cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermally-Stabilized Nanocrystalline Magnesium Alloys

Advanced nanocrystalline alloys have shown remarkable property improvements, particularly, order-of-magnitude strength increases, when compared to their coarse-grained counterparts. However, a major obstruction to the widespread application of such materials is the degradation of properties via rapid grain growth at even ambient temperatures. Conventional methods for circumvention of this problem at low temperatures have largely steered toward kinetically pinning the boundaries with disperoids, or through misorientation of grain boundaries, yet even these methods have limited utility at elevated temperatures needed for routine sintering and forming operations. In this work, we will present a synergistic approach to the development of thermally stable nanostructured Mg-alloys which incorporates elements of predictive modeling of suitable alloy systems, fabrication of nanostructured alloy powders by high energy ball milling and consolidation of the powders at elevated temperatures.
Methodology for optimizing composite towers for use on floating wind turbines

A methodology for the design and optimization of a composite wind turbine tower for use on a floating offshore platform is presented. A composite turbine tower on a floating offshore platform not only has the potential to reduce maintenance and upkeep costs associated with the use of steel offshore but also has potential to reduce the tower mass and subsequently the support platform mass. The optimization problem is formulated to obtain a turbine tower that meets all strength and serviceability criteria and minimizes the tower mass. The optimization and design process link a number of dynamic analyses and finite element routines using a genetic algorithm. This work documents the optimization and design software and illustrates its use in various case studies for a 6 MW floating wind turbine system. Case studies include the optimization of a steel tower as a comparison to a composite material tower and the use of a cored, sandwich panel composite tower versus a solid composite tower. The results demonstrat...
Public Entrepreneurship, Citizenship, and Self-Governance

In this book Paul Dragos Aligica revisits the theory of political self-governance in the context of recent developments in behavioral economics and political philosophy that have challenged the foundations of this theory. Building on the work of the 'Bloomington School' created by Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom and Public Choice political economy co-founder Vincent Ostrom, Aligica presents a fresh conceptualization of the key processes at the core of democratic-liberal governance systems involving civic competence and public entrepreneurship. The result is not only a re-assessment and re-articulation of the theories constructed by the Bloomington School of Public Choice, but also a new approach to several cutting-edge discussions relevant to governance studies and applied institutional theory, such as the debates generated by the recent waves of populism, paternalism and authoritarianism.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in left versus right middle cerebral artery stroke: Effects of laterality

BACKGROUND Prolonged dysphagia after middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory strokes may require percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding. OBJECTIVE We examined the predictors of PEG placement among patients with MCA stroke. It was hypothesized that stroke laterality was a predictor. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of existing data from Hartford Hospital Stroke Database was done. A total of 157 patients with acute ischemic MCA stroke were included. Patients were divided into the "PEG" group (n = 24) and "no PEG" group (n = 133). Existing demographic, clinical and swallowing data were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS Demographic data were similar between the groups. The "PEG" group had a higher admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, higher proportion of patients who had thrombolytic administration, in- hospital aspiration pneumonia and inability to be assessed on first swallow evaluation. Multivariate analysis revealed that all, except thrombolytic administration may predict PEG placement. CONCLUSION Admission NIHSS score, in-hospital aspiration pneumonia and inability to undergo first swallow evaluation may predict PEG placement in patients with acute MCA stroke. Stroke laterality was not associated. This knowledge facilitates early identification of patients that may require PEG tube placement for early nutrition provision and discharge to rehabilitation.
Put-Call Parity and the Development of the Modern Mortgage

The recent explosion of financial innovation, by placing pressure on the existing but inconsistent legal categories, raises difficult legal issues. This phenomenon, which is well recognized in both legal and financial literatures, is not as new as is widely believed. Recent developments represent a difference in degree, not kind, with earlier developments. Using the put-call parity theorem, I describe how the ability to convert financial positions between stock, debt and options has been used since ancient times to circumvent legal rules on usury. In addition, I use the put- call parity theorem to trace the development of the modern mortgage back to Medieval England.
Arrivederci, Aroma: eine Analyse des Parfüms DNA

Man ist allgemein uberzeugt, das die DNA (engliches Kurzel fur Desoxyribonucleinsaure) physiologisch uberwiegend als Doppelhelix vorliegt.1 Obwohl man dies nicht mit eigenen Augen sehen kann,2 hat sich diese Hypothese bei der Untersuchung der Funktion der DNA und ihrer Manipulation im Labor als auserordentlich wertvoll erwiesen.
Power Density as the Key Enabler for Electrified Mobility

Electrification for mobile systems is a long-term trend that touches every mode of transport we currently use. As these systems proliferate, and increase in power levels, there is a strong desire to increase the power density of the electrified systems on board. A key barrier to increased electrical power density is the associated thermal management that is necessary to prevent failures. This article provides an overview of a long-term effort aimed at integrating the research and education of combined electrical and thermal systems for the sake of increased power density. An overall motivation for this effort is provided in order to gain context. Then, specific examples are provided of how research and education can be performed within graduate programs across the United States (U.S.) and the world.
Modeling of Atomic Force Microscope Contact Experiments on Escherichia coli Bacteria Cellular Systems

We examined common models for atomic force microscope (AFM) nanoindentation of living cells and propose a new methodology for fitting the mechanical properties to the indentation data. By modeling the living cells as fluid-filled spherical membranes, the important parameters become the cell wall thickness, cell wall elastic modulus, and the cell’s turgor pressure. We modeled these parameters in addition to adhesion, plasticity, and viscoelasticity using finite element analysis to better describe the underlying physics and geometry of microbial indentation. This modeling approach applied different scaling laws from the classical Hertz model in order to better explain indentation data found in experiments on living E. coli bacterial cells. Work supported by DARPA Contract No. HR0011-17-2-0037.
Attitudes About Perceived Park Safety Among Residents in Low-Income and High Minority Kansas City, Missouri, Neighborhoods:

Parks benefit communities by supporting the physical, mental, and social health of their residents. This is especially important in urban areas, where parks provide essential access to green space,...
Association between socioeconomic factors and outcomes in breast cancer.

Background Persistent socioeconomic disparities are evident in the delivery of health care. Despite previous research into health disparities, the extent of the effect of economic inequalities in the management of breast cancer is not well understood. The purpose of our study is to perform a national assessment of the impact of economic factors on key aspects of breast cancer management. Methods This is a retrospective study using data from the National Cancer Database. The population consisted of female patients with primary breast cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. Patients were categorized based on household income and insurance status. Outcomes investigated were stage at diagnosis, rate of breast conservation therapy, use of immediate reconstruction following mastectomy, and administration of systemic therapy for stage 3 and 4 disease. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine significant associations between economic factors and clinical outcomes. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of income and insurance on survival. Results In total, 666 487 women were evaluated. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that patients with lower income (OR, 1.23) and no insurance (OR, 1.64) were more often diagnosed with later stage disease. Patients with lower income (OR, 1.08) and no insurance (OR, 1.05) had a higher likelihood of undergoing mastectomy instead of breast conserving therapy. Patients with lower income (OR, 0.51) and no insurance (OR, 0.27) were less likely to receive immediate breast reconstruction. Administration of systemic therapy was less frequent in patients with lower income (OR, 0.90) and no insurance (OR, 0.52). A survival benefit was demonstrated in patients with high income and insurance. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate prevailing disparities in the delivery of care among patients with limited economic resources, which pertains to some of the most important aspects of breast cancer care. The full etiology of the observed disparities is complex and multifactorial, and a better understanding of these issues offers the potential to close the existing gap in quality of care.
Palliative radiotherapy near the end of life

A significant proportion of patients with advanced cancer undergo palliative radiotherapy (RT) within their last 30 days of life. This study characterizes palliative RT at our institution and aims to identify patients who may experience limited benefit from RT due to imminent mortality. Five hundred and-eighteen patients treated with external beam RT to a site of metastatic disease between 2012 and 2016 were included. Mann-Whitney U and chi-squared tests were used to identify factors associated with RT within 30 days of death (D30RT). Median age at RT was 63 years (IQR 54–71). Median time from RT to death was 74 days (IQR 33–174). One hundred and twenty-five patients (24%) died within 30 days of RT. D30RT was associated with older age at RT (64 vs. 62 years, p = 0.04), shorter interval since diagnosis (14 vs. 31 months, p < 0.001), liver metastasis (p = 0.02), lower KPS (50 vs. 70, p < 0.001), lower BMI (22 vs. 24, p = 0.001), and inpatient status at consult (56% vs. 26%, p < 0.001). Patients who died within 30 days of RT were less likely to have hospice involved in their care (44% vs. 71%, p = 0.001). D30RT was associated with higher Chow and TEACHH scores at consult (p < 0.001 for both). Twenty-four percent of patients received palliative RT within 30 days of death. Additional tools are necessary to help physicians identify patients who would benefit from short treatment courses or alternative interventions to maximize quality at the end of life.
Key Attributes of a Medical Learning Community Mentor at One Medical School

The purpose of this study was to discover the elements required for a successful learning community (LC) faculty member educator of medical students. The authors in this qualitative study evaluated six 90-min focus groups of faculty members. The groups included 31 experienced and 19 inexperienced LC faculty members at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. After achieving excellent interrater reliability, transcriptions of the discussions were subjected to thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti software. Five major themes emerged: (1) LC faculty characteristics/competency, (2) suggested faculty development methods, (3) factors outside the LC environment influencing student relationships, (4) student attributes influencing teaching techniques, and (5) measuring and improving history and physical skills. Faculty characteristics/competency subthemes included role-modeling, mentoring, and teaching competence. Suggested faculty development methods subthemes included assessing and giving feedback to faculty, peer development, and learning from experts. Experienced LC faculty focused more attention on teaching competence and mentoring competence than inexperienced LC faculty. The themes with the most extensive discussion among the experienced LC faculty groups may represent qualities to be sought in future mentor recruitment and faculty development. Future studies could build on this study by similarly investigating student perceptions.
Bike-Sharing Station Usage and the Surrounding Built Environments in Major Texas Cities:

This study analyzes the effect of different built environments on bike-share usage in nascent dock-based systems in three Texas cities. Past research offers little insight as to whether elements as...
Regulatory Science and Risk Assessment in Indian Country: Taking Tribal Publics into Account

Studies of the geography of scientific knowledge production have shown how securing the credibility and objectivity of a scientific claim requires erasing or masking traces of the “local.” In order for a claim to be credible and objective, it needs to be true everywhere, not just in the place it was formulated (Latour, 1987; Law & Mol, 2001; Livingstone, 2003). Otherwise, the claim is doomed to remain “local knowledge”: subjective, place-bound, and unverifiable.
Balanced Crystalloids Versus Saline in Critically Ill Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:

Background: The optimal resuscitative fluid remains controversial. Objective: To assess the association between crystalloid fluid and outcomes in critically ill adults. Methods: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials were searched from inception through July 2019. Cohort studies and randomized trials of critically ill adults provided predominantly nonperioperative fluid resuscitation with balanced crystalloids or 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) were included. Results: Thirteen studies (n = 30 950) were included. Balanced crystalloids demonstrated lower hospital or 28-/30-day mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.75-0.99; I2 = 82%) overall, in observational studies (RR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.41-0.99; I2 = 63%), and approached significance in randomized trials (RR = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.88-1.02; I2 = 0%). New acute kidney injury occurred less frequently with balanced crystalloids (RR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.85-0.98; I2 = 0%), though progression to renal replacement therapy was similar (RR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.79-1.04; I2 = 38%). In the sepsis cohort, odds of hospital or 28-/30-day mortality were similar, but the odds of major adverse kidney events occurring in the first 30 days were less with balanced crystalloids than saline (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.66-0.91; I2 = 42%). Conclusion and Relevance: Resuscitation with balanced crystalloids demonstrated lower hospital or 28-/30-day mortality compared with saline in critically ill adults but not specifically those with sepsis. Balanced crystalloids should be provided preferentially to saline in most critically ill adult patients.
The fifteen days: building claims and contexts

This paper examines the process of protest claim-making by reconstructing the semantic structure of online communication that took place prior to the first street event of a protest. Topic networks are identified on the basis of topic modeling outputs, deeming topics to be connected if they share the same terms. Semantic communities within such topic networks are specified by patterns of inter-topic relations with the aim to delineate the emergence of cohesive semantic communities as protest claims. This paper argues that protest claims are developed through the repetition of specific arrangement of topics, which generates relevance among topics discussed concurrently and continually over time. The iterated patterns shape semantic coherence through brokering terms that connect topics in consistent ways. Findings are presented by investigating 17 daily corpora of digital posts produced on a bulletin board from April 16 to May 2, 2008, which constitutes the pre-protest period of the Candlelight Protests in South Korea against a government policy on beef trade with the United States.
Response to the Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearings on the Report Required by the SUCCESS Act of 2018

We the undersigned law students and law professor offer this response to the USPTO’s request for comments on studying and promoting the participation of underrepresented demographic groups in the U.S. patent system. We write based on personal and professional experiences in our own respective science and engineering fields and in the patent system, as well as based on our academic study of these issues. We appreciate the USPTO’s attention to the value of studying and promoting diversity in the patent system, especially through evidence-based policymaking. For the reasons that follow, we believe the USPTO should, indeed, collect demographic information on patent inventors, do so at the time of application, and do so on a mandatory rather than voluntary basis in compliance with relevant laws and subject to proper safeguards. The USPTO should also play a central role among public and private institutions to promote the participation of women in patenting and entrepreneurial activities. We address questions 1–3, 5–8, and 10–11. Among the demographic groups of interest, we focus in particular on women.
Scattering matrix analysis of inverted strip dielectric waveguides

The microwave network theory has been used to analyze the inverted strip dielectric waveguides (ISG). The transverse resonance relations at the step discontinuity are expressed in the form of scattering matrices. The scattering matrices and their variation over a frequency range of 40–80 GHz have been obtained. The leakage from the structure has also been obtained in terms of strip width.
Radiolytic degradation of formic acid and formate in aqueous solution: modeling the final stages of organic mineralization under advanced oxidation process conditions.

Abstract The successful use of advanced oxidation processes to treat aqueous solutions containing undesirable organic species requires the degradation of these species to lower molecular weight, lower hazard compounds. Safe application of this technology requires a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of degradation. These oxidative transformations are mainly initiated by the reactions of reactive oxygen species, particularly hydroxyl radicals. These react with organic molecules to generate carbon-centered radicals. In the presence of dissolved oxygen, the carbon-centered radicals are next converted to peroxyl radicals, which then decay to lower molecular weight species by multiple mechanistic pathways. Formic acid and its conjugate base formate are the last stable chemical species produced immediately before the complete mineralization of any organic molecule undergoing oxidative degradation in aqueous solution. Once understood, the radical-induced chemistry of formic acid/formate under these conditions has wide applicability in all advanced oxidation technologies. To develop this quantitative knowledge, we have performed a series of 60Co gamma irradiation studies on aqueous formic acid/formate over different pH and solution conditions. The measured species concentration changes, as a function of applied dose, are compared with the predictions of a kinetic computer model constructed from literature reactions and reported rate coefficients. The excellent agreement found between the results and modeling gives confidence in the mechanism presented here and provide the first complete computer model for the radiolytic degradation of formic acid in water.
A richness index for baselining climate change adaptations in small island developing states

Abstract Small island developing states (SIDS) are a uniquely vulnerable suite of countries. Climate change is already having disproportionate impacts on their biophysical and socio-economic processes. The status of national-level climate change adaptation across multiple SIDS is, however, under-explored in the academic literature. A pivotal study by Lesnikowski et al. (2015) ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-013-9491-x ), which assessed adaptation outcomes in 117 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), only included 13 SIDS, a number insufficient to establish a baseline of action in these countries. This paper builds on Lesnikowski et al. (2015) and more recent SIDS-specific work by Robinson (2017) ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-015-9693-5 ) by coding 441 national adaptation actions reported in the National Communications of 35 SIDS between 1997 and 2014. It develops a richness index that baselines adaptations in these countries, which are located across three main geographic regions – the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, Caribbean, and Pacific. It further identifies more advanced adaptors and less advanced adaptors among the group, and finds that, while progress was made in the observation and assessment of climate variables (29.7% of reported actions) and planning (25.2%), less tangible actions were implemented (19.0%) with even less monitoring and evaluation (8.2%) and stakeholder engagement and knowledge management (17.9%). This paper concludes that greater investments in ongoing capacity-building in SIDS are required for countries to better plan, implement and evaluate adaptation actions, and to better advocate for more optimal levels of international financing for helping to underwrite the cost of adaptation.
Robot Imitation Learning of High-Level Planning Information

Abstract : We present a system that enables a robot to learn to plan through demonstration and imitation. An imitator acquires planning operators by observing a demonstrators, segmenting the demonstrators actions into planning steps, and learning the preconditions and effects of the operators. When the imitator tries to execute its own plans, it learns to perform the operations through reinforcement learning, and corrects errors in the previously learned operator effects.
When Government Speaks Religiously

Religious ideas, symbols, and voices are woven extensively into the tapestry of American public tradition. When the inclusion of religious elements in public life is the result of government action, that tradition collides with constitutional doctrine. Government speaks religiously when it uses words or symbols to convey religious ideas or sentiments, such as the delivery of a prayer at a public event or the display of a religious symbol on public property. Such speech is restrained by the Establishment Clause, but drawing the establishment line between permissible and impermissible messages is enormously difficult.An approach is needed that not only is faithful to the historic values expressed in the Establishment Clause, but also accounts for the unique difficulties related to official expression of religious sentiments in a religiously pluralistic society where government shapes many of the institutions of public culture. This Article suggests a proper Establishment Clause jurisprudence for government religious speech. Part I discusses why government religious speech is analytically different from other forms of government support of religion and therefore justifies a unique approach to assessing its constitutionality. Part II criticizes the various tests the Supreme Court has applied to government religious speech and suggest that the Court has failed to formulate coherent standards for distinguishing between permissible and impermissible religious messages. Part III examines the colonial and founding periods for principles that may suggest why certain forms of government religious speech were not considered an “establishment” of religion. Part IV offers an alternative analytical approach that applies historic Establishment Clause values to official religious expression in a pluralistic society.
Connected Learning, Collapsed Contexts

Researchers and designers have incorporated social media affordances into learning technologies to engage young people and support personally relevant learning, but youth may reject these attempts because they do not meet user expectations. Through in-depth case studies, we explore the sociotechnical ecosystems of six teens (ages 15-18) working at a science center that had recently introduced a digital badge system to track and recognize their learning. By analyzing interviews, observations, ecological momentary assessments, and system data, we examined tensions in how badges as connected learning technologies operate in teens' sociotechnical ecosystems. We found that, due to issues of unwanted context collapse and incongruent identity representations, youth only used certain affordances of the system and did so sporadically. Additionally, we noted that some features seemed to prioritize values of adult stakeholders over youth. Using badges as a lens, we reveal critical tensions and offer design recommendations for networked learning technologies.
Shape Memory Corrosion-Resistant Polymeric Materials

Shape memory alloys, materials capable of being deformed and maintaining the deformation and additionally capable of returning to the initial position, are valued for a range of applications from actuators to flexible microdevices. Maintaining the properties that make them useful, their ability to deform and reform, requires that shape memory alloys must be protected against corrosion, in which the integration of shape memory polymers can act as a means of protection. Thus, this review is to highlight the utility of self-healing shape memory polymers as a means of corrosion inhibition. Therefore, this review discusses the benefits of utilizing self-healing shape memory polymers for the protection of shape memory, several types of self-healing polymers that could be used, means of improving or tailoring the polymers towards specific usages, and future prospects in designing a shape memory polymer for use in corrosion inhibition.
Organizational Characteristics Associated with Vulnerability to Social Engineering Deception: A Qualitative Analysis

Social engineering, the manipulation and deception of individuals to gain access to otherwise secure systems and information, has become a major vector to compromise the information security of org...
Class-specific relationship between use of immunosuppressants and risk for community-acquired Clostridioides difficile infection.

BACKGROUND Immunosuppressant exposure is associated with risk for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), however it is unknown whether this risk is shared equally across immunosuppressant classes. METHODS This was a retrospective study. Adults were included if they were tested for community acquired CDI (CA-CDI) by stool PCR within 72 hours of hospital admission from 2010 to 2019. The primary outcome was CA-CDI requiring hospitalization, defined as a positive stool PCR test. The primary exposure was immunosuppressant class, at any dose or duration, defined based on the medication reconciliation performed at hospital admission and categorized as systemic steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, antimetabolites, anti-TNFα agents, anti-CD20 antibody, and all others. RESULTS 10,992 hospitalized patients met criteria for the study including 1,793 (16%) with CA-CDI. 23% used one or more class of immunosuppressant. The most common class was systemic steroids (16%), followed by calcineurin inhibitors (14%) and antimetabolites (10%). Among those using any immunosuppressant, 27% tested positive for CA-CDI compared to 22% among those who did not use any immunosuppressant (P<0.01). After adjusting for baseline patient characteristics, only calcineurin inhibitors (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01-1.44) were associated with increased risk for CA-CDI. Risk for CA-CDI rose with multiple classes of immunosuppressant: aOR 1.22, aOR 1.53, and aOR 2.40 for two, three, and four classes respectively. CONCLUSIONS Calcineurin inhibitors were associated with a modest but significantly increased risk of CA-CDI. The greatest risk was observed among patients using multiple classes of immunosuppressants. Future studies should recognize that CDI risk differs based on immunosuppressant class.
How To Lie with Statistics and Figures.

Background: Medical practitioners have had to learn more and more statistics not only to perform studies but more importantly, to interpret the medical literature and apply new findings to practice...
Sex differences in anatomic plasticity of gut neuronal–mast cell interactions

The gut wall houses mast cells that are anatomically situated near enteric neuronal fibers. Roles of specific neuropeptides in modulating function of immune components like mast cells in response to challenge with bacterial components are relatively unknown. Investigating such interactions requires models that include diverse cellular elements in native anatomic arrangements. Using an organotypic slice model that maintains gut wall cellular diversity ex vivo, the present study compared responses between tissues derived from male and female mice to examine neural-immune signaling in the gut wall after selected treatments. Ileum slices were treated with pharmacological reagents that block neuronal function (e.g., tetrodotoxin) or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors prior to challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to assess their influence on anatomic plasticity of VIP fibers and activation of mast cells. Sex differences were observed in the number of mucosal mast cells (c-kit/ACK2 immunoreactive) at baseline, regardless of treatment, with female ileum tissue having 46% more ACK2-IR mast cells than males. After challenge with LPS, male mast cell counts rose to female levels. Furthermore, sex differences were observed in the percentage of ACK2-IR cells within 1 µm of a VIP+ neuronal fiber, and mast cell size, a metric previously tied to activation, with females having larger cells at baseline. Male mast cell sizes reached female levels after LPS challenge. This study suggests sex differences in neural-immune plasticity and in mast cell activation both basally and in response to challenge with LPS. These sex differences could potentially impact functional neuroimmune response to pathogens.
Visual Interface Design for Windows: Effective User Interfaces for Windows 95, Windows NT, and Windows 3.1

FOUNDATION. An Introduction to Visual Interface Design. The Effects of Visual Impact. The Process for Designing Visual Interfaces. Developing a Visual Interface Design Strategy. GRAPHIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES. Universal Design Principles. Graphic Information Design Principles. VISUAL PERCEPTION. An Introduction to the Psychology of Perception. Affordances, Realism, and Dimensions. Design for the Screen. VISUAL DESIGN ELEMENTS. Color. Icons and Imagery. Fonts. ADVICE, TIPS, AND EXAMPLES. Interface Makeovers. Great Windows Interfaces I Have Met. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them. References. Index.
Molecular basis of alcoholism

Abstract Acute alcohol intoxication causes cellular changes in the brain that last for hours, while chronic alcohol use induces widespread neuroadaptations in the nervous system that can last a lifetime. Chronic alcohol use and the progression into dependence involve the remodeling of synapses caused by changes in gene expression produced by alcohol. The progression of alcohol use, abuse, and dependence can be divided into stages, which include intoxication, withdrawal, and craving. Each stage is associated with specific changes in gene expression, cellular function, brain circuits, and ultimately behavior. What are the molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from recreational use (acute) to dependence (chronic)? What cellular adaptations result in drug memory retention, leading to the persistence of addictive behaviors, even after prolonged drug abstinence? Research into the neurobiology of alcoholism aims to answer these questions. This chapter will describe the molecular adaptations caused by alcohol use and dependence, and will outline key neurochemical participants in alcoholism at the molecular level, which are also potential targets for therapy.
Excluded Ancestors, Inventible Traditions: Essays toward a More Inclusive History of Anthropology

Excluded Ancestors, Inventible Traditions: Essays toward. More Inclusive History of Anthropology. Richard Handler, ed. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2000. 315 pp.
Intracranial hemorrhage after removal of deep brain stimulation electrodes.

Object Many previous studies have shown that placement of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes carries a considerable risk of hemorrhage. To date, no studies have evaluated the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage after removal of DBS electrodes. The authors performed a retrospective chart review to identify the incidence and trends in hemorrhage after DBS electrode removal. Methods A retrospective chart review of all DBS electrodes removed at the Cleveland Clinic between October 2000 and May 2010 was performed. All patients underwent postoperative CT scanning. Each patient was evaluated for age, sex, side of placement, target, duration of lead placement, reason for removal, and medical comorbidities. Results A total of 78 lead removals were performed in the 10-year period (1300 leads were implanted during the same period). Of the 78 leads removed, 10 (12.8%) resulted in hemorrhages seen on postoperative CT scans. The hemorrhages were superficial cortical in 6 cases of lead removal (60%) and deep in 4 ...
Depressed neutrophil chemotaxis in children suffering blunt trauma

OBJECTIVE: Impaired neutrophil (PMN) function, due in part to release of immature PMNs into the circulation, contributes to the increased rate of infection observed in adults suffering blunt trauma. The objective of this study was to determine whether similar events occur in children. METHODS: We assessed PMN chemotaxis and PMN maturation in 25 children (7 young children and 18 adolescents) and 25 adults 1 to 9 days after suffering blunt trauma, and in healthy adult control subjects. PMN chemotaxis was determined using a standard micropore filter assay, whereas PMN maturation was determined with 31D8, a novel monoclonal antibody that binds to mature PMNs more avidly than immature PMNs and band forms. RESULTS: In patients suffering blunt trauma, mean PMN chemotactic values were similar among children (44.6 +/- 2.3 microns) and adults (41.3 +/- 2.1 microns) and both were significantly less than among healthy adults (53.5 +/- 2.4 microns, P < .0005). PMN chemotactic values increased significantly in the 9 days after trauma for both children and adults (F = 13.8, df = 1, P < .0002). Mean PMN 31D8 binding among children with trauma (92.5 +/- 5.2) was significantly less than among healthy adults (117.6 +/- 5.4, P < .0009). CONCLUSIONS: Impairment in PMN chemotaxis occurs in children after blunt trauma and is due in part to release of immature PMNs into the circulation.
SPE-7 but not Epsilon-26 anti-dinitrophenyl-Immunoglobulin E induces antigen-dependent thermal hyperalgesia accompanying equivalent inflammatory responses during passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions in mice (HYP3P.405)

Sensitization of mast cells with SPE-7 anti-DNP-IgE alone initiates inflammatory cytokine production in vitro. In contrast, ϵ26 anti-DNP IgE does not induce inflammatory cytokines independent of antigen-stimulation. We tested these two anti-DNP IgE clones in our model of murine thermal hyperalgesia. We found pronounced hind paw hyperalgesic responses lasting to at least 6 hours following antigen challenge 24 hours after sensitization with SPE-7 but not ϵ26. SPE-7/DNP did not induce greater levels of mast cell degranulation in the hind paw. Differential hyperalgesic responses were accompanied by otherwise equivalent inflammatory changes measured including histamine release, neutrophil influx, expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 genes and changes in levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 proteins. Inflammatory responses and hyperalgesia were dependent on antigen challenge and were not detected in sham-challenged mice. Hyperalgesia responses or other inflammatory changes were not detected in the hind paw tissue post-sensitization in the 24 hours prior to antigen challenge. We demonstrate a novel behavioral, antigen-dependent difference between reactions mediated by these IgE antibody clones in vivo in mice. We are currently further investigating the inflammatory cytokine milieu and measuring changes in mRNA and protein levels of nociceptive signaling molecules provoked by IgE/Ag-induced cutaneous anaphylaxis to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this differential pain outcome.
Bayesian Statistics and Marketing

Bayesian methods have become widespread in the marketing literature. We review the essence of the Bayesian approach and explain why it is particularly useful for marketing problems. While the appeal of the Bayesian approach has long been noted by researchers, recent developments in computational methods and expanded availability of detailed marketplace data has fueled the Bayesian growth in marketing. We emphasize the modularity and flexibility of modern Bayesian approaches. Finally, the usefulness of Bayesian methods in situations in which there is limited information about a large number of units or where the information comes from different sources is noted.
ADHD and the dopamine transporter: are there reasons to pay attention?

The catecholamine dopamine (DA) plays an important role as a neurotransmitter in the brain in circuits linked to motor function, reward, and cognition. The presynaptic DA transporter (DAT) inactivates DA following release and provides a route for non-exocytotic DA release (efflux) triggered by amphetamines. The synaptic role of DATs first established through antagonist studies and more recently validated through mouse gene-knockout experiments, raises questions as to whether altered DAT structure or regulation support clinical disorders linked to compromised DA signaling, including drug abuse, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As ADHD appears to have highly heritable components and the most commonly prescribed therapeutics for ADHD target DAT, studies ranging from brain imaging to genomic and genetic analyses have begun to probe the DAT gene and its protein for possible contributions to the disorder and/or its treatment. In this review, after a brief overview of ADHD prevalence and diagnostic criteria, we examine the rationale and experimental findings surrounding a role for human DAT in ADHD. Based on the available evidence from our lab and labs of workers in the field, we suggest that although a common variant within the human DAT (hDAT) gene (SLC6A3) is unlikely to play a major role in the ADHD, contributions of hDAT to risk may be most evident in phenotypic subgroups. The in vitro and in vivo validation of functional variants, pursued for contributions to endophenotypes in a within family approach, may help elucidate DAT and DA contributions to ADHD and its treatment.
Characterization of glutamate dehydrogenase from the ammonia-oxidizing chemoautotroph Nitrosomonas europaea.

Abstract Glutamate dehydrogenase, purified 160-fold by ammonium sulfate precipitation and chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose and Bio-Gel P-300, was characterized as a catalyst of both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduction and NADPH oxidation at the optimal pH of each reaction (8.7 and 7.7, respectively). In the pH range 7.5 to 8, the rate of enzyme-catalyzed NADPH oxidation is 10 to 15 times greater than the rate of NADP+ reduction. The enzyme is specific for NADPH (Km, 4.9 x 10-5 m), α-keto-glutarate (Km, 4.3 mm), NADP+ (Km, 7.9 x 10-6 m), and glutamate (Km, 6.7 mm). The Km for NH4Cl is 16 mm. The oxidation of NADPH was 50% inhibited by 0.5 m NaCl or NH4Cl, 20 mm d-glutamate, 2 x 10-4 m NADH, 10-3 m NADP+, 4.4 x 10-4 m NADPH, and 5 µm p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. The reduction of NADP+ was 50% inhibited by 1 mm NH4Cl, 20 mm d-glutamate or β-alanine, 4 x 10-4 m NADH, and 3 x 10-5 m NADPH. Enzyme activity was not affected by 2 x 10-4 m adenosine or guanosine triphosphate. It appears that in Nitrosomonas the enzyme catalyzes the reaction primarily in the direction of glutamate formation and has a high enough activity to account for all cellular amino nitrogen.
Isoleucine and Threonine Can Prolong Protein and Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Pyridoxine-Starved Mutants of Escherichia coli B

Pyridoxineless mutants of Escherichia coli B stopped incorporation of nucleosides into trichloroacetic acid-insoluble material about 40 to 60 min after pyridoxine starvation was initiated, whereas incorporation of amino acids (measured the same way) slowed but did not stop for several hours. Both these incorporations and cell density were increased most effectively by the presence of either threonine or isoleucine. Arginine, glutamate, histidine, methionine, tryptophan, and tyrosine also caused significant but less dramatic increases. Inducibility of β-galactosidase continued beyond the point where nucleic acids appeared to stop their synthesis, suggesting that messenger ribonucleic acid synthesis continued beyond ribosomal ribonucleic acid synthesis. This inducibility was also increased by isoleucine and threonine. The overall results suggest that the threonine-isoleucine biosynthetic pathway is the most sensitive to starvation for pyridoxine.
Concussion history is not a predictor of computerised neurocognitive performance

Background: The long term effects of self reported concussion on neurocognitive functioning have been found to be variable. Objectives: To evaluate cognitive performance on the Headminder concussion resolution index (CRI) and ImPACT assessment tests of subjects with and without a history of self reported concussion. Methods: A retrospective analysis was completed on 235 Headminder CRI baseline assessments and 264 ImPACT baseline assessments. Participants were divided into four groups on the basis of reported number of concussions (zero, one, two, or three). Multivariate analysis of variance was used to evaluate differences between the concussion history groups on the two computer based concussion assessment programs. Results: Multivariate analysis of variance indicated no significant difference between those with and without a history of concussion on the CRI (Λ = 0.963, F (15, 627.05) = 0.57, p = 0.898). It also revealed no significant differences between groups on the ImPACT test (Λ = 0.951, F (12, 672.31) = 1.07, p = 0.381). Conclusions: The results suggest that either long term cognitive decrements may not be associated with a history of concussion or the decrements may be subtle and undetectable by these computer programs.
The Terrestrial Planet Finder

The Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) is a space-based astronomical telescope that will combine high sensitivity and spatial resolution to detect and characterize /spl sim/150 planetary systems within 15 pc of our Sun. In a five-year mission, currently expected to commence in 2012, TPF will look for the atmospheric signatures of life using the methods of planetary spectroscopy. This is only possible if implemented within a telescope or interferometer whose spatial resolution is capable of resolving the planet as distinct from its parent star, and yet being able to suppress the starlight to a level of 10/sup -6/ or better. The design of TPF that had been used to illustrate the feasibility of the mission was an interferometer composed of a four-element linear array of 3.5-m diameter telescopes situated in an orbit at L2 and observing over the spectral band of 3-30 /spl mu/m. At these wavelengths an Earth-like planet would be more easily detectable in the glare of the parent star, but the angular resolution required for planet detection implies telescope separations of between 75 and 200 m, and separations of up to 1000 m would be needed for general astrophysics. The interferometer had therefore been envisaged as an array of free-flying telescopes. More recent design studies for TPF have also considered the possibility of having it built as a single-aperture optical telescope. The required angular resolution for planet detection could then be achieved with a mirror spanning 8 or 10 m in diameter. Possible designs include coronagraphs with circular, square, rectangular, or other shaped entry pupils, with tapered transmission across the pupil to suppress unwanted sidelobes in the diffraction pattern. Coronagraphs with phase masks have also been proposed to more efficiently suppress starlight. For these coronagraphs the principal challenges include not only the suppression of scattered light but the design of adaptive optics systems with sub-nm control. The design requirements and the current status of research are reviewed.
Hollow screw pinch pump sources for Na-Ne X-ray lasers

Summary form only given, as follows. Recently, population inversion in the resonantly photopumped Na-Ne X-ray laser system was demonstrated at Sandia National Laboratories using a Ne gas cell pumped by a Na Z-pinch at a separation of 2 cm. In this work we consider a screw pinch configuration which offers the promise of enhanced geometrical coupling between pump and lasant. The dynamics and stability of a hollow, annular screw pinch Na plasma formed by simultaneous pulsing of an exterior azimuthal and an interior axial magnetic field is examined through both 0-D and 1-D models. The scaling of the pump radiation field expected on an interior Ne lasant with density and stagnation radius of the exterior pinch will be presented.
A network approach to probabilistic information retrieval

In this article we show how probabilistic information retrieval based on document components may be implemented as a feedforward (feedbackward) artificial neural network. The network supports adaptation of connection weights as well as the growing of new edges between queries and terms based on user relevance feedback data for training, and it reflects query modification and expansion in information retrieval. A learning rule is applied that can also be viewed as supporting sequential learning using a harmonic sequence learning rate. Experimental results with four standard small collections and a large Wall Street Journal collection (173,219 documents) show that performance of feedback improves substantially over no feedback, and further gains are obtained when queries are expanded with terms from the feedback documents. The effect is much more pronounced in small collections than in the large collection. Query expansion may be considered as a tool for both precision and recall enhancement. In particular, small query expansion levels of about 30 terms can achieve most of the gains at the low-recall high-precision region, while larger expansion levels continue to provide gains at the high-recall low-precision region of a precision recall curve.
The paradox of agreement and similarity: how goal (In) congruence and psychic distance may determine international human resource strategy success

Most researchers and practitioners agree when a parent organisation and its international units share similar goals and cultures; it is easier to implement International Human Resources Management (IHRM) policies. But, what if differences in goals and cultures lead to adaptations that improve performance? This paper argues that high levels of agreement and similarity in the parent company and local unit(s) will have a negative impact on IHRM strategy success because subtle differences in the cultural distance will not be explicitly determined. This study adds new learning perspectives to IHRM strategy literature and a methodology for testing the postulates.