cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blinded by Biology: Bio-inspired Tech-Ontologies in Cognitive Brain Sciences.

In his pioneering paper on neuromorphic systems, Carver Mead conveyed that: “Biological information-processing systems operate on completely different principles from those with which most engineers are familiar” (Mead 1990: 1629). This paper challenges his assertion. While honoring Mead’s exceptional contributions, specific purposes, and correct conclusions, I will use a different line of argumentation. I will make use of a debate on the classification and ordering of natural phenomena to illustrate how background notions of causality permeate particular theories in science, as in the case of cognitive brain sciences. This debate shows that failures in accounting for concrete scientific phenomena more often than not arise from (1) characterizations of the architecture of nature, (2) singular conceptions of causality, or (3) particular scientific theories – and not rather from (4) technology limitations per se. I aim to track the basic bio-inspiration and show how it spreads bottom-up throughout (1) to (4), in order to identify where bioinspiration started going wrong, as well as to point out where to intervene for improving technological implementations based on those bio-inspired assumptions.
Concept recognition and the TREC genomics tasks

We applied concept recognition techniques to the Genomics track primary and secondary tasks. For the primary task, we developed a foundational information retrieval system which incorporated Entrez Gene entries and UMLS concepts for query expansion via phrasal and term boosting representations of synonyms. For the secondary task, we evaluated three conceptual features—mouse strain names, indexed MeSH terms, and normalized citations—in addition to two surface linguistic features—BOW and bigrams. Our final feature set yielded consistently high F-measures.
On the Use of Operations Research for Decision Making with Uncertainty for IoT Devices in Battlefield Situations

Numerous challenges are present when information is provided to teams of humans and agents in multi-domain operations. There are several sources of data needed and utilized in these operations, including internet of things (IoT). In these cases the challenges include the dependence and inter-dependence of IoT devices and the uncertainty of information (UoI) obtained from these devices. Uncertainty of information significantly af- fects the decision-making process and humans rely on underlying reasons for uncertainty in making decisions that rely on devices and data from these devices. In this paper, a novel method called the LRM (Lott, Raglin & Metu) Method is presented. This method is based on operations research and utilized to determine maximum uncertainty values based on data from IoT devices. The LRM method incorporates several sources of uncertainty and their relationship to taxonomies deemed important to humans in support of military relevant conditions.
The Blue Crab Fights Against External Challenges

Being a part of the supplemental summer diet all along the east coast, the Maryland Blue Crab has seen its share of changing times. Throughout its history, the iconic colorful crab has met external factors out of its control that have affected its population. In its earliest years, it has been traced back to the diet of Native Americans and early settlers from 1600 through the 1700s. As soon as the modern era of refrigeration hit in the early 1900s it became a main commodity for those who live along the entire eastern shore. In this day and age, modern challenges to the Blue Crab include pollution, increased human population, global warming; all of which contribute to what seems like a steady decline in the population of this iconic species. The people who most enjoy the Blue Crab have felt the effects of the population decrease as well, prices of Blue Crab, in any form, have increased almost exponentially in the past fifty years. Now, in the past five years alone, prices of the crab in the mid-east coast have nearly doubled in price compared to fifteen years prior. Although far from being endangered, it is ever more prevalent to understand why this historic species cannot hold its own in the fight against external challenges.
Associations between Physical Activity and Changes in Weight Across 7 Years following ROUX-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective To examine associations of objectively-measured physical activity (PA) with changes in weight after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) over 7 years. Background The contribution of free-living PA to surgery-induced weight loss and subsequent weight regain is not well understood. Methods Participants of a multi-center prospective cohort study of bariatric surgery were followed annually ≥7 years. Of 807 participants who underwent RYGB and were given an activity monitor, 649 (80%) had sufficient data for this report (78% female; median age 47 years; median body mass index 46 kg/m). Mean daily steps, hours/day in sedentary behavior (SB) and minutes/week in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were determined at each assessment. Mixed models tested associations between PA measures and weight outcomes, controlling for sociodemographics, health status and eating behaviors. Results Across follow-up, mean pre- to post-surgery changes in PA were small, and mean post-surgery PA level was below PA recommendations for health (e.g., 101 MVPA min/week 7 years post-surgery versus the ≥150 MVPA min/week recommendation). There was a dose-response association between more steps, less SB and more MVPA with greater weight loss. Steps and SB, but not MVPA, were also associated with weight regain. For example, participants in the highest versus lowest steps quartile lost 2.9% (95%CI, 1.8-4.1) more of their pre-surgery weight and regained 5.4% (95%CI, 2.4-8.3) less of their maximum weight lost across follow-up. Conclusion Despite only small increases in objectively-measured PA level after RYGB, PA level was independently associated with weight outcomes of bariatric surgery throughout 7 years of follow-up. Reprints Reprints will not be available from the authors.
Embracing mobile app evolution via continuous ecosystem mining and characterization

While an indicator of its vibrancy, the rapid evolution of a mobile ecosystem also causes challenges to mobile software engineers in developing and maintaining quality products, and to users concerning the usability and security of resulting apps. In this context, it is crucially important to arm mobile software engineers with effective and practical tool support that is informed and enabled by a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of this ecosystem. Targeting Android, we envision to build an infrastructure that is capable of systematically and continuously mining a mobile software ecosystem. Using this infrastructure, we then perform large-scale longitudinal characterization studies of the ecosystem to understand its evolutionary dynamics with a focus on the behavioral evolution patterns of, and ecological interaction among, three ecosystem elements: the mobile platforms, user apps built on the platforms, and users associated with the apps (including end users and developers). Further, the characterization results enable proactive app quality and sustainable app security. We also report our current progress in this effort with initial results, and discuss risks and next steps.
445 Improving women’s health – one humanpapillomavirus vaccination at a time!

Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections causes cervical precancer. HPV vaccination decreases the risk of cervical pre-cancer by up to 99%. The rate of vaccine uptake remains low. In KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) C Clinic, the rate of eligible patients vaccinated is 5.3% and only 6.5% of eligible patients were offered the vaccine. The HPV vaccine taskforce aimed to increase the rates of eligible patients vaccinated and offered the vaccine. Factors leading to low uptake rates were identified and included the lack of awareness, lack of information, cost and accessibility issues. Accessibility issues were addressed by making vaccines available in clinic. Prices of the vaccines were subsidised, claims were made easier and consultation charges were waived. Education sessions were conducted for staff. In-house pamphlets and posters were developed and reminders were placed in clinic waiting areas. The electronic documentation was modified to include HPV vaccination. The Ministry of Health in Singapore also implemented a free opt-in HPV vaccination programme for secondary school girls. An audit was conducted over 6 months to assess rates of vaccination. The rate of eligible patients being offered the HPV vaccine in KKH C Clinic increased from 6.5% to 27.7% (p The HPV vaccine taskforce was effective in improving rates of HPV vaccination and patient awareness of the HPV vaccine. With this project, coupled with changes in Singapore’s health policies and attitudes of the population, we may one day eradicate cervical cancer.
Agency Activism as New Way of Life: Adminsitrative Modification of the Internal Revenue Code Through Limited Issue Focused Examinations

In the name of increasing efficiency and better utilizing limited resources, the IRS has begun to adopt audit policies that overly favor taxpayers and greatly hinder the IRS’s ability to perform thorough audits. Highlighting this trend is a relatively new audit technique used by the Large to Mid-Size Business Division (LMSB), known as the Limited Issue Focused Examination (LIFE) Process. Under LIFE, the LMSB has attempted to involve taxpayers in the audit process by sharing responsibility for timely completion of the audit and has attempted to streamline the audit by reducing the scope of issues examined and applying materiality thresholds to limit scope expansion.Although the LMSB has had success improving audit currency through the use of LIFE, it is paying too high a price for this result. By instituting LIFE, the LMSB has exceeded the audit authority congressionally granted to the IRS. Furthermore, the IRS is doing so without full disclosure to the public of how LIFE is implemented. In other words, the IRS is in effect legislating without any political accountability. In addition, although the LMSB believes that it will not be sacrificing much in the way of quality, this claim does not hold up, especially when one considers the potential for taxpayer abuse of the program. The fact that corporate America views tax departments as profit centers almost assures that LMSB “customers” will be able to exploit the lack of audit thoroughness to engage in questionable if not outright fraudulent activity. LIFE also greatly undermines the rule of law because the program misuses discretion and arbitrarily treats similarly situated taxpayers unequally.
Original Habeas Redux

This article explores what is perhaps the Supreme Court’s most exotic appellate power — its authority to issue (inaptly-named) “original” writs of habeas corpus. Although I have been working on Original Habeas Redux for some time, the Troy Davis case has recently thrust this topic into the national spotlight. In Davis (2009), the Supreme Court exercised, for the first time in over forty years, its power to transfer an original habeas petition to a district court for merits adjudication. Having collected and tabulated two decades of new data, I argue that Davis is not a blip in an otherwise constant state of original habeas inactivity. In light of the original writ’s history and of newly-cognizable constitutional claims, the authority may evolve into a safety valve by which the Court ensures that capital prisoners are not wrongfully executed.
The First Law of Thermodynamics for Closed Systems: Sample Problem 4.1, Continued

The material presented in this lecture is adapted from Chapter 3 in T&M. First, we will choose one of the systems that we introduced in Lecture 4, where friction does not need to be accounted for, and show that it will lead to a relatively simple solution of Sample Problem 4.1 (denoted as Solution 1). Second, we will choose another system where friction will need to be accounted for. Recall that in the Statement of Sample Problem 4.1, no information is provided about the friction! Third, the need to deal explicitly with the friction will lead to a more challenging solution (denoted as Solution 2). Nevertheless, through a creative derivation, we will show that the mechanical work done by the gas to overcome friction at the cylinder walls is recovered 100% as heat absorbed by the gas, and therefore, it cancels out in the context of the First Law of Thermodynamics for the chosen system. Finally, as expected, we will show that the simpler Solution 1 and the more challenging Solution 2 yield identical results.
646 The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nighttime Room Entries and Sleep Disruptions for Pediatric Patients

Introduction: Sleep is critical to children's health and recovery, but pediatric inpatient sleep is often disrupted by nonessential overnight interruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated social distancing policies which minimized contact with low-risk patients. These policies have the potential to decrease overnight disruptions and improve sleep for hospitalized patients. Methods: This cohort study compared sleep disruptions for pediatric inpatients admitted prior to (Sep 2018 - Feb 2020) and during (Apr 2020 - Aug 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic at a single site, urban academic medical center. Objective disruptions were measured as room entries detected by hand hygiene sensors for occupied rooms pre-pandemic (n-average=56) and during the pandemic (n-average=48) for 69 and 154 nights, respectively. Subjective reports of overnight disruptions, sleep quantity, and caregiver mood were measured by surveys adopted from validated tools: the Karolinska Sleep Log, Potential Hospital Sleep Disruptions and Noises Questionnaire, and Visual Analog Mood Scale. Caregivers of a convenience sample of pediatric general medicine inpatients completed surveys. Caregivers pre-pandemic were surveyed in person, and during the pandemic, surveys were conducted over the phone. Results: 293 pre-pandemic (age-patients=4.1±4.4 years) and 154 pandemic (age-patients=8.7±5.6 years) surveys were collected from caregivers. The majority (71% pre-pandemic and 52% pandemic) of the study population identified as Black/African American. Nighttime room entries initially decreased 36% (95% CI: 30%, 42%, p<0.001), then returned towards pre-pandemic levels as the COVID-19 hospital caseload decreased. Despite this, caregivers reported more disrupted patient sleep (p<0.001) due to tests (21% vs. 38%) as well as stress (30% vs. 49%), anxiety (23% vs. 41%), and pain (23% vs. 48%). Caregivers also reported children slept 61 minutes less (95% CI: 12 min, 110 min, p<0.001) and had more awakenings. Caregivers self-reported feeling more sad and weary, less calm, and worse overall (p<0.001 for all). Conclusion: Despite fewer objective room entries, caregivers reported increased sleep disruptions and an hour less nighttime sleep with more awakenings during the pandemic for pediatric patients. Caregivers also self-reported worse mood. This highlights the importance of addressing subjective perceptions and experiences of hospitalized children and their caregivers during hospitalization.
Leveraging water, sanitation and hygiene for nutrition in low- and middle-income countries: A conceptual framework

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is associated with nutritional status including stunting, which affects 144 million children under 5 globally. Despite the consistent epidemiological association between WASH indicators and nutritional status, the provision of WASH interventions alone has not been found to improve child growth in recent randomized control trials. We conducted a literature review to develop a new conceptual framework that highlights what is known about the WASH to nutrition pathways, the limitations of certain interventions and how future WASH could be leveraged to benefit nutritional status in populations. This new conceptual framework will provide policy makers, program implementors and researchers with a visual tool to bring into perspective multiple levels of WASH and how it may effectively influence nutrition while identifying existing gaps in implementation and research.
Superhydrophobic and elastic 3D conductive sponge made from electrospun nanofibers and reduced graphene oxide for sweatproof wearable tactile pressure sensor

Abstract Herein, we report an innovative method to produce three-dimensional (3D), elastic, and conductive nanofibrous sponges with high sensitivity, great mechanical properties, and sweatproof feature for wearable tactile pressure sensor. The 3D sponges were prepared by assembling the shortened polyacrylonitrile/polyimide (PAN/PI) electrospun nanofibers and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets. In specific, the PAN/PI nanofibers and graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were mixed in aqueous circumstance first and then freeze dried to form a 3D porous sponge. Subsequently, the sponge was thermally treated at 100 °C and 210 °C successively to reduce the GO nanosheets to conductive rGO nanosheets. Thereafter, the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) treatment was carried out to provide the sponge with elasticity/robustness and hydrophobicity. Upon varying the amount of rGO, three types of sponges were fabricated to study their mechanical and electrical properties. The obtained 3D conductive sponge with the most rGO amount (3-rGO/NF) possessed light weight (11.50 mg/cm3) and high porosity (99.23%). The mechanical strength and current change ratio during the cyclic compression process were investigated, and the results were closely correlated with the amount of rGO existed in the sponge. The 3-rGO/NF had the largest current change ratio when compressed, leading to the highest sensitivity even at a relatively small compressive strain. It is important to note that the prepared 3D conductive sponges were sensitive, bendable, and sweatproof, which would be particularly suitable for making wearable tactile pressure sensors.
MAVAC: Mapping and Visualization of Academic Collaborations with a Focus on Diversity

Understanding the ways in which academic researchers collaborate in STEM fields helps us understand not only how scientific work is conducted, but also allows us to examine equity in scientific collaborations. We present our work on constructing, exploring and visualizing a collaboration network of co-authorship in computing and other fields to better understand collaboration trends and geospatial relationships between collaborators. We examine these networks with a focus on variance and similarities between subnetworks generated from a seed set of inferred gender and a seed set of inferred race and ethnicity of faculty members. Results related to variance in clustering coefficients and average degree are presented.
Socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in receipt of palliative care among patients with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Patients with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) suffer symptoms of both end-stage liver disease and cancer. Palliative care (PC) enhances the quality of life via symptom control and even improves survival for some cancers. Our study characterized rates of PC utilization among metastatic HCC patients and determined factors associated with PC receipt. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of adult National Cancer Database patients diagnosed with metastatic HCC between 2004 and 2016. Chi-square tests were used to analyze two cohorts: those who received PC and those who did not. Logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of clinicodemographic factors on the likelihood of receiving PC. Results PC utilization was low at just 17%. Later year of diagnosis, insured status, and higher education level were associated with an increased likelihood of receiving PC. Treatment at academic centers or integrated network cancer programs increased the likelihood of receiving PC compared to treatment at a community center (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.33 and OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.07-1.45; respectively). Hispanics were significantly less likely to received PC than non-Hispanic Whites (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.64-0.82). Conclusions PC utilization among patients with metastatic HCC remains low. Targeted efforts should be enacted to increase the delivery of PC in this group.
Writing area-efficient hardware descriptions for logic synthesis

Several advantages for using a hardware description language for logic synthesis are given along with some example programs. Variations in writing style are shown to have a significant effect on the optimization process used by the synthesizer since one style generally results in a physical layout that consumes only half that of another. Based on these experiences, a structured, object-oriented style that separates control and operations is recommended for the writing of area-efficient hardware descriptions. >
COMO LIDAR COM AS DIFICULDADES DA PRODUÇÃO DE TEXTOS EM SALA DE AULA

Para lidar com as dificuldades da escrita em sala de aula, devemoster consciencia de que essa dificuldade esta ligada ao desenvolvimentodas habilidades na escrita perceptiveis pelas alteracoes ou errosna sintaxe, estruturacao, pontuacao de frases ou na organizacao dos paragrafosenfim nas habilidades necessarias na composicao de um texto.Segundo Gregg (1992) estes transtornos podem ser gramaticais,fonologicos,e viso-espaciais ocorrendo; substituicoes, omissoes ou adicoesde (preposicoes, conjuncoes, verbos...) troca de fonemas, confusoesde letras, ou inversoes das mesmas.
EARTH SLOPE RELIABILITY BY A LEVEL-CROSSING METHOD

An approximate formulation for the reliability analysis of earth slopes was derived by transforming the slope reliability analysis problem into a level-crossing problem, solved approximately by finding the expected number of minima of the safety margin (process) that lie below zero. The main feature of the solution is that, in effect, it considers the slope as a series system with an infinite number of (correlated) failure modes. The formulation was used to estimate the probability of failure of specific earth slopes. The results obtained imply that the use of the failure mode of least reliability to approximate the probability of failure of the slope may be highly unconservative and may predict incorrectly even the signs of changes in the slope reliability with changes in parameter values.
Defensive and Sensory Chemical Ecology of Brown Algae

Abstract The ecological interactions of brown algae are important as these macroalgae are common and often keystone members in many benthic marine communities. This review highlights their chemical interactions, particularly with potential herbivores, but also with fouling organisms, with potential pathogens, with each other as gametes, and with their microenvironments when they are spores. Phlorotannins, which are phenolic compounds unique to brown algae, have been studied heavily in many of these respects and are highlighted here. This includes recent controversy about their roles as defences against herbivory, as well as new understanding of their roles in primary cellular functions that may, in many instances, be more important than, and which at least have to be considered in concert with, any possible ecological functions. Brown algae have also been useful models for testing theories about the evolution of and ecological constraints on chemical defence. Furthermore, their microscopic motile gametes and spores have the ability to react to their chemical environments behaviourally.
Membrane-dialzer injection loop for enhancing the selectivity of anion-responsive liquid-membrane electrodes in flow systems. Part 1. A sensing system for NOx and nitrite

Abstract A general approach for enhancing the selectivity of anion-responsive liquid-membrane electrodes is described. The method is based on use of the receptor channel of a flow-through dialyzer unit as the injection loop in a flow-injection system. An appropriate membrane in the dialyzer prevents ionic interferents from reaching an inselective electrode in the final flow stream. The concept is demonstrated by developing a highly selective semi-automated method for the determination of dissolved NOx or nitrite at levels greater than 5 μM. Nitrogen dioxide is trapped across a teflon membrane in the dialyzer and converted to nitrate by a buffered peroxide recipient solution. This solution is injected and carried to a tubular nitrate electrode. The final selectivity and detection capabilities of this gas-sensing arrangement are examined and compared to those of the nitrate electrode alone and more conventional sensing systems based on pH electrodes. A dialyzer unit with wider channels improves the efficiency of gas transfer and thus the detection capabilities of the system.
Truth commissions versus prosecutions: An African perspective

This short paper is one chapter in a book that addresses the difficulties rebuilding the political, legal, and other structures in societies ravaged by conflict. In particular, this paper examines the advantages and disadvantages of African nations using prosecutions or restorative approaches to address past wrongs. The paper focuses on South Africa Rwanda and Sierra Leone. The paper concludes that while each country's situation differs dramatically, reconciliatory approaches may be preferable. It also argues that any prosecutions should be based on deterrence, and not retribution.
Laboratory investigation of lunar surface electric potentials in magnetic anomaly regions

To gain insight into lunar surface charging in the magnetic anomaly regions, we present the results of laboratory experiments with a flowing plasma engulfing a magnetic dipole field above an insulating surface. When the dipole moment is perpendicular to the surface, large positive potentials (close to ion flow energies in eV) are measured on the surface in the dipole lobe regions, charged by the unmagnetized ions while the electrons are magnetically excluded. The potential decreases exponentially with distance from the surface on the ion (flow) Debye length scale. The surface potentials become much smaller when the dipole moment is parallel to the surface, likely due to collisionality. We discuss the implications of our laboratory results for the lunar surface charging in the magnetic anomaly regions, suggesting that the surface potential may be much higher than the generally expected several volts positive due to photoemission.
Amplitude and phase difference estimation bounds for multisensor based tracking of RFID Tags

Localization and tracking (L&T) are some of the most important applications of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. One method of achieving this is by approximating the position of an object from the measured backscattered signal parameters and backscattered data. A comprehensive analysis of the backscattered signal parameters, such as received signal amplitude and phase, is necessary to establish their effect on the accuracy of L&T. In this context, this paper investigates the probability density functions (PDFs) of the received signal amplitude and phase for RFID systems. It was observed that both PDFs converge to Gaussian distributions in high signal-to-noise ratio scenarios. Moreover, the Cramer Rao Lower Bound (CRLB), which serves as an established reference for unbiased estimation, is also derived for the estimated received signal amplitude and phase difference. It was noticed that the CRLBs are inversely proportional to the number of observations taken for the parameter estimation. Finally, it is pertinent to mention that if multiple types of sensed information are fused to perform L&T, it results in millimeter-level accuracy. For RFID, one such technique which employs multiple sensed parameters for L&T is Hybrid Inertial Microwave Reflectometry (HIMR). This paper also presents a simulation and experimental analysis of HIMR. HIMR-based RFID tracking scheme results in tracking accuracy in the range of 1–10 mm.
On an Approach to Optimization Problems with a Probabilistic Cost and or Constraints

We present a new approach to a class of probability constrained optimization problems that arise in the context of optimal engineering design. These problems are characterized by the fact that the probability of failure of one or several components either must be minimized or must not exceed a preassigned threshold. Our approach is interactive: it consists of replacing the original optimal design problem in which either the cost function or a constraint are expressed in terms of a probability of failure, by a constrained minimax problem. Once the minimax problem is solved, the actual probability of failure is computed. Depending on the outcome of this computation, we provide heuristic rules for modifying the minimax problem and repeating this process a couple of times. An important feature of our new approach is that it decouples optimization and probability of failure calculations. This decoupling allows independent selection of methods for the solution of the optimization and the reliability subproblems. We present an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Eighth C.U. Ariëns Kappers Lecture. The fabric of the mind: a neurobiological perspective.

Publisher Summary To pursue the biological basis for the conscious mind, the author proposes that it is important to acknowledge the hurdles first, such as the first-person perspective and the problems it poses, intentionality hurdle, and the mind is too limited to understand itself. While discussing the conscious mind problem, the sense of self, the author present the hypothesis that the brain uses mapping structures informed by both maps of the organism and maps of objects, to create a fresh second-order representation, which indicates that the organism, as represented in the brain, is involved in interacting with an object. The second-order representation occurs in neural structures, such as the thalamus and the cingulated cortices. The chapter discusses that the seemingly vexing hurdles of extracting a first-person subjective mind from a third-person objective body appears transposable with the help of the approach— that is, when the brain is seen as a complex device concerned with regulating, and of necessity, representing body states.
IN A WORD OR TWO, PLACED IN THE MIDDLE: THE INVISIBLE HAND IN SMITH'S TOMES

We explore the conjecture, first hinted at by Peter Minowitz, that Smith deliberately placed his central idea, as represented by the phrase ‘led by an invisible hand’, at the physical centre of his masterworks. The four most significant points developed are as follows: (1) The physical evidence: the expression ‘led by an invisible hand’ occurs pretty much dead centre of the 1st and 2nd editions of The Wealth of Nations (WN), and of the final edition of the tomes containing The Theory of Moral Sentiments (TMS). (2) The rhetoric lectures show that Smith not only was conscious of deliberate placement of potent words at the centre, but thought it significant enough to remark on to his pupils, noting that Thucydides ‘often expresses all that he labours so much in a word or two, sometimes placed in the middle of the narration’. (3) The invisible-hand paragraphs in TMS and WN both contend with Rousseau and hearken back to the Rousseau passages that Smith had translated and provided in his 1756 article on literature. (4) There are numerous and rich ways in which centrality and middleness hold special and positive significance in Smith's thought.
Assessing and Developing Administrators for Turbulent Environments.

Noting that the environments in which administrators must operate are becoming more and more turbulent, the authors point out that although organization structures and administrative processes are being developed to offset these conditions, little is being done to assess administrators' capabilities for coping with them, or to develop the required behavioral skills. An assessment model for identifying and developing administrators with the necessary capabilities for coping effectively with turbulent-field environments is presented, and suggestions for its application and future investigation are presented.
Computational Investigations of the Chalcogen-Substituted Carboxylic Acids RC(=O)XH and RC(=X)OH and their Dimers [RC(=O)XH]2 and [RC(=X)OH]2 (X=S, Se, Te)

Semiempirical and ab initio theoretical methods have been used to investigate molecular structures of the chalcogen-substituted carboxylic acid isomers RC(=O)XH (chalcogenol acid) and RC(=X)OH (chalcogenon acid). A recent experimental report suggests that the chalcogenon isomers, although less stable at room temperature, predominate at low temperature in polar solvents and that there is only a small barrier to isomerization between the isomers. Theoretical calculations have been used to locate minimum energy structures of chalcogen-substituted carboxylic acid isomers and to calculate energy differences between pairs of isomers. Carboxylic acids are well known to dimerize, especially in the gas phase and in non-polar solvents. We have, therefore, also calculated energies of dimerization of the chalcogen-substituted acids by optimizing the geometries of the symmetric dimers. We note that the PM3 level of theory is only qualitatively correct for sulfur- and selenium-containing species but fails even qualitatively for the tellurium-containing compounds. Ab initio results confirm the experimental observations and provide good estimates of both isomerization and dimerization energies. We conclude that for many functional groups with tautomers RC(=X)YH and RC(=Y)XH, the more acidic tautomer is the one with the acid proton on the smaller, more electronegative atom, although in many cases this may not be the more stable tautomer.
Interactive Spaced-Education to Teach the Physical Examination: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Several studies have documented that physical examination knowledge and skills are limited among medical trainees. The objective of the study is to investigate the efficacy and acceptability of a novel online educational methodology termed ‘interactive spaced-education’ (ISE) as a method to teach the physical examination. The design of the study is randomized controlled trial. All 170 second-year students in the physical examination course at Harvard Medical School were eligible to enroll. Spaced-education items (questions and explanations) were developed on core physical examination topics and were content-validated by two experts. Based on pilot-test data, 36 items were selected for inclusion. Students were randomized to start the 18-week program in November 2006 or 12 weeks later. Students were sent 6 spaced-education e-mails each week for 6 weeks (cycle 1) which were then repeated in two subsequent 6-week cycles (cycles 2 and 3). Students submitted answers to the questions online and received immediate feedback. An online end-of-program survey was administered. One-hundred twenty students enrolled in the trial. Cycles 1, 2, and 3 were completed by 88%, 76%, and 71% of students, respectively. Under an intent-to-treat analysis, cycle 3 scores for cohort A students [mean 74.0 (SD 13.5)] were significantly higher than cycle 1 scores for cohort B students [controls; mean 59.0 (SD 10.5); P < .001], corresponding to a Cohen’s effect size of 1.43. Eighty-five percent of participants (102 of 120) recommended the ISE program for students the following year. ISE can generate significant improvements in knowledge of the physical examination and is very well-accepted by students.
Worry, optimism, and expectations as predictors of anxiety and performance in the first year of law school

Research suggests that worry, optimism, and expectations have subsequent effects on performance, which may be mediated through self-efficacy expectations. The first year of law school provides a unique naturalistic setting in which to study this process. Participants were recruited at orientation and assessed at five points during their first year of law school. Results indicated that worry was significantly related to self-efficacy and anxiety. Controlling for trait anxiety, higher levels of worry were also predictive of better academic performance. Expectations were positively related to class rank and performance on a final exam, and predicted first year law school grade-point average (GPA) even after controlling for undergraduate GPA and Law School Admissions Test score. Optimism was inversely related to both dispositional and state anxiety, although it was not related to performance. Implications of these findings for counseling first-year law students are discussed, and the results may generalize to other professional situations.
A field study on the acute effects of the dispersant Corexit 9527 on glucose uptake by marine microorganisms

Abstract The effects of the dispersant Corexit 9527 and Corexit with crude oil on the rate of glucose uptake and mineralisation were studied in Arctic and Subarctic marine waters and sediments. Essentially all of the 149 water and 95 sediment samples tested displayed decreased glucose uptake rates in the presence of either 15 or 50 ppm Corexit. Depressed uptake rates were observed at concentrations as low as 1 ppm. The mean concentration at which Corexit depressed glucose uptake by 50% was 12 ppm. The effect of Corexit was more pronounced on pelagic than on benthic microbial populations.
Magnetic separation of GdC2 encapsulated in carbon nanoparticles

Abstract Single crystal particles of α-GdC2 have been encapsulated into carbon polyhedral shells by the carbon arc-discharge technique. These particles range in size from 20 to 50 nm and are paramagnetic in nature. The phase and stoichiometry of these crystals have been determined using a combination of techniques, such as X-ray diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy. As reported for α-LaC2 earlier, the crystal structure of bulk α-GdC2 is also tetragonal, and it is metallic and undergoes hydrolysis. However, the encapsulation of the nanoscale crystals in carbon shells prevents their hydrolysis indefinitely. These nanometer-sized particles, which can be preferentially extracted using powerful magnetic fields, may have useful applications in several fields of science.
Desired Risk: Broadening the Social Amplification of Risk Framework1

Recently Kasperson et al.(6) have proposed a conceptual framework, “The Social Amplification of Risk,” as a beginning step in developing a comprehensive theory of public experience of risk. A central goal of their effort is to systematically link technical assessments of risk with the growing findings from social scientific research. A key and growing domain of public risk experience is “desired” risk, but this is virtually neglected in the framework. This paper evaluates the scope of the “Social Amplification of Risk Framework,” asking whether it is applicable to desired risks, such as risk recreation (hang gliding, mountain climbing, and so forth). The analysis is supportive of the framework's applicability to the domain of desired risk.
A TEM analysis of nanoparticulates in a Polar ice core

This paper explores the prospect for analyzing nanoparticulates in age-dated ice cores representing times in antiquity to establish a historical reference for atmospheric particulate regimes. Analytical transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques were utilized to observe representative ice-melt water drops dried down on carbon/formvar or similar coated grids. A 10,000-year-old Greenland ice core was melted, and representative water drops were transferred to coated grids in a clean room environment. Essentially, all particulates observed were aggregates and either crystalline or complex mixtures of nanocrystals. Especially notable was the observation of carbon nanotubes and related fullerene-like nanocrystal forms. These observations are similar with some aspects of contemporary airborne particulates including carbon nanotubes and complex nanocrystal aggregates.
Is colloid cyst of the third ventricle a manifestation of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome

A 14-year-old girl with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome presented with intermittent headache and nausea. Magnetic resonance imaging and a computed tomographic scan of the head revealed a colloid cyst of the third ventricle and mild dilatation of the lateral ventricle. The cyst was successfully removed by stereotaxic surgery. The occurrence of two rare disorders in the same patient could be a coincidence. Other similar patients must be found before it is established that the colloid cyst is part of the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.
Hydrogen Bonding at a Conserved Threonine in Lentivirus Capsid Is Required for Virus Replication

The N terminus of the capsid protein (CA) undergoes a considerable conformational change when the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease cleaves it free from the Pr55Gag polyprotein. This rearrangement is thought to facilitate the establishment of specific CA-CA interactions that are required for the formation of the mature viral core. Substitution of amino acids that are critical for this refolding of the N terminus is generally detrimental to virus replication and mature virion core morphology. Here, we identify a conserved threonine in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) CA, T(47)CA, that is requisite for viral replication. Replacement of T(47)CA in the infectious viral clone SIVmac239 with amino acids with different hydrogen-bonding capabilities and analysis of the effects of these substitutions at key steps in the viral life cycle demonstrate that hydrogen bonding at this position is important for virus infectivity and virion release. In the HIV-based homology model of the mature SIV CA N terminus presented in this study, T(47)CA forms several hydrogen bonds with a proximal aspartate, D(50)CA. This model, coupled with strong phenotypic similarities between viral substitution mutants of each of these two residues in all of the virological assays described herein, indicates that hydrogen bonding between T(47)CA and D(50)CA is likely required for viral replication. As hydrogen bonding between these two residues is present in HIV CA as well, this interaction presents a potential target for antiviral drug design.
The rising prevalence of gastroschisis and omphalocele in Tennessee

Rates of the major congenital abdominal wall defects gastroschisis and omphalocele have been shown to be increasing over the past 10 to 20 years. Although much of the increase was seen in the 1970s and 1980s, there has been conflicting evidence as to whether similar trends exist for more recent years. Clinical observations from the major neonatal referral networks in Tennessee led us to question whether the rates of abdominal wall defects were continuing to increase throughout the 1990s. The purpose of this study was to describe the rates of congenital abdominal wall defects between 1985 and 2002 for the state of Tennessee using 2 independently collected data sources: birth certificates and Medicaid claims. There was nearly a 3-fold increase in congenital abdominal wall defects between 1989 and 2001 identified from birth certificates, and a doubling of these defects was identified from claims. Temporal increases persisted when controlling for maternal age, race, and education. We conclude that the increase in these important birth defects seen in earlier decades has persisted in Tennessee in recent years. Further elucidation of risk factors associated with the increase is warranted.
Outcome following cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the neonate requiring ventilatory assistance.

Abstract Background: there is limited data regarding the clinical characteristics and outcome of the neonate requiring ventilatory assistance who develops persistent bradycardia (PB) requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Objectives: (1) to determine the percentage of newborn infants requiring respiratory assistance who develop PB and require CPR as part of resuscitation; (2) the associated clinical events; and (3) the short term outcome. Methods: the medical charts of infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit who developed PB, defined as a heart rate Results: for 3 years, 39 (2.6%) of 1485 infants exhibited 62 episodes of PB requiring CPR; this represents 5.6% of 695 intubated infants. Fourteen (36%) infants rapidly responded to chest compressions only with restoration of heart rate within 2 min; termed brief CPR. None died in-hospital. Twenty-five (64%) infants required prolonged chest compressions, i.e. >2 min (termed prolonged CPR); 21 also received epinephrine. The median postnatal age at onset of CPR was 20 days (range 1–148 days) and the duration of CPR was 10 min (range 3–73 min). The more common medical conditions that may have contributed to the PB included severe bronchospasm associated with chronic lung disease (CLD) ( n =6), shock associated with sepsis ( n =4) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) ( n =2), pneumothorax ( n =2), inadequate or improper ventilation ( n =3), other ( n =8). Nineteen (76%) infants died: 13 within 24 h of the event and six from 3 to 194 days following CPR. At 18 months follow-up, four of the six infants evaluated have a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental deficit. Of the nine infants requiring brief CPR who were evaluated, five are developing normally and four have a moderate to severe neurodevelopmental deficit. Conclusion: CPR in the neonate who requires ventilatory assistance is not uncommon. When brief in nature, mortality is low and short-term outcome is likely to be determined by the underlying medical condition. When CPR is prolonged, mortality is high and short-term outcome is poor.
Subplinian fall deposits of Inyo Craters, CA

Abstract The Inyo volcanic chain in east central California last erupted explosively around 1350 A.D., ejecting 0.13 km3 of tephra during four successive eruptions from the South Deadman, Obsidian Flow, and Glass Creek vents. The first two eruptions, from South Deadman, produced bent, pulsating subplinian columns separated by a period of column collapse. The Obsidian Flow eruption began with a phreatomagmatic vent-clearing blast, then continued with a sustained weak plume. The last and largest eruption, from the Glass Creek vent, produced a sustained subplinian eruption marked by a mid-eruption period of phreatomagmatism. These eruptions dispersed more than 0.27 km3 tephra over an area greater than 9000 km2. Inversion of the deposits produced column heights ranging between 6 and 20 km, with wind speeds in excess of 30 m/s, the highest windspeed included in the nomograms. Inversion results suggest limitations of the nomograms for weak plumes due to their simplifying assumptions regarding the influence of the eruption column on ambient flow.
The impact of rheumatoid arthritis on life activities

Objective. To examine the proportion of valued activities performed by persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the change in this proportion over a 5-year period and to compare the performance and loss of valued activities of persons with and without RA. Methods. Data were drawn from a longitudinal panel study of persons with RA. Valued activities were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Results. Over a 5-year period, persons with RA lost approximately 10% of the activities they had valued. Losses were noted in every domain of activity. The greatest losses were seen in work-related, service, nurturant, cultural and leisure, and social participation activities. Compared to persons without arthritis, persons with RA performed fewer valued activities at baseline, and lost more valued activities over the 5-year period. Conclusions. RA takes a considerable toll on the ability of people with the disease to perform valued life activities. Other research has shown that the loss of valued activities is a strong risk factor for the development of depressive symptoms among women with RA.