cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Region-wide congestion prediction and control using deep learning

Abstract Traffic congestion is forecast for neighborhoods within a region using a deep learning model. The model is based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network architecture. It forecasts a congestion score, defined as the ratio of the vehicle accumulation inside a neighborhood to its trip completion rate. Inputs include congestion scores measured at earlier times in neighborhoods within a region, and three other real-time measures of regional traffic. The ideas are tested using Newell’s simplified theory of kinematic waves. Simplified street networks are featured first. Initial tests demonstrate the suitability of the congestion score for characterizing neighborhood traffic conditions, and that the score can be predicted using the four inputs. Further tests of the simplified networks illustrate the value of the deep learning approach, as compared against the use of three benchmark models. A next round of tests shows that the model can be made robust, even to adverse settings. A final round of tests features a pared-down version of the freeway network in the San Francisco Bay Area. The final tests show that the model is scalable. The model is thereafter improved by representing the inputs through weighted undirected graphs that incorporate the route-choice of individuals, and learning features through graph convolutions. A framework for better interpreting the contributions of the model’s inputs to its output is developed. A demonstration of the model’s usefulness in designing traffic control schemes is presented as well.
Investigating the Relationship between Web Object Characteristics and Cognitive Conflict Using Mouse-tracking

The present study used mouse-tracking to investigate the impacts of web object characteristics on cognitive conflict during a naturalistic website use task. An online survey (N = 191) gathered base...
Non-equilibrium plasma science and industries of the future

PPPL recently launched a new initiative in non-equilibrium plasma (NEP) science and technology with a focus on applications associated with key industries of the future (IotF), including semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) device manufacturing and materials associated with quantum information science (QIS). Multisector, cross-community partnerships with leading U.S. plasma semiconductor equipment suppliers and Princeton University have been started to support this initiative. The main challenge for NEP technologies in IC manufacture is atomistic control of chemical and material transformations at surfaces. This capability is also needed for future QIS device manufacturability, so fundamental research on NEP for future IC device manufacture is directly applicable to practical manufacturing of QIS devices. The big challenge for NEP is that it is chemically complex and often difficult to control. It took decades of research and development by plasma, surface, materials and device scientists and engineers to approach nm-scale precision processing with Si-based materials. The task of developing nm-scale processes for Si device manufacture is not complete, but next-generation IC manufacturing will also require significant changes in materials: i.e. 'post-Si materials.' The combination of new materials and increasingly, atomistic precision, challenges the current state-of-the-art in plasma technologies used for IC manufacture today. There are even bigger challenges for QIS materials and devices, especially when contemplating the need for developing devices with thousands or even millions of qubits. QIS devices can be made in multiple ways, but thin film approaches, based on existing IC manufacturing technology, have perhaps the best chance to manufacture at scale. Plasma technology is ubiquitous in QIS material fabrication involving thin film approaches, but plasma processes tend to create parasitic qubits and other serious atomic-scale defects. Solving these problems will require considerable research efforts - probably on a multi-decade timescale. In order to be successful, plasma scientists must work closely and collaboratively with specialists in surfaces, materials and devices. In this talk, I will outline the current and future plans for this new collaborative initiative at PPPL.
Murine astrovirus tropism for goblet cells and enterocytes facilitates an IFN-λ response in vivo and in enteroid cultures.

Although they globally cause viral gastroenteritis in children, astroviruses are understudied due to the lack of well-defined animal models. While murine astroviruses (muAstVs) chronically infect immunodeficient mice, a culture system and understanding of their pathogenesis is lacking. Here, we describe a platform to cultivate muAstV using air–liquid interface (ALI) cultures derived from mouse enteroids, which support apical infection and release. Chronic muAstV infection occurs predominantly in the small intestine and correlates with higher interferon-lambda (IFN-λ) expression. MuAstV stimulates IFN-λ production in ALI, recapitulating our in vivo findings. We demonstrate that goblet cells and enterocytes are targets for chronic muAstV infection in vivo, and that infection is enhanced by parasite co-infection or type 2 cytokine signaling. Depletion of goblet cells from ALI limits muAstV infection in vitro. During chronic infection, muAstV stimulates IFN-λ production in infected cells and induces ISGs throughout the intestinal epithelium in an IFN-λ-receptor-dependent manner. Collectively, our study provides insights into the cellular tropism and innate immune responses to muAstV and establishes an enteroid-based culture system to propagate muAstV in vitro.
Quantitative assessment of transmurality of in vivo left atrium radiofrequency ablation lesions by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Pulmonary vein isolation with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become the most common procedure to treat Atrial Fibrillation (AF). However, current RFA lesion formation is guided only with indirect information (e.g. temperature, impedance, contact force), which does not guarantee transmural lesions. Non-transmural lesions are understood to contribute to AF recurrence. We have previously demonstrated that polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PSOCT) can monitor RFA lesion transmurality in the left atrium (LA) of living swine. However, it requires expert interpretation. Here, we demonstrate quantitative image quality and lesion transmurality evaluation metrics applied to the in vivo LA RFA PSOCT lesion monitoring data.
Individual Sovereignty and Coproduction of Knowledge Governance

Common pooling of knowledge goods requires effective governance institutions to avoid over depletion or under provision. Following recent literature, this paper treats the institutions of knowledge goods governance as dually coproduced in provision and shared in consumption. I combine a notion of individual sovereignty from political economy with a scalar analysis of the knowledge content of goods exchanged within a community. Insofar as the economic value of goods depends on knowledge content, and less on physical expression, exchange acts are speech acts. Therefore, communities where individuals have high exchange rights also feature a high form of speech rights. In these contexts, agents contribute to governance as an outcome of their ordinary economic activity. Therefore, entrepreneurship within rules and entrepreneurship to alter rules are not distinct actions. The paper relies on a combination of constitutive and regulative rules within a community, as defined by economic and social rather than geographic or political boundaries. Individuals use sovereign exchange and speech acts to interact within given rules, and in doing so they also contribute to the coproduction of governance, acting at once as both economic and institutional entrepreneurs.
Believing Conspiracy Theories : Causes, Effects and Processes from a Comparative Empirical Perspective

This paper surveys the existing empirical literature on conspiratorial beliefs at the individual level with special focus on political implications.
Recent advances in the preparation of semifluorinated polymers

Synthesis of semifluorinated polymers containing fluorous groups on the backbone or as side chains is an increasingly popular field of research. Introduction of fluorine in polymers offers many potential benefits such as decreased surface energy, modification of thermal properties, and enhanced self-assembly. Preparation of novel semifluorinated polymers offers an interesting challenge, as fluorous monomers are less common, often need to be synthesized, and can have different reactivities than their hydrocarbon analogues. Alternatively, polymers can be fluorinated as a post-polymerization modification, however achieving a balance between fluorination and polymer degradation remains a challenge. In this mini-review, we will explore recent methods in the post-polymerization fluorination of commodity polymers as well as the polymerization of less common fluorous monomers.
The Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist in an Interdisciplinary Weight Loss Service: A Follow-Up Study

Background: At an Internal Medicine outpatient clinic, patients are referred to a weight loss service by their primary care physician to be managed by a clinical pharmacist and dietician. Objective: A study was conducted to determine the impact of this established, interdisciplinary, pharmacist-driven weight loss service on percent weight loss from baseline in patients who are obese or overweight compared to those receiving standard weight loss care. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study including adults ≥18 years of age with BMI ≥30 or BMI ≥27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or type 2 diabetes mellitus, and referred to the clinic’s weight loss service or managed by their primary care physician. The primary outcome was percent weight loss from baseline. Key secondary outcomes included number of patients who had >5% weight loss in 6 months, number of patients who received liraglutide after 6 months, and percent weight loss in patients prescribed liraglutide. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, t-test for continuous outcomes, and chi-square test for between-group differences. Results: A total of 86 patients met inclusion criteria with 43 patients in the weight loss service group (intervention) and 43 patients in the primary care group (standard care). The intervention group had a significantly higher baseline weight and BMI than the standard care group (120.44 kg vs. 95.72 kg, p <0.001 and 45.34 kg/m2 vs. 37.62 kg/m2, p <0.001 respectively). The percent change in weight from baseline in the intervention group was a decrease of 3% compared to a decrease of 0.35% in the standard care group (p=0.03). Conclusions: Involvement of clinical pharmacist in interdisciplinary weight loss management through pharmacotherapy and other medication related services, shows considerable improvement in weight loss, when compared to the standard care of weight management. However, prospective randomized studies are warranted to further assess the benefits of a pharmacist-driven, interdisciplinary weight loss service.
Fibromyalgia status and depressive symptoms are linked to body mass index and physical performance in mid to late life.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition that is frequently accompanied by comorbid conditions, including depression. Depression is associated with reduced physical functioning and health, dis...
Nalfurafine, a G-Protein-Biased KOR (Kappa Opioid Receptor) Agonist, Enhances the Diuretic Response and Limits Electrolyte Losses to Standard-of-Care Diuretics.

Nalfurafine is a G-protein-biased KOR (kappa opioid receptor) agonist that produces analgesia and lacks CNS adverse effects. Here, we examined the cardiovascular and renal responses to intravenous and oral nalfurafine alone and in combination with furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, or amiloride. We hypothesized that nalfurafine, given its distinct mechanism of vasopressin inhibition, would increase urine output to these diuretics and limit electrolyte loss. Following catheterization, conscious Sprague-Dawley rats received an isotonic saline infusion and were then administered an intravenous bolus of nalfurafine, a diuretic, or a combination. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and urine output were recorded for 90 minutes. In another study, rats were placed in metabolic cages and administered drug in an oral volume load. Hourly urine samples were then collected for 5 hours. Intravenous and oral nalfurafine produced a marked diuresis, antinatriuresis, antikaliuresis, and a decrease in mean arterial pressure. Compared with diuretic treatment alone, intravenous coadministration with nalfurafine significantly increased urine output to furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide and decreased sodium and potassium excretion. Notably, mean arterial pressure was reduced with nalfurafine/diuretic combination therapy compared to diuretics alone. Similarly, oral coadministration of nalfurafine significantly increased urine output to hydrochlorothiazide and decreased sodium and potassium excretion, whereas combination with furosemide only limited the amount of sodium excreted. Further, both intravenous and oral coadministration of nalfurafine enhanced the diuresis to amiloride and decreased sodium excretion. Together, these findings demonstrate that nalfurafine enhances the diuresis to standard-of-care diuretics without causing an excessive loss of electrolytes, offering a new approach to treat several cardiovascular conditions.
From Reflection to Refraction: State Administration in British India, circa 1770–18551

Most scholars think state administrations vary because rulers attempt to maximize resource extraction given pressure from interstate competition and as constrained by the social structure of the societies they govern. This perspective cannot account for variations in British colonial tax administration in India, circa 1770 to 1855. The British organized land revenue collection and administration as a whole through two different schemes. Both systems initially adopted a rhetoric of revenue maximization, but neither was decisively better matched to Indian social structure. Instead, administrators interpreted a seemingly opaque Indian society by understanding themselves as fundamentally similar to or different from Indians.
Antigenic and immunogenic properties of recombinant hepatitis A virus 14S and 70S subviral particles

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has an immunodominant neutralization antigenic site. By using a panel of monoclonal antibodies targeted against the HAV neutralization antigenic site, it was shown that three epitopes within this site are present on 14S subunits (pentamers of the structural unit). In contrast, two other epitopes within this site are formed upon assembly of 14S subunits into capsids. Thus, the epitopes recognized by these two monoclonal antibodies are formed either by a conformational change in the antigenic site or by the juxtaposition of epitope fragments present on different 14S subunits during assembly of 14S into 70S particles. Both 14S and 70S particles elicited HAV-neutralizing antibodies in mice; thus, these particles may be useful for HAV vaccine development.
The Treaty of Lisbon and its impact on the European Union's democratic deficit

In volume 10 of the Columbia Journal of European Law the editors published an extensive article by Professor Sieberson, entitled “The Proposed European Union Constitution-Will It Eliminate the EU's Democratic Deficit?” That article analyzed the first draft of the European Union's Constitution against a wide array of scholarly comment on the EU's so-called “democratic deficit”. When the Union abandoned the Constitution in 2007, the editors invited Professor Sieberson to follow up his earlier article with ananalysis of the Constitution's replacement, the new Treaty of Lisbon. Because this article builds on the previous piece, the full background analysis will not be repeated Rather, the author will draw from his earlier catalogue of factors that comprise the democratic deficit, briefly identifying the primary components of the theory and citing representative sources. For each item he will offer a brief evaluation of whether and how the Lisbon Treaty willaffect the deficit.
The Role of Energy Expenditure in the Regulation of Energy Balance

Throughout evolution, humans and animals have evolved redundant mechanisms promoting accumulation of fat (minimal energy expenditure and maximal food intake) during periods of feast to survive periods of famine. With the recent abrupt change in environmental conditions in which high fat food is constantly available and in which there is little need for physical activity (the current “pathoenvironment” or “toxic environment”), obesity has reached epidemic proportions in both industrialized countries and in urbanized populations around the world. Obesity results from a chronic imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Hyperphagia, a low metabolic rate, low rates of fat oxidation, and an impaired sympathetic nervous activity characterize animal models of obesity. Similar metabolic factors have been found to characterize humans susceptible to weight gain. Despite the discovery of leptin more than 8 years ago and an unprecedented expansion of research efforts, our knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying obesity remains rudimentary. The cloning of genes corresponding to several mouse monogenic obesity syndromes and the subsequent characterization of the pathways involved have however shed some light, mostly on the regulation of food intake but much less on energy metabolism. This chapter will first state the premises of the regulation of energy balance, then review the variability of physiological mechanisms underlying the variability in energy balance, and finally summarize some of the important recent discoveries of the molecular mechanisms of energy expenditure. Keywords: energy; expenditure; regulation; imbalance; intake; hyperphagia; oxidation
Genetic Response of Mallards to Toxic Effects of Methyl Mercuric Chloride

The reproductive resistance of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) to the toxic effects of methyl mercuric chloride was studied over four generations. A control group and a highline group of 30 breeding pairs each of "game farm"-type mallards were developed from a parental generation, P 1 , of 29 pairs of birds. The test was divided into a 4-week pretreatment and a 4-week posttreatment period. The progeny for subsequent generations were obtained during the pretreatment period and based on individual female performance during the posttreatment period. The highline breeders were selected on the basis of the highest percentage survival of ducklings from fertile eggs after a treatment of two doses of 8 mg methyl mercuric chloride in a 2-week interval. A range of 350 to 600 eggs per test period was processed for each line. Survival of the ducklings in the P 1 generation was 57 and 12 percent for the pretreatment and posttreatment periods, respectively. Survival of the ducklings from the control birds ranged between 38 and 56 percent and from 53 to 72 percent for the highline birds. Posttreatment survival ranged from 14 to 25 percent for the control and 22 to 38 percent for the highline females. Separation of the percentage of ducklings that survived between the control and highline birds occurred in the F 1 generation and tended to increase slightly. Earlier hatch times were noted in the later generations of the highline compared with the control ducklings.
Bound vitamin B12 absorption in patients with low serum B12 levels.

In many patients with low serum levels of vitamin B12, the absorption of the free vitamin has been normal. The present study, using a total body counter 57CoB12 absorption method that clearly separated those with intrinsic factor deficiency from controls, found that of 94 patients with low B12 levels and intact stomachs in whom the absorption of free and bound B12 was determined, 44 (47%) had normal absorption of both. However, 20 of the 94 (21%) with normal absorption of free B12 had low absorption of bound B12. The remainder (32%) had low absorption of both free and bound B12. All patients with high serum gastrin levels had low bound B12 absorption, but so did 21% of those patients with normal serum gastrin levels. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis in monozygotic twins

Chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis (CNCH) is a benign inflammatory nodule of the helix. Patients report severe tenderness upon pressure. Commonly seen in middle-aged men, there are no reports of this disease in twins. We report middle-aged male monozygotic twins who simultaneously developed CNCH. This suggests, but does not prove, the possibility of a hereditary factor in the pathogenesis of CNCH.
Kinetics of glucose uptake by soil microorganisms

The kinetics of glucose uptake by soil microorganisms was investigated. Soil amended with an inorganic nutrient solution containing C glucose at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 or 20.0 mmol 1−1 was maintained at 4, 12 or 25°C for varying times. The soil was analyzed for glucose, soluble 14C, total organic 14C and evolved 14CO2 to develop a carbon balance for the system and to define Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) for glucose uptake at each temperature. Glucose uptake rates, as measured by the depletion of glucose or soluble 14C from solution, were similar in soils maintained at 12 or 25°C. Based on the depletion of soluble 14C, values for Km were 2.25 and 2.43 mmol I−1 at 12 and 25°C, respectively, while Vmax values were 0.25 and 1.61 h14', respectively. Glucose depletion at 4°C was faster than at 12C, while soluble 14C was removed at a significantly slower rate, suggesting soluble-C intermediates were produced in the 4°C system. Based on Chromatographie techniques and GC-MS, a soluble 14C-compound accumulating in the 4°C system was identified as maltose. The conversion of glucose to maltose resulted in Km and Vmax values of 17.29 mmol I−1 and 0.12h−1, respectively, for soluble 14C depletion and 4.96mmol1−1 and 0.43 h−, respectively, for glucose depletion at 4δC. These results demonstrate the need to differentiate uptake rates for the parent compound as well as for transitory intermediates excreted into the growth medium. Evolution of CO2 was shown to be a poor indicator of the rapid disappearance of glucose in soils.
ABSINTH: A new continuum solvation model for simulations of polypeptides in aqueous solutions

A new implicit solvation model for use in Monte Carlo simulations of polypeptides is introduced. The model is termed ABSINTH for self-Assembly of Biomolecules Studied by an Implicit, Novel, and Tunable Hamiltonian. It is designed primarily for simulating conformational equilibria and oligomerization reactions of intrinsically disordered proteins in aqueous solutions. The paradigm for ABSINTH is conceptually similar to the EEF1 model of Lazaridis and Karplus (Proteins 1999, 35, 133). In ABSINTH, the transfer of a polypeptide solute from the gas phase into a continuum solvent is the sum of a direct mean field interaction (DMFI), and a term to model the screening of polar interactions. Polypeptide solutes are decomposed into a set of distinct solvation groups. The DMFI is a sum of contributions from each of the solvation groups, which are analogs of model compounds. Continuum-mediated screening of electrostatic interactions is achieved using a framework similar to the one used for the DMFI. Promising results are shown for a set of test cases. These include the calculation of NMR coupling constants for short peptides, the assessment of the thermal stability of two small proteins, reversible folding of both an alpha-helix and a beta-hairpin forming peptide, and the polymeric properties of intrinsically disordered polyglutamine peptides of varying lengths. The tests reveal that the computational expense for simulations with the ABSINTH implicit solvation model increase by a factor that is in the range of 2.5-5.0 with respect to gas-phase calculations.
Changes in the rates of North Atlantic major hurricane activity during the 20th century

The authors document and explain changes in the rates of North Atlantic major hurricanes over the 20th century. A change-point analyses identifies two contrasting regimes of activity. The regimes have significantly different occurrence rates that coincide with changes in the climate over the extratropical North Atlantic. In conjunction with the recent Arctic warming and a relaxation of the North Atlantic oscillation, it is speculated that we are beginning a new period of greater major hurricane activity.
Sensitivity and Resistance of Type 1 Polioviruses to an Inhibitor in certain Horse Sera.

Abstract An inhibitor against type 1 poliovirus associated with the gamma globulin of certain horse sera was investigated. Addition of inhibitory horse serum (IHS) at a concentration of 2 1 2 % in the overlay medium caused marked reduction in plaque size and a delay of 24–48 hours in plaque development. Plaque counts were unaffected at this serum concentration, but were reduced by 50 % with 5 % serum. Inhibitor-resistant particles capable of forming normal-sized plaques in the presence of IHS were found in a plaque-purified pool of type 1 poliovirus (Mahoney strain). Based on plaque size, inhibitor-sensitive and -resistant particles could be differentiated in naturally occurring type 1 virus in stools of patients with paralytic poliomyelitis. The inhibitor had no effect on plaque development of type 2 and 3 polioviruses, Coxsackie A9, vaccinia, or encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC). The inhibitor differs from the previously described bovine serum inhibitor in not having neutralizing ability; no evidence was found that it is viral antibody. Growth-curve experiments showed that the inhibitor reduces rate of adsorption of virus to susceptible cells and delays release of virus from infected cells.
Lack of requirement for Presenilin1 in Notch1 signaling

Abstract Studies in invertebrates have indicated a functional requirement for presenilin (PS) genes in the Notch pathway [1–5]. One model of Notch signal transduction suggests that proteolysis releases an activated Notch fragment that migrates to the nucleus and regulates gene transcription in concert with CBF1/Su(H)/lag1 (CSL) proteins [6–9]. Recent studies suggest that PS genes control the proteolysis and nuclear access of the Notch intracellular domain [3,4,10,11], offering a basis for the functional interaction of PS and Notch genes [12]. Here, we report that Notch1 signaling elicited by the ligand Delta1 was quantitatively unchanged in PS1-deficient primary embryonic fibroblasts (PEFs). Notch1 signals were measured by both the activation of the hairy/enhancer of split ( HES1 ) promoter and by the antagonism of MyoD-induced muscle creatine kinase ( MCK ) promoter activity. A membrane-tethered ligand-independent Notch1 construct also showed full efficacy in both assays, despite its presumed requirement for cleavage. Although signaling through Notch1 persisted in PS1-deficient cells, we found a marked reduction in the appearance of a complex of a cleaved, intracellular Notch fragment (NICD) and a CSL protein, as previously reported [6,10]. These studies reveal that PS1 is not required for ligand-dependent Notch signaling, and that PS1 and PS2 may be redundant. Our data also suggest that the identified NICD fragment may not be necessary for Notch signal transduction [9].
Vehicle emissions in congestion: Comparison of work zone, rush hour and free-flow conditions

Abstract Traffic congestion frequently occurs during rush hour periods and in work zones, and can account for a significant share of vehicle emissions and air quality impacts. This study estimates vehicle emissions from light- and heavy-duty vehicles (LDVs, HDVs) in work zone and rush hour congestion, which are compared to emissions under free-flow traffic conditions. Field experiments collected second-by-second vehicle speed and acceleration data on typical weekdays along a freeway segment that experienced both rush hour and work zone congestion. The collected data were smoothed and used in the Comprehensive Modal Emissions Model (CMEM) to generate second-by-second emissions. For LDVs and when expressed as g mi −1 vehicle −1 , the highest emission rates of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NO x ) occurred during the transitional period when traffic changed from free-flow to congested conditions and vice-versa; the lowest rates occurred during low speed work zone congestion periods. However, the highest fuel consumption rates and the highest carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions occurred under work zone congestion, while the lowest fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions occurred with rush hour congestion. On a link or emission density basis (e.g., g mi −1 s −1 ), rush hour congestion had the highest emission and fuel consumption rates. Results for HDVs differed in that work zone congestion was associated with the highest emissions of HC, CO and CO 2 , and the highest fuel consumption, while NO x emission rates under the different traffic conditions were similar. On an emission density basis, however, the rush hour congestion again was associated with the highest emissions of CO, NO x and CO 2 (but not HC). The differences between congestion and free-flow conditions highlight the importance of accounting for congestion in emission, exposure and health risk evaluations, as well as transportation planning.
Varactor-tunable pulsed avalanche-diode oscillator for X-band operation

A pulsed avalanche-diode oscillator operating in a microstrip circuit with a novel technique of varactor tuning is described. A tuning range of greater than 2% is obtained with a minimum output power of 6.2 W in X-band for an oscillator operated with 0.5 μs its bias pulse at duty cycles of up to 2%.
The Effects of Nursing Home Placement on the Perceived Levels of Caregiver Burden

Providing care for an aging parent can be one of the most fulfilling life experiences for an adult child. It can also be one of the most exhausting physically, emotionally, and financially. A caregiver experiences psychological and emotional changes when their dependent parent or spouse is placed into formal care. This research project uses the Montgomery Borgatta Caregiver Burden Scale, amended with a questionnaire, in a self-administered, anonymous survey to explore perceptions of caregiving burden before and after the nursing home placement periods. This research showed that numerous factors influence caregivers' perceptions of burden and the quality of relationships among family members.
Reflective Narrations of Female Inmates: Dealing with Resistance During Adolescent Mental Health Treatment

Employing a qualitative approach, this study examines the adolescent mental health experiences of incarcerated women. Analysis of themes was presented from 20 semi-structured interviews and two focus groups. Emerging themes illuminated how past relationships and power inequities affect the therapeutic relationship and subsequently the resistance seen in the therapeutic setting. Those practitioners who incorporated techniques that encouraged personal power, relationship development, and expression of feelings were seen more positively and minimized resistance. Biases within the mental health community were seen in the participants' experiences, but most were covert rather than overt. Practice implications are recommended.
The synthesis of desamido analogs of staurosporine, RK-286c, and TAN-1030a

Abstract Ring expansion of dimethyl acetal 16 proceeds stereo- and regioselectively to 15 which is in turn converted to the desamido analogs of staurosporine, RK-286c, and TAN-1030a.
Dynamics of the Atmosphere

The study of atmospheric dynamics has seen an impressive expansion into many subdisciplines in the past few decades. It is only natural, then, that most textbooks published during this period have tended to focus on one of these sub-disciplines. Atmospheric dynamics seems to be too broad a subject area to be the focus of a single text. A pitfall of writing a broadly focused text like Dynamics of the Atmosphere is that some subjects will receive short shrift. Nevertheless, the authors have succeeded admirably in striking a balance between, first of all, covering the important topics and, second, providing sufficient detail on these subjects in a concise and accurate manner.
Inter- and Intraobserver Reliability and Validation of a New Method for Determination of Eosinophil Counts in Patients with Esophageal Eosinophilia

Background Diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) requires quantification of esophageal eosinophilia.
The creativity crisis: The decrease in creative thinking scores on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking.

The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) was developed in 1966 and renormed five times: in 1974, 1984, 1990, 1998, and 2008. The total sample for all six normative samples included 272,599 kindergarten through 12th grade students and adults. Analysis of the normative data showed that creative thinking scores remained static or decreased, starting at sixth grade. Results also indicated that since 1990, even as IQ scores have risen, creative thinking scores have significantly decreased. The decrease for kindergartners through third graders was the most significant.
Transparent object extraction from regular textured backgrounds by using binary parallel operations

Abstract A transparent object is investigated from the viewpoint of automatic image analysis and recognition. A regularly textured background is proposed to utilize both the reflection and refraction effects of the object. A transparent ashtray is put onto a dotted background and observed from the top by a TV camera. The dot size of the background is known in advance. The observed image is thresholded and processed by conventional binary local parallel operations, i.e., dilation (expansion) and erosion (contraction). Both the dilation-erosion and erosion-dilation operations detect regions larger than the original dot. These regions are either reflecting areas or areas created by deformed or enlarged dots. These two results, which have a compensatory property, are unified. This method is threshold insensitive and is applicable also to opaque objects which have continuously changing gray levels.
RAPD‐PCR characterization of Beauveria bassiana isolates from the rice water weevil Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus

B.E. Urtz and W.C. Rice. 1997. Random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) was used to examine the genetic variability among Beauveria bassiana isolates from infected rice water weevil (RWW), Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, collected in south-western Louisiana. Most of the B. bassiana isolates tightly clustered into one or the other of two groups that diverged at the 65% similarity level. Three soil isolates also clustered within the two groups while one soil isolate did not tightly cluster (mean similarity = 65%) with any of the RWW isolates. The results suggest that certain genotypes of B. bassiana commonly infect RWW while others do not.
Split Models for Predicting Multivehicle Crashes During High-Speed and Low-Speed Operating Conditions on Freeways

The future of traffic management and highway safety lies in proactive traffic management systems. Crash prediction models that use real-time traffic flow variables measured through a series of loop detectors are the most important component of such systems. A previous crash prediction model was developed with the matched case-control logistic regression technique. Although the model achieved reasonable classification accuracy, it remained open to improvement because of the limited study area, sample size, and transferability issues. Therefore, the previous work had been extended. Multivehicle freeway crashes under high- and low-speed traffic conditions were found to differ in severity and in their mechanism. The distribution of 5-min average speeds obtained immediately before the crash from the loop detector station closest to the crash shows two approximate mound-shaped distributions. This distribution is used as the basis to separate the models for crashes occurring under the two speed conditions. The results show that, as expected, variables that entered in the final models (for crashes under high and low speeds) were not the same. However, they were found to be consistent with the probable mechanisms of crashes under the respective speed conditions. A possible implementation of the separate models with the use of the odds ratios and with the balancing of the threshold between achieving high classification of crash potential and the false alarm situation is presented.
Evaluation of feedback-control systems subjected to large signals

IN THIS PAPER methods are presented for determining design modifications to improve the large-step response of a feedback-control system. This may be the response to a command or to a disturbance. The methods are applicable to systems of higher order as well as second order, and to systems with one or more important nonlinear effects. It is shown that the results obtained by application of the methods may be used to investigate questions not ordinarily answered by studies on a system subjected to small signal variations, such as: 1. Should a controller which has a dual mode of operation be instrumented for the system? 2. Should the saturation level for the cascaded components of the system be increased, thus usually mcreasing the linear range; or decreased, thus usually saving weight, bulk, and cost. 3. For an over-all required power gain in several cascaded components from the error to output, how should this power gain be distributed among the several cascaded components?
Assignment: scene graphs in computer graphics courses

A number of published papers recommend teaching scene graphs in the introductory computer graphics course [Bouvier 2002; Cunningham 1999; Hitchner and Sowizral 1999; Wolfe 1999]. However, little has been published concerning how to effectively use scene graphs in the introductory computer graphics course. This paper summarizes possible scene graphs exercises and teaching experience of the author.
Scattering theory methods for bound state problems

Abstract For the analysis of the properties of a bound state system one may use in place of the Schroedinger equation the Lippmann-Schwinger (LS) equation for the wave function or the LS equation for the reactance operator. Use of the LS equation for the reactance operator constrains the solution to have correct asymptotic behaviour, so this approach would appear to be desirable when the bound state wave function is to be used to calculate particle transfer form factors. We have compared the Schroedinger equation based N -level analysis of the s-wave bound states of a square well to the ones based on the LS equation. We find that the LS equation methods work better than the Schroedinger equation method. The method that uses the LS equation for the wave function gives the best results for the wave functions while the method that uses the LS equation for the reactance operator gives the best results for the binding energies. The accuracy of the reactance operator based method is remarkably insensitive to changes in the oscillator constant used for the harmonic oscillator function basis set. It is also remarkably insensitive to the number of nodes in the bound state wave function.
Thermometry By Optical Fibers And A Thermochromic Transducer

This paper presents a new temperature sensor that utilizes multimode optical fibers for light transmission and a thermochromic transducer for temperature sensing. The working principle of the transducer, technical data on the optoelectronic system, and experimental results are presented.
Further studies of streptococcal infection in normal and splenectomized monkeys.

ConclusionsIntravenous challenge of rhesus monkeys with T14 and S23 strains of Group A hemolytic streptococci was followed by similar clinical and laboratory evidence of infection, and the former strain appeared somewhat more virulent. Aerosol challenge with the T14 strain produced no demonstrable disease but did offer some partial protection to subsequent intravenous challenge 4 weeks later. No significant differences were noted between splenectomized and normal monkeys in reference to fatal outcome after challenge 5-12 days after surgery. However, splenectomized monkeys challenged at the S-day period either died earlier, or if they survived had longer periods of clinical illness, than their nonsplenectomized controls.
Chiral anomalies, higher dimensions, and differential geometry

Abstract We determine the abelian and non-abelian chiral anomalies in 2n-dimensional spacetime by a differential geometric method which enables us to obtain the anomalies without having to calculate Feynman diagrams, as has been done by Frampton and Kephart. The advantage of this method is that the construction automatically satisfies the Wess-Zumino consistency condition, a condition which has direct physical interpretation. We hope that our analysis sheds light on the mathematical structure associated with chiral anomalies. The mathematical analysis is self-contained and a brief review of differential forms and other mathematical tools is included.
Trends in adrenalectomy: a recent national review

Adrenalectomy remains the definitive therapy for most adrenal neoplasms. Introduced in the 1990s, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is reported to have lower associated morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate national adrenalectomy trends, including major postoperative complications and perioperative mortality. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried to identify all adrenalectomies performed during 1998–2006. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed, with adjustments for patient age, sex, comorbidities, indication, year of surgery, laparoscopy, hospital teaching status, and hospital volume. Annual incidence, major in-hospital postoperative complications, and in-hospital mortality were evaluated. Using weighted national estimate, 40,363 patients with a mean age of 54 years were identified. Men made up 40% of these patients, and 77% of the patients were white. The majority of adrenalectomies (83%) were performed for benign disease. The annual volume of adrenalectomies increased from 3,241 in 1998 to 5,323 in 2006 (p < 0.0001, trend analysis). The overall in-hospital mortality was 1.1%, with no significant change. Advanced age (<45 years as the referent; ≥65 years: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.10; 95%; confidence Interval [CI], 1.66–10.10) and patient comorbidities (Charlson score 0 as the referent; Charlson score ≥2: AOR, 4.33; 96% CI, 2.34–8.02) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Indication, year, hospital teaching status, and hospital volume did not independently affect perioperative mortality. Major postoperative in-hospital complications occurred in 7.2% of the cohort, with a significant increasing trend (1998–2000 [5.9%] vs 2004–2006 [8.1%]; p < 0.0001, trend analysis). Patient comorbidities (Charlson score 0 as the referent; Charlson score ≥2: AOR, 4.77; 95% CI, 3.71–6.14), recent year of surgery (1998–2000 as the referent; 2004–2006: AOR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.09–1.78), and benign disease (malignant disease as the referent; benign disease: AOR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.55–2.53) were predictive of major postoperative complications at multivariable analyses, whereas laparoscopy was protective (no laparoscopy as the referent; laparoscopy: AOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.47–0.82). Adrenalectomy is increasingly performed nationwide for both benign and malignant indications. In this study, whereas perioperative mortality remained low, major postoperative complications increased significantly.
Effect of different total parenteral nutrition fuel mixes on the body composition of infant miniature pigs.

Summary: At 10 d of age miniature pigs were randomized to receive either of two total parenteral nutrition fuel mixes; oral feedings were discontinued. Both groups received 170 kcal·kg-1·d-1 and 11 g·kg-1·d-1 of synthetic amino acids. Nonprotein energy was supplied as glucose in group A, whereas in group B, it was divided equally between glucose and fat. Blood samples were drawn on the second and eighth postoperative days for hematologic, biochemical, and hormonal measurements. On the ninth postoperative day, total body water was determined and the animals were killed for carcass analysis. The animals tolerated the intravenous nutrition without ill effects as indicated by both clinical and biochemical parameters. Group A had significantly elevated levels of insulin and a higher insulin/glucagon ratio than group B. Cortisol levels did not differ significantly between groups. Total body fat, nitrogen, ash, K, Na, Cl, Ca, and P were similar between groups. TBW was significantly greater in group A compared with group B. Extracellular space calculated from body Cl and plasma Cl was similar between groups.
The New Milestones: Do We Need to Take a Step Back to Go a Mile Forward?

The Milestones Project, like all previous systems and changes in graduate psychiatric education, for example, moving from 3 to 4 years of training or adopting six competency domains, has been devised without any supporting data and does not assess meaningful outcomes, such as improved patient outcomes. No evidence is presented that Milestones-based training will produce better psychiatrists. There is a path forward. First, replace unproven expert consensus with scientific and evidence-based approaches. Second, exchange endpoints that are easy to assess but uncorrelated with real world functioning (e.g., multiple-choice examinations) for outcomes that are meaningful and external to the training program (e.g., patient outcomes). Finally, to prevent possible waste, excess burden, or harm, no changes should be mandated until proven in prospective studies.
Formation of peroxides in fatty esters. II. Methyl linoleate: application of the polarographic and direct oxygen methods

This study of the prolonged autoxidation of methyllinoleate at 80°C. has included polarographic identification and determination of hydroperoxides, the direct determination of oxygen contents, and catalytic micro-hydrogenation for the determination of unsaturation. The polarographic method has further substantiated the observations of other workers that the principal peroxidic substance formed during the autoxidation of methyl linoleate at 80°C. is a hydroperoxide. The direct oxygen measurements have shown that most of the oxygen absorbed in the initial stages of autoxidation can be accounted for as hydroperoxide. During the latter stages there was a continuous increase of oxygen uptake, half of which can be accounted for as free acid and half as forms other than hydroperoxide, ester, or free acid. By means of the catalytic micro-hydrogenation method it has further been shown that as the autoxidation progresses there is a continuous decrease in unsaturation.
Electronic versus open outcry trading in agricultural commodities futures markets

Abstract The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) introduced side by side trading of its agricultural futures commodities in August 2006. We analyze and compare market quality conditions in corn, soybeans, and wheat futures when these contracts trade simultaneously on open outcry and electronic trading venues. We find that volume migrates from floor trading to electronic trading and transaction costs are higher for floor than for screen-based trading. Nonetheless, we observe that both trading venues contribute significantly to price discovery. Given the recent surge in volatility in commodities futures markets, we also investigate activity variables such as volume that can help explain volatility in the two different trading platforms. We find that for agricultural commodities, variables that help describe volatility are not characteristic of the type of trading venue.