The stellar explosion might have been initiated by a companion star — and modern astronomers have at last identified it.
Anal adenocarcinoma: Treatment outcomes and trends in a rare disease entity.

IMPORTANCE Primary Adenocarcinoma of the anus is a rare disease with a poor prognosis and thus tends to have a more aggressive treatment algorithm, typically involving a surgical approach. Prior to 2001, a few retrospective studies outlined improved outcomes with the incorporation of surgery with chemoradiation. However, since the publication of these studies, advancement in radiotherapy modalities and imaging have left the question of improved outcomes while reserving surgery for salvage. OBJECTIVE We conducted this National Cancer Database (NCDB)-driven retrospective study to analyze treatment trends and outcomes in the current time from 2004 to 2015 with respect to chemoradiation and surgery. DESIGN Retrospective NCDB tumor registry data review-using propensity score-adjusted multivariable analyses for survival. SETTING Database review. PARTICIPANTS We selected for patients listed in the NCDB with AJCC stage 1-3 anal adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 and selected out patients with undocumented/stage 4 disease, those with radiation outside the pelvis, not treated with systemic therapy and patients lost to follow-up. EXPOSURE(S) None. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Overall survival and use of surgery in the up-front management of anal adenocarcinoma. RESULTS Of the 1729 patients eligible in this study, 1028 were treated with surgery as up-front management and 701 had definitive chemoradiation. Median overall survival for all patients was 55 months with a 5-year survival rate of 55%. Patients treated without surgery had worse overall survival, median survival of 45 months compared to 87 months (P < 0.0001) with 5-year survival rates of 42% and 55% in favor of incorporation of surgery. Analysis across patients treated with surgery alone, surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiation, neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery, and chemoradiation alone had median survival rates of 78, 83, 92, and 46 months, respectively. Propensity score-adjusted multivariable analysis identified older age, grade 3, high comorbidity score, and lack of surgery as predictive of worse outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The results of the NCDB analysis indicate improved overall survival with the incorporation of surgery into the initial management of anal adenocarcinoma when compared to chemoradiation alone, despite the omission of surgery in up to 50% of the cases logged. Our results corroborate earlier studies published prior to the year 2000 for surgery to be included in the definitive management of anal adenocarcinoma.
The formation of Gluconacetobacter xylinum cellulose under the influence of the dye brilliant yellow

The structural characteristics of the nascent fibril produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinum (G. xylinum) have been studied under the influence of the cellulose binding dye brilliant yellow (BY) by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. BY is found to be more effective at reducing crystallinity than fluorescent brightener 28 (FB28), pontamine fast scarlet 4 (S4B) and other dyes previously studied. Under static cultivation conditions, increasing concentrations of brilliant yellow in the growth media from 20, 50, 100 to 250 μM, result in decreasing cellulose crystallinity from 73 to 18%, respectively, as compared to 82% exhibited by the control. FTIR data indicate that the presence of BY is most effective at suppressing intra-molecular hydrogen bonding. After boiling in 70 vol% aqueous EtOH solution for 12 h, the extracted dye-altered cellulose becomes more ordered, which may be due to the extraction of BY from the BY-cellulose complex. FTIR data indicate that compared to control cellulose, the reclaimed brilliant yellow-altered cellulose contains more cellulose Iβ, where the FB28 and S4B altered cellulose remains principally Iα. Based on WAXD and NMR data we propose a dye-cellulose complex structure associated with BY. This model supports the hypothesis that microfibrils assemble through the hydrogen bonding of formed mini-sheets that consist of stacked glucan chains linked by van der Waals forces.
Beyond War and Contracts: The Medieval and Religious Roots of the European State

Where does the state come from? Two canonical answers have been interstate wars and contracts between rulers and the ruled in the early modern period. New scholarship has pushed back the historical...
Analysis of Student Perceptions of Just-In-Time Teaching Pedagogy in PharmD Microbiology and Immunology Courses

Just-In-Time Teaching (JiTT) active learning pedagogy is utilized by various disciplines, but its value in a professional pharmacy curriculum has not yet been demonstrated. The purpose of our research study is to implement and evaluate JiTT in a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. The impetus in implementing JiTT into a PharmD curriculum was to provide students with an out-of-classroom learning opportunity to enhance knowledge-based skills. The current study summarizes the implementation of JiTT in four distinct instances: two iterations of the required courses "Integrated Microbiology and Virology" (Fall 2016 and Fall 2017) and "Integrated Immunology" (Winter 2016-2017 and Winter 2017-2018). JiTT included knowledge-based questions in multiple-choice format, integrated case studies, and student responses prior to the actual lecture session. After the conclusion of each course, students were asked to provide feedback on the utilization of JiTT by way of an anonymous survey. Following the Fall 2016 iteration of the Microbiology & Virology course, students found the integrated case studies to be beneficial (mean = 3.27 out of a maximum of 4, SD = 0.62), and their overall endorsement of JiTT was high (mean = 3.61 out of 4, SD = 0.50). For the other three courses included in this study, the primary dependent variable was the student's average rating of JiTT, rated on a five-point scale. Aggregating the scores from the Fall 2017 iteration of the Integrated Microbiology & Virology course and both instances of the Immunology course, students rated JiTT very favorably (mean = 4.17 out of a maximum of 5, SD = 0.77). Students' performances in JiTT-based courses were compared against non-JiTT-based courses. Analysis of assessment data for student's performance on knowledge-based questions showed JiTT was helpful for student learning and JiTT-based courses had more consistent exam scores compared to non-JiTT-based courses. The current results are a promising initial step in validating the usefulness of JiTT in a pharmacy program and lays the foundation for future studies aimed at a direct comparison between a traditional lecture style and JiTT pedagogy implemented into PharmD curricula.
Value-Added Opportunistic CT: Insights Into Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review the emerging field of opportunistic CT, which can be used to screen patients for osteoporosis and sarcopenia. CONCLUSION. Although body composition measurements are not routinely obtained using CT, quantitative assessment of bone and muscle biomarkers on CT can add value to patient care. Automated bone and muscle measurements promise to transform the everyday practice of radiology without resulting in additional cost or radiation exposure for patients.
Sleep apnea surgery in the elderly

With a growing population of elderly patients in the United States seeking treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, age is becoming an increasingly important consideration for sleep surgeons. The effects of obstructive sleep apnea on elderly patients may be different for older patients, specifically when it comes to the cardiovascular and mortality risk observed in younger patient populations. Recent reports indicate that traditional structural surgery for elderly patients may be less effective and that postoperative complication rates are higher. In contrast, early reports on upper airway stimulation therapy suggest improved efficacy with increasing age. Although advanced age itself is not a contraindication for surgery, the balance of risks vs benefits should be carefully weighed in the elderly patient population.
Radiation oncologists' attitudes and beliefs about intensity-modulated radiation therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

To better understand how radiation oncologists perceive intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer and how these perceptions may influence treatment decisions. We conducted semi-structured interviews of radiation oncologists between January–May, 2016. We used a purposeful sampling technique to select participants across a wide range of experience, regions, and practice types. Two trained qualitative researchers used an inductive, iterative approach to code transcripts and identify themes. We then used content analysis and thematic analysis of the coded transcripts to understand radiation oncologists’ attitudes and beliefs about IMRT and SBRT. Thematic saturation was achieved after 20 interviews. Participants were affiliated with academic (n = 13; 65%), private (n = 5; 25%), and mixed (n = 2; 10%) practices and had a wide range of clinical experience (median 19 years; range 4–49 years). Analysis of interview transcripts revealed four general themes: 1) most radiation oncologists offered surgery, brachytherapy, IMRT, and active surveillance for low-risk patients; 2) there was no consensus on the comparative effectiveness of IMRT and SBRT; 3) key barriers to adopting SBRT included issues related to insurance, reimbursement, and practice inertia; and 4) despite these barriers, most participants envisioned SBRT use increasing over the next 5–10 years. In the absence of strong opinions about effectiveness, nonclinical factors influence the choice of radiation treatment. Despite a lack of consensus, most participants agreed SBRT may become a standard of care in the future.
Improving Onboarding by Introducing a Respiratory Care Mentor Program

Background: By establishing a mentor program we hope to improve the process of onboarding new respiratory therapist to the RT Division at Cincinnati Children’s. We hope the program will enhance clinical competency, educational advancement, professionalism and leadership skills by providing a qualified and trained mentor to those therapist who wish to achieve their highest potential. It was decided to create a program that encompasses clinical and personal growth is essential to the success of new RTs. Methods: A survey was sent to staff before the project began. The results showed a need and we took this opportunity to develop a QI project. Multiple mentoring tools will be implemented throughout the year by the mentor co-chairs, RT leadership, and those RTs serving as a mentor. All participants accepted are required to take a NERIS Type Explore personality test. Participants will be paired based on personalities. Mentors were required to attend a training class. We will re-survey and trend the data to see if there was improvement in the onboarding process. Changes will be made to the program if needed. Results: The results of the post survey showed the program was successful. 75% of mentors stated they would highly recommend becoming a mentor to their peers. One mentor stated they would not want to be a mentor in the future. They felt they couldn9t support the mentee due to being on opposite shifts. Mentors preferred to be paired with a mentee on same shift. Mentors thought the program was beneficial to the mentee by making them feel welcome and comfortable with their peers. Their clinical confidence and skills were enhanced. We found communication issues between mentor/mentee if they worked opposite shifts. Conclusions: Our first respiratory care mentor program exceeded all expectations. The post survey results showed all participants felt the program helped improve the onboarding process. Both the mentor and mentee grew as members of our team. The program was designed to help the success of the mentee. However, we noticed the mentor enjoyed helping! Success of the support system created optimized the division performance by retaining new hires. In turn, the division was able to maintain optimal staff levels. Communication is key to the success of onboarding. The program generated positive feedback. Our 2nd program opened up and participation increased. The mentors proved success by the mentees exhibiting their clinical competency and confidence. We will continue to improve our training program to support successful growth.
Non-Abelian geometric phases carried by the spin fluctuation tensor

The expectation values of the first and second moments of the quantum mechanical spin operator can be used to define a spin vector and spin fluctuation tensor, respectively. The former is a vector inside the unit ball in three space, while the latter is represented by an ellipsoid in three space. They are both experimentally accessible in many physical systems. By considering transport of the spin vector along loops in the unit ball, it is shown that the spin fluctuation tensor picks up geometric phase information. For the physically important case of spin one, the geometric phase is formulated in terms of an SO(3) operator. Loops defined in the unit ball fall into two classes: those which do not pass through the origin and those which pass through the origin. The former class of loops subtend a well-defined solid angle at the origin, while the latter do not, and the corresponding geometric phase is non-Abelian. To deal with both classes, a notion of generalized solid angle is introduced, which helps to clarify the interpretation of the geometric phase information. The experimental systems that can be used to observe this geometric phase are also discussed.
431. Geospatial prediction model of COVID-19 outbreak in New York State

Background: More than 360,000 people infected with COVID-19 in New York State (NYS) by the end of May 2020 The spatial variations of prevalence across the counties in NYS suggested that variations in county-level factors might contribute to the statewide COVID-19 outbreak However, no study to date investigates such variations and the relevant predictors We leveraged multiple public datasets and machine learning approaches to construct the county-level spatial-temporal prediction model of COVID-19 in NYS Findings generating from this study help identify counties with high prevalence, county-level predictors, and promising next steps for policy efforts to control the second wave of statewide COVID-19 transmission Methods: Cumulative confirmed case rates (CCCR) of COVID-19 by county in NYS were extracted from the US Health Data system at four critical time points including March 17th (state of emergency, 4 40 per 100,000 people), April 18th (coronavirus peak, 310 10 per 100,000 people), April 25th (expand testing, 393 90 per 100,000 people), and May 11th (daily increased rate back to the level in March, 505 30 per 100,000 people A total of 28 county-level predictors were used to construct the prediction model, and the generalized linear mixed effect least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was employed to select the predictors of COVID-19 outbreak across the counties in NYS with adjusting for time effect Results: The CCCR by the final timepoint was 1,850 3 per 100,000 people Rockland County had the highest CCCR than any other counties, with a rate of 3,856 82 per 100,000 people, while Chautauqua and Franklin counties had the lowest CCCR (0 03 per 100,000 people) LASSO regression revealed counties with a larger proportion of non-citizen (β=9537 97, p=0 02) had a higher CCCR of COVID-19 across the time In contrast, counties with a lower proportion of people with at least high school education (β=-6157 89, p=0 025) and a larger proportion of houses with less than 3 people (β=-5995 79471, p=0 01) had lower CCCR Conclusion: We identified immigrant status, education level and household type influenced the spatial variations of COVID-19 outbreak in NYS Future interventions shall target on areas with greater density of non-citizens to prevent transmission
Challenges and Opportunities for Sustaining Purposeful Professional Collaboration: Leadership Frames in Urban Schools Under Pressure to Improve

A better understanding of the ways in which school leaders frame collaboration is needed, as the framing of reform efforts plays a large role in steering change. This study explores how leaders’ fr...
Nielsen v. Preap / 5th grade grammar v. linguistics / Mass imprisonment v. human rights

In the Supreme Court case Nielsen v. Preap , ignorance about syntax and semantics led to tragic consequences. The ACLU lawyer defending thousands of non-citizens from being rounded up and put into prison indefinitely by ICE let it come across that her argument rested on the false premise that adverbs can modify nouns. The textualists claimed victory, even though the humane reading of the text was the literal one in this case. The final decision rested crucially on this error on her part, and was buffered by a misunderstanding about how definite descriptions work. The dissent failed to articulate a convincing rebuttal, making spurious reference to passive voice. This case clearly shows how staggeringly consequential linguistic knowledge can be.
Erosion in Low to High Plasticity Silts and Clays due to Floodwall Overtopping

Floodwall overtopping erodes the levee surface. A better understanding of the erosion rate of levee-floodwall systems is crucial for designing such structures. Scouring induced by overtopping during storm events can cause failure of these geo-structures. In this study, the contributing factors such as floodwall height, soil characteristics, and hydraulic characteristics of overtopped flow are considered to predict erosion rates for such levees built with fine-grained soils. Using over 60 simulated scaled levee-floodwall test results, the effect of the contributing parameters on soil erosion are described and quantified. The tested soils had relatively wide ranges of plasticity index (non-plastic (NP) to 40 %), degree of compaction (70 to 90 %), and degree of saturation (15 to 85 %). Various scales of the floodwalls (1:20 to 1:2) and overtopped flow velocities (FV) (0.2 to 0.6 m/s) were used. The response of soils with high plasticity and low plasticity was different to erosion. Highly plastic soils experienced sloughing and more resistance toward erosion, whereas in low plastic soils scour developed. Also, the erosion rates are more sensitive to plasticity index and floodwall height than degree of compaction or degree of saturation. Using the lab-scaled simulation results, a prediction model was developed to estimate erosion rates. The developed model was used to estimate the erosion rates in three case histories and compared with measured values. The limitations and advantages of the model were analyzed and discussed.
Efficiently Modeling Long Sequences with Structured State Spaces

A central goal of sequence modeling is designing a single principled model that can address sequence data across a range of modalities and tasks, particularly on long-range dependencies. Although conventional models including RNNs, CNNs, and Transformers have specialized variants for capturing long dependencies, they still struggle to scale to very long sequences of $10000$ or more steps. A promising recent approach proposed modeling sequences by simulating the fundamental state space model (SSM) \( x'(t) = Ax(t) + Bu(t), y(t) = Cx(t) + Du(t) \), and showed that for appropriate choices of the state matrix \( A \), this system could handle long-range dependencies mathematically and empirically. However, this method has prohibitive computation and memory requirements, rendering it infeasible as a general sequence modeling solution. We propose the Structured State Space (S4) sequence model based on a new parameterization for the SSM, and show that it can be computed much more efficiently than prior approaches while preserving their theoretical strengths. Our technique involves conditioning \( A \) with a low-rank correction, allowing it to be diagonalized stably and reducing the SSM to the well-studied computation of a Cauchy kernel. S4 achieves strong empirical results across a diverse range of established benchmarks, including (i) 91\% accuracy on sequential CIFAR-10 with no data augmentation or auxiliary losses, on par with a larger 2-D ResNet, (ii) substantially closing the gap to Transformers on image and language modeling tasks, while performing generation $60\times$ faster (iii) SoTA on every task from the Long Range Arena benchmark, including solving the challenging Path-X task of length 16k that all prior work fails on, while being as efficient as all competitors.
Why and How Do Cities Plan for Extreme Heat

Heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States. This paper studies municipal heat adaptation using survey and planning data from California. We first analyze the characteristics ...
PARAMETRIC SIMULATION OF SIGNIFICANT DESIGN AND OPERATING ALTERNATIVES AFFECTING THE FUEL ECONOMY AND EMISSIONS OF SPARK-IGNITED ENGINES

A fundamental thermodynamic model of the complete spark-ignited, homogeneous charge engine cycle has been used in several parametric analyses to predict the effects of engine design and operating alternatives on fuel consumption and emissions of NOx and unburned hydrocarbons (HC). The simulation includes sub-models for wall heat transfer, NOx and HC emissions, and the engine breathing processes. This work demonstrates the power and utility of a comprehensive engine simulation by presenting several independent parametric studies that were carried out in response to genuine engine design and/or operating strategy questions. Included in this compilation are the effects of cycle heat loss, exhaust port heat loss, combustion duration, and charge dilution (exhaust gas recirculation and/or lean air-fuel ratio). In addition, the influence of the design variables associated with bore-stroke ratio, intake and exhaust valve lift, and cam timing are considered. Actual engine data is shown to enhance and lend validity to the analytical results when appropriate.
Local Representation Theory: Modular Representations as an Introduction to the Local Representation Theory of Finite Groups

Preface Part I. Semi-Simple Modules: Part II. Projective Modules: Part III. Modules and Subgroups: Part IV. Blocks: Part V. Cyclic Blocks.
A New Algorithm for Stochastic Discrete Resource AllocationOptimization

Stochastic discrete resource allocation problems are difficult to solve. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm designed specifically to tackle them. The algorithm combines with the Nested Partitions method, the Ordinal Optimization techniques, and an efficient simulation control technique. The resulting hybrid algorithm retains the global perspective of the Nested Partitions method and the fast convergence properties of the Ordinal Optimization. Numerical results demonstrate that the hybrid algorithm can be effectively used for many large-scale stochastic discrete optimization problems.
Successful E-Learning in Corporations

This paper seeks to explore the concepts and best practices of successful e-learning in corporations. It will first describe what e-learning is as well as its history in relation to educational models. A brief introduction will cover the variety types of e-learning. The paper will then provide information on e-learning limitations such as various standards, lack of infrastructure and architecture, and at length discuss employee motivation and cultural resistance to e-learning. Organizational advantages and benefits of e-learning will be outlined. Some of them include cost savings on travel, globalization, improved value-chain activities, and return on investment. Finally the paper will present some success stories and discuss the future implications of e-learning in corporations.
Teaching a female friendly RPRCC (real projects for real clients course) introduction to software development at the middle school, high school or freshman collage level

Middle/high-school teacher attendees will learn, hands-on, how to teach a Real Projects for Real Clients Course (RPRCC) in which students work in teams to perform the interpersonal-interaction-intensive activities involved in doing the pre-programming work of designing/prototyping software to provide services to or solve problems for socially relevant clients. They will also learn how to recruit project clients, how to manage clients' expectations, and how to have the software implemented in later courses at their institutions, or by college-level teams involved in the RPRCC Initiative. For more information about the attractiveness of RPRCCs to girls and young women, see The PRCC Initiative Site (http://sites.google.com/site/therprccinitiative/).
Acute Care for Elders

The Acute Care for Elders (ACE) model of care was developed to address hospitalization-associated disability (HAD) in older adults. HAD occurs in one-third of hospitalized older adults and carries significant risks for persistent disability, nursing home placement and death. Initial studies demonstrated that the ACE intervention reduces HAD and improves physical function without increasing costs, compared to patients receiving usual care. Later studies documented that the ACE model of care has other important benefits including improved processes of care; fewer complications common to older adults such as delirium; improved patient, family, provider, and nurse satisfaction with care; reduced length of stay and 30-day readmissions; and lower per capita cost of care. Thus, the ACE model of care achieves the triple aim of simultaneously improving the health of the population, enhancing the experience and outcomes of the patient, and reducing per capita cost of care for the benefit of communities. Future steps for the ACE model include outcomes research evaluating the impact of ACE on additional geriatric syndromes such as polypharmacy as well as patient status in the weeks to months following a hospitalization. Opportunities also exist to disseminate the ACE model of care to hospitalized elders admitted to non-ACE units. Health care reform provides new incentives for hospitals to embrace ACE as a means of achieving new quality and patient experience goals.
Improving Accuracy in Arrhenius Models of Cell Death: Adding a Temperature-Dependent Time Delay

The Arrhenius formulation for single-step irreversible unimolecular reactions has been used for many decades to describe the thermal damage and cell death processes. Arrhenius predictions are acceptably accurate for structural proteins, for some cell death assays, and for cell death at higher temperatures in most cell lines, above about 55 °C. However, in many cases--and particularly at hyperthermic temperatures, between about 43 and 55 °C--the particular intrinsic cell death or damage process under study exhibits a significant "shoulder" region that constant-rate Arrhenius models are unable to represent with acceptable accuracy. The primary limitation is that Arrhenius calculations always overestimate the cell death fraction, which leads to severely overoptimistic predictions of heating effectiveness in tumor treatment. Several more sophisticated mathematical model approaches have been suggested and show much-improved performance. But simpler models that have adequate accuracy would provide useful and practical alternatives to intricate biochemical analyses. Typical transient intrinsic cell death processes at hyperthermic temperatures consist of a slowly developing shoulder region followed by an essentially constant-rate region. The shoulder regions have been demonstrated to arise chiefly from complex functional protein signaling cascades that generate delays in the onset of the constant-rate region, but may involve heat shock protein activity as well. This paper shows that acceptably accurate and much-improved predictions in the simpler Arrhenius models can be obtained by adding a temperature-dependent time delay. Kinetic coefficients and the appropriate time delay are obtained from the constant-rate regions of the measured survival curves. The resulting predictions are seen to provide acceptably accurate results while not overestimating cell death. The method can be relatively easily incorporated into numerical models. Additionally, evidence is presented to support the application of compensation law behavior to the cell death processes--that is, the strong correlation between the kinetic coefficients, ln{A} and E(a), is confirmed.
New capabilities for the Keck telescopes in the new millennium

The two Keck 10-m telescopes are in regular use for scientific research. An initial complement of three instruments are to be supplemented with four second generation instruments. In addition, an adaptive optics system is about to go into operation, and implementation of an interferometry mode using the two Kecks and outlying smaller telescopes is well underway.
Endocannabinoid signaling in the amygdala: anatomy, synaptic signaling, behavior, and adaptations to stress.

The molecular constituents of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling are abundantly expressed within the mammalian amygdaloid complex, consistent with the robust role of eCB signaling in the modulation of emotional behavior, learning, and stress-response physiology. Here, we detail the anatomical distribution of eCB signaling machinery in the amygdala and the role of this system in the modulation of excitatory and inhibitory neuroplasticity in this region. We also summarize recent findings demonstrating dynamic alternations in eCB signaling that occur in response to stress exposure, as well as known behavioral consequences of eCB-mediated modulation of amygdala function. Finally, we discuss how integrating anatomical and physiological data regarding eCB signaling in the amygdala could help elucidate common functional motifs of this system in relation to broader forebrain function. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Stress, Emotional Behavior and the Endocannabinoid System.
Comparison of two methods for the analysis of [18F]6-fluoro-L-m-tyrosine PET data.

Abstract PET and [ 18 F]fluoro- l - m -tyrosine (FMT) have been used to quantify presynaptic striatal dopamine (DA) function in Parkinson disease (PD) and in primate models of PD. While dynamic imaging and a metabolite-corrected blood input function can be used to determine striatal FMT uptake rate constants ( K i ), a simpler analytic approach using shorter imaging times is desirable for clinical studies. We compared the utility of using striatal K i values versus striatal count ratios in two groups of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated monkeys. Striatal DA content was also measured in one of the groups to evaluate the relationship between the PET measures and an independent measure of striatal dopamine. Striatal K i values were significantly correlated with striatal count ratios using the cerebellum as the denominator. Both K i values and ratios were also correlated with striatal DA content. In addition, putamen–cerebellum ratios and putamen K i values showed similar separation between baseline and post-MPTP values. These findings suggest that a simple ratio approach to analyzing FMT PET data may be a useful alternative to a kinetic approach especially for clinical applications.
High energy coherent processes with nuclear targets

We investigate the effects of nuclear structure on high-energy coherent reactions. To do this we compute the two-body correlation function for nuclear matter and give a method for applying it to finite nuclei. A multiple scattering description of elastic coherent processes in the presence of nuclear correlations is presented and generalized to inelastic coherent processes. This generalization includes the extra phase associated with the mass change of the projectile in diffractive production. We make an analysis of the processes A(NN)A, A(ππ)A, A(γp0)A, and A(γγ)A using the same nuclear description for each and compare the results to experimental data.
Mechanics of curved slip surfaces in rock

Abstract Curved slip surfaces are common structures in geologic and geotechnical situations. Important examples include geologic faults and the basal slip surfaces of landslides. The author analyses these structures by using two-dimensional boundary element and fracture mechanics methods to study the influence of curvature on displacements and related deformation of surrounding rock. Although analytical solutions for stresses and displacements associated with a curved crack exist in the literature, solutions for a curved slip surface with friction are not available. Curved slip surfaces are idealized as curviplanar cuts in a linearly elastic plate and a Coulomb frictional slip criterion, tensile failure (crack-like opening) provision, and constraint on slip surface wall interpenetration are included in the model. Remote principal stresses produce sliding displacements along favorably oriented slip surface segments, and stresses in the surrounding plate are calculated from these displacements. Mechanical modeling of ideal circular-arc slip surfaces shows that Mode-II displacements can in general vary in distribution and sense along curved slip surfaces as a function of curvature and remote stress orientation. Because regions of decreased and increased mean normal stress depend on the occurrence and positions of slipping segments, the locations of extensional and contractional deformation structures need not be located only near the terminations of curved slip surfaces. This result contrasts with predictions and observations of rock fracture near terminations of straight slip surfaces. In the latter case, the ends of slipping segments usually coincide with the slip surface terminations.
Migration responses to adverse household shocks: do family relationships and types of shocks matter?

This paper estimates how family relationships between migrants and their households affect migration and remittance responses to three different household shocks: an earthquake, the death of a family member, and livestock death. Using agricultural household panel data from El Salvador, we find that migrant responses to negative shocks change across family relationships and the type of shock. Sisters of the household head return home after an earthquake, while sons and brothers migrate away after livestock deaths, and household heads migrate away after the death of a family member. We also find that remittances received by the household significantly fall in response to earthquakes.
COMPUTING PROJECT FOR MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS

ABSTRACT This paper describes two examples of extended, open-ended projects that use computing and writing for students of multivariable calculus.
Novel Pituitary Ligands: Peroxisome Proliferator Activating Receptor-γ

Pituitary tumors cause considerable morbidity due to local invasion, hypopituitarism, or hormone hypersecretion. In many cases, no suitable drug therapies are available, and surgical excision is currently the only effective treatment. We have recently demonstrated abundant expression of nuclear hormone receptor PPAR-γ in human pituitary tumors of different subtypes. PPAR-γ activators (thiazolidinediones) induced G0-G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in human, and murine corticotroph, somatolactotroph, and gonadotroph pituitary tumor cells, and suppressed in vitro hormone secretion. In vivo development and growth of murine corticotroph, somatolactotroph and gonadotroph tumors, generated by subcutaneous injection of ACTH-secreting AtT20, PRL- and GH-secreting GH3, and LH-secreting LβT2, and α-T3 cells, was markedly suppressed in rosiglitazone treated mice, and plasma ACTH, and serum corticosterone, GH, PRL and LH levels were attenuated in all treated animals. PPAR-γ is an important novel molecular target in pituitary adenoma cells and as PPAR-γ ligands inhibit tumor cell growth and ACTH, GH, PRL and LH secretion in vitro and in vivo, thiazolidinediones are proposed as a novel oral medical management for pituitary tumors.
Kinetics of relaxation responses to vasorelaxants in isolated rabbit aorta.

Abstract Transient responses of isolated tissues to drugs are best studied by application of non-steady-statc protocols in which the data collected are analyzed using kinetic models. The time dependence of the relaxation response of the adventitia- and endothelium-denuded rabbit aorta to four vasorelaxants (nitroglycerin, sodium nitroprusside, 5'-N-ethylca;boxamidoadenosine and isoprotcrcnol) was analyzed by an exploratory kinetic model. A rapid relaxation ( t 1 2 = 1–3 min ) was elicited by all vasorelaxants. An apparent dcscnsitization or fade of the relaxation response to nitroglycerin or isoprotcrcnol was visualized as the partial regaining of tissue tone ( t 1 2 = 2–3 min ). The relaxation responses to sodium nitroprusside or 5'-N-ethyIcarboxami-doadcnosine were stable for at least 60 min and did not exhibit an apparent regaining of tension. Tissues rendered desensitized by cither isoprotcrcnol or nitroglycerin responded fully to sodium nitroprusside or 5'-N-cthylcarboxamidoadenosinc. The rate constant for relaxation was vasorelaxant concentration-dependent and saturable for all vasorelaxants. For isoproterenol, nitroglycerin, and 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine the rate constant for relaxation was inversely proportional to the contractile stimulus, as was the magnitude of relaxation for all vasorelaxants. Although the magnitude and rate constant of the fade was not concentration-dependent for isoproterenol, it was inversely proportional to the nitroglycerin concentration. The rate constant of the fade was proportional to the contractile stimulus for isoproterenol and nitroglycerin, and the magnitude of the fade was proportional to the contractile stimulus for nitroglycerin. We propose that kinetic studies of responses in isolated vasculature supersede studies performed under steady-state conditions, for they extend our knowledge of the manner by which the steady-state is achieved and allow for a quantitative analysis of the time-dependent changes which should assist in elucidating the biochemical basis of the observed physiological response.
Precursory seismic quiescence

Seventeen cases of precursory seismic quiescence to mainshocks with magnitudes fromM L=4.7 toM S=8.0 are summarized. The amount of rate decrease ranges from 45% to 90%. The significance of these changes varies between 90% and 99.99%. The assumption that the background rate is approximately constant is fulfilled in most crustal volumes studied. All quiescence anomalies seem to have abrupt beginnings, and the rate during the anomalous period is fairly constant. The duration of the precursors ranges from 15 to 75 months, and it is not clear what factors determine that time. At least three successful predictions have been based on seismic quiescence. These cases have shown that mainshocks can be predicted based on quiescence, but they have also shown that the interpretation of the data in real time is difficult and nonunique. If a false alarm is defined as a period of quiescence with a significance level larger than a precursory quiescence in the same tectonic area, then we estimate, based on searches in four areas, that the false alarm rate may be on the order of 50%. Failure to predict may be expected in perhaps 50% of mainshocks, even in carefully monitored areas. Quiescence cannot be used as a precursor in tectonic environments with low seismic activity. Most characteristics of the phenomenon are still poorly defined, but data exist which probably permit at least a doubling of the presently available data on case histories.
Linking Romantic Love with Sex: Development of the Perceptions of Love and Sex Scale

Pilot work and three studies detail the development of the `Perceptions of Love and Sex Scale,' a measure of how people view the link between love and sex in their romantic relationships. College students generated descriptive responses to a query about the connections between love and sex in their romantic relationships. Twenty-seven themes were distilled into item format. In Study 1, these items and other relationship measures were administered to 348 participants. Five subscales were extracted from the 27 items, using principal components analyses. In Study 11, a revised scale and other relationship measures were completed by 274 participants, with results replicated in Study Ill (N = 299). Samples from Studies 11 and Ill were combined for a variety of analyses, including confirmatory factor analyses, correlations, hierarchical regression analyses, and sex comparisons. The final version of the scale yielded 17 items on four subscales (Love is Most Important, Sex Demonstrates Love, Love Comes Before Sex...