cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Local food policy coalitions: Evaluation issues as seen by academics, project organizers, and funders

Several different evaluation issuesare perceived as important by people involved withinnovative projects intended to improve local food andnutrition systems; particularly the establishment oflocal food policy coalitions. Several such coalitionshave been formed in North America, Europe, andAustralia with the goal of improving community foodsecurity and promoting sustainable local food systems.Pioneer coalitions have served as models, yet therehas been little systematic evaluation of thesemodels. A qualitative study was conducted to identifyfactors that may hinder evaluation efforts. In grouptelephone interviews, we sought the views ofacademics, project organizers, and funders, a total of24 key informants. Pressures to evaluate were assessed differently bythe three groups of key informants. Academics felt thefocus of evaluation should be on the effectiveness ofthe process used to discuss issues and formulatepolicies and plans. Project organizers and fundersperceived a need to assess project impact andoutcomes. A lack of suitable evaluation models andmethods was viewed as a formidable barrier. The use ofinappropriate methods and premature impact evaluationwere noted as potential threats to projectsustainability. External constraints and resourcelimitations were also said to inhibit evaluationefforts. It appears that several other factors may also beimpeding progress in conducting more (and more useful)evaluations including: (1) the apparent negativeconnotation of evaluation and the limited benefitsexpected from evaluation by stakeholders, (2) a lackof consensus about important evaluation questions,(3) insufficient evaluation expertise among projectorganizers, and (4) inadequate appreciation ofincreasing accountability pressures.
THE TREATMENT OF URINARY STONE DISEASE1

Once a patient has been guided past any acute problems of pain, obstruction or urosepsis, the stone type has been identified, and all metabolic problems and dietary indiscretions have been revealed, the physician treating a stone patient is faced with the frequently more arduous problems of treating or preventing the patient's stone disease. Several generalizations can be made about the strategies requisite for successful management of the long-term problem, and the problem is discussed in this paper in general and in some detail.
A new method for determination of uranium isotopes in water, vegetation and soil by alpha spectrometry

A new and accurate method for determination of uranium isotopes ( 238 U, 234 U and 235 U) in environmental samples by alpha spectrometry has been developed. Uranium is preconcentrat ed from filtered water samples by coprecipitati on with iron (III) hydroxide at pH 9-10 using ammonia solution and the precipitate is dissolved with HN0 3 and mineralised with H 2 02 and HF; uranium in biological samples is ashed at 600 °C, leached out with Na 2 C0 3 solution and mineralised with HN0 3, HF and H 2 0 2; uranium in soil samples is melted with Na 2 C0 3 and Na 2 02 at 600 °C and leached out with HC1, HN0 3 and HF. The mineralised or leaching solution in 2 M HN0 3 is passed through a Microthene-TOPO (tri- octyl-phosphine oxide) column; after washing uranium is directly eluted into a cell with ammonium oxalate solution, electrodeposited on a stainless steel disk and measured by alpha spectrometry. The lower limits of detection of the method are 0.37 Bq kg"1 (soil) and 0.22 mBq l"1 (water) for 238 U and 234 U and 0.038 Bq kg"1 (soil) and 0.022 mBq l"1 (water) for 235 U if 0.5 g of soil and 1 litre of water are analysed. Five reference materials supplied by IAEA have been analysed and reliable results are obtained. The average uranium yields for waters, mosses, lichens and sediments are 74.5+9.0%, 80.5±8.3%, 77.8±4.9% and 89.4±9.7% respectively.
Two phases of v1 activity for visual recognition of natural images

Present theories of visual recognition emphasize the role of interactive processing across populations of neurons within a given network, but the nature of these interactions remains unresolved. In particular, data describing the sufficiency of feedforward algorithms for conscious vision and studies revealing the functional relevance of feedback connections to the striate cortex seem to offer contradictory accounts of visual information processing. TMS is a good method to experimentally address this issue, given its excellent temporal resolution and its capacity to establish causal relations between brain function and behavior. We studied 20 healthy volunteers in a visual recognition task. Subjects were briefly presented with images of animals (birds or mammals) in natural scenes and were asked to indicate the animal category. MRI-guided stereotaxic single TMS pulses were used to transiently disrupt striate cortex function at different times after image onset (SOA). Visual recognition was significantly impaired when TMS was applied over the occipital pole at SOAs of 100 and 220 msec. The first interval has consistently been described in previous TMS studies and is explained as the interruption of the feedforward volley of activity. Given the late latency and discrete nature of the second peak, we hypothesize that it represents the disruption of a feedback projection to V1, probably from other areas in the visual network. These results provide causal evidence for the necessity of recurrent interactive processing, through feedforward and feedback connections, in visual recognition of natural complex images.
The effects of a long term psychosocial stress on reproductive indicators in the baboon

Psychosocial stress is thought to negatively impact fecundity, but human studies are confounded by variation in nutrition and lifestyle. Baboons offer a useful model to test the effect of prolonged mild stress on reproductive indicators in a controlled setting. Following relocation from social groups to solitary housing, a previously documented stressful event for nonhuman primates, daily urine samples, tumescence, and menstrual bleeding were monitored in twenty baboons (Papio sp.) for 120-150 days. Specimens were assayed for estrone conjugates (E1C), pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PDG), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and cortisol. Linear mixed effects models examined (1) the effects of stress on frequency of anovulation, hormone levels, tumescence and cycle length, and (2) the relationship of cortisol with reproductive indicators. Despite cortisol levels indicative of stress, anovulation was negligible (1% in 102 cycles). PDG, FSH, cycle length, and tumescence declined during the first four cycles, but began recovery by the fifth. Cortisol was negatively associated with FSH but not associated with PDG, E1C or tumescence. Ovulation, E1C, and luteal phase length were not affected. Tumescence tracked changes in FSH and PDG, and thus may be a useful indicator of stress on the reproductive axis. Elevated cortisol was associated with reduced FSH, supporting a model of cortisol action at the hypothalamus rather than the gonad. After four to five menstrual cycles the reproductive indicators began recovery, suggesting adjustment to new housing conditions. In conclusion, individual housing is stressful for captive baboons, as reflected by cortisol and reproductive indicators, although ovulation, a relatively direct proxy for fecundity, is unaffected.
Correlation between tetracycline binding and mineralization in dentin and enamel.

Experiments were conducted on the incisor of young rats to show (1) the precise areas and manner in which the tetracycline fluorophore combines with dentin and enamel and (2) the relation between the tetracycline localization and mineralization. For the objectives mentioned above rats were injected with tetracycline and a combination of tetracycline and Ca45. Detailed examination of the teeth of specimens injected with tetracycline show a rapid uptake and localization of fluorophore in areas undergoing mineralization. Areas adjacent to the increments undergoing mineralization also reveal the presence of the fluorophore, but to a lesser extent. Comparison of the same area of the tooth injected with tetracycline and Ca45 show that the fluorophore is localized exclusively in areas undergoing mineralization, and to a lesser extent in adjacent, incompletely mineralized regions. Despite the fact that our observations have demonstrated the avidity tetracycline exhibits for mineralizing and recently mineralized areas of dentin and enamel, we have not been able to exclude the possibility that the fluorophore may combine with the organic matrix of these tissues as well as the mineral component.
The risk of partner violence among low-income hispanic subgroups

Women with few social resources are at elevated risk of partner abuse. Certain evidence suggests that African American and Hispanic women, who are overrepresented in the lower socioeconomic strata, are at particularly high risk. We compare women's risk of partner violence, defined as moderate and severe, among 2,400 low-income African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Whites from “Welfare, Children and Families: A Three City Study” and find that these groups differ in their risk of degrees of violence. Specific nation-of-origin Hispanic subgroups also manifest important differences in their violence risk profiles. We argue that a better understanding of victimization requires more detailed ethnic categorization and a more refined understanding of the meaning of domestic violence for different groups.
Humor and Laughter May Influence Health IV. Humor and Immune Function

This is the final article in a four part series reviewing the influence of humor and laughter on physiological and psychological well-being. This final article reviews the evidence for the effect of sense of humor, exposure to a humor stimulus and laughter on various immune system components, with a focus on the effects of laughter on natural killer cell cytotoxicity.
A MAY TO REMEMBER

We examine mainstream U.S. print news depictions of the 2006 immigration policy debate. Using critical discourse analysis informed by cognitive metaphor theory, we analyze a substantial sample of mainstream U.S. print news reports in May 2006, at the height of national attention on the “Great May Day” demonstrations across the country. We compare it to a second sample of print news media articles from October 2006, at the time of the passage of the 2006 Secure Fence Act. Mainstream print media represented immigrants with a noteworthy balance between human and nonhuman language during the time of the Great May Day marches. However, the media did not sustain a balanced representation of immigrants in the ensuing months. The conceptual metaphor immigrant as criminal is predominant during both periods. We explore the implication of the language used to frame the immigration policy debate.
Computing motor unit number index of the first dorsal interosseous muscle with two different contraction tasks

Motor unit number index (MUNIX) is a recently developed novel neurophysiological technique providing an index proportional to the number of motor units in a muscle. The MUNIX is derived from maximum M wave and voluntary surface electromyogram (EMG) recordings. The objective of this study was to address a practical question for computing MUNIX in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI), a multifunctional muscle that generates torque about the second metacarpophalangeal joint, i.e., how will different lines of muscle activation influence its MUNIX estimates? To address this question, the MUNIX technique was applied in the FDI muscle of 15 neurologically intact subjects, using surface EMG signals from index finger abduction and flexion, respectively, while the maximum M wave remained the same. Across all subjects, the average MUNIX value of the FDI muscle was 228 ± 45 for index finger abduction, slightly smaller than the MUNIX estimate of 251 ± 56 for index finger flexion. Different FDI muscle activation patterns resulted in an approximately 10% difference in MUNIX estimates. The findings from this study suggest that appropriate definition of voluntary activation of the FDI muscle should be kept to ensure consistency in measurements and avoid source of error. The current study is limited by only assessing neurologically intact muscles. It is important to perform a similar analysis for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), given that ALS is the primary intention of the MUNIX method as a potential follow-up measurement for motor unit loss.
Coupled oscillations in a 1D emulsion of Belousov–Zhabotinsky droplets

We experimentally and computationally study the dynamics of interacting oscillating Belousov– Zhabotinsky (BZ) droplets of � 120 mm diameter separated by perfluorinated oil and arranged in a onedimensional array (1D). The coupling between BZ droplets is dominated by inhibition and is strongest at low concentrations of malonic acid (MA) and small droplet separations. A microfluidic chip is used for mixing the BZ reactants, forming monodisperse droplets by flow-focusing and directing them into a hydrophobized 100 mm diameter capillary. For samples composed of many drops and in the absence of well defined initial conditions, the anti-phase attractor, in which adjacent droplets oscillate 180 � outof-phase, is observed for strong coupling. When the coupling strength is reduced the initial transients in the phase difference between neighboring droplets persist until the BZ reactants are exhausted. In order to make quantitative comparison with theory, we use photosensitive Ru(bipy)3 2+ -catalyzed BZ droplets and set both boundary and initial conditions of arrays of small numbers of oscillating BZ droplets with a programmable illumination source. In these small collections of droplets, transient patterns decay rapidly and we observe several more complex attractors, including ones in which some adjacent droplets are in-phase. Excellent agreement between experiment and numerical simulations is achieved.
Capacity bounds for networks of broadcast channels

This paper derives new outer bounds on the capacities of networks comprised of broadcast and point-to-point channels. The results are tight in some cases, and methods for bounding their error in general are discussed. The results given demonstrate the simplicity of generalizing network coding results to networks of noisy channels using the family of network equivalence tools. The approach taken is not inherently a cut-set approach and frequently yields tighter bounds than those achieved by traditional cut-sets.
Symbolic Execution for Checking the Accuracy of Floating-Point Programs

Programs with oating-point calculations tend to give rise to hard-to-predict behavior. Such uncertainty cannot be ignored: oating-point errors can have catastrophic consequences, as it happened with the Patriot missile accident in 1991. The likelihood of such incidents can be decreased by using automated technology to reliably analyze numerical code. We present a symbolic execution approach to checking the accuracy of numerical programs, investigating how much a oating-point computation deviates from the "ideal" computation on real values. Our method is implemented in the Symbolic PathFinder tool and leverages and extends the floating-point decision procedure Realizer to check symbolic path constraints and to perform the accuracy checks. We further illustrate the possibility of using our tools to enhance abstract interpretation-based analyses to obtain tighter bounds on the numerical error introduced by oating-point computations. Initial experiments show the promise of our approach.
Enhanced Carbon Confinement of Ultranarrow Boron Profiles in SiGeC HBTs

This paper reports on observations of enhanced carbon confinement of ultranarrow boron profiles in silicon-germanium-carbon heterojunction bipolar transistors (SiGeC HBTs). Electrical measurements of HBT devices with base regions formed during a low-pressure chemical-vapor deposition, with this method shows that a current gain (beta) is increased, base sheet resistance (Rbs) is reduced, and the maximum oscillation frequency (fmax) is improved
DISCUSSION: ASSESSING STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN THE DEMAND FOR FOOD COMMODITIES

The topic of structural change in demand for food is budget constraint-and factors affecting them-are part so broad that it is not surprising that Haidacher chose of the demand structure. to focus on the conceptual basis of structural change Composition of the population can also be an imrather than specific causes of structural change in de- portant dimension of the structure. Haidacher only mand for food. Haidacher first defines what he means mentions this aggregation problem in passing. When by demand structure. Second, he gives two examples working with aggregate data, we should not forget that on how to implement this framework empirically. the general restrictions of consumer behavior-homoThird, he discusses problems of assessing changes in geneity, symmetry, and adding-up, only hold strictly demand structure, emphasizing the intractabilty of ob- for individuals, and that market demand-even when taining direct evidence on structural change. Finally, formulated in terms of a "representative" conhe proposes and illustrates what he calls an "indirect" sumer-still depends on the income distribution and approach to assessment of structural change. I will first other characteristics of the consuming population. present a brief overview of the concepts of demand In light of the above definition of structure, one view structure and structural change, derived from Hai- of structural change might be any change in the utility dacher's paper and my own assessment. Then I will function, opportunity set, or composition of the concomment on specific points raised in the paper relating suming population. To the extent that these changes are to the assessment of structural change. Finally, I will not accounted for by theory-through relative price and conclude with some remarks on the usefulness of income changes-this definition seems logical. Howhousehold production theory as a framework for as- ever, as pointed out by Haidacher, this definition is sessing structural change in demand for food. really intractable. This is because if our maintained hypothesis (MH) is no structural change, and we reject
WATER AND TEMPERATURE RELATIONS, AND DIURNAL RHYTHMS OF SCOLOPENDROMORPH CENTIPEDES

Water is lost by transpiration at relative humidities (R.H.) as high as 98% at 27° C and there is no evidence of the uptake of moisture through the integument from unsaturated air or moist surfaces. Water-loss through transpiration is directly related to saturation deficiency and there is no ‘critical’ transitional temperature at which the cuticle becomes porous. Nevertheless, water is retained more efficiently in Scolopendra than it is in Lithobius, suggesting an adaptation to hot-dry environments. The mean supercooling point of large specimens conditioned in an insectary is —3.1 ± 0.48° and a single supercooling can be injurious or fatal. This indicates that cold winter weather must be avoided by burrowing deeply. Aktograph experiments show that these centipedes are nocturnal. The rhythm persists in darkness at constant temperature, but is quickly lost in constant light. Resume REACTIONS A L'HUMIDITE ET A LA TEMPERATURE ET RYTHME JOURNALIER CHEZ DES MYRIAPODES SCOLOPENDROMORPHES Les Myriapodes etudies montrent une perte d'eau par evaporation lorsqu'ils sont places dans une ambiance a 27° et dont l'humidite relative est de 98%; il n'y a aucune indication permettant de penser que ces arthropodes peuvent se rehydrater a partir des surfaces mouillees ou de l'humidite atmospherique, par prelevement a travers leur tegument. La perte d'eau par transpiration est directement en rapport avec la deficience de saturation de l'air et il n'y a aucune temperature critique de transition pour laquelle la cuticule deviendrait permeable a l'eau. Neanmoins l'eau est retenue plus efficacement par Scolopendra que par Lithobius, ce qui suggere chez le premier genre une adaptation aux milieux chauds et secs. Le point de surfusion mesure pour de grands specimens maintenus en insectarium, est en moyenne de —3,1 ± 0,48° et un seul choc a cette temperature de surfusion peut etre prejudiciable ou meme fatal. Cela indique que ces arthropodes doivent eviter les froids de l'hiver en creusant plus profondement les galeries. Des experiences utilisant un actographe montrent que ces Myriapodes ont une activite nocturne. Le rythme naturel d'activite persiste a l'obscurite et a une temperature constante, mais il est rapidement perdu par exposition a un eclairement continu.
The Effects of Strategic Supplier Selection on Buyer Competitive Performance in Matched Domains: Does Supplier Integration Mediate the Relationships?

This research examines whether the strategic selection of suppliers based on supplier new product development capability, supplier quality capability and supplier cost capability directly and/or indirectly enhances the buyer's competitive performance capabilities in the matched domains of buyer product innovation, buyer quality and buyer competitive pricing, respectively. The resource-based view of the firm is used to frame the direct effects of strategic supplier selection as the capability of a buyer to select a supplier with resources and expertise in a specified domain should enhance the buyer's performance capability in the “matched” domain (but not necessarily buyer performance in “unmatched” domains). Two supplier integration mechanisms — supplier partnerships and supplier development — are modeled as potential mediators, implying indirect paths. The research hypotheses focus on both direct and indirect effects for each of the matched domains, but do not posit relationships across different domains. For example, supplier selection for new product development capability should impact buyer product innovation (matched domains), but should not necessarily impact buyer quality capability (unmatched domains). The direct effects of strategic supplier selection on buyer performance are supported in each matched domain; however, the indirect effects through supplier integration are not significant for the matched domains. The results identify strategic supplier selection as a promising source of competitive advantage in the resource-based view sense. In contrast, supplier development and supplier partnership do not provide performance benefits in a given domain above those arising from strategic supplier selection in the same domain; i.e., it is the nature of the resources selected that is key to competitive advantage.
The Purpose and Impact of Quadrennial Reviews by U.S. National Security Agencies

Over the past two decades, major strategic reviews have become a mainstay of U.S. national security policy making. In 1996, Congress enacted a law mandating that the Defense Department conduct a Quadrennial Defense Review. Since then, quadrennial reviews have also been instituted by Congress or the executive branch in the intelligence community and at the State Department and Homeland Security Department. This proliferation of quadrennial reviews raises several questions: Why have Congress and the executive branch established these reviews? What, if anything, has resulted from them? What factors have shaped their impact? In this paper I answer these questions by integrating insights from several scholarly disciplines and drawing on interviews of 43 current and former congressional and executive branch officials who are very knowledgeable about the quadrennial reviews. My findings indicate that policymakers establish quadrennial reviews to promote organizational change in the executive branch and to influence the relationship between agencies and Congress – rather than to generate new strategic ideas – and that such reviews tend to have more impact on organizational management than on outward-facing strategy.
Putting the agent in agent-based modeling

One of the perquisites of a talk like this is that I get to expound on broad themes. AAMAS is a conference about agents and multiples of agents, so I probably ought to say something about agents. Of course, my position on agents is that I am all for them. Today I'd like to make a case for actually putting agents in agent-based models. I hope that by the end of the talk you have some idea about what I mean by this.
History of the development of pertussis vaccine

Bordetella pertussis and the disease whooping cough have mysterious unique features among bacterial infectious diseases. Numerous studies gradually provided information that permitted the development of a pertussis vaccine and the assessment of its potency relative to human efficacy. The advances in the understanding of B. pertussis, its pathogenicity and immunity that led to the development of a pertussis vaccine are presented.
Recording single-channel activity of inositol trisphosphate receptors in intact cells with a microscope, not a patch clamp

Optical single-channel recording is a novel tool for the study of individual Ca2+-permeable channels within intact cells under minimally perturbed physiological conditions. As applied to the functioning and spatial organization of IP3Rs, this approach complements our existing knowledge, which derives largely from reduced systems - such as reconstitution into lipid bilayers and patch clamping of IP3Rs on the membrane of excised nuclei - where the spatial arrangement and interactions among IP3Rs via CICR are disrupted. The ability to image the activity of single IP3R channels with millisecond resolution together with localization of their positions with a precision of a few tens of nanometers both raises several intriguing questions and holds promise of answers. In particular, what mechanism underlies the anchoring of puffs and blips to static locations; why do these Ca2+ release events appear to involve only a very small fraction of the IP3Rs within a cell; and how can we reconcile the relative immotility of functional IP3Rs with numerous studies reporting free diffusion of IP3R protein in the ER membrane?
Today's Three “R's” in Entomology: Resistance, Residues and Relations with the Public

Your recognition of industry’s contributions to entomology in the Southeastern States is exemplified by having one of its representatives serve as your chairman for the first time in the long history of this distinguished society. My appearance before this annual meeting of the Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America is an honor for which I am extremely grateful.
Latino Parent Involvement: Seeing What Has Always Been There.

This study reviews 20 years (1990–2010) of scholarly literature on parent involvement related to Latino parents. Parent involvement behaviors of Latino parents were identified and analyzed accordin...
Abstract LB-138: Use of cerebral organoids to model pediatric gliomas with H3.3K27M and H3.3G34R

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most devastating brain cancer with dismal prognosis both in adults and children and accounts for 16% of primary brain tumors. Despite aggressive therapeutic approaches, the majority of patients die within one year after diagnosis. Giving the limitation of current GBM mouse models, which do not reflect the biological properties of human tumors, in particular, tumor heterogeneity and pathogenesis, there is a growing need for new models. Current in vitro 3D models involve the use of hydrogel scaffolds and cell lines, which do not represent a viable developmental context where the tumor mass interacts with and invades the surrounding brain tissues. Starting with pluripotent human embryonic stem cells we reproduced a 3D tissue structure (so-called cerebral organoid) representing a developing human brain in vitro. We engineered these mini-brains to express oncogenic hits responsible for the derivation of tumors in pediatric GBM patients. Pediatric GBM is driven by a combination of epigenetic and genetic hits including the expression of a mutant histone H3 variant H3F3A (mutated at K27M or G34R) or a gain of function mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase IDH1R132H in combination with the loss of the histone remodeling factor ATRX and/or p53 tumor suppressor. We used a combination of these oncogenic hits to create a model of tumor engineering representing the first 3D human tissue model of GBM. This model combines the accurate multi-lineage differentiation and physiology of human brain with the easiness of manipulation of in vitro systems. H&E staining of the modified organoids shows remarkable dysplasia reminiscent of human primary glioma. Different genetic hits result in different type of dysplasia with IDH1R132H showing distinct morphology, suggestive of a broad range of applicability to model oncogenic-dependence in pediatric GBM. Cerebral organoids may also be used as a model to study tumor invasion starting with glioma stem-like cells (GSCs, which are believed to be the tumor-initiating cells in GBM). Indeed 923 GSCs (which are not invasive in mice brain) quickly and spontaneously (within few days) invade a co-cultured cerebral organoid. This study is the first to engineer a human CNS tumor in vitro. The model carries a tremendous potential to uncover the pathogenesis and initiation of brain cancer in pediatric settings. Citation Format: Amin Ismail. Use of cerebral organoids to model pediatric gliomas with H3.3K27M and H3.3G34R. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-138. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-LB-138
ON THE LIMITS OF LINEARITY

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the limits of linearity. Linear systems and, in particular, linear sequential systems are limited in their behavioral capabilities. The chapter describes a very simple and fundamental sequential system, called the common Set-Reset Flip-Flop, which cannot be realized by any linear system. A delay-type network realization of Set Flip-Flop (SF) involves multiplication in the two-element Galois field. Multiplication is essentially a nonlinear operation. If m is the characteristic of a ring R , then M m is linearly l -realizable over R . Conversely, M m is linearly realizable over a ring only if m divides the ring characteristic. There exist machines that are linearly homomorphically realizable but not linearly l -realizable. If M is not a permutation machine and has no identical next-state rows then M is not a homomorphic image of a linear machine. The SF is not linearly simulatable over any finite ring.
Ludwig van Beethoven 1770–1827

The life, career, and works of the composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1826) are described. An attempt is made to understand Beethoven's unsurpassed creative achievement via contemporary research themes. These include immersion in a rich socio-cultural milieu, intelligence, motivation, acquiring rich and idiosyncratic domain-specific knowledge, approaching musical composition in new and powerful ways, generating many ideas, and having the ability to judge and evaluate ideas as they are elaborated into finished works. Available evidence supports the view that the factors contributing to Beethoven's creativity are not unique or exotic and that his creative process was largely rational.
Rational Climate Skeptics: On the Strategic Communication of Scientific Data

This paper presents a game-theoretical approach to climate change skeptics. The credibility gap between the scientist and the government is created if the preference of the scientist is not perfectly aligned with that of the government. The credibility gap is eliminated and the ex-ante social welfare is maximized if and only if the scientist’s preference is perfectly aligned with that of the government, not with that of the median voter. This is endogenously achieved when the government is allowed to appoint its optimal scientist without election concerns. In the case where the government has election concerns, if the median voter perceives an alarming message from the scientist, then even a “right-wing” government must choose an aggressive climate change policy to avoid losing the election. Accordingly, it will prefer to appoint a scientist who is unlikely to send an alarming message. Thus the government deliberately creates a credibility gap which may cause a distorted climate change policy in a democracy.
Special relativity from soft gravitons

We study all translationally and rotationally invariant local theories involving massless spin 2 and spin 1 particles that mediate long range forces, allowing for general energy relations and violation of boost invariance. Although gauge invariance is not a priori required to describe non-Lorentz invariant theories, we first establish that locality requires soft gauge invariance. Then by taking the soft graviton limit in scattering amplitudes, we prove that in addition to the usual requirement of universal graviton couplings, the special relativistic energy-momentum relation is also required and must be exact. We contrast this to the case of theories with only spin $\ensuremath{\le}1$ particles, where, although we can still derive charge conservation from locality, special relativity can be easily violated. We provide indications that the entire structure of relativity can be built up from spin 2 in this fashion.
Atypical Presentation of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome, t(9;22), which is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase that causes excessive proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells in the bone marrow. Most patients are either asymptomatic or present with fatigue, abdominal fullness, and splenomegaly. This is a case in which a 72-year-old Caucasian male's initial presentation of CML was new-onset atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, and pneumonia. The severity of his symptoms of atrial fibrillation and dyspnea complicated his stabilization, which delayed his diagnosis of CML and initiation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor for treatment. Unregulated proliferation of leukemic cells increases blood viscosity and results in aberrations in blood circulation that may result in atypical presenting symptoms in myeloproliferative disease. Thus, it is important to have a high clinical index of suspicion for CML in patients with leukocytosis and concurrent symptomatology that is unusual for leukemia.
Overlooking forensic evidence? A review of the 2014 International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict

AbstractThe main task of this article is to determine whether the attention paid to the coverage of documenting, collecting and preserving physical and digital evidence is sufficient to ensure its admissibility in both national and international courts. This article undertakes this task by critically examining the 2014 International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict, which was part of the 2014 Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. The objectives of this article are threefold. It first considers the special evidentiary rules of international courts. Secondly, it reviews the limited references to physical and digital evidence in the 2014 Protocol and discusses the potential pitfalls of failing to recognise the weight this evidence carries in national and international courts. Finally, the article recommends the use of trained forensic experts in the investigations of sexual violence and the establishment of uniform and comprehensive policies and proce...
An analysis on tissue deformation during robotic biopsy needle insertion

In recent years, medical robotics has grown continuously beginning to be used in more new areas. Robots were designed with the ability of steering special needles especially for biopsy and brachytherapy procedures. In this paper is determined and analyzed the puncture force and tissues deformation during needle insertion in a robotic biopsy procedure. The experimental set-up used to determine tissue deformations and puncture event is presented considering that controlled forces are applied to the biopsy needle. The tissue deformation is analyzed using image processing techniques. The results for biopsy needle insertion into three different porcine tissues (liver, kidney and skin) are interpreted. Also the results are compared with the ones obtained from Finite Element Method based needle insertion simulation.
Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation Level Predicts 30-Day Mortality Rate After Left Ventricular Assist Device Surgery

Objective Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery is complex, high risk, and expensive. The authors’ hypothesis is baseline regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) might be a predictor of postoperative clinical outcomes. Design Retrospective review of 210 consecutive continuous flow LVAD patients between 2008 and 2014. The primary measure is 30-day mortality rate and secondary measures include modified major adverse cardiocerebral events (MACE), length of stay (LOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to examine if a binary outcome variable, such as 30-day mortality and MACE, is associated with rSO2 at baseline. Log-linear model was used to examine whether LOS or ICU stay hours is associated with rSO2 at baseline. Setting Single institution, academic hospital. Participants Patients who received LVAD surgery ​at Jewish Hospital, Louisville, KY. Interventions All patients received LVAD surgery. Cerebral oximetry monitoring was used in both the preoperative and intraoperative periods. Measurements and Main Results The authors found that higher rSO2 at baseline is associated with lower 30-day mortality with an odds ratio of 0.94 and 95% confidence interval (0.888, 0.995) for every 1% increase of rSO2. For secondary outcomes, baseline rSO2 was not significantly associated with MACE, requirement for postoperative renal failure/dialysis, reoperation for bleeding, and LOS or ICU hours. Conclusions Regional cerebral oxygen saturation levels at baseline are significantly associated with 30-day mortality after LVAD surgeries.
Transition from Nottingham-heating to Henderson-cooling during field emission

When (on average) an electron is field emitted from above the Fermi level there is a cooling effect, called Henderson-cooling; when (on average) it is emitted from below the Fermi level then Nottingham-heating occurs. This work compares our earlier used simple estimation to predict this emitted electron energy difference (average energy of emitted electron minus the Fermi level in the cathode) during field emission (FE) from a carbon nanotube [1,2] with a more numerically intensive formula that better captures the effects of Henderson-cooling and Nottingham-heating and the transition between the two regimes [3-5].
Factors Influencing U.S. Consumers' Preference for Positively Versus Negatively Framed GM Food Symbols

This study explores the factors that may have a bearing on consumers' preference for positively and negatively framed symbols on food products containing genetically modified ingredients. An online...
A novel wall water system for cardiopulmonary bypass may reduce the risk of aerosolized infection

Abstract Objective Oxygenators for cardiopulmonary bypass require water flow for their integral heat exchanger. Heater-cooler units are nearly universally used for this requirement. Heater-cooler units pose the risk of aerosolized infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended discontinuing use of Stockert 3T heater-cooler units (LivaNova PLC, London, United Kingdom) in October 2016 because of this risk. We aimed to reduce the risk of aerosolized infection posed by heater-cooler units by eliminating those devices from our operating rooms. Methods The cardiac surgery division collaborated with in-house specialties to engineer a novel wall water system. The design called for service to 4 operating rooms with the actual water mixing valve in an operating room closet. Remote temperature control was mounted next to the heart-lung machine. Primary safety systems built into the water system include 5 μm filtration, pressure regulating and relief valves, flow quantifiers, limits to the hot and chilled input temperatures, and a novel bridge near the heart-lung machine that allows the perfusionist to test the system before patient use and to quickly disconnect the patient in case of system malfunction. In addition, all water line connections can be made with the tubing drained and never under pressure. Results This novel wall water system has successfully provided heat exchanger water flow on 625 patients undergoing congenital heart surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass during its first 9 months of use. Conclusions Wall water systems are an option for oxygenator heat exchangers that allow for improved heat exchange performance while reducing the risk of heater-cooler unit–associated infection during cardiac surgery.
ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION, STRATEGY, AND MARKETING CAPABILITIES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF BORN GLOBAL FIRMS

We investigate born global firms, companies that expand rapidly into foreign markets from or near their founding, to see how they are able to succeed despite limited resources and experience. We highlight the roles of knowledge and capabilities for early internationalization and success in international markets. Results from a survey-based study suggest born global firms have a distinctive mix of orientations and strategies that allow them to succeed in international markets. Specifically, research revealed that possession of an international entrepreneurial orientation, a focus and/or differentiation strategy, and marketing capabilities are important antecedent factors in the international performance of born global firms. These results are discussed.
A software process for management software systems

The business world of today is characterized by very rapidly changing business conditions that require rapid responses. The responses are to be results of decision making, supported by carefully designed management software systems. This paper is a position statement that discusses various factors to be considered in the definition of a software process for developing such systems. Since the rapid change will extend to management software, the software process is to allow rapid configuration of new systems from existing components, and rapid reconfiguration of existing systems. Because the boundary between decision support systems and other classes of business-oriented software is becoming increasingly blurred, we use the term management software systems in preference to decision support systems.
Modelling Time-Varying Hazards and Covariate Effects

Models for survival analysis in the presence of possibly time-varying covariate effects are constructed as piecewise proportional hazards models in which the regression parameters ‘evolve’ over the survival time axis. Suitable models for exploratory data analysis involve parameters changing according to random walk mechanisms, modelling the prior view that parameter values in consecutive intervals of the time axis are more likely to be close than those well separated in time. Analysis uses Bayesian updating to approximate posterior distributions for such time-varying parameters, providing estimates of their values over time — the parameter ‘trajectories’, and also approximations to posterior predictive survival distributions for further cases. Illustration is provided here in analyses of nasopharynx cancer survival data.
Commentary on Latzko's: Modeling the Method - The Deming Classroom

In this discussion, James Gilbert examines the education models introduced by Latzko. These include his reading/questioning model, grading, and the classroom learning process model. For the most part, Gilbert and Latzko agree that these models would imp..
The Isotopic Composition of Lead in Galenas in the Uranium Ores at Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada

Ion microprobe isotope analyses of Pb in galenas in uraninite-rich ore from the New Quirke Mine show that the galenas contain large proportions of radiogenic Pb, which was almost certainly generated within the associated uraninite grains and released during two episodes of Pb loss. The isotopic data indicate that the uraninite is at least 2100 m.y. old and that the second episode of Pb loss occurred less than ca. 1350 m.y. ago. The data do not preclude a detrital origin for the uraninite in the Elliot Lake quartz pebble conglomerate ores.
Response to Comment on Bril et al. Clinical and Histologic Characterization of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in African American Patients. Diabetes Care 2018;41:187–192

We thank Pearlman et al. (1) for their interest in our article, which recommended screening for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in African American patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as steatohepatitis may occur in these patients as frequently as in Caucasian patients (2). The authors mention a “recent large systematic review of 34 studies and over 350,000 subjects” where the risk of NASH in African Americans was lower than in Caucasians (relative risk 0.72 [95% CI 0.60–0.87]) (3). However, in a closer look, only 16,083 patients were part of the studies assessing the risk of NASH in patients with NAFLD (10 studies). Moreover, Pearlman et al. (1) missed that from this pool of studies, 8 out of the 10 included fewer African American patients than our study, ranging from 2 to …
Engineered Small-Molecule Control of Influenza A Virus Replication

Influenza A virus (IAV) remains a global health concern despite the availability of a seasonal vaccine. It is difficult to predict which strains will circulate during influenza season, and therefore, it is extremely challenging to test novel vaccines in the human population. To overcome this obstacle, new vaccines must be tested in challenge studies. This approach poses significant safety problems, since current pharmacological interventions for IAV are poorly efficacious. New methods are needed to enhance the safety of these challenge studies. In this study, we have generated a virus expressing a small-molecule-assisted shutoff (SMASh) tag as a safety switch for IAV replication. The addition of the SMASh tag to an essential IAV protein allows for small-molecule-mediated inhibition of replication. Treatment with this drug controls the replication of a SMASh-tagged virus in vitro and in vivo This model for restriction of viral replication has potential for broad applications in vaccine studies, virotherapy, and basic virus research.IMPORTANCE Influenza A virus (IAV) causes significant morbidity and mortality annually worldwide, despite the availability of new formulations of the vaccine each season. There is a critical need to develop more-efficacious vaccines. However, testing novel vaccines in the human population in controlled studies is difficult due to the limited availability and efficacy of intervention strategies should the vaccine fail. There are also significant safety concerns for work with highly pathogenic IAV strains in the laboratory. Therefore, novel strategies are needed to improve the safety of vaccine studies and of research on highly pathogenic IAV. In this study, we developed an IAV strain engineered to contain a small-molecule-mediated safety switch. This tag, when attached to an essential viral protein, allows for the regulation of IAV replication in vitro and in vivo This strategy provides a platform for the regulation of virus replication without targeting viral proteins directly.