cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding Enterprise System Support Work: Interactions among Problem, Task and Knowledge

Abstract Organizations increasingly rely on their information technology (IT) support departments for providing system use information and knowledge to end-users and for troubleshooting their system use problems. The IS support work is both knowledge-intensive and time critical. Knowledge and skills of IS professionals in support operations play a significant role in enhancing end-users’ system use. In this study, we examine the problem-solving episodes performed by support personnel over a 12-month period during the post-adoption of an enterprise system in a large organization. We develop a comprehensive view of IS support work, and argue that IS support service is accomplished by matching problem types with support task and knowledge requirements. Our preliminary data analysis confirmed most of the hypotheses. Our study helps us further understand system use problem, task and knowledge as well as their associations in IS support operation. Such understanding would provide useful guidance to organization...
The Biological Measurements of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction: A Systematic Review.

Background Chronic Stress disrupts homeostasis, resulting in adverse physiologic and psychologic sequela. Research on the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have primarily used self-report measures or biological measurements of a single body system. There has been no attempt to synthesize the literature of the biological measurements of MBSR. Objective The objectives of this systematic review were to: (1) identify the biological markers of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and (2) determine if the identified markers support the theories of allostasis and top-down, bottom-up processes. Data sources Seven databases, Pubmed/Medline, Embase, Psychinfo, Cochrane database, CINAHL, Medline/Web of Science and OVID from 1985 to May 2018 were searched for relevant studies. Study selection Mindfulness-based stress reduction studies were selected that used biomarkers or neuroimaging in adult clinical and non-clinical populations. Excluded studies were conference papers, abstracts, studies with no biological measurements, other mindfulness interventions, editorial articles, and feasibility studies Data extraction Sixty-seven studies from 11 articles were reviewed. Fifteen biological measurements were identified including autonomic, immune, inflammatory and neurobiological markers Data synthesis and conclusions The identified biological markers demonstrate preliminary support for the theories of allostasis and top-down, bottom-up processes. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
Erratum zu: Alternative Therapieoptionen zur TUR‑P beim benignen Prostatasyndrom

Erratum zu: Urol. Prax. 2019 https://doi.org/10.1007/s41973-019-0043-1 Die Originalversion dieses Beitrags enthalt bedauerlicherweise einige Fehler: S. 1, linke Spalte, Zeile 1 ff: Anstelle von „Kaum eine urologische Erkrankung verfugt uber so unterschiedliche Behandlungsoptionen wie die benigne …
Male evolution under relaxed selection: Evidence for degeneration in sperm produced by male snails from asexual lineages

Abstract How drastic changes in selective regimes affect trait evolution is an important open biological question. We take advantage of naturally occurring and repeated transitions from sexual to asexual reproduction in Potamopyrgus antipodarum, a New Zealand freshwater snail to address how relaxed selection on male-specific traits influences sperm morphology. The occasional production of male offspring by the otherwise all-female asexual lineages allows a unique and powerful opportunity to assess the fate of sperm traits in a context where males are unnecessary. These comparisons revealed that the sperm produced by “asexual” males are markedly distinct from sexual counterparts. In particular, the asexual male sperm harbored markedly higher phenotypic variation and was much more likely to be grossly abnormal. Together, these data suggest that transitions to asexual reproduction might be irreversible at least in part because male function is likely to be compromised. More broadly, our results are consistent with a scenario where relaxed selection translates into rapid trait degeneration.
Supercomputing and Massive Parallelism

The geosciences community is dealing with problems which will tax the capability of even the most powerful supercomputers that are available in state-of-the-art equipment. Achieving further performance increase will necessitate use of parallel processing. In this paper we use the Ware model of parallel processing to show that shared-memory supercomputers with 16 processors can provide about an order of magnitude performance provided the models are highly concurrent and engender low overheads from task management. We also briefly describe the Connection Machine which is a massively parallel array and outline our plans to explore its potential to provide even higher levels of performance relative to state-of-the-art equipment.
Interacting Traffic Model. An Application of Physical Social Models

The interest in the microscopic modeling of the dynamics of the social interactions of human beings from the interacting statistical approach has seen increased application due to its success. Recent approaches have included multi-agent models, generalized spin models, genetic algorithms, etc.. In this paper we derive a general many-particle physics interacting picture theory of an interacting human system. The theory is robust and can be adapted to any human social psychological interacting system. The derivation is based on information theory equivalently the maximum entropy philosophy of theory creation.
Vital Sign Ranges in Premature Neonates Using High Resolution Physiologic Data

Background: Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure are routinely measured in premature neonates. Although there are published vital sign norms for healthy term neonates, the current reference ranges used for critically ill premature neonates are not evidenced-based. The objective of this study is to determine new heart rate and blood pressure norms using high resolution physiologic data from a large cohort of premature neonates. Methods: We identified all …
Building a Community of Advocates: Seeking Unity in Diversity

In this chapter, the author steps away from Immortelle Children’s Centre to provide a picture of the broader landscape of disability issues in Trinidad/Tobago. Disability advocates and a range of service providers describe the challenges of advocacy in the face of limited resources, and call for disability groups to collaborate in building a coherent movement within the context of global expectations and local realities. They identify lack of planning, the “paradox of plenty”, political and personal agendas, and bureaucracy as the main obstacles to advancement of a positive disabilities agenda. They emphasize that, in the absence of reliable systems, social capital or “contacts” are essential for accomplishing disability-related goals.
IgG4-related disease in the abdomen and pelvis: atypical findings, pitfalls, and mimics

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic, autoimmune, fibroinflammatory disease that can cause multi-organ damage. Although there have been many trials and studies since its recognition in 2003, there is still much that is unknown. Furthermore, IgG4-RD can affect any organ in the body and often has many mimics and alternative diagnoses, which can make for a challenging workup. Imaging plays a substantial role in the diagnosis of IgG4-RD and is often the first occasion where IgG4-RD comes into consideration. Thus, knowledge about the imaging findings of various manifestations of IgG4-RD can aid in the diagnosis and have a significant impact on patient management. In this article, we review the wide array of imaging findings, both typical and atypical, as well as possible mimics of IgG4-RD in the abdomen and pelvis.
Utility of Using Cancer Registry Data to Identify Patients for Tobacco Treatment Trials.

Background Many tobacco dependent cancer survivors continue to smoke after diagnosis and treatment. This study investigated the extent to which hospital-based cancer registries could be used to identify smokers in order to offer them assistance in quitting. The concordance of tobacco use coded in the registry was compared with tobacco use as coded in the accompanying Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Methods We gathered data from three hospital-based cancer registries in New York City during June 2014 to December 2016. For each patient identified as a current combustible tobacco user in the cancer registries, we abstracted tobacco use data from their EHR to independently code and corroborate smoking status. We calculated the proportion of current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers as indicated in the EHR for the hospitals, cancer site, cancer stage, and sex. We used a logistic regression model to estimate the log odds of the registry-based smoking status correctly predicting the EHR-based smoking status. Results Agreement in current smoking status between the registry-based smoking status and the EHR-based smoking status was 65%, 71%, and 90% at the three participating hospitals. Logistic regression results indicated that agreement in smoking status between the registry and the EHRs varied by hospital, cancer type, and stage, but not by age and sex. Conclusions The utility of using tobacco use data in cancer registries for population-based tobacco treatment interventions is dependent on multiple factors including accurate entry into EHR systems, updated data, and consistent smoking status definitions and registry coding protocols. Our study found that accuracy varied across the three hospitals and may not be able to inform interventions at these hospitals at this time. Several changes may be needed to improve the coding of tobacco use status in EHRs and registries.
Characterization of Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing

Background: Recent advances in high-throughput single-cell sequencing technologies have led to their increasingly widespread adoption for clinical applications. However, challenges associated with tissue viability, cell yield, and delayed time-to-capture have created unique obstacles for data processing. Chronic wounds, in particular, represent some of the most difficult target specimens, due to the significant amount of fibrinous debris, extracellular matrix components, and non-viable cells inherent in tissue routinely obtained from debridement. Methods: Here, we examined the feasibility of single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis to evaluate human chronic wound samples acquired in the clinic, subjected to prolonged cold ischemia time, and processed without FACS sorting. Wound tissue from human diabetic and non-diabetic plantar foot ulcers were evaluated using an optimized 10X Genomics scRNA-seq platform and analyzed using a modified data pipeline designed for low-yield specimens. Cell subtypes were identified informatically and their distributions and transcriptional programs were compared between diabetic and non-diabetic tissue. Results: 139,000 diabetic and non-diabetic wound cells were delivered for 10X capture after either 90 or 180 min of cold ischemia time. cDNA library concentrations were 858.7 and 364.7 pg/µL, respectively, prior to sequencing. Among all barcoded fragments, we found that 83.5% successfully aligned to the human transcriptome and 68% met the minimum cell viability threshold. The average mitochondrial mRNA fraction was 8.5% for diabetic cells and 6.6% for non-diabetic cells, correlating with differences in cold ischemia time. A total of 384 individual cells were of sufficient quality for subsequent analyses; from this cell pool, we identified transcriptionally-distinct cell clusters whose gene expression profiles corresponded to fibroblasts, keratinocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and endothelial cells. Fibroblast subpopulations with differing fibrotic potentials were identified, and their distributions were found to be altered in diabetic vs. non-diabetic cells. Conclusions: scRNA-seq of clinical wound samples can be achieved using minor modifications to standard processing protocols and data analysis methods. This simple approach can capture widespread transcriptional differences between diabetic and non-diabetic tissue obtained from matched wound locations.
Declining Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Diagnoses Among Pregnant Women in South Carolina, 2008 to 2018.

BACKGROUND Reported US cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea have increased since 2000, whereas studies in select populations suggest that the prevalence of these diseases has decreased. We sought to determine if these diagnoses are increasing among pregnant women delivering at our center. METHODS This is a retrospective study of women delivering at least 1 infant >18 weeks of gestation at the Medical University of South Carolina for 11 years (2008-2018). Using the perinatal information system, we collected maternal race, age, insurer, and chlamydia and gonorrhea screening results during the pregnancy of record. Cochran-Armitage trend analyses were performed to evaluate trends in these diagnoses by delivery year for all women and for age/race subgroups. RESULTS During the study period, there were 24,807 deliveries. The median age of women was 28 years (interquartile range, 23-32 years). Five percent (5.0%) of women were diagnosed with chlamydia and 1.2% with gonorrhea. The percent of women diagnosed decreased for both chlamydia (9.6%-3.4%) and gonorrhea (2.5%-1.1%; P < 0.001, trend analyses for both). A higher percentage of Black women had chlamydia and gonorrhea, and both diagnoses declined over time: 17.4% to 6.9% (P < 0.0001) for chlamydia and 5.8% to 2.1% (P < 0.0001) for gonorrhea. In a subanalysis of race and age, Black women younger than 25 years experienced the most significant decline in chlamydia diagnoses (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS We observed declining diagnoses of chlamydia and gonorrhea among pregnant women in our center. Although Black women delivering were more likely to have either diagnoses, they experienced a significant decline in both chlamydia and gonorrhea over time.
Changing epidemiology and decreased mortality associated with Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria from 2000 - 2017.

Background Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB) continue to present a global healthcare crisis. We aimed to identify emerging trends of CRGNB over nearly two decades and describe the impact of CRGNB on patient outcomes. Materials/methods Patients from whom CRGNB were isolated between 2000 and 2017 were included in the study. Carbapenem resistance was defined by the most recent breakpoints and applied across the study period. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were retrieved from the electronic health record. Results 94,888 isolates from 64,422 patients were identified; 9,882 (10%) isolates from 4,038 patients were carbapenem-resistant. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common CRGNB each year. The second most common CRGNB emerged in waves over time. Carbapenem daily defined doses increased in parallel with CRGNB rates (R 2=0.8131). Overall 30-day mortality rate was 19%, which decreased from 24% in 2000 to 17% in 2017 (P=0.003; R 2=0.4330). Among patients with CRGNB bloodstream infections (n=319) overall 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 27% and 38%, respectively. Charlson score (aOR 1.11 per point), ICU residence (aOR 7.32), and severe liver disease (aOR 4.8.4) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality, while receipt of transplantation was associated with lower rates of death (aOR 0.39). Among patients admitted between 2011-2017 (n=2230), 17% died during hospitalization, 32% were transferred to long-term care facilities, and 38% were discharged home. Conclusions CRGNB emerged in waves over time causing high rates of mortality. Despite increasing rates of CRGNB, overall patient outcomes have improved suggesting that recognition and novel therapeutics have made a major impact.
High efficiency positron accumulation for high-precision magnetic moment experiments

Positrons are accumulated within a Penning trap designed to make more precise measurements of the positron and electron magnetic moments. The retractable radioactive source used is weak enough to require no license for handling radioactive material, and the radiation dosage 1 m from the source gives an exposure several times smaller than the average radiation dose on the earth’s surface. The 100 mK trap is mechanically aligned with the 4.2 K superconducting solenoid that produces a 6 T magnetic trapping field with a direct mechanical coupling.
Measuring the Onset of the Great Depression: Then and Now

U.S. industrial production data published in 1929-30 show a steep drop in production from June to December 1929 and a substantial recovery by February 1930. Revised data used in recent analyses of the Great Depression show a smaller decline in 1929 and no recovery period. This paper identifies differences in seasonal patterns as an important source of the disparity in the time paths of production. A comparison of modern seasonal adjustment procedures applied to data available in 1929-30 with methods applied in 1929-30 shows that the historical methods provided misleading real time information to economic agents and decision makers.
A Traveler’s Guide to the Multiverse: Promises, Pitfalls, and a Framework for the Evaluation of Analytic Decisions:

Decisions made by researchers while analyzing data (e.g., how to measure variables, how to handle outliers) are sometimes arbitrary, without an objective justification for choosing one alternative ...
Online Optimization and Learning in Uncertain Dynamical Environments with Performance Guarantees.

We propose a new framework to solve online optimization and learning problems in unknown and uncertain dynamical environments. This framework enables us to simultaneously learn the uncertain dynamical environment while making online decisions in a quantifiably robust manner. The main technical approach relies on the theory of distributional robust optimization that leverages adaptive probabilistic ambiguity sets. However, as defined, the ambiguity set usually leads to online intractable problems, and the first part of our work is directed to find reformulations in the form of online convex problems for two sub-classes of objective functions. To solve the resulting problems in the proposed framework, we further introduce an online version of the Nesterov accelerated-gradient algorithm. We determine how the proposed solution system achieves a probabilistic regret bound under certain conditions. Two applications illustrate the applicability of the proposed framework.
The Effect of Health Literacy on a Brief Intervention to Improve Advance Directive Completion: A Randomized Controlled Study:

ObjectiveCompletion of an advance directive (AD) document is one component of advanced care planning. We evaluated a brief intervention to enhance AD completion and assess whether the intervention ...
Lack of association of the esophageal microbiome in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis compared with non-EoE controls.

Background and aims Changes in the esophageal microbiome have been reported in children with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), but few data exist for adults. We aimed to determine whether the esophageal microbiome differs in adults with and without EoE. Methods In a prospective cohort study, adults undergoing outpatient endoscopy were enrolled as incident EoE cases or non-EoE controls. Clinical, endoscopic, and histologic data were collected. An esophageal biopsy was utilized for microbiome analysis. Bacterial DNA was extracted and the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. Analyses were performed comparing microbiome features for cases and controls, and within cases for disease features, with correction for multiple hypothesis testing. Results A total of 24 incident EoE cases (mean age 40 years; 63% male; 100% white; 97 eos/hpf) and 25 controls (mean age 48, 36% male; 76% white; 1 eos/hpf) were analyzed. Principal coordinate analysis ordination failed to distinguish cases from controls. There were no microbiome differences within EoE cases based on clinical phenotype, presence of atopy, or endoscopic features. Use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), however, was significantly associated with 5 taxa including SR1 at the phylum level and Burkholderia at the genus level. Conclusions There were no significant differences in the esophageal microbiome between newly diagnosed EoE cases and non-EoE controls in adults, or within EoE cases based on clinical features. However, given the strong rationale for the esophageal microbiome in EoE pathogenesis, future studies should explicitly consider the presence of PPIs as a confounding feature.
Determinants of New-Firm Formations in Manufacturing Industries: Industry Dynamics, Entry Barriers, and Organizational Inertia:

This article utilizes the Ideas of Austrian economists, Industrial organization economists, and organization theorists to build a model of new-firm creation In manufacturing industries. Market dyna...
Body Mass Index Associated with Quality of Life of Students of the Faculty of Economics and Administraation of the Pontifical Catholic of São Paulo

This work aims to identify how body mass index, eating habits and level of physical activity impact on academic productivity and quality of life of students from the Faculty of Economics, Administration, Accounting and Actuary of Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study consisting of 75 students from the course of administration, the results were collected through a questionnaire which constituted questions regarding food, level of physical activity, life habits and weight and height for the calculation of body mass index and with this, profiles were traced with the use of descriptive statistics. The theoretical discussion was based on books and scientific articles that relate the level of physical activity, stimulated by the university, habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption and food and outline how these issues affect productivity and quality life. The research problem was: How does BMI affect the quality of life of college students? The hypothesis is that the lack of physical activity and inadequate eating habits impair the quality of life of students. Final considerations: Quality of life is a subject discussed today, since we constantly seek to obtain good physical and mental health. Although BMI is the most widely used anthropometric indicator, it should not be used alone, but tracing with other indexes. The University plays an important role in the quality of life of students. Further studies should be carried out, such as the possibility of inserting full-time universities; and the need for young people to enter the labor market early, while still attending university and for this reason do not depose from a timely time to the practice of physical activities.
A gender gap in managerial span of control: Implications for the gender pay gap

Abstract In the current work, we examine a possible source of gender disparities in pay even when women manage to reach similar levels of the organizational ladder as men. We refer to the concept of “span of control,” or the number of subordinates a leader oversees, and propose that in addition to differences in how high men and women climb up the organizational hierarchy, differences in managers’ span of control can also contribute to the gender pay gap. We suggest that people hold gender stereotypes about managers’ relational model tendencies, or how men and women interact with people they manage, and these stereotypes correspond with people’s lay beliefs about relational models utilized in small and large spans of control: smaller groups are thought to operate based more on communal sharing principles while larger groups are thought to operate based more on authority ranking principles. Because span of control affects compensation, a gender difference in span of control can contribute to gender differences in pay. We found support for these hypotheses in an archival dataset of MBA alumni (N = 1838) and three additional experiments (N = 799).
A biokinetic model for systemic sodium.

This paper describes an updated biokinetic model for systemic sodium (Na), developed for use in a series of reports by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) on occupational intake of radionuclides. In contrast to the ICRP's previous model for intake of radio-sodium by workers, the updated model depicts realistic directions of movement of Na in the body including recycling of activity between blood and tissues. The updated model structure facilitates extension of the baseline transfer coefficients for adults to different age groups and to special exposure scenarios such as transfer of radio-sodium from the mother to the fetus or the nursing infant. Dose coefficients for 22Na and 24Na based on the updated model generally do not differ greatly from those based on the ICRP's previous Na model when both models are connected to the ICRP's latest dosimetry system. The main exception is that the updated model yields roughly twofold higher dose coefficients for endosteal bone surface than does the previous model due to the dosimetrically cautious assumption in the updated model that exchangeable Na in bone resides on bone surface.
Student wellness and academic libraries: case studies and activities for promoting health and success

Interest in supporting student wellness via the academic library has increased as the demand for student health and wellness services was at an all-time high even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. St...
Planetary Surface Processes

Preface 1. The grand tour 2. The shapes of planets and moons 3. Strength versus gravity 4. Tectonics 5. Volcanism 6. Impact cratering 7. Regoliths, weathering and surface texture 8. Slopes and mass movement 9. Wind 10. Water 11. Ice References Index.
An Assessment of Exposure Models for Bioengineered Microorganisms

Environmental risk assessment performed for chemicals involves exposure assessment, effects assessment, and risk integration. The nature of living microorganisms (growth, replication. and survival). as compared to chemicals. requires that their biological attributes be integrated into risk assessment: Biological attributes have generally been dealt with in effects assessment and not exposure assessment models. Thus. exposure assessment models that characterize source, transport, transformation, and fate (effective environmental concentration, area. and duration of exposure) of genetically engineered microorganisms must incorporate biological factors along with physicochemical factors. A study to assess the state of the art of exposure models for organisms and microorganisms in air. soil. and water was undertaken. Mathematical models developed during the past 15 years were organized into three categories: organism population dynamics. source features and transport. and management and control. One hundred forty-eight models were examined. and 56 were judged to have potential as exposure models. These 56 were screened to 31 models that were then evaluated against eight components that the ideal biotechnology model should have: (a) five state/process components (organism population. source application. exposure site. movement. and imposed management) and (b) three software components (user friendliness. availability/implementability. and flexibility). Each model was rated by individual components. combinations of two components. and total.state/process components. An ideal exposure assessment model with high scores in all components was not found. Combining two or more models so that the strong components of one compensate for the weak components of another was concluded to be the best approach for obtaining a predictive model for microorganisms. Potential couplings were ascertained from among the 31 models. Most of these couplings would combine an organism popUlation dynamics 1 Director of Environmental Sciences. associate manager of Environmental Toxicology. manager of Environmental Technology and Assessment. research scientist. principal research scientist. and principal research scientist. respectively. Battelle Columbus Division. Columbus. OH 43201.
On Characterizations of Input-to-State Stability with Respect to Compact Sets

Abstract Previous characterizations of ISS-stability are shown to generalize without change to the case of stability with respect to sets. Some results on ISS-stabilizability are mentioned as well.
Power estimation considering statistical IC parametric variations

Statistical perturbations of process parameters may change propagation delays and alter the switching activity in the circuit due to glitches. In this paper, the problem of estimating glitch/hazard power in CMOS circuits is addressed. A probabilistic min/max delay model is used, where the variation of delays between the minimum and maximum delay may follow any given discrete probability distribution. The first part of this work considers glitching activity assuming fixed gate delays with instantaneous rise/fall times. Next, this is refined to incorporate the effects of fixed transition times. Experimental results on benchmark circuits show that a significant amount of power is dissipated in hazards and glitches and that the hazardous part of power dissipation is sensitive to variations in gate delays.
Focal amyotrophy in multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: The assumption that multiple sclerosis (MS) is purely a white matter disease has been challenged in recent years by observations of axonal damage and neuronal loss in gray matter of the cortex, subcortex, and spinal cord. Methods: We report the case of a 71-year-old man with primary progressive MS and longstanding right arm weakness who presented with intermittent right arm pain. Results: Neurological examination showed atrophy, weakness, and hyporeflexia, and electromyography (EMG) showed acute and chronic partial denervation in multiple segments of the right arm. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated asymmetric volume loss and increased T2 signal in the right anterior spinal cord from C3 to C7, with no evidence of nerve root compression. Conclusions: Lower motor neuron involvement of his right arm was caused by MS with involvement of either the anterior horn cells or the intraspinal motor nerve roots. Muscle Nerve 51: 137–140, 2015
Smart Banknotes: A Proposal for Bank Notes that Bridge the Gap Between Physical and Electronic Money

Cash imposes large costs on society, yet it is hard to envision moving to an entirely cashless society. If we cannot get rid of cash, then we need to change it in a way that makes it less costly for all to handle. We consider the possibility of creating a new kind of banknote that can be activated or deactivated electronically by transferring value between a banknote and your bank account, right from your mobile handset. Cash could be transported cheaply in its deactivated form using normal retail distribution channels; stores could make their accumulated cash balances vanish at will by simply deactivating it; and bank customers would be able to convert their bank account into cash or vice versa anywhere, anytime. Mobile banking could flourish in developing countries without requiring the development of complex, costly cash agent networks. In this fashion, the mobile handset can truly integrate the capabilities of an internet banking terminal and an ATM.
Permanet magnet demagnetization test fixture design and validation

This paper investigates demagnetization characteristics of rare-earth permanent magnets used in electric machines. A test fixture was designed and built to induce controllable local demagnetization in the magnet sample under test. A range of demagnetizing magnetomotive force (MMF) was applied to force the magnet samples to operate at various points along their B-H curves. The degree of demagnetization in the magnet samples was measured with a computer-controlled 2-dimensional flux mapping device. The measurements are compared with 3D finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. This study results in greater insight into the capability of magnets to withstand various demagnetization forces and how spatially varying material properties affect this capability. The understanding gained from this study can be applied to guide the selection of magnet grade, shape and dimensions for low cost and robust designs of permanent magnet synchronous machines.
GROUP DYNAMIC ASSESSMENT: MEDIATION FOR THE L2 CLASSROOM

Dynamic assessment (DA) offers a conceptual framework for teaching and assessment according to which the goals of understanding indi viduals' abilities and promoting their development are not only com plementary but are in fact dialectically integrated. More specifically, DA follows Vygotsky's proposal of the zone of proximal development (ZPD) by offering learners external forms of mediation in order to help them perform beyond their current level of independent functioning (Vygotsky, 1986). A major challenge to implementing DA in second language (L2) classrooms is that these contexts typically do not per mit the one-to-one interactions that have characterized most DA work to date (and ZPD research more generally). This article explores the use of DA with groups of classroom L2 learners rather than individu als. Group dynamic assessment (G-DA) applies the same principles of mediation as in individualized interactions but broadens the focus to potentially an entire class. Vygotsky himself recognized the possibility of constructing a group ZPD by negotiating mediation with more than one individual (see Vygotsky, 1998). Transcriptions of G-DA interac tions involving L2 classroom learners are presented. It is argued that organizing classroom activity in this way enables teachers to explore and promote the group's ZPD while also supporting the development of individual learners.
Balancing bilinguals II: lexical comprehension and cognitive processing in children learning Spanish and English.

The present study investigated developmental changes in lexical comprehension skills in early sequential bilinguals, in both Spanish (L1) and English (L2), exploring the effects of age, years of ex...
Monolayer characterization of several short alkyl chain phosphoric acid extractants

Abstract The monolayer behavior of a group of short-chain alkyl phosphates was investigated with Langmuir trough techniques. The compounds were all octyl or ethylhexyl phosphates or phosphinates; the exceptionally small hydrophobic moieties in these compounds do not permit the formation of stable, coherent films at room temperatures. Stable monolayers were formed, however, on subphases of 1 M nitric acid at 5–10°C. The apparent areas per molecule are consequently strongly temperature dependent with total desorption evidently taking place at room temperature. When compared to molecular areas estimated from space-filling models, the experimentally determined limiting molecular areas are greater by factors of 1.1 to 2. Compounds containing ethylhexyl groups yielded limiting molecular areas in much closer agreement with model estimates than did the octyl-containing compounds. A limiting minimal area per molecule, particularly for the ethylhexyl systems, was approached only after several cycles of compression and reexpansion. This result indicates that the weak van der Waals interactions present and the high viscosity of the systems allow coherent film formation only after repeated partial structuring of the system after several compressions. Expansion of previously compressed monolayers revealed marked hysteresis effects. The systems investigated included: di-n-octyl phosphoric acid, di-n-octyl phosphinic acid, tri-n-octyl phosphate, tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide, bis-2,2 dimethylhexyl phosphoric acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phosphinic acid, 2-ethylhexyl, 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid, and tris (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate.
The effect of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate on the reverse reaction kinetics of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase from bovine liver.

Abstract The fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase reaction was investigated in the reverse direction by using fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. The effector was found to be a potent inhibitor of the reverse reaction substrates. Inhibition of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate was competitive, and slope replots were linear. In the context of other accumulated kinetic data, our results serve to support a Random Bi Uni mechanism as the most likely mechanism for the reverse reaction. In addition, two models consistent with the data are presented for the interaction of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate with fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase.
cDNA cloning and expression in E. coli of a plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) related to a PAI produced by Hep G2 hepatoma cell.

The human hepatoma line Hep G2 produces an acid- and SDS-sensitive plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). This protein has been previously purified and used to raise polyclonal antibodies. This antiserum has been used to isolate cDNA clones from a human placental λgtll cDNA library. The immunologically positive clones were screened for expression of recombinant proteins which inhibit urokinase activity and form an inhibitor-enzyme complex with 125I-urokinase. Two positives (λPAI 11.1 and λPAI 14.1) have been obtained. The cDNA insert of the longer isolate (λPAI 14.1) consists of 1962 base pairs encoding the entire mature Hep G2 PAI and a 3'-noncoding region of 801 base pairs. The clone apparently lacks portions of 5'- and 3'-untranslated sequences. The translated amino acid sequence matches the sequence obtained for the mature Hep G2 PAI and consists of 379 amino acids with a molecular mass of 42 770 Da. Interestingly, this PAI clone is quite different from the placental-type PAI-2 sequence as expected, but matches the sequence of the endothelial-type PAI (PAI-1) reported to be acid-insensitive and SDS-enhancible.
Neonatal diabetes mellitus: from understudy to center stage.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although neonatal diabetes mellitus is rare, its molecular basis has far-reaching implications for understanding the regulation of beta cell function, a prerequisite for understanding and treating type1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus especially by the manipulation of stem cells. The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent exciting discoveries concerning the genetic and molecular basis of the spectrum of disorders constituting neonatal diabetes mellitus. RECENT FINDINGS Recent reports in the literature, all in the past year, have identified activating mutations in the KATP channel that prevent its closure and hence insulin secretion as the major cause of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus. Concurrently, a transgenic mouse model of transient neonatal diabetes mellitus due to mutations in ZAC/HYMAI provides an exquisite tool to study its human counterpart. Already, mutations in KATP and ZAC/HYMAI have been shown to be associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in later life; some mutations in KATP are amenable to treatment with sulfonylureas. SUMMARY The discoveries of the genes responsible for rarely occurring transient and permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus, and transgenic animal models to study them, are exciting milestones on the road to understanding and treating the common forms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents.
Product difficulty incongruity and consumer evaluations of brand extensions

Abstract Ever since the appearance of Aaker and Keller's (1990) seminal article, the brand extension research stream has intensively investigated factors that impact consumer evaluations of brand extensions. However, the main effect of product difficulty and the interactions between the parent brand quality and fit variables have not been consistent across studies. We conjecture that this inconclusiveness of findings is due to an equivocal conceptualization and operationalization of the key concepts – product difficulty and product difficulty incongruity. The existing studies mainly focus on product difficulty, i.e., the perceived difficulty level of designing and making the extension, whereas the latter refers to the difference between consumers’ perceptions of the difficulty of designing and making the parent product and the difficulty in designing and making the extension product. We specifically propose that product difficulty incongruity will negatively impact consumer evaluation of brand extensions, and this negative effect is stronger for high parent brand quality and consumers with high levels of need for cognition. The findings from two empirical studies well support our predictions.
Drivers of Socially Responsible Purchasing Behavior: A Cross-Cultural Investigation

Retailers and companies increasingly employ corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a global management strategy. They are motivated to act in a socially responsive manner to their global customers not only to fulfill their ethical obligations as a social entity but also due to the marketing and financial benefits resulting from consumer responses to CSR initiatives. Therefore, many retailers develop or participate in CSR activities and hope their actions can be recognized by others. Further, CSR activities are more likely to be perceived and accepted by consumers who show ethical purchasing behavior while shopping. Ethical purchasing behavior or socially responsible purchasing behavior is formed by their beliefs and norms which are influenced significantly by the culture they belong to. This study examined the differences between two countries with opposite cultures (i.e., the U.S. and South Korea) by considering the drivers (i.e., perceived consumer effectiveness, awareness, collectivism) and a consequence (i.e., satisfaction) of ethical purchase behavior. The findings suggested that perceived consumer effectiveness and awareness are important drivers to generate consumersâ€™ commitment to companiesâ€™ CSR initiatives in general and the effectiveness is stronger in Korea than in United States. Implications and limitations were discussed.
Toxicity of Pyrolysis Gases From Cellulose Insulation

Various samples of cellulose insulation were evaluated for relative toxicity of pyrolysis gases, using the toxicity screening test method developed at the University of San Francisco. The samples included untreated cellulose insulation and insulation treated with various levels of boric acid, 5-mol borax, and mixtures of boric acid and 5-mol borax. Relative toxicity appeared to decrease with increasing content of fire retardant additive, but the change was not significant at the lower additive levels.
Need for Culvert Asset Management

Through Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 34 (GASB 34), departments of transportation (DOTs) are required to track their infrastructure costs and conditions through asset management practices. GASB 34 is applied primarily to roadways and bridges; access and inspection of that visible infrastructure are comparatively easy. However, underground culvert infrastructure is also a critical component in asset management. With the growing problem of culvert deterioration across the country, it is important to consider these underground assets in the inventory and inspection process. As part of this report, all 50 U.S. state DOTs were sent a survey concerning culvert asset management issues. The resulting 28 responses identified that several states are working toward developing an inventory database and planning to implement an inspection program. Many are not yet considering applying asset management practices to their culvert infrastructure. Several agencies did identify failure as a primary reason for developing the inventory and inspection programs. Because culvert failures are often the motivation for agencies to respond, some recent failure examples are reviewed. Previous research recommended a national tracking of culvert failures to understand the risks and costs better. This paper builds on that idea and identifies the benefits of culvert asset management. These benefits include up-to-date inventory, reduced failures through regular inspection, reduced emergency repair costs and unplanned financial burden, better budget planning for repair and replacement, and long-term ability to identify actual life cycle and performance of various pipe materials.
Drug discovery targeting human 5-HT(2C) receptors: residues S3.36 and Y7.43 impact ligand-binding pocket structure via hydrogen bond formation.

Specific activation of serotonin (5-HT) 5-HT2C G protein-coupled receptors may be therapeutic for obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders. Mutagenesis coupled with computational and molecular modeling experiments based on the human β2 adrenergic receptor structure was employed to delineate the interactions of different ligands at human 5-HT2C residues D3.32, S3.36 and Y7.43. No binding of the tertiary amine radioligand ([3H]-mesulergine) could be detected when the 5-HT2C D3.32 residue was mutated to alanine (D3.32A). The S3.36A point-mutation greatly reduced affinity of primary amine ligands, modestly reduced affinity of a secondary amine, and except for the 5-HT2C-specific agonist N(CH3)2-PAT, affinity of tertiary amines was unaffected. Molecular modeling results indicated that the primary amines form hydrogen bonds with the S3.36 residue, whereas, with the exception of N(CH3)2-PAT, tertiary amines do not interact considerably with this residue. The Y7.43A point-mutation greatly reduced affinity of 5-HT, yet reduced to a lesser extent the affinity of tryptamine that lacks the 5-hydroxy moiety present in 5-HT; modeling results indicated that the 5-HT 5-hydroxy moiety hydrogen bonds with Y7.43 at the 5-HT2C receptor. Additional modeling results showed that 5-HT induced a hydrogen bond between Y7.43 and D3.32. Finally, modeling results revealed two low-energy binding modes for 5-HT in the 5-HT2C binding pocket, supporting the concept that multiple agonist binding modes may stabilize different receptor active conformations to influence signaling. Ligand potencies for modulating WT and point-mutated 5-HT2C receptor-mediated phospholipase C activity were in accordance with the affinity data. Ligand efficacies, however, were altered considerably by the S3.36A mutation only.
Modeling and simulation of transistor performance shift under pattern-dependent RTA process

Rapid-thermal annealing (RTA) is widely used in scaled CMOS fabrication in order to achieve ultra-shallow junction. However, recent results report systematic threshold voltage (Vth) change and increased device variation due to the RTA process [1][2]. The amount of such changes further depends on layout pattern density. In this work, a suite of thermal/TCAD simulation and compact models to accurately predict the change of transistor parameters is developed. The modeling results are validated with published silicon data, improving design predictability with advanced manufacturing process.
Machining studies on coated high speed steel tools

Abstract This paper reports studies on the machining of type 4340 steel heat treated to Rc 33 by high speed steel tools (type M 42) coated with TiC using the activated reactive evaporation process. The coated tools exhibited a tool life of 300–800% higher than the uncoated tools under continuous cutting conditions. The principal failure mode was flank wear. The cutting forces were measured and were found to be 50% lower for coated tools than for uncoated tools.