cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The power of imaging with phase, not power

Combining the principles of interferometry, holography, and microscopy, quantitative phase imaging has emerged as a unique tool for live-cell and tissue imaging.
The Failure of Solanezumab — How the FDA Saved Taxpayers Billions

The failure of solanezumab offers a window into the U.S. drug regulatory system, particularly in the context of the 21st Century Cures Act and the national debate about the role of the FDA. The solanezumab story is an important case of a regulatory system that worked.
Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.

Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a salivary gland malignancy with unpredictable growth and poorly understood prognostic factors. Patients and Methods: A database search of patients treated at a single Institution was used to identify patients with histologically-confirmed ACC. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were examined via review of medical records. Results: Overall survival of 70 patients identified at 5, 10, and 15 years was 80.4%, 61.3%, and 29.4%, respectively. Disease recurrence was seen in 31.9%; of these, 72.7% developed distant metastasis. Older age, higher stage, skull base involvement, positive margins, and metastatic disease, but not local recurrence, predicted a worse overall survival. Higher stage and skull base disease were also associated with shorter disease-free survival. While lung metastasis was the most common, vertebral metastasis was associated with poorer survival. Conclusion: Disease stage, positive margins, skull base involvement, perineural invasion, time to recurrence, and location of metastasis, but not nodal involvement, could serve as poor prognostic factors in ACC.
Profit Sharing and Efficiency in Utility Games

We study utility games (Vetta, FOCS 2002) where a set of players join teams to produce social utility, and receive individual utility in the form of payments in return. These games have many natural applications in competitive settings such as labor markets, crowdsourcing, etc. The efficiency of such a game depends on the profit sharing mechanism - the rule that maps utility produced by the players to their individual payments. We study three natural and widely used profit sharing mechanisms - egalitarian or equal sharing, marginal gain or value addition when a player joins, and marginal loss or value depletion when a player leaves. For these settings, we give tight bounds on the price of anarchy, thereby allowing comparison between these popular mechanisms from a (worst case) social welfare perspective.
Carbon Sequestration and Agriculture

Recent increases in global temperature are correlated with carbon dioxide emitted from natural and anthropogenic sources, most importantly fossil fuel combustion and land use changes. Although technologies and policies are being proposed and tested to reduce emissions, modification of carbon sinks may provide an important mitigation option. Sinks of some global importance include terrestrial vegetation, oceans, rock weathering, soils, and artificially created dumpsters. Increasing carbon storage in soils through agriculture could be used as a short-term intervention. Many agricultural practices can increase the amount of organic carbon in soil. These include agronomic practices, water management practices, agroforestry, land cover change, and reduced or no-till practices. The effect of these practices on global warming needs to be considered, including the environmental conditions of various farms, the actual mitigation potential of soil sequestration, and the requirement of continuing no-till practices once implemented. This article elaborates on the concept that changing agricultural practices represents a possible climate change mitigation strategy by increasing the soil sequestration potential. This intervention is expected to result in increased crop production and a betterment of human health, especially in the developing countries.
Effect of an Imposed Contact on Secondary Structure in the Denatured State of Yeast Iso-1-cytochrome c

There is considerable evidence that long-range interactions stabilize residual protein structure under denaturing conditions. However, evaluation of the effect of a specific contact on structure in the denatured state has been difficult. Iso-1-cytochrome c variants with a Lys54-->His mutation form a particularly stable His-heme loop in the denatured state, suggestive of loop-induced residual structure. We have used multidimensional NMR methods to assign 1H and 15N backbone amide and 13C backbone and side chain chemical shifts in the denatured state of iso-1-cytochrome c carrying the Lys54-->His mutation in 3 and 6 M guanidine hydrochloride and at both pH 6.4, where the His54-heme loop is formed, and pH 3.6, where the His54-heme loop is broken. Using the secondary structure propensity score, with the 6 M guanidine hydrochloride chemical shift data as a random coil reference state for data collected in 3 M guanidine hydrochloride, we found residual helical structure in the denatured state for the 60’s helix...
Microanalysis using surface modification and biphasic droplets

Conventional methods for the synthesis and analysis of chemical and biological materials often utilize homogeneous bulk environments or surface immobilization on a substrate. Homogeneous bulk environments, however, require large quantities of samples and reagents as well as significant effort to functionalize materials. Liquid–substrate interfaces can also pose problems because adsorption can hinder diffusion and reagent transport during bioanalyses, and sensitive materials, such as proteins, experience denaturation, or other types of deformation. Here, we describe the construction and use of droplet microenvironments created through a combination of surface modification, water-in-oil systems, and aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs). This integration of an immobilization-free droplet microenvironment with liquid–liquid interfaces, material compartmentalization, directional reagent transport, and small volumes enables unique material functions. Specific examples include ATPS-assisted fabrication of functional microparticles for drug delivery, microscale determination of ATPS phase diagrams, dendritic self-assembly of semiconductive nanoparticles, multiplex immunoassays, and analysis of breast cancer cell migration. Intracellular structures and function are tightly interwoven. Recapitulation of such intracellular microenvironments may enable novel biomimetic material synthesis and bioanalysis. Cell-inspired microanalysis platforms can be constructed by combined top-down microfabrication and bottom-up molecular self-assembly. Microcompartments of phase-separated aqueous solutions also play a critical role in biological processes. The biphasic microdroplets provide a unique analytical platform that conventional homogeneous bulk environments fail to achieve.
Emotional sensations and the moral imagination in Malebranche

This paper explores the details of Malebranche’s philosophy of mind, paying particular attention to the mind-body relationship and the roles of the imagination and the passions. I demonstrate that Malebranche has available an alternative to his deontological ethical system: the alternative I expose is based around his account of the embodied aspects of the mind and the sensations experienced in perception. I briefly argue that Hume, a philosopher already indebted to Malebranche for much inspiration, read Malebranche in the positive way that I here describe him. Malebranche should therefore be acknowledged as a serious influence on Enlightenment philosophy of sensibility.
Physical Activity and Exercise: Important Complements to Nutrition in Older Adults

Physical activity is vital for prevention and management of most chronic diseases and conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, age-related loss of physical function, and frailty. Public health guidelines recommend aerobic exercise, resistance training, and flexibility exercises across the lifespan, with the addition of balance exercise for older adults to decrease the risk of falls. Although the physical and mental health benefits of physical activity extend into late life, a lack of awareness among older adults and clinicians may be barriers to physical activity. Numerous evidence-based physical activity programs for older adults across a range of function can be implemented in community and clinical settings, serving as a resource for clinician referrals. Partnerships of clinicians with community-based providers will improve access to both physical activity and nutrition programs, ultimately promoting independence and quality of life for older adults.
Culturally Responsive Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports

Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a prevention-oriented, data-driven, multi-tiered framework for providing a continuum of behavioural supports to enhance student and school outcomes. PBIS involves the application of increasingly intense tiers of support, based on student need. At Tier 1, a school identifies 3–5 positively worded behavioural expectations that are taught, modelled, practiced, reinforced, and prompted consistently school-wide with all students. At Tier 2, students at risk, or experiencing minimal behavioural concerns, are provided with low-intensity interventions (for example, small group support, mentoring) and their progress is monitored. Finally, at Tier 3, students who are exhibiting significant behavioural concerns, and those who have not sufficiently responded to Tier 1 and Tier 2 services, are provided with intensive supports, often including a functional behaviour assessment and individualized behaviour intervention plan. Research has shown PBIS to improve pro-social behaviour, school climate, and academic achievement, while also reducing discipline referrals, problem behaviour, and school exclusion. However, the effectiveness of PBIS across cultural settings depends on the degree to which PBIS is planned for and implemented in a culturally responsive manner. Although culturally responsive practices have certainly been included within the PBIS discourse, we argue that increased attention to this critical feature of PBIS is warranted. For example, it is important for schools to ensure that the Tier 1 PBIS expectations are developed with the local cultural context in mind, and are taught and reinforced in a culturally congruent way. Furthermore, schools should disaggregate their PBIS student data by student subgroups (such as, racial/ethnic, gender, economic), and analyze and address the causes of any disparities in outcomes. The chapter aims to: (a) describe the key features of PBIS, provide a rationale for its use in schools, and review research on its effectiveness, (b) highlight the importance of, and key considerations for, ensuring that PBIS is culturally-responsive, and (c) provide recommendations for implementing and evaluating a comprehensive and culturally-responsive PBIS framework.
Abstract 4633: Urinary biomarkers predict the presence of ependymoma non-invasively

Objective: Pediatric brain tumors persist as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The ability to identify a specific tumor diagnosis and non-invasively monitor the patient9s response to therapy would serve as a major clinical advancement which could directly impact current practice. Knowing the tumor identity pre-operatively can influence surgical planning, so novel methods to improve upon existing imaging tools would help neurosurgeons treat children more effectively. In addition, post-operative follow-up of brain tumors currently relies on frequent imaging studies, which often requires the cost and risk of general anesthesia in children to facilitate scanning. Ependymoma is one of the most common pediatric brain tumors that can often mimics other pathologies on imaging reports, and typically requires extensive follow-up. Here, we present a novel method of utilizing non-invasive urinary biomarkers to diagnose pediatric ependymomas. Methods: Urine was collected from 107 children with brain tumors, including a cohort with pathology-proven ependymoma (n = 19) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 17). Using a previously validated screening panel of secreted proteins associated with tumor growth, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), growth factors, and cytokines, putative biomarker levels were quantified using multiplex and ELISA assays in urine. Results were subjected to univariate and multivariate statistical analyses and compared between clinical cohorts. Once identified, further validation of biomarker expression was performed using in vitro analysis of primary tumor and control cell lines to link biomarker expression to source tissue. Results: Evaluation of urinary biomarkers by multiplex and ELISA revealed that patients with ependymoma demonstrated significantly higher levels of urinary MMP3 and MMP9 as compared to healthy children. We identified clinically relevant cut-off values to identify the presence of tumor; >0.25 pg/µg for MMP-3 and >1.00 pg/µg for MMP-9. Multiplexing biomarkers markedly increased diagnostic accuracy. Urinary biomarker expression was correlated with in vitro cell lines, indicating that ependymoma tumor tissue is the source of the biomarkers. Conclusions: We report for the first time the use of urinary proteins—MMP3 and MMP9— as biomarkers capable of identifying the presence of ependymoma non-invasively and with high accuracy. This study provides substantial in vitro and clinical data supporting the utility of urinary biomarkers as a novel tool to advance the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric brain tumors. Citation Format: Julie Sesen, Gabrielle Luiselli, Alexander Moses-Gardner, Stephen Pineda, Micah Duggins-Warf, Maxwell Gruber, Maxwell Proctor, Edward R. Smith. Urinary biomarkers predict the presence of ependymoma non-invasively [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4633.
Platelet-Rich Plasma: Review of Current Literature on its Use for Tendon and Ligament Pathology

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains numerous growth factors and cytokines that potentially offer an alternative treatment modality to assist in the healing of multiple musculoskeletal issues. The purpose of this review was to examine the latest literature on the use of PRP for various ligament and tendon pathologies. Recent literature has shown moderate- to high-quality evidence that PRP can have positive clinical effects in certain conditions such as lateral epicondylitis and rotator cuff tendinopathy. Prospective studies have shown that it can also be useful in the treatment of patella tendinopathy. In summary, we found PRP to have variable success in ligament and tendon pathology; however, it should be considered a viable option in chronic musculoskeletal disease that has failed other treatments. Patient selection, duration of symptoms, and combining with other modalities such as physical therapy should all be taken into consideration in treatment with PRP.
Evaluation of Postmarketing Reports from Industry-Sponsored Programs in Drug Safety Surveillance

Adverse event reports from industry-sponsored programs, such as patient support programs, have contributed to a rise in the number of individual case safety reports in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database. This study aimed to characterize individual case safety reports from industry-sponsored program and non-industry-sponsored program sources and compare their usefulness in safety signal detection. Individual case safety reports of six drug and biological products were identified in the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database between the date of Food and Drug Administration product approval and the first quarter of 2017. A random subset of industry-sponsored program and non-industry-sponsored program individual case safety reports were then compared to identify differences in reporters, outcomes, data completeness, and usefulness. The ‘usefulness’ of individual case safety reports was assessed by manually reviewing the availability of key information in the narrative (e.g., temporality, comorbidities). Compared with non-industry-sponsored program reports, more industry-sponsored program reports were associated with a serious outcome (51.4% vs. 58.8%, p = 0.02) and were reported by consumers (35.5% vs. 50.4%, p < 0.01). Industry-sponsored program reports tended to contain more data elements than non-industry-sponsored program reports (i.e., age, sex, indication for use), but completeness was variable across products. No significant difference in usefulness was identified between non-industry-sponsored program and industry-sponsored program individual case safety reports (30.6% vs. 28.5%, p = 0.42). Useful reports that contained at least one serious, unlabeled adverse event represented only 4% and 6.2% of the non-industry-sponsored program and industry-sponsored program report cohorts, respectively. Our study suggests that reports obtained from industry-sponsored programs in the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database contain more data elements but are similar to non-industry-sponsored program reports with regard to ‘usefulness’ in signal detection.
Safety of college football student-athletes: Playing guarantee games against superior opponents

Powerhouse college football teams have historically scheduled lesser opponents to start a new season. Universities competing at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) make up the highest level, while ...
Collaborative Group Learning in Remotely Taught Analytical Chemistry Courses

The use of synchronous remote teaching methods in two undergraduate analytical chemistry courses during the COVID-19 pandemic is described. Classes were convened using cloud-based video conferencing software, and the majority of class time involved students working in small groups on worksheets. All group activities were followed by a whole-class session in which students reported out and discussed the answers. Discussions allowed us to resolve differences in answers among the different groups, discuss interesting questions that arose in some of the groups during their discussion, and summarize the expected answers for questions on the worksheets. The incorporation of a group component into the final exam in one of the courses is described. Students indicated that they preferred the use of synchronous instruction to the asynchronous instruction that occurred in other courses. They also preferred having the opportunity to work in small groups. The active learning materials used in the two courses are available to instructors and students for free through the Analytical Sciences Digital Library. While class sizes in this report were small, the potential for using collaborative groups in larger classes is described.
Loss of Aurora kinase signaling allows lung cancer cells to adopt an alternative cell cycle and form multinucleated polyploid giant cells that resist anti-mitotic drugs

Abstract Polyploid multinucleated (PP/MN) giant cancer cells are common in tumors and have been associated with resistance to cancer therapy, tumor relapse, malignancy, immunosuppression, metastasis, cancer stem cell production and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. However, the molecular mechanisms that cause these cells to form are yet known. In this study, we discover that Aurora kinases are synergistic determinants of a switch from the proliferative cell cycle to polyploid growth and multinucleation in lung cancer cell lines. When Aurora kinases are inhibited together, lung cancer cells uniformly grow into PP/MN giant cells. These cells have adopted an endocycle in which the genome replicates, mitosis is omitted and cells grow in size. Consequently, such cells continue to safely grow in the presence of antimitotic agents. These polyploid multinucleated cancer cells can re-enter the proliferative cell cycle and grow in cell number when the treatment is terminated.
Robotic Assistance in Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Results in Superior Early Functional Recovery and Is More Likely to Meet Patient Expectations

Robotic technology has reduced the errors of implant alignment in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), but its impact on functional recovery after UKA is poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to compare early functional recovery, pain levels, and satisfaction in UKA performed with either robotic assistance or conventional methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on 89 matched consecutive patients who underwent outpatient UKA by a single physician using either conventional instruments (n = 39) or robotic methods (n = 50), with otherwise identical perioperative protocols. Outcomes studied included Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS), new Knee Society Score (KSS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS-JR.), VR/SF-12, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, and perioperative opioid consumption. Patients in the robotic cohort had superior early functional outcomes, with greater LEFS (conventional = 23; robotic = 31) at 1 week post-op (p=0.015) and KOOS-JR (conventional = 74; robotic = 81) at up to 6 months post-op (p=0.037); these two values remained statistically significant after mixed-model regression analysis (p=0.010; p=0.023), respectively. At 1 year post-op, expectations were more likely to be met in those who received robotic assistance (p=0.06). No differences were reported with respect to postoperative opioid usage (p=0.320), reoperations (p=1.00), and complications (p=0.628). Robotic-assisted UKA resulted in more rapid recovery and less early postoperative pain and were more likely to meet expectations than conventional UKA, although functional differences equilibrated by 1 year postoperatively. Further follow-up is necessary to determine if implant durability is impacted by robotics.
A Comparative Study of the Structural and Electronic Properties of Orthorhombic and Cubic CsPbI 3 and Trigonal CsGeI 3 using First-Principles Calculations

Lead-free halide perovskites are of great importance as prospective materials for efficient solar cells. Germanium is a very promising non-toxic alternative to lead. In this study, the crystal configuration, projected density of states and band structure of the trigonal CsGeI 3 , the yellow and the quenched black orthorhombic CsPbI 3 , and the cubic CsPbI 3 were investigated using the density functional theory with Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof functional. Our calculations showed that for the CsGeI 3 , the valence band maximum is mainly contributed by the I 5p and Ge 4s orbitals whereas the conduction band minimum is mainly contributed by the Ge 4p orbitals. The replacement of Pb with Ge results in a narrower bandgap.
Use of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for recruiting healthy participants in nutrition, physical activity, or obesity related studies: A systematic review.

Background There are limited systematic reviews exploring the use of social media for recruiting participants specifically for nutrition, physical activity, and obesity related studies. Objective To conduct a systematic review on the effectiveness of using social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for recruiting healthy participants in nutrition, physical activity, or obesity related studies. Design Studies were identified from five databases and included if they reported the number of participants recruited by social media (Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter) vs traditional (printed, email, etc.). The effectiveness of recruitment was compared between methods by study procedures (in-person vs online procedures). The cost-effectiveness of methods was also explored. The protocol was published in the Prospero database (ID# CRD42020204414). Results Twenty-six studies were included. Among studies with both types of recruitment methods, 49% of the sample was reached through traditional methods, 40% through social media, and the rest by other methods. For in-person study procedures, the median number of participants recruited using social media was 19 (range 3-278) and for online study procedures, it was 298 (range 3-17,069). Median recruitment cost using social media (n = 14 studies) was ${\$}$11.9 (range ${\$}$0-517) per participant while this varied considerably for traditional methods depending on how it was calculated (${\$}$214, ${\$}$18.9-${\$}$777). The ratio of participants reached vs recruited was 0.12%; the overall ratio of participants interactions vs recruited was 21.2%. Conclusion For in-person study procedures, traditional recruitment methods were more effective than social media but for online study procedures, about half reported that social media was more effective. While more potential participants were reached through social media, only 21.2% of those who interacted with ads were enrolled. With the increased use of social media, their use for recruitment may be more frequent; therefore, future reviews may show different results.
A Review of Advances in Forensic Haemogenetics

This volume summarizes the proceedings of the 1 lth Congress on the Society for Forensic Haemogenetics held in Copenhagen in August 1985. Papers are presented in the form of “extended abstracts,” that is, short papers of 4 to 6 pages in length. Most of the papers are in english, the remaining few being in german. The papers have been organized into 6 sections: blood cell allotypes (8 papers), proteins and enzymes (32 papers), DNA and chromosomes (3 papers), population genetics (21 papers), stains (24 papers), and paternity, biostatistics, and quality assurance (20 papers). This organization, which differs somewhat from the order of presentation at the meeting (in fact, at least one paper not presented at the meeting appears in the volume), makes good sense from the standpoint of reading continuity. The papers vary considerably in content and style; some are mini-reviews, some describe new techniques, some focus on experimental detail, some are discursive. Unfortunately, the question and answer periods following each presentation and the discussion session are not recorded here; as a result, the “life” of the meeting is not fully conveyed. Thus, one does not sense the excitement that attended the introduction of DNA analysis in paternity and stain testing nor the vigor of the continuing debate on what paternity statistics really mean and how they should be presented. Overall, however, this volume reflects the various facets of forensic biology and is a useful resource in this regard.
Leaders for productive schools

This article reviews the literature on effective schools and school improvement to develop a portrait of leadership for schools in which all youngsters reach ambitious academic-performance targets, that is, a framework to describe leadership for productive schools is presented. The framework is divided into eight major dimensions: vision for learning, instructional program, curricular program, assessment program, communities of learning, resource allocation and use, organizational culture, and social advocacy. Each dimension, in turn, is comprised of three or four core functions. Functions, in turn, are defined by the specific behaviors that leaders employ to shepherd the school toward important organizational outcomes.
A novel single amplifier architecture for second order noise shaping

A novel second order noise shaping system with a single integrator amplifier is presented. It is based on an error feedback mechanism that consists of two analog and one digital quantizers. A digital signal processing system introduces second order noise shaping on all of the quantization noises. The Matlab/Simulink simulations include various nonideal effects show that the proposed architecture is an excellent candidate for GSM RF receivers.
Traffic Management Systems

This study uses regression analysis to evaluate long-run traffic management system performance. Three important traffic management systems in the Twin Cities metro area - Ramp Metering, Variable Message Signs (VMS), and Freeway Service Patrol (the Highway Helper Program) were evaluated with multiple regression models to predict link speed and incident rate. We find that ramp meters increase freeway link speed and reduce incident rate. Freeway Service Patrols increase link speed when incidents are present. The results for variable message signs are ambiguous.
Bistable configurations of the pinned charge density wave: Random-field-model dynamics observed in rearrangement prior to depinning

The pinned charge density wave (CDW) has two stable states A and B. Conversion between them occurs when the applied field changes sign. During conversion the resistance changes logarithmically with time. The total time for conversion varies with temperature (T) and field (E) as exp (const./ET), in striking agreement with theories worked out for Random-Field-Ising-Models. This enormous time variation (106 to 10−6 s) dominates all transient and ac responses of the pinned CDW. Experimental results supporting this picture are derived from measurements of the do resistance, pulsed transience experiments and rf ac impedance measurements.
Antigen modulation of the immune response. III. Evaluation of the hypothetical short-lived memory cell.

Abstract The putative short-lived memory cells, whose existence has been suggested by the results of secondary adoptive transfer experiments, was investigated. On the basis of the following evidences we have concluded that the short-lived memory cell is probably an artifact of the adoptive transfer technique: (a) when immune thoracic duct lymphocytes, known to consist predominantly of long-lived memory cells, were transferred to irradiated recipients and challenged at various times after transfer, approximately 80–90% of the initial response was absent by Day 14 challenge; (b) Preirradiating adoptive recipients with increasing dose of X-irradiation tended to lengthen the observed half life of memory cells; (c) single or multiple treatments of immune donors with 0.3 mg Vinblastin before transfer resulted in neither a depression of the initial secondary response nor an alteration in the rate of decline of the memory potential; (d) reconstitution of irradiated hosts with normal spleen cells one day before transfer of memory cells and challenge resulted in inhibition of the adoptive secondary response; and (e) the transfer of memory cells to antigen free intermediate hosts, in which they were allowed to reside for one day or fourteen days before transfer to irradiated recipients, resulted in only a slight decline in their capacity to respond. We propose that the rapid decline of memory potential in adoptive recipients challenged at various times after transfer is due to modulating effects by the hosts as it recovers from irradiation. These effects may be the result of cell crowding or the loss of irradiation-produced stimulatory factors. The relevance of these findings to adoptive transfer systems in general and the secondary response of intact animals is discussed.
Data mining and personalization technologies

Data mining has become increasingly popular and is widely used in various application areas. In this paper, we examine new developments in data mining and its application to personalization in E-commerce. Personalization is what merchants and publishers want to do to tailor the Web site or advertisement and product promotion to a customer based on his past behavior and inference from other like-minded people. E-commerce offers the opportunity to deploy this type of one-to-one marketing instead of the traditional mass marketing. The technology challenges to support personalization are discussed. These include the need to perform clustering and searching in very high dimensional data space with huge amount of data. We examine some of the new data mining technologies developed that can support personalization.
On transport layer support for peer-to-peer networks

TCP is the transport protocol used predominantly in the Internet as well as in peer-to-peer networks. However, peer-to-peer networks exhibit very different characteristics from those of conventional client-server networks. In this paper, we argue that the unique characteristics of peer-to-peer networks render TCP inappropriate for effective data transport in such networks. Specifically, we motivate transport layer support for multipoint-to-point connections to address the problem of sources in peer-to-peer networks lacking server-like properties in terms of capacity and availability. We outline several key elements in designing a new transport protocol for supporting effective multipoint-to-point connections. Finally, we present a case study for a multipoint-to-point transport protocol that puts together these design elements in practice. We thus motivate further research along this direction.
Correlation between static and dynamic SOA (energy capability) of RESURF LDMOS devices in smart power technologies

In this paper, we demonstrate the correlation between small area device static SOA and large area device pulsed SOA for single and double RESURF LDMOS configurations. We also elucidate the thermal and electrical limitations to the dynamic SOA of large area devices through measurements and transient electrothermal simulations and demonstrate a significant improvement in the large area dynamic SOA for a previously reported double RESURF technique which realizes an excellent R/sub dson/-BV/sub dss/ trade-off. An analytical model is described which is capable of predicting energy capability of these devices for different device size and geometry.
Void-Space Analysis by Use of Thermal-Neutron Analysis Irradiated Air (41Ar)

The void space in a variety of objects can be obtained by a neutron activation method utilizing the normal argon content in the air filling the pores and voids of such samples. The activation react...
Simple oxovanadates as multiparameter probes of reverse micelles.

Using a wide range of different methods, researchers have found that the environment inside reverse micelles differs from bulk aqueous solution in many ways. Here, we present a new tool, a series o...
AN ATTEMPT TO REPLICATE A STUDY OF DISARRANGED EYE-HAND COORDINATION.

Three groups of 15 Ss each were tested for disarranged eye-hand coordination in the distance dimension. All groups were tested using a bipartite box which permitted lighting only the upper or lower chambers. S was required to place a dot at the location of a virtual image of a target without seeing his hand. After making 30 such dots he was exposed to one of three conditions, after which he repeated the pre-exposure test. The three conditions were: (a) constrained self-produced hand movement with 7.6 cm. displacement, (b) free hand movement with 7.6 cm. displacement, (c) free hand movement without displacement (control). The results indicated a predominant proportion of individuals with negative adaptation in all groups. The two groups with reafference (stimulation through self-induced movement) and displacement did not differ significantly from the control group in the magnitude or the direction of adaptation. Our results could not be predicted from reafference theory and do not conform to the results of...
Independent S-Locus Mutations Caused Self-Fertility in Arabidopsis thaliana

A common yet poorly understood evolutionary transition among flowering plants is a switch from outbreeding to an inbreeding mode of mating. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana evolved to an inbreeding state through the loss of self-incompatibility, a pollen-rejection system in which pollen recognition by the stigma is determined by tightly linked and co-evolving alleles of the S-locus receptor kinase (SRK) and its S-locus cysteine-rich ligand (SCR). Transformation of A. thaliana, with a functional AlSRKb-SCRb gene pair from its outcrossing relative A. lyrata, demonstrated that A. thaliana accessions harbor different sets of cryptic self-fertility–promoting mutations, not only in S-locus genes, but also in other loci required for self-incompatibility. However, it is still not known how many times and in what manner the switch to self-fertility occurred in the A. thaliana lineage. Here, we report on our identification of four accessions that are reverted to full self-incompatibility by transformation with AlSRKb-SCRb, bringing to five the number of accessions in which self-fertility is due to, and was likely caused by, S-locus inactivation. Analysis of S-haplotype organization reveals that inter-haplotypic recombination events, rearrangements, and deletions have restructured the S locus and its genes in these accessions. We also perform a Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analysis to identify modifier loci associated with self-fertility in the Col-0 reference accession, which cannot be reverted to full self-incompatibility. Our results indicate that the transition to inbreeding occurred by at least two, and possibly more, independent S-locus mutations, and identify a novel unstable modifier locus that contributes to self-fertility in Col-0.
Early childhood poverty, cumulative risk exposure, and body mass index trajectories through young adulthood.

Objectives. We assessed whether cumulative risk exposure underlies the relation between early childhood poverty and body mass index (BMI) trajectories.Methods. We interviewed youths and their mothers in rural upstate New York (168 boys and 158 girls) from 1995 to 2006 when the youths were aged 9, 13, and 17 years. At each interview, we calculated their BMI-for-age percentile.Results. Early childhood poverty predicted BMI growth trajectories from ages 9 to 17 years (b = 3.64; SE = 1.39; P < .01). Early childhood poverty also predicted changes in cumulative risk (b = 0.31; SE = 0.08; P < .001). Cumulative risk, in turn, predicted BMI trajectories (b = 2.41; SE = 0.75; P < .01). Finally, after we controlled for cumulative risk, the effect of early childhood poverty on BMI trajectories was no longer significant, indicating that cumulative risk exposure mediated the relation between early childhood poverty and BMI trajectories (b = 2.01; SE = 0.94).Conclusions. We show for the first time that early childhood p...
A natural language processing based group decision support system

Abstract Group Decision Support Systems (GDSSs) are currently used primarily as surface-level discussion tools. That is, current GDSSs do not allow group members to easily access information in deeper levels, such as the data base, model base, and application programs. This paper describes ways in which GDSSs can be improved by using a natural language interface to allow group members to communicate with deeper-level information systems using human languages. The system consists of database, model base, application programs and natural language interface system. The system is designed to both route questions to appropriate subsystems and translate these questions into the computer language controlling these subsystems. Finally, experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the technique.
A death in the family: Providing consultation to the police on the psychological aspects of suicide and accidental death

Abstract A program for educating police officers on the symptomatology and management of acute grief through case consultation is described. Four phases of the intervention are outlined: (a) systems entry, (b) direct service, (c) client-centered consultation, and (d) consultee-centered consultation. The difficulties of each phase are identified with specific reference to police, and the advantages of consulting in the area of death education are discussed. Cases of family reactions to suicide and accidental death are presented to illustrate consultation methods.
Covering contractible edges in 3-connected graphs: II. characterizing those with covers of size three

It is shown that if G is a 3-connected graph with |V(G)| ≥ 10, then, with the exception of one infinite class based on K3,p, it takes at least four vertices to cover the set of contractible edges of G. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Distribution of Crystals in Titania Enamels Fired Directly on Steel

A new technique for studying the crystalline material in fired enamel is described. Using this technique, it was found that the main difference in the crystalline nature of enamel coatings is the presence of FeO crystals at the interface of good bond specimens and the absence of FeO at the interface of poor bond specimens. The effect of certain processing treatments on FeO formation is discussed briefly.
Growth and Morphology of Polythiophene on Thiophene-Capped Monolayers: 1. Single Component Monolayers

Thin polythiophene films were grown at a variety of oxidizing potentials by electrochemical polymerization on indium tin-oxide surfaces that were modified with a thiophene-capped, self-assembled monolayer (SAM) composed of 11-(3-thienyl)-undecyltrichlorosilane (3TUTS). The evolution of those growing films was tracked via cyclic voltammetry and infrared spectroscopy, and the surface morphology was probed with atomic force microscopy. To allow comparison, similar data were obtained for polythiophene films grown on bare indium tin-oxide (ITO) (no SAM). Our results show that 3TUTS layers can nucleate growth of polythiophene films at potentials below the oxidation potential of monomeric thiophene in solution, and the cyclic voltammetry signature is characteristic of a surface-confined, redox-reversible species; however, at these low potentials no polythiophene growth on the bare ITO electrodes is seen. At higher potentials where polythiophene growth is observed on both types of surfaces, an additional amount o...
Gamma decay of the 238U shape isomer

Abstract A search for a competing γ-decay branch of the spontaneously fissioning 238mU isomer is reported. The 200 nsec 238U shape isomer was produced by the (d, pn) reaction with a pulsed beam of 18 MeV deuterons incident on natural uranium targets. A γ-ray line at 2.514 MeV has been observed which is attributed to the decay of the shape isomer to the 0.045 MeV 2+ rotational state of 238U. It has a half-life in agreement with that observed for the fission branch and is produced with a yield consistent with predictions of a more penetrable inner barrier. A second weaker line has been observed at 1.879 MeV corresponding in energy to the transition from the shape isomer to the first excited 1− state at 0.680 MeV in 238U. The decay of this line is also consistent with the measured half-life of 238mU.
Problem Solving in the Clinical Interview: A Cognitive Analysis of the Performance of Physicians, Residents, and Students.

This study evaluates differences between subjects at three levels of expertise in acquiring and using information obtained from a patient during the clinical interview. Endocrinologists, residents, and medical students interviewed a volunteer endocrine outpatient and provided differential diagnoses. The transcribed doctor‐patient dialogues were analyzed using cognitive methods of analysis. The methods are based on a cognitive framework for studying doctor‐patient interaction. The primary focus was on two units of knowledge acquisition: observations and findings. Observations are information units acquired from the patient's reports. Findings are more abstract units composed of clinically significant observations. Several variables based on these knowledge units were identified. Differences were found between groups in the accuracy of diagnoses and in the differential acquisition of information from the patient during the interview. These differences were manifested most clearly in terms of a series of eff...
On the spatial resolution of EDX composition determination

Abstract For some years, the concept of “resolution” has been a source of some confusion and much discussion in the imaging of structures using “high resolution” electron microscopy. More recently, somewhat analogous confusion has arisen over the meaning of the spatial resolution of elemental concentration determinations in modern “analytical” electron microscopes by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The confusion has arisen, just as in the imaging case, as a consequence of using the machines at the limits of their capabilities, where “common sense” definitions lose much of their utility. In the case of imaging, the concept has received considerable attention, and some quite general statements are now widely accepted as defining the “point to point”, “line” and “information limit” resolutions and their interrelationships. For the case of compositional analysis, however, little discussion has taken place toward a common view of the important concepts and their interrelation. We here attempt a discussion of the concept of spatial resolution of elemental concentration variations, hoping to at least clarify some of the important factors - in particular, considering the specimen-dependent contribution through beam spreading in the sample and the form of the actual concentration variation, versus the primarily machine-dependent factors of initial probe size and sensitivity limits.
Labor Unions and Life Satisfaction: Evidence from New Data

While a growing literature demonstrates the impact of socio-political factors on citizens’ quality of life, scholars have paid comparatively little attention to the role political organizations such as labor unions play in this regard. We examine labor organization as a determinant of cross-national variation in life satisfaction across a sample of advanced industrial polities. Our findings strongly suggest that unions increase the life satisfaction of citizens, and that that this effect holds for non-union members as well. Moreover, we also find that labor organization has the strongest impact on the subjective well-being of citizens with lower incomes. We confirm these hypotheses using both individual and aggregate-level data from fourteen nations. We show these relationships to have an independent and separable impact from other economic, political, and cultural determinants. The implications for the study of life satisfaction and of labor unions as political actors in general are discussed.
Improved Information Connectivity and Visibility throughout the Global Supply Base

Although the literature frequently examines achieving an integrated supply chain and participating in information sharing with supply chain partners, there is little guidance given to firms on how to progress to a state where these goals can become reality. This paper examines the struggles of one firm in moving toward information sharing with its suppliers and its hopes of achieving an integrated supply chain. This paper reveals lessons learned from the difficulties the firm encountered during the integration process. Despite putting an information system in place, the company discovered that people issues matter as much, if not more, than technology issues.
Nonstoichiometry in quaternary transition metal oxides with the rutile structure: A case study of NiV2Nb2O10

Abstract NiV 2 Nb 2 O 10 forms with the rutile structure. The Ni-V-Nb-O phase shows a large homogeneity range with respect to NiO, V 2 O 4 , V 2 O 5 , NbO 2 or Nb 2 O 5 with retention of the rutile structure. The lattice parameter variations observed as a function of each of the constituent oxide concentrations respectively, within the rutile homogeneity range are discussed in terms of ionic size effects and cation-cation interactions along the tetragonal c axis.