cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Clustering-aided Ensemble Method for Predicting Ridesourcing Demand in Chicago.

Accurately forecasting ridesourcing demand is important for effective transportation planning and policy-making. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), researchers have started to utilize machine learning models to forecast travel demand, which, in many cases, can produce higher prediction accuracy than statistical models. However, most existing machine-learning studies used a global model to predict the demand and ignored the influence of spatial heterogeneity (i.e., the spatial variations in the impacts of explanatory variables). Spatial heterogeneity can drive the parameter estimations varying over space; failing to consider the spatial variations may limit the model's prediction performance. To account for spatial heterogeneity, this study proposes a Clustering-aided Ensemble Method (CEM) to forecast the zone-to-zone (census-tract-to-census-tract) travel demand for ridesourcing services. Specifically, we develop a clustering framework to split the origin-destination pairs into different clusters and ensemble the cluster-specific machine learning models for prediction. We implement and test the proposed methodology by using the ridesourcing-trip data in Chicago. The results show that, with a more transparent and flexible model structure, the CEM significantly improves the prediction accuracy than the benchmark models (i.e., global machine-learning and statistical models directly trained on all observations). This study offers transportation researchers and practitioners a new methodology of travel demand forecasting, especially for new travel modes like ridesourcing and micromobility.
Non-Gaussian Extensions for the Detection of Persistent Scatterers: Addressing the Limitations of Gaussian Models for InSAR Imagery

It is well-known that the backscatter of high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery is non-Gaussian in nature. As a result, corresponding heavy-tailed models have been successfully incorporated for the design of improved SAR target detectors. However, Gaussian-based detectors are largely still applied for selection of persistent scatterers (PS) in Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) imagery, and implications for the performance of PS techniques have not been well-studied. Here, we extend an existing Gaussian model for PS to incorporate non-Gaussian behavior. We then implement the model for PS detection and compare its performance to its Gaussian counterpart, finding that the non-Gaussian model finds a slightly denser network of PS. Further work will focus on analyzing the characteristics of this disparity, including its relationship with terrain and system parameters such as wavelength and bandwidth, and compare the estimated deformation from the non-Gaussian detector compared to an existing Gaussian-based model. Understanding the limitations of Gaussian models will inform the design of improved PS detectors to produce more complete deformation maps and enable the broader application of InSAR for challenging applications, such as observing small strain rates in natural terrain.
Dynamics of Sector Switching: Hazard Models Predicting Changes from Private Sector Jobs to Public and Nonprofit Sector Jobs

Policy makers and public managers emphasize the importance of bringing private sector experience and skills into the public and nonprofit sectors. One result is an increased focus on privatization and contracting out, developments to which researchers have been attentive. However, the long-standing practice of hiring people with industrial experience into the public and nonprofit sectors has received remarkably little attention. This study, based on questionnaire responses from mid- and upper-level personnel in public and nonprofit sector organizations, attempts to understand the dynamics of sector switching from the private into either the public or nonprofit sector. Using event history analysis, the article looks at switching patterns. The probability of switching into the public sector is much higher for those who held a managerial occupation in their previous private sector job than for those who held professional and technical positions. Having more subordinates in a previous private sector job is associated with a lower likelihood of switching into a public sector job. By contrast, switching into the nonprofit sector is more often associated with a promotion.
Effectiveness of Beta-Lactam plus Doxycycline for Patients Hospitalized with Community-Acquired Pneumonia

BACKGROUND Despite clinical practice guideline recommendations to use doxycycline as part of combination therapy for some patients hospitalized with pneumonia, there is minimal evidence supporting this recommendation. Our aim was to examine the association between beta-lactam plus doxycycline and mortality for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. METHODS We identified patients > 65 years of age admitted to any United States Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in fiscal years 2002-2012 with a discharge diagnosis of pneumonia. We excluded those patients who did not receive antibiotic therapy concordant with the 2019 ATS/IDSA clinical practice guidelines. Using propensity score matching, we examined the association of doxycycline with 30- and 90-day mortality. RESULTS Our overall cohort was comprised of 70,533 patients and 5,282 (7.49%) received doxycycline. Unadjusted 30-day mortality was 6.4% for those who received a beta-lactam plus doxycycline vs. 9.1% in those who did not (p<0.0001), and 90-day mortality was 13.8% for those who received a beta-lactam + doxycycline vs. 16.8% for those who did not (p<0.0001). In the propensity score matched models, both 30- (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.84) and 90-day (0.83, 0.74-0.92) mortality were significantly lower for those who received doxycycline. CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective observational cohort study, we found that doxycycline use, as part of guideline-concordant antibiotic therapy, was associated with lower 30- and 90-day mortality than regimens without doxycycline. While this supports the safety and effectiveness of antibiotic regimes that include doxycycline, additional studies, especially randomized clinical trials, are needed to confirm this.
Trafficking in Slavery's wake: Law and the experience of women and children

* Introduction. Contextualizing Trafficking in Women and Children in Africa Benjamin N. Lawrance and Richard L. Roberts*Part I:Trafficking in Colonial Africa*1. Trafficking and Reenslavement The Social Vulnerability of Women and Children in Nineteenth-Century East Africa Elisabeth McMahon*2. "Without the Slave Trade, No Recruitment" From Slave Trading to "Migrant Recruitment" in the Lower Congo, 1830-90 Jelmer Vos*3. The End of Slavery, "Crises" over Trafficking, and the Colonial State in the French Soudan Richard L. Roberts*4. "Under the Guise of Guardianship and Marriage" Mobilizing Juvenile and Female Labor in the Aftermath of Slavery in Kayes, French Soudan, 1900-1939 Marie Rodet*5. Sex Trafficking, Prostitution, and the Law in Colonial British West Africa, 1911-43 Carina Ray*6. Islamic Law and Trafficking in Women and Children in the Indian Ocean World Bernard K. Freamon*Part II: Contemporary Antitrafficking in Africa and Beyond*7. Trafficking and Human Exploitation in International Law, with Special Reference to Women and Children in Africa Jean Allain*8. Documenting Child Slavery with Personal Testimony The Origins of Antitrafficking NGOs and Contemporary Neo-abolitionism Benjamin N. Lawrance*9. Child-Trafficking Policymaking between Africa and Europe Margaret Akullo*10. The Story of Elsie A Case Study of Trafficking in Contemporary South Africa Susan Kreston*11. Ranking States Tracking the State Effect in West African Antitrafficking Campaigns Liza Stuart Buchbinder* Afterword. The Paradox of Women, Children, and Slavery Kevin Bales and Jody Sarich* Selected Bibliography* Notes on Contributors* Index
Economic Interest behind the 1st Nationalist Movement: 1783

There is a strong tradition of examining the economic motivation behind the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The constitutional movement, however, was not the first attempt at a stronger central government. This paper investigates the economic and geographic interests behind the “first nationalist movement”, a 1783 drive to strengthen the Articles of Confederation that very nearly succeeded. A voting index, based on stated nationalist agenda, is constructed for delegates to the Congress. This index is regressed on state level data individual characteristics of each delegate. The results indicate that, despite this being period of relative unity (peace but not yet a peace treaty), much of nationalist support is explained by economic and geographic interests. Nationalist tend to be from populous states with few disputed land claims and little foreign trade. There is weaker evidence that state debt and being near the frontier made delegates more nationalist.
Serological Relatedness of Rhizobium fredii to Other Rhizobia and to the Bradyrhizobia.

Abstract Several isolates of Rhizobium fredii were examined for their serological relatedness to each other, to Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and to other fast- and slow-growing rhizobia. Immunofluorescence, agglutination, and immunodiffusion analyses indicated that R. fredii contains at least three separate somatic serogroups, USDA 192, USDA 194, and USDA 205. There was no cross-reaction between any of the R. fredii isolates and 13 of the 14 B. japonicum somatic serogroups tested. Cross-reactions were obtained with antisera from R. fredii and serogroup 122 of B. japonicum, Rhizobium meliloti, and several fast-growing Rhizobium spp. for Leucaena, Sesbania, and Lablab species. The serological relationship between R. fredii and R. meliloti was examined in more detail, and of 23 R. meliloti strains examined, 8 shared somatic antigens with the type strains from all three R. fredii serogroups. The serological relatedness of R. fredii to B. japonicum and R. meliloti appears to be unique since the strains are known to be biochemically and genetically diverse.
Endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis in patients previously treated for sinonasal malignancy.

Objectives/Hypothesis Patients with a history of sinonasal malignancy can develop chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) as a consequence of their oncologic treatment. Some patients will fail medical management and require endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This study reviews the use of ESS in the management of CRS in patients previously treated for sinonasal malignancy. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods All patients with a history of sinonasal malignancy who developed CRS and underwent ESS were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative imaging and symptoms were collected. Major complications (bleeding, orbital injury, and cerebrospinal fluid leak) and minor complications (adhesion formation) and postoperative healing were reviewed. Results Eighteen patients were identified. All patients presented with symptoms of CRS and sinonasal crusting. Additionally, five patients presented with recurrent facial cellulitis, and six patients had mucoceles. No major complications were encountered. Postoperatively, all patients reported a subjective improvement in their sinonasal symptoms. Comparison of pre- and post-ESS imaging revealed a significant improvement in Lund-Mackay scores after ESS (P < 0.001) from 12.8 (range 5–22) to 7 (range). Despite symptomatic improvement, all patients continued to have nasal crusting. All patients who initially presented with recurrent facial cellulitis had no further episodes after ESS. None of the endoscopically drained mucoceles recurred. Conclusion For patients previously treated for sinonasal malignancy with refractory CRS, ESS appears to be a safe and effective treatment option. ESS in these patients results in subjective improvement in sinonasal symptoms as well as objective improvement in radiographic CRS disease burden, although sinonasal crusting will likely not resolve. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2015
Quantifying Trophic and Demographic Rates of Plankton-Rich Layers in East Sound, Orcas Island, Washington

Abstract : Localized concentrations of plankton (i.e. patches) alter the optical and acoustical properties of the water column and can have significant ramifications for the ecological dynamics of marine communities. The goal of this research is to develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive capability of the biological drivers of plankton patch formation, persistence and decline. This goal will be addressed by concurrent characterization of the physical, chemical and biological parameters associated with patch occurrence and dissipation with biologically meaningful resolution (meters and days). The objective of the funded work is to quantify the contribution of ecological processes to plankton patch formation in the coastal ocean. These objectives will be addressed by simultaneously quantify (1) spatial and temporal characteristics of large plankton patches, (2) the physical and chemical conditions these patches occur in and (3) the plankton population dynamics of the dominant layer forming species through simultaneous measurements of their growth and mortality rates. The methodological approach of this research is to concurrently quantify the population dynamics of whole plankton communities and the environmental conditions they occur in. Frequent, small boat surveys allow us to characterize physical water column structure and capture discrete samples to measure nutrient, plankton biomass and Chlorophyll-a concentrations as well as laboratory measurements of plankton growth and grazing rates. This research utilizes methods widely used in biological oceanography as well as more recent approaches established and tested during my work in East Sound.
Secure public internet access handler (SPINACH)

This paper describes a system that controls access to computer networks through publicly accessible LANs, enabling network administrators to authorize users either on a permanent or occasional basis. The system has been designed with minimal assumptions about the software and hardware required of users, and requires very little specialized equipment within the network infrastructure. We enumerate the requirements for such a system, describe the design and implementation of the system, and note tradeoffs between security and efficiency.
Formation and coarsening of near-surface Ga nanoparticles on SiNx

We have investigated the formation and coarsening of near-surface Ga nanoparticles (NPs) in SiNx using Ga+ focused-ion-beam-irradiation of SiNx, followed by rapid thermal annealing. For surfaces with minimal curvature, diffusive growth is apparent, leading to nearly close packed arrays with NP diameters as small as 3 nm and densities as high as ∼4 × 1012 cm−2. The diffusive flux increases with annealing temperature, leading to NP coarsening by Ostwald ripening. For surfaces with increased curvature, diffusion towards the valleys also increases during annealing, leading to Ga NP coalescence and a bi-modal distribution of NP sizes.
Emergent Honeycomb Lattice in LiZn 2 Mo 3 O 8

We introduce the idea of emergent lattices, where a simple lattice decouples into two weakly coupled lattices as a way to stabilize spin liquids. In ${\mathrm{LiZn}}_{2}{\mathrm{Mo}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{8}$, the disappearance of $2/3$ of the spins at low temperatures suggests that its triangular lattice decouples into an emergent honeycomb lattice weakly coupled to the remaining spins, and we suggest several ways to test this proposal. We show that these orphan spins act to stabilize the spin liquid in the ${J}_{1}$-${J}_{2}$ honeycomb model and also discuss a possible 3D analogue, ${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{MoYO}}_{6}$ that may form a ``depleted fcc lattice.''
Using an online community of practice to foster inquiry as pedagogy amongst student teachers

Research has shown how individual components of an online environment such as blogging or discussion boards can be effective tools with learners and preservice teachers. This study examines how an integrated, comprehensive online environment can be used as a component of a community of practice to develop student teachers' conceptions of inquiry as science pedagogy. The community of practice studied was unique being comprised of highly-experienced teachers that are all engaged in doctoral level science education research. The online environment was used by entire community to reflect and communicate about the theory and practice of inquiry science pedagogy. Student teachers' conceptions of inquiry science pedagogy were studied via data collected through the online environment (student teachers' online journals, posts to threaded discussions, and usage patterns).
Aberrant development of post-movement beta rebound in adolescents and young adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Dependent on maternal (e.g. genetic, age) and exposure (frequency, quantity, and timing) variables, the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the developing fetus are known to vary widely, producing a broad range of morphological anomalies and neurocognitive deficits in offspring, referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Maternal drinking during pregnancy remains a leading risk factor for the development of intellectual disabilities in the US. While few functional findings exist today that shed light on the mechanisms responsible for the observed impairments in individuals with FASD, animal models consistently report deleterious effects of early alcohol exposure on GABA-ergic inhibitory pathways. The post-motor beta rebound (PMBR), a transient increase of 15–30 Hz beta power in the motor cortex that follows the termination of movement, has been implicated as a neural signature of GABA-ergic inhibitory activity. Further, PMBR has been shown to be a reliable predictor of age in adolescents. The present study sought to investigate any differences in the development of PMBR between FASD and control groups. Beta event-related de-synchronization (ERD) and movement-related gamma synchronization (MRGS), although not clearly linked to brain maturation, were also examined. Twenty-two participants with FASD and 22 age and sex-matched controls (12–22 years old) underwent magnetoencephalography scans while performing an auditory oddball task, which required a button press in response to select target stimuli. The data surrounding the button presses were localized to the participants' motor cortices, and the time courses from the locations of the maximally evoked PMBR were subjected to wavelet analyses. The subsequent analysis of PMBR, ERD, and MRGS revealed a significant interaction between group and age in their effects on PMBR. While age had a significant effect on PMBR in the controls, no simple effects of age were detected in the FASD group. The FASD group additionally displayed decreased overall ERD levels. No group or age effects on MRGS were detected. The described findings provide further evidence for broad impairments in inhibitory processes in adolescents with FASD, possibly related to aberrant development of GABA-ergic pathways.
Using a Phototransduction System to Monitor the Isolated Frog Heart

Abstract A simple and inexpensive method of monitoring the movement of an isolated frog heart provides comparable results to those obtained with a force transducer. A commercially available photoresistor is integrated into a Wheatstone bridge circuit, and the output signal is interfaced directly with a recording device. An excised, beating frog heart is placed in a Petri dish and over the photoresistor so that movements produced during the heartbeat cycle change the amount of light entering the photoresistor and, therefore, the voltage output from the circuit. Experiments that can be done with this system include the effects of temperature and dose—response relationships with Ringer's solutions containing acetylcholine and norepinephrine.
JET-X: jet engine troubleshooting expert system

JET-X is a microcomputer-based expert systems application for ground-based troubleshooting of the TF34-100 engines on the USAF A-10 aircraft. It provides fault isolation capabilities to supplement the current engine fault detection system. JET-X incorporates domain-specific knowledge from existing troubleshooting manuals, augmented and enhanced by a team consisting of a factory engineer with a background in engine performance analysis and a field technical representation with considerable on-site troubleshooting experience. The expert system shell used for this application is GEN-X. The authors describe the diagnostics scope and design objectives of JET-X as well as the development issues and the procedures used to produce this tool. Particular emphasis is placed on human-factors issues. >
Recycling of Wood and Paper in Cementitious Materials

Beneficial utilization of wastepaper and wood in cement-based materials is reviewed. Wastepaper presents a source of reinforcing fibers for thin-sheet cement products; these fibers help overcome the problems with the brittle nature of failure and low cracking resistance of plain cement products. Wood waste and sawdust can be used in concrete as light-weight aggregates capable of enhancing the weight-to-strength ratio, insulation properties and toughness characteristics of concrete materials.
Duality of dislocation content of grain boundaries

The Frank–Bilby equation (FBE) can give many solutions for the dislocation content of a grain boundary (GB); most of them are considered to have little physical reality except in limited ranges of the angles which characterize low-angle GBs. We explore two such solutions, each of which is an accurate description for a different low-angle tilt GB with the same tilt axis. We develop a model that uses the two solutions to predict the coupling factor between normal motion and the shear strain produced by any (low- or high-angle) GB. Within this model, the two FBE solutions give rise to two possible modes of coupled GB motion which for the same GB under the same stress differ in direction of motion. Using molecular dynamics simulations we confirm our model. We find positive and/or negative coupled GB motion for all misorientation angles, and the model gives accurate predictions for the shear produced even by high-angle GBs where individual dislocations cannot be resolved. At low temperatures dual behaviour is ...
Electrolyte disturbances in jejunal urinary diversion.

Abstract Jejunum as a urinary conduit produces a syndrome of hypochloremic acidosis, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia in patients with poor renal function. The electrolytic syndrome was encountered in 9 of 25 patients with jejunal diversion. The mechanism involved was studied in patients and reproduced in animals; the factors leading to the disturbance were identified. The pathophysiology and the treatment of jejunal conduit syndrome are discussed.
A mesoscale connectome of the mouse brain

Comprehensive knowledge of the brain's wiring diagram is fundamental for understanding how the nervous system processes information at both local and global scales. However, with the singular exception of the C. elegans microscale connectome, there are no complete connectivity data sets in other species. Here we report a brain-wide, cellular-level, mesoscale connectome for the mouse. The Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas uses enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing adeno-associated viral vectors to trace axonal projections from defined regions and cell types, and high-throughput serial two-photon tomography to image the EGFP-labelled axons throughout the brain. This systematic and standardized approach allows spatial registration of individual experiments into a common three dimensional (3D) reference space, resulting in a whole-brain connectivity matrix. A computational model yields insights into connectional strength distribution, symmetry and other network properties. Virtual tractography illustrates 3D topography among interconnected regions. Cortico-thalamic pathway analysis demonstrates segregation and integration of parallel pathways. The Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas is a freely available, foundational resource for structural and functional investigations into the neural circuits that support behavioural and cognitive processes in health and disease.
Directed dimerization: an in vivo expression system for functional studies of type II phytochromes

Type II phytochromes (phy) in Arabidopsis form homodimers and heterodimers, resulting in a diverse collection of light-stable red/far-red (R/FR) sensing photoreceptors. We describe an in vivo protein engineering system and its use in characterizing the activities of these molecules. Using a phyB null mutant background, singly and doubly transgenic plants were generated that express fusion proteins containing the phyB-phyE N-terminal photosensory regions (NB-NE PSRs), a nuclear localization sequence, and small yeast protein domains that mediate either homodimerization or heterodimerization. Activity of NB/NB homodimers but not monomeric NB subunits in control of seedling and adult plant responses to R light is demonstrated. Heterodimers of the NB sequence with the chromophoreless NB(C357S) sequence, which mimic phyB Pfr/Pr photo-heterodimers, mediate R sensitivity in leaves and petioles but not hypocotyls. Homodimerization of the NC, ND and NE sequences and directed heterodimerization of these photosensory regions with the NB region reveal form-specific R-induced activities for different type II phy dimers. The experimental approach developed here of directed assembly of defined protein dimer combinations in vivo may be applicable to other systems.
Induction core alloys for heavy-ion inertial fusion-energy accelerators

Induction core alloys are evaluated that are appropriate for heavy-ion induction accelerators to drive heavy-ion inertial fusion (HIF) power plants. Parameters evaluated include the usable flux swing and the energy loss over a range of magnetization rates of $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{5}--{10}^{7}\mathrm{T}/\mathrm{s}$, corresponding to pulse durations of $\ensuremath{\sim}20$ to $0.2\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$, respectively. The usable flux swing, for minimum core losses, extends from near the reversed remanent field to about 80% of the saturation field. The usable flux swing is enhanced, with little increase in losses, by annealing the core after winding. Maintaining low energy loss at high magnetization rates requires insulation to block interlaminar eddy currents. To obtain annealed cores with a high ratio of remanent to saturation magnetic field, the insulation must withstand annealing temperatures and apply minimum mechanical stress to the core during cooldown. We find that commercially available insulating coatings for amorphous metals either break down near ${10}^{6}\mathrm{T}/\mathrm{s}$ (a factor of 10 below the requirement), or do not achieve the maximum remanent field and hence the usable flux swing after annealing. More satisfactory coatings are available for silicon steel and nanocrystalline alloys, which could have applications in HIF. Amorphous alloys are capable of meeting most HIF needs, especially with improved coatings.
Symmetric and Antisymmetric Convection Signals in the Madden–Julian Oscillation. Part I: Basic Modes in Infrared Brightness Temperature

AbstractThis work studies the significance of north–south asymmetry in convection associated with the 20–90-day Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) propagating across the equatorial Indo-Pacific warm pool region. Satellite infrared brightness temperature data in the tropical belt for the period 1983–2006 were decomposed into components symmetric and antisymmetric about the equator. Using a recent nonlinear objective method called nonlinear Laplacian spectral analysis, modes of variability were extracted representing symmetric and antisymmetric features of MJO convection signals, along with a plethora of other modes of tropical convective variability spanning diurnal to interannual time scales. The space–time reconstruction of these modes during the 1992/93 Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) period is described in detail. In particular, the boreal winter MJO emerges as a single pair of modes in both symmetric and antisymmetric convection signals. Both sig...
Positive predictive value of automated database records for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children and youth exposed to antipsychotic drugs or control medications: a Tennessee Medicaid Study.

Background Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication of treatment with some atypical antipsychotic drugs in children and youth. Because drug-associated DKA is rare, large automated health outcomes databases may be a valuable data source for conducting pharmacoepidemiologic studies of DKA associated with exposure to individual antipsychotic drugs. However, no validated computer case definition of DKA exists. We sought to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of a computer case definition to detect incident cases of DKA, using automated records of Tennessee Medicaid as the data source and medical record confirmation as a "gold standard."
Nitric oxide, hemolysis, and the red blood cell storage lesion: interactions between transfusion, donor, and recipient.

The putative ‘red blood cell (RBC) hypothermic storage lesion’ is the focus of intense interest and investigation in transfusion medicine . Owing to detrimental changes taking place during a period of up to 42 days, the RBC ability to sustain normal functionality after transfusion can become compromised. While our understanding of the RBC storage lesion has been advanced by a myriad of historical and more recent studies1-10, the clinical significance of transfusing “old blood” remains unclear. In this issue of Transfusion, Yu et al11, discuss the possible outcomes of transfusing stored versus fresh mouse RBCs into syngeneic susceptible hosts, that is mice with diabetes. They demonstrate that transfusion of stored RBCs or supernatants from stored RBCs can induce systemic hypertension and vasoconstriction in mice suffering endothelial dysfunction (diabetic mice), and that transfusion-induced vasoconstriction can be prevented by nitric oxide (NO) inhalation or oxidation of supernatants from stored RBCs. They correlate the hypertensive effects with hemolysis of stored RBCs and NO scavenging by cell-free hemoglobin. Yu and colleagues’ study supports recent mechanisms for the putative RBC storage lesion related to red cell hemolysis and inactivation of endothelial nitric oxide1,3,12,13 that may in part contribute to transfusion-related multi-organ injury, particularly in the setting of massive transfusion. Their work highlights the interaction between the age of banked blood and the health of the blood recipient (susceptible host), as well as characterizes the potential therapeutic use of NO to ameliorate severe outcomes in patients suffering from endothelial dysfunction caused by transfused blood hemolysis.
Sociodemographic effects on place bonding

Abstract Patterns of amenity migration and recreational home development in much of the USA since the 1990s are changing the local sociodemographic make-up and the relationships formed among people and place. We use the psychological constructs of place attachment, place identity, and place dependence to assess differences in these relationships among new and long-time residents and absentee and local residents in three rural counties in the Inland Northwest. We measured place bonding using data from a mail survey of local (n = 531) and absentee (n = 239) property owners. We compared structural models suggested in the literature on the psychology of place, and found that a two-dimensional model representing place attachment and place identity was appropriate for both local and absentee property owners. Local owners exhibited stronger place attachment and place identity than absentee owners. Place bonding constructs were also substantially less impacted by the total number of years a property owner had resided on his or her property than by the number of months per year they lived on the property. The findings indicate that sociodemographic changes such as those manifested in second-home development may lead to a population that is less emotionally, behaviorally, and cognitively connected to the places in question, while sociodemographic changes from permanent in-migration may have a substantially smaller effect on place bonding.
Bioactive Surface Modification of Metal Oxides via Catechol-Bearing Modular Peptides: Multivalent-Binding, Surface Retention, and Peptide Bioactivity

A series of multivalent dendrons containing a bioactive osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) domain and surface-binding catechol domains were obtained through solid phase synthesis, and their binding affinity to hydroxyapatite, TiO2, ZrO2, CeO2, Fe3O4 and gold was characterized using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-d). Using the distinct difference in binding affinity of the bioconjugate to the metal oxides, TiO2-coated glass slides were selectively patterned with bioactive peptides. Cell culture studies demonstrated the bioavailability of the OGP and that OGP remained on the surface for at least 2 weeks under in vitro cell culture conditions. Bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcein (OCN) markers were upregulated 3-fold and 60-fold, respectively, relative to controls at 21 days. Similarly, 3-fold more calcium was deposited using the OGP tethered dendron compared to TiO2. These catechol-bearing dendrons provide a fast and efficient method to functionalize a wide range of inorganic materials with bioactive peptides and have the potential to be used in coating orthopaedic implants and fixation devices.
Plasma torch production of macroscopic carbon nanotube structures

Abstract Analysis of the many studies of carbon nanotube formation in high-temperature ovens clearly indicates the key requirements of nanotube formation are an ‘atomic’ carbon source and a source of nanometal particles. We adapted this formulation to the high temperature (>3000 K) environment found in a low-power (
Toll-like receptor 7 is required for effective adaptive immune responses that prevent persistent virus infection.

TLR7 is an innate signaling receptor that recognizes single-stranded viral RNA and is activated by viruses that cause persistent infections. We show that TLR7 signaling dictates either clearance or establishment of life-long chronic infection by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) Cl 13 but does not affect clearance of the acute LCMV Armstrong 53b strain. TLR7(-/-) mice infected with LCMV Cl 13 remained viremic throughout life from defects in the adaptive antiviral immune response-notably, diminished T cell function, exacerbated T cell exhaustion, decreased plasma cell maturation, and negligible antiviral antibody production. Adoptive transfer of TLR7(+/+) LCMV immune memory cells that enhanced clearance of persistent LCMV Cl 13 infection in TLR7(+/+) mice failed to purge LCMV Cl 13 infection in TLR7(-/-) mice, demonstrating that a TLR7-deficient environment renders antiviral responses ineffective. Therefore, methods that promote TLR7 signaling are promising treatment strategies for chronic viral infections.
The self: Measurement requirements from an interactionist perspective.

Techniques for measuring an individual's self-concept must have two characteristics: they must be theoretically grounded and they must be quantitative. With respect to the first of these characteristics, six theoretical properties of the self as seen from an interactionist perspective are discussed in terms of their measurement implications. These properties are: (1) that the self is composed of an organized set of identities, (2) that identities are self-in-role meanings, (3) that identities are defined relationally in terms of counter-identities, (4) that identities are reflexive, (5) that identities operate indirectly, and (6) that identities motivate social behavior. Measures that fail to take account of these properties suffer for this failing. Suggestions are made about how such properties might be taken into account in deriving quantitative measures of certain characteristics of rolelidentities.
High PCB residues in birds from the Sheboygan River, Wisconsin

Organochlorine residues were measured in the carcasses and, in some cases, brains and stomach contents of four species of birds collected along the Sheboygan River, Wisconsin during the years 1976 to 1980. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were high in all samples and were the contaminants of greatest concern. Carcass residues ranged from 23 to 218 ppm PCBs on a wet weight basis; these are levels associated with reproductive impairment in laboratory studies with some birds. Food items in the stomachs of collected birds contained from 12 to 58 ppm PCBs, indicating a heavy contamination of food sources. The brain of one bird contained 220 ppm PCBs, a level that is not in the lethal range but is very high. Birds feeding in the contaminated portions of the Sheboygan River may have been harmed by high PCB levels.
Managing and fostering creativity: An integrated approach

Abstract After years of seeking students with leadership skills, companies today are putting similar levels of emphasis on those with creative capabilities. Such companies need creative people to help solve their most pressing problems, and to help generate new sources of value creation for firms that have suffered years of stagnant growth. A quick glance at recent business books and magazines shows that the need for such individuals is strong and growing, as global competition becomes the new normal and economies around the world become increasingly connected. As business educators we need to reflect on how we should go about designing classes and curricular that develop creative capabilities in our students. This paper outlines an integrated approach to enhancing creativity at the individual, group, and organizational levels that is used in a Creativity Course taught at a large University in the United States. In doing so it is presented in two parts. Part I describes the conceptual underpinnings of the course and the three module framework that is used to structure content. Thus, Part I focuses on describing what is taught and explaining why. Part II illustrates how the course is implemented through a series of both individual and group projects. Additionally, it reflects on key learning outcomes that have occurred through the delivery of multiple iterations of the course. Together Part I and II combine to create a complete learning resource for anyone interested in developing and delivering a course on creativity.
Introduction to object-oriented discrete event simulation with the OOSimL language

This tutorial provides an overview of object-oriented modeling principles and an introduction to developing object oriented simulation models using the OOSimL. The focus is on early introduction to simulation in the computing curriculum. This approach to simulation emphasizes and exploits object-oriented modeling and programming in the large to develop models of simple to complex systems.The tutorial presents a gentle introduction to object-oriented modeling and simulation using the new language OOSimL. This simulation language was designed and developed for teaching OO simulation early in undergraduate programs in computing. The OOSimL compiler generates Java source code (and recently expanded to generate C++ code). Object-oriented concepts are reinforced using OOSimL and the simulation approach follows the process style of simulation.
Performance-based parallel application toolkit for high-performance clusters

Advances in computer technology, encompassed with fast emerging of multicore processor technology, have made the many-core personal computers available and more affordable. The availability of network of workstations and cluster of many-core SMPs have made them an attractive solution for high performance computing by providing computational power equal or superior to supercomputers or mainframes at an affordable cost using commodity components. In order to search alternative ways to extract unused and idle computing power from these computing resources targeting to improve overall performance, as well as to fully utilize the underlying new hardware platforms, these are major topics in this field of research. In this research paper, the design rationale and implementation of an effective toolkit for performance measurement and analysis of parallel applications in cluster environments is introduced; not only generating parallel applications' timing graph representation, but also to provide application execution's performance data charts. The goal in developing this toolkit is to permit application developers have a better understanding of the application's behavior among selected computing nodes purposed for that particular execution. Additionally, multiple execution results of a given application under development can be combined and overlapped, permitting application developers to perform "what-if" analysis, i.e., to deeper understand the utilization of allocated computational resources. Experimentations using this toolkit have shown its effectiveness on the development and performance tuning of parallel applications, extending the use in teaching of message passing, and shared memory model parallel programming courses.
Electronic and atomic structure of GaAs epitaxial overlayers on Si(111).

The atomic structure occurring at the interface between Si(111) and thin GaAs epitaxial overlayers has a pronounced effect on the surface electronic structure, thus making it possible to infer structural information by comparing measured surface-state energies with those calculated for possible interface bonding arrangements. The atomically abrupt interface...SiAsGaAs, in addition to being energetically very unfavorable, is inconsistent with measured valence-band photoemission spectroscopy. Our results indicate that the interface is not atomically abrupt.
Cutaneous wound healing: Current concepts and advances in wound care.

A non-healing wound is defined as showing no measurable signs of healing for at least 30 consecutive treatments with standard wound care.[1] It is a snapshot of a patient’s total health as well as the ongoing battle between noxious factors and the restoration of optimal macro and micro circulation, oxygenation and nutrition. In practice, standard therapies for non-healing cutaneous wounds include application of appropriate dressings, periodic debridement and eliminating causative factors.[2] The vast majority of wounds would heal by such approach with variable degrees of residual morbidity, disability and even mortality. Globally, beyond the above therapies, newer tools of healing are selectively accessible to caregivers, for various logistical or financial reasons. Our review will focus on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), as used at our institution (CAMC), and some other modalities that are relatively accessible to patients. HBOT is a relatively safe and technologically simpler way to deliver care worldwide. However, the expense for including HBOT as standard of care for recognized indications per UHMS(Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society) may vary widely from country to country and payment system.[3] In the USA, CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) approved indications for HBOT vary from that of the UHMS for logistical reasons.[1] We shall also briefly look into other newer therapies per current clinical usage and general acceptance by the medical community. Admittedly, there would be other novel tools with variable success in wound healing worldwide, but it would be difficult to include all in this treatise.
Effects of scopolamine on variable intertrial interval spatial alternation and memory in the rat

A repeated measures procedure, variable intertrial interval (ITI) spatial alternation, was used to assess scopolamine effects on memory, and to compare effects of the drug on discrimination processes with effects on storage. Rats learned in two stages to press left and right levers in alternation on discrete trials separated by 5 different ITI's ranging from 2.5 to 40 s and presented in random order during the experimental session. In the first stage, alternating discrimination, alternation was controlled by a light on over the correct lever at the time of the trial; in the second stage, variable ITI spatial alternation, a centrally located panel light signalled all trials and alternation was controlled by stimuli from prior trials ('memory'). Alternation response occurrence declined moderately (but significantly) with increasing ITI duration in both the alternating discrimination and variable ITI spatial alternating discrimination and variable ITI spatial alternation stages; response occurrence was also significantly decreased by scopolamine treatment in both stages. Accuracy of alternating discrimination performance was not significantly altered by either ITI duration or scopolamine treatment. Accuracy of variable ITI spatial alternation performance on a trial varied inversely with the duration of the ITI that preceded the trial. Scopolamine treatment significantly reduced accuracy of lever pressing in variable ITI spatial alternation but did not alter the slope of the curves relating accuracy to ITI duration. These effects indicate that the drug impaired discrimination processes but did not alter memory storage.
A perspective on artificial intelligence: learning to learn

The classical approach to the acquisition of knowledge in artificial intelligence has been to program the intelligence into the machine in the form of specific rules for the application of the knowledge: expert systems. Unfortunately, the amount of time and resources required to program an expert system with sufficient knowledge for non-trivial problem-solving is prohibitively large. An alternative approach is to allow the machine tolearn the rules based upon trial-and-error interaction with the environment, much as humans do. This will require endowing the machine with a sophisticated set of sensors for the perception of the external world, the ability to generate trial actions based upon this perceived information, and a dynamic evaluation policy to allow it to measure the effectiveness of its trial actions and modify its repertoire accordingly. The principles underlying this paradigm, known ascollective learning systems theory, have already been applied to sophisticated gaming problems, demonstrating robust learning and dynamic adaptivity.
Low-income women with early-stage breast cancer: physician and patient decision-making styles.

Background: Poor women have low rates of breast conservation therapy not explained by differences in insurance status or treatment preferences. The purpose of this study was to explore how low-income women make decisions about breast cancer treatment. Methods: Twenty-five women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer through the Nebraska Every Woman Matters program were interviewed about their experiences selecting treatment options. These interviews were transcribed and then analysed using established qualitative techniques. Results: More than half of the women (n=16) described playing a passive role in decision making. Choice was determined by medical factors or not offered by their physicians. Intense emotional distress affected some women's ability to compare options. The women who did engage in a rational decision-making process (n=9) based their choices on concerns about body image and fear of recurrence. Conclusions: When presented with a choice, and when able to objectively weigh treatment options, low-income women base their treatment decisions on the same issues as those of higher income. Whether differences in income strata alter the doctor–patient power dynamic in favor of physician control over decision making, or whether low-income women are less prepared to engage in a rational deliberative process warrants further study. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.