cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deterministic algorithms for sampling count data

Processing and extracting meaningful knowledge from count data is an important problem in data mining. The volume of data is increasing dramatically as the data is generated by day-to-day activities such as market basket data, web clickstream data or network data. Most mining and analysis algorithms require multiple passes over the data, which requires extreme amounts of time. One solution to save time would be to use samples, since sampling is a good surrogate for the data and the same sample can be used to answer many kinds of queries. In this paper, we propose two deterministic sampling algorithms, Biased-L2 and DRS. Both produce samples vastly superior to the previous deterministic and random algorithms, both in sample quality and accuracy. Our algorithms also improve on the run-time and memory footprint of the existing deterministic algorithms. The new algorithms can be used to sample from a relational database as well as data streams, with the ability to examine each transaction only once, and maintain the sample on-the-fly in a streaming fashion. We further show how to engineer one of our algorithms (DRS) to adapt and recover from changes to the underlying data distribution, or sample size. We evaluate our algorithms on three different synthetic datasets, as well as on real-world clickstream data, and demonstrate the improvements over previous art.
Towards a Wireless Mobile Social Network System Design in Healthcare

In today’s online social networking, one can google social network and stumble upon an array of different results. Each of these choices is often associated with a common cause for people to network. The majority of today’s social networks are focused more towards teenagers and young adults as a virtual “hangout” and discussion area. However, there is a lack in one crucial area of social networking development and that is the medical/healthcare industry. One demographic not directly accounted for in the social networking age is people with the need for acquiring medical or healthcare related information and for connecting with others on this level. In addition, web based social networks are limited to access restrictions. Users are usually required to access from a PC or laptop. This problem is slowly being taken care of with the emergence of mobile social networking. Milestone mobile devices such as the Apple iPhone and the Google/HTC G1 phone have helped jump start this transition. The paper looks into the new aspects how to design a special wireless mobile system (mCare) based on social networking platform in healthcare.
What Explains Racial Differences in the Use of Advance Directives and Attitudes Toward Hospice Care

Cultural beliefs and values are thought to account for differences between African Americans and whites in the use of advance directives and beliefs about hospice care, but few data clarify which beliefs and values explain these differences. Two hundred five adults aged 65 and older who received primary care in the Duke University Health System were surveyed. The survey included five scales: Hospice Beliefs and Attitudes, Preferences for Care, Spirituality, Healthcare System Distrust, and Beliefs About Dying and Advance Care Planning. African Americans were less likely than white subjects to have completed an advance directive (35.5% vs 67.4%, P<.001) and had less favorable beliefs about hospice care (Hospice Beliefs and Attitudes Scale score, P<.001). African Americans were more likely to express discomfort discussing death, want aggressive care at the end of life, have spiritual beliefs that conflict with the goals of palliative care, and distrust the healthcare system. In multivariate analyses, none of these factors alone completely explained racial differences in possession of an advance directive or beliefs about hospice care, but when all of these factors were combined, race was no longer a significant predictor of either of the two outcomes. These findings suggest that ethnicity is a marker of common cultural beliefs and values that, in combination, influence decision-making at the end of life. This study has implications for the design of healthcare delivery models and programs that provide culturally sensitive end-of-life care to a growing population of ethnically diverse older adults.
Revision of the Tribe Odontobraconini in the Western Hemisphere (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae)

. A systematic study is presented for the three genera of the braconid tribe Odontobraconini (Doryctinae) occurring in the Western Hemisphere: Odontobracon Cameron, Nervellius Roman, and Holcobracon Cameron. Nineteen species are described, of which eight are new. Keys for separating the world genera of the Odontobraconini and for distinguishing the species of the above three genera are provided.
The role of phonological storage deficits in specific language impairment: A reconsideration

In her Keynote Article, Gathercole (2006) presents a theoretical framework intended to account for evidence regarding the relation between nonword repetition and word learning. This framework stems from an impressive amount and breadth of research on this topic, including findings from adults and children with typical language abilities as well as language learning disorders. In this commentary we focus on claims relative to the interpretation of nonword repetition deficits in children with specific language impairment (SLI). One issue we address pertains to the nature of the proposed model of nonword processing and word learning, particularly with respect to phonological sensitivity and storage. The second issue we address relates to the assumption that a phonological storage deficit, although not sufficient, is necessary for SLI.
Folate receptor-mediated targeting of therapeutic and imaging agents to activated macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by inflammation of the joints and destruction of cartilage and bone, often compromising both the quality and duration of life. The disease pathology is complex, involving the infiltration and activation of various populations of immune cells along with the release of destructive inflammatory mediators into the synovium of affected joints. Although it is still debatable whether activated macrophages are the primary promoters of RA, emerging data clearly show that the biological activity of this subset of inflammatory cells greatly contributes to both the acute and chronic stages of the disease. The further discovery of folate receptor expression on these activated (but not quiescent) macrophages in both animal models and human patients with naturally occurring RA has opened the possibility of exploiting folic acid to target attached drugs to this population of pathologic cells. Indeed, recent studies have shown that folate-linked imaging and therapeutic agents can be selectively delivered to arthritic joints, allowing both visualization and treatment of RA, with little or no collateral toxicity to normal tissues. This review will first summarize data documenting specific expression of the folate receptor on activated macrophages and then focus on the development of folate-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic agents for guided intervention into rheumatoid arthritis.
Pericyte structure and distribution in the cerebral cortex revealed by high-resolution imaging of transgenic mice

Pericytes are essential for normal brain function, but many aspects of their physiology remain enigmatic due to a lack of tools to genetically target this cell population. Here, we characterize brain pericytes using two existing Cre-recombinase driver mouse lines that can serve distinct purposes in cerebrovascular research. One line expresses an inducible version of Cre under the NG2 proteoglycan promoter, which provides the sparse labeling necessary to define the morphology of single cells. These mice reveal structural differences between pericytes adjacent to arterioles versus those broadly distributed in the capillary bed that may underlie differential roles in control of vessel caliber. A second line expresses Cre constitutively under the platelet-derived growth factor receptor β promoter and provides continuous, highly specific and near-complete labeling of pericytes and myocytes along the entire cerebrovasculature. This line provides a three-dimensional view of pericyte distribution along the cortical angioarchitecture following optical clearing of brain tissue. In combination with recent reporter lines for expression of optogenetic actuators and activity-sensitive probes, these mice may be key tools for studying pericyte biology in the intact brain.
Image enhancement by noncontrast harmonic echocardiography. Part I. Qualitative assessment of endocardial visualization.

Objective To determine whether harmonic imaging—use of signals with frequencies twice that of the transmitted ultrasound to produce ultrasound images—can improve endocardial border definition in patients who have technically difficult echocardiograms. Methods We studied 29 patients with technically difficult echocardiograms (nonvisualization of 2 or more endocardial segments in a 16-segment model). Apical long-axis, four-chamber, and two-chamber images were acquired during fundamental imaging (at 2.0 and 3.5 MHz) and second harmonic imaging (3.5-MHz receive mode) in random order. Images were digitally stored and subsequently reviewed blindly for endocardial segment score (0 = not visualized; 1=adequate; or 2=excellent) and overall ranking of image quality (1 [best] to 3 [worst]). Results Mean endocardial segment score was significantly better (P Conclusion Noncontrast harmonic imaging appreciably enhances endocardial definition in patients with technically difficult echocardiographic studies and significantly improves overall image quality.
Electronic Health Record Innovations for Healthier Patients and Happier Doctors

This special issue explores a range of health information technology (HIT) issues that can help primary care practices and patients. Findings address the design of HIT systems, primarily electronic health records (EHRs), the utility of various functionalities, and implementation strategies that ensure the greatest value. The articles also remind us that, while HIT can support the delivery of care, it is not a panacea. To be effective, functionality needs to be relevant and timely for both the clinician and patient. Prompts and better documentation can improve care, and "prompt fatigue" is not inevitable. Information presented within EHRs needs to be actionable. There is an ongoing tension between information overload and the right-and helpful-information. Even the order of presentation of information can make a difference in the outcome. Whether supported by HIT or not, basic tenants of care, such as including the whole care team in trainings, communicating with other providers, and engaging patients, remain essential. The studies in this issue will prove useful for informatics developers, practices and health systems making HIT decisions, and care teams refining HIT to support the needs of their patients.
Esophageal responses to transient and sustained esophageal distension

With the use of intraluminal manometry in alpha-chloralose-anesthetized opossums, distal esophageal and lower esophageal sphincter responses to prolonged midesophageal balloon distension were compared with those evoked by single transient distensions, vagal efferent stimulation, and swallowing. Balloon inflation caused sphincteric relaxation that recovered during small volume but persisted during large volume-prolonged distension. The esophageal body was either quiescent or exhibited nonperistaltic contractions during prolonged distension. Balloon deflation induced non-peristaltic esophageal and sphincteric contractions as well as further sphincter relaxation. Responses to prolonged large and small volume balloon distension resembled those evoked by high- and low-frequency vagal efferent stimulation, respectively. However, vagal-stimulated "on" contractions were not seen with balloon distension, and atropine did not modify excitatory responses occurring during or after prolonged distension. Although transient distension induced peristaltic esophageal contractions, the peristaltic velocity was faster than swallow-induced peristalsis. With transient distension, atropine prolonged the latency to contraction in the mid but not the distal smooth muscle segment and thus increased peristaltic velocity. These studies demonstrate that 1) esophageal distension evokes a wide spectrum of lower esophageal sphincter and esophageal body response, and 2) cholinergic neurons play a minimal role in distension-induced responses of the distal esophageal circular muscle below the distending balloon.
Contrasts in Presidential Campaign Commercials of 1972

The following study examines the contrasting philosophies of media directors and campaigns that were reflected in the television political commercials of President Richard Nixon and Senator George McGovern in the 1972 campaign for the Presidency. Dr. Devlin, an assistant professor in the Department of Speech at the University of Rhode Island, undertook the research for this study while on sabbatical leave during the campaign.
GPU-accelerated co-design of induced dimension reduction: algorithmic fusion and kernel overlap

In this paper we present an optimized GPU co-design of the Induced Dimension Reduction (IDR) algorithm for solving linear systems. Starting from a baseline implementation based on the generic BLAS routines from the MAGMA software library, we apply optimizations that are based on kernel fusion and kernel overlap. Runtime experiments are used to investigate the benefit of the distinct optimization techniques for different variants of the IDR algorithm. A comparison to the reference implementation reveals that the interplay between them can succeed in cutting the overall runtime by up to about one third.
International Lighting Vocabulary

Editorial Note: In 1931 the CIE (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage, or International Commission on Illumination) issued an historic set of standards on illumination and colorimetry. In the late 1940's it was becoming apparent that serious consideration needed to be given to a revision of some of the standards. Since then there has been persistent thought given to the revision of the concepts, terminology, testing procedures, etc., and from time to time some changes have been effected. The report herewith covers revisions for an international terminology.
Analytical Electron Microscopy Studies of Bi-Substituted Garnet Films

In-situ heating in an electron microscope, together with EDX and EELS analysis, was used to characterize as-deposited amorphous and transformed garnet films. It was found that upon initial crystallization, a non-uniform precipitation of a second phase occurred, altering the local chemistry and microstructure of the transformed film. In addition, to study the transformation kinetics in more detail some experiments were conducted at slower heating rates and lower temperatures. It is hoped that the data obtained can be correlated to magnetic property measurements and contribute to the development of improved processing conditions.
Effect of Renal Hypertension in Sodium Deficient Rats on Juxtaglomerular Index and Zona Glomerulosa.

SummaryComparable degrees of renal hypertension were induced in sodium deficient rats and those receiving normal sodium intake following unilateral renal artery constriction. Sodium depletion had no effect on blood pressure of rats with established renal hypertension and similarly sodium supplement did not affect the renal hypertension of sodium deficient animals. JGI of untouched kidneys and width of zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortices in sodium-deficient hypertensive rats were greater than in those receiving sodium but less than those of sodium deficient controls. This suggests that changes in JGI of untouched kidneys of hypertensive rats primarily reflect the sodium state of the animals and to a less extent the effect of blood pressure per se.
Diamine oxidase-gold ultrastructural localization of histamine in isolated human lung mast cells stimulated to undergo anaphylactic degranulation and recovery in vitro

A new enzyme-affinity-gold ultrastructural method makes use of the affinity of the enzyme, diamine oxidase coupled to gold, for its substrate, histamine, for localization of histamine in isolated human lung mast cells (HLMCs). The method works with routinely prepared ultrastructural samples, thereby allowing precise identification of ultrastructural structures that contain histamine. We used this method to identify the release of histamine from granule stores in anti-immunoglobulin-E (IgE)-stimulated HLMCs and the replacement of histamine in secretory granules of HLMCs during recovery from anaphylactic degranulation in vitro. The findings show that electron-dense granules in unstimulated HLMCs, maintained up to 24 h in culture, and in responding anti-IgE-stimulated HLMCs, over the same time period in vitro, contained histamine. Alteration of granules, resulting in decreased electron density of their contents, was associated with decreased label for histamine. Electron-lucent intracytoplasmic degranulation chambers were devoid of histamine. Recovering HLMCs developed new granule stores of histamine by a mixture of conservation, synthetic, and endocytotic mechanisms.
Lumbar spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis was described as early as 1899 by Sachs and Frankel,1 who described patients with lumbar or lower-extremity pain who walked bent forward and whose symptoms were relieved by laminectomy. Spinal stenosis is caused by narrowing of the spinal canal or the various tunnels through which nerves and other structures communicate with that canal.2 Narrowing of the spinal canal can be the result of (1) the shape of the canal, (2) degenerative changes that decrease the canal size, or (3) movement of one anatomic segment in relation to another. The chief complaint of patients with symptomatic spinal stenosis is claudication , an intense pain brought on by walking and usually felt in one or both lower extremities. The pain is often sufficiently intense to force patients to stop walking and to sit in order to seek relief. Claudication may be either vascular or neurogenic.…
Tissue-specific auto antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus

S lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic complex autoimmune disease involving multi-organ and organ systems. At the devastating disease stage, abnormal immune response can lead to vital damage to the kidneys, brain, heart, blood vessels, and lungs. Although anti-nuclear auto antibodies have been shown to play an important role in SLE disease pathogenesis, the types of auto antibodies causing specific end-organ manifestations are still unclear. To identify auto antibodies that may lead to organ-specific damage in SLE, we generated a large panel of recombinant monoclonal antibodies from SLE patients using the advanced single cell RT-PCR technology. We screened the recombinant antibodies for their reactivity to different tissue cells including neutrophils, blood vessel endothelial cells, and neuronal cells. For the antibodies that react with those cells, protein array or immunoprecipitation assays followed by mass spectrometry analysis are performed to identify their cognate antigens. In particular, we have identified that SLE-derived S4Ab2 antibody recognizes membrane bound protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and S4Ab4 antibody recognizes a novel pattern recognition receptor NLRC5/NOD27. Administration of either antibody in NZB/W F1 lupus-prone mice induced transient proteinuria and kidney damage. Furthermore, SLE patients with active disease have increased titers of anti-PDI and anti-NLRC5 antibodies in their sera. Our studies suggest that anti-PDI and anti-NLRC5 auto antibodies may play an important role in the disease progression and organ damage in SLE patients.
Death Receptor 5 Networks Require Membrane Cholesterol for Proper Structure and Function

Death receptor 5 (DR5) is an apoptosis-inducing member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, whose activity has been linked to membrane cholesterol content. Upon ligand binding, DR5 forms large clusters within the plasma membrane that have often been assumed to be manifestations of receptor co-localization in cholesterol-rich membrane domains. However, we have recently shown that DR5 clusters are more than just randomly aggregated receptors. Instead, these are highly structured networks held together by receptor dimers. These dimers are stabilized by specific transmembrane helix-helix interactions, including a disulfide bond in the long isoform of the receptor. The complex relationships among DR5 network formation, transmembrane helix dimerization, membrane cholesterol, and receptor activity has not been established. It is unknown whether the membrane itself plays an active role in driving DR5 transmembrane helix interactions or in the formation of the networks. We show that cholesterol depletion in cells does not inhibit the formation of DR5 networks. However, the networks that form in cholesterol-depleted cells fail to induce caspase cleavage. These results suggest a potential structural difference between active and inactive networks. As evidence, we show that cholesterol is necessary for the covalent dimerization of DR5 transmembrane domains. Molecular simulations and experiments in synthetic vesicles on the DR5 transmembrane dimer suggest that dimerization is facilitated by increased helicity in a thicker bilayer.
The performance of power MOSFET devices encapsulated with green and non-green mold compounds

The green initiative has driven semiconductor manufacturers to eliminate the use of environmentally unfriendly substances such as antimony oxide, flame retardant and halogenated compounds in their microelectronics packages. Nevertheless, there may be concern that the new chemistries in green package may alter the properties of semiconductor devices. We have evaluated the performance of power transistors encapsulated with green and non-green epoxy mold compound (EMC) via autoclave stress. We have proven that green device indeed possesses superior electrical and physical properties than non-green device. Our research result reveals that device with non-green EMC exhibits relatively higher gate-to-source leakage current (IGSS) and drain-to-source on-resistance (RDS[on]) as compared to device with green EMC. The non-steady electrical characteristic of non-green device is attributed to its higher level content of bromide ions released from flame retardant. Under moist environment, bromide ions form electrolytic solutions and trigger the corrosion process. We found that copper ball bonds in non-green device are extremely susceptible to electrolytic corrosion. The corrosion begins from the ball periphery and gradually extends toward the ball base. The corrosive ions accelerate dissolution of aluminum pad underneath copper ball, leading to separation gap formation between intermetallic and bond pad, thus isolating the pad away from the intermetallic layer. Moreover, the gap size is gradually enlarged when the autoclave stress period is extended, resulting in the rise of RDS[on] over time. In contrast, green device is more impervious to corrosion induced bond damage. As a result, green device demonstrates more stable RDS[on] and lesser leakage current of IGSS even operating under high humidity, pressure, and temperature conditions.
Calixarenes: A Personal History

In the belief that it is important for scientists to be cognizant of the history of their field, this introductory chapter is written in the form of an odyssey of one of its earliest practitioners.
Dimorphism in Histoplasma Capsulatum: Study of Cell Differentiation and Adaptation

Fungal morphogenesis, in particular dimorphism in pathogenic fungi, has intrigued clinicians and medical mycologists since its discovery at the turn of the century. Numerous reviews have been written on this subject. Using Histoplasma capsulatum as a model to study host-parasite interaction at the biochemical and molecular level, we have attempted to relate the clinical spectrum of histoplasmosis to natural variations in the characteristics of H. capsulatum and to the adaptations this organism must make as a saprobe and a parasite.
Exploring matrix effects and quantifying organic additives in hydraulic fracturing associated fluids using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) operations utilize millions of gallons of water amended with chemical additives including biocides, corrosion inhibitors, and surfactants. Fluids injected into the subsurface return to the surface as wastewaters, which contain a complex mixture of additives, transformation products, and geogenic chemical constituents. Quantitative analytical methods are needed to evaluate wastewater disposal alternatives or to conduct adequate exposure assessments. However, our narrow understanding of how matrix effects change the ionization efficiency of target analytes limits the quantitative analysis of polar to semi-polar HF additives by means of liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). To address this limitation, we explored the ways in which matrix chemistry influences the ionization of seventeen priority HF additives with a modified standard addition approach. We then used the data to quantify HF additives in HF-associated fluids. Our results demonstrate that HF additives generally exhibit suppressed ionization in HF-associated fluids, though HF additives that predominantly form sodiated adducts exhibit significantly enhanced ionization in produced water samples, which is largely the result of adduct shifting. In a preliminary screening, we identified glutaraldehyde and 2-butoxyethanol along with homologues of benzalkonium chloride (ADBAC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polypropylene glycol (PPG) in HF-associated fluids. We then used matrix recovery factors to provide the first quantitative measurements of individual homologues of ADBAC, PEG, and PPG in HF-associated fluids ranging from mg L−1 levels in hydraulic fracturing fluid to low μg L−1 levels in PW samples. Our approach is generalizable across sample types and shale formations and yields important data to evaluate wastewater disposal alternatives or implement exposure assessments.
Metal ions-modulated near-infrared electrochemiluminescence from Au nanoclusters enhanced by 4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid at physiological pH

Abstract The enhancement of near IR ECL from Au nanoclusters by the commonly used good's buffer 4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-1-Piperazineethanesulfonic Acid (HEPES) as coreactants is presented. Lipoic acid (LA) stabilized Au22 nanocluster is used based on its high quantum efficiency of near IR photoluminescence, also in reference to the EDTA enhancement and metal ion responses previously reported. Metal ions are demonstrated to be effective in modulating ECL signal. Specifically, zinc ion is found to drastically enhance the AuNC-HEPES ECL while magnesium and calcium ions lower the ECL intensity. Differentiation of different metal ions or sensing specificity can be better achieved by both intensity and kinetics analysis. The enhancement in ECL by zinc ions is attributed to the direct coordinate interactions with ligand monolayer in the presence of HEPES and confirmed by similar enhancement in the near IR photoluminescence. The ECL profiles are sensitive to pH and display optimal responses at physiological pH which makes HEPES better suited over EDTA for the corresponding applications. The design is translational to other ions and other amine-based good's buffers.
Coreference or Not: A Twin Model for Coreference Resolution

A twin-model is proposed for coreference resolution: a link component, modeling the coreferential relationship between an anaphor and a candidate antecedent, and a creation component modeling the possibility that a phrase is not coreferential with any candidate antecedent. The creation model depends on all candidate antecedents and is often expensive to compute; Therefore constraints are imposed on feature forms so that features in the creation model can be efficiently computed from feature values in the link model. The proposed twin-model is tested on the data from the 2005 Automatic Content Extraction (ACE) task and the proposed model performs better than a thresholding baseline without tuning free parameter.
BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF ANTERODORSAL HIPPOCAMPAL LESIONS AND SUBSEQUENT ANOMALOUS SYMPATHETIC INNERVATION IN THE RAT

Publisher Summary The collateral sprouting of sympathetic axons following lesions to either the fimbria or medial septal nucleus was reported by Stenevi and Bjorklund in 1978. Since that time, a literature has developed on this phenomenon that Loy and Moore called anomalous sympathetic innervation (ASI). The cell bodies of the sprouting axons that supply this anomalous sympathetic innervation are located in the superior cervical ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system. These axons normally enter the brain along the carotid arteries and terminate in blood vessels in the brain. The superior cervical ganglia are surgically accessible and with some care can be removed, thus preventing the development of this anomalous innervation by eliminating the source of the sprouting axons. This chapter describes the possible effects of hippocampal lesions in several different experiments involving five behaviors: open field exploration, spontaneous alternation tendencies in a T-maze, acquisition of spatial maze pattern, latent learning of spatial maze patterns, and conditioned taste aversion to novel substances. Spontaneous alternation was evaluated by giving each rat three trials in an unbaited T-maze. The latter two trials constituted the test trials. If on trial two the rat entered the arm not entered on trial 1, then that was counted as an alternation. Similarly, if on trial three the rat entered the arm not entered on trial 2, then that was counted as an alternation.
Advanced NASA Earth Science Mission Concept for Vegetation 3D Structure, Biomass and Disturbance

Carbon in forest canopies represents about 85% of the total carbon in the Earth's aboveground biomass (Olson et al., 1983). A major source of uncertainty in global carbon budgets derives from large errors in the current estimates of these carbon stocks (IPCC, 2001). The magnitudes and distributions of terrestrial carbon storage along with changes in sources and sinks for atmospheric C02 due to land use change remain the most significant uncertainties in Earth's carbon budget. These uncertainties severely limit accurate terrestrial carbon accounting; our ability to evaluate terrestrial carbon management schemes; and the veracity of atmospheric C02 projections in response to further fossil fuel combustion and other human activities. Measurements of vegetation three-dimensional (3D) structural characteristics over the Earth's land surface are needed to estimate biomass and carbon stocks and to quantify biomass recovery following disturbance. These measurements include vegetation height, the vertical profile of canopy elements (i.e., leaves, stems, branches), andlor the volume scattering of canopy elements. They are critical for reducing uncertainties in the global carbon budget. Disturbance by natural phenomena, such as fire or wind, as well as by human activities, such as forest harvest, and subsequent recovery, complicate the quantification of carbon storage and release. The resulting spatial and temporal heterogeneity of terrestrial biomass and carbon in vegetation make it very difficult to estimate terrestrial carbon stocks and quantify their dynamics. Vegetation height profiles and disturbance recovery patterns are also required to assess ecosystem health and characterize habitat. The three-dimensional structure of vegetation provides habitats for many species and is a control on biodiversity. Canopy height and structure influence habitat use and specialization, two fundamental processes that modify species richness and abundance across ecosystems. Accurate and consistent 3D measurements of forest structure at the landscape scale are needed for assessing impacts to animal habitats and biodiversity following disturbance.
Autoimmune Blistering Disorders in the Geriatric Population

In this review, we seek to discuss the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatments, and latest research developments for autoimmune blistering disorders including pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and bullous pemphigoid (BP). We also offer our clinical observations and personal experiences with these conditions as they relate to geriatric patients. Recent studies have uncovered important disease associations and new information regarding the pathophysiology of disease. Novel treatments aimed at disease-specific targets hold therapeutic promise. Autoimmune blistering disorders are common in the geriatric population and can have a significant impact on overall health and quality of life. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical. Treatment can be challenging given the frequent number of comorbidities in this patient population, but is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality.
HLCI: A Front-End ASIC for Liquid Argon Calorimeters

We present a front-end ASIC for liquid argon calorime- ters. The preamplifier, of new concept, is based on a fully differen- tial amplifier with passive feedback and it provides at the same time very low noise programmable termination and single-ended to fully- differential conversion. The preamplifier feeds two fully-differential anti-aliasing bipolar shapers with differentgains, designed to achieve an overall dynamic range in excess of104 and characterized by very high output drive capability. The ASICis composed of eight front-end channels, three programmable summing channels for trigger primitives and a flexible signal generator.Designed and fabricated in a commercial 65nm CMOS technology, the ASIC is a candidate for the Phase 2 upgrade of the ATLAS LAr Calorimeter.
Performance of Mg-Sn surface alloys for the sacrificial cathodic protection of Mg alloy AZ31B-H24

Abstract Three solid solution Mg-xSn (x = 1, 5, 10 wt%) alloys are evaluated as candidates for the sacrificial cathodic protection of AZ31B-H24. The performance of each alloy was studied in situ with global and local measurements of galvanic couples between Mg-Sn alloys and AZ31B-H24 when immersed in 0.6 M aqueous NaCl solution. Mg-1Sn was shown to galvanically protect AZ31B-H24 for 24 h with 95% efficiency. Polarity reversal was observed for Mg-5Sn during the initial 10 h, after which protection was offered; and Mg-10Sn provided no protection. Self-corrosion rates of 60% and 52% were observed for Mg-1Sn and Mg-5Sn alloys, respectively.
Vapor Phase Materials and Processes for Glass Optical Waveguides

The first low loss glass optical waveguide fiber, 1 having an attenuation of 17 dB/km, was drawn from a glass blank, or preform, which had been fabricated by a vapor phase process. This success ultimately led to extensive technical efforts worldwide to develop vapor phase processes capable of providing practical glass fibers for the now burgeoning optical communications industry. This has proved to be a very effective and versatile fabrication approach. Single mode, step-index multimode, and graded-index multimode fibers have all been made by vapor phase techniques. Multimode fibers have been fabricated with bandwidths as high as 3 GHz, 2 and with total attenuations as low as 0. 5 dB/km, bordering on the intrinsic limits of the glasses used. 3 Of the more than 56 operating optical waveguide communication systems worldwide, 4 at least 50 use glass fibers made by a vapor phase process. Economic viability of glass fiber communications appears to be rapidly approaching as fabrication technology moves from the research laboratory into the production phase and further process improvements are made. Numerous important variations on vapor phase processes have been developed during the past eight years to achieve such impressive results. The purpose of this paper is to provide a tutorial and contemporaneous review of the key vapor processes under development.
Teaching and evaluating interprofessional teamwork using sequenced instruction and TeamSTEPPS™ Team Performance Observation Tool (TPOT)

Abstract This paper describes a semester-long interprofessional education (IPE) program focused on teaching health care students the knowledge and competencies needed to provide patient-centered collaborative care through a sequence of learning activities. To strengthen and expand IPE efforts at a large Midwestern university, graduate physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nurse practitioner students were enrolled in a one credit hour revised course on interprofessional case management. Students completed five sessions of coursework in which they studied pre-session online modules to acquire knowledge about provider roles and interprofessional communication, practiced conducting patient interviews and peer-teaching through student-led role plays, and worked in interprofessional teams on an unfolding patient case study, facilitated by faculty. At the end of the course, students were asked to self-rate and reflect on their team's performance for leadership, team structure, situation monitoring, mutual support and communication using 16 items from the TeamSTEPPS™ Team Performance Observation Tool (TPOT). Of 98 students enrolled in the course, 63 participated in the study (64.3% response rate). Students assessed all subscales, as well as the overall team performance, very positively with mean values above 4.5 on a scale with values from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); however, non-Caucasian students rated two subscales (situation monitoring and mutual support) significantly lower than Caucasian students. Student reflections emphasized patient-centeredness, respect for the other disciplines, and family-centered decision-making. Positive quantitative and qualitative results demonstrate a promising model for teaching the knowledge and skills health profession students need to provide interprofessional health care.
The Impact of APOL1 on Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension

Essential hypertension is a clinical diagnosis based on the presence of an elevated systemic blood pressure on physical examination without a clear inciting cause. It has multiple etiologies and is not a homogeneous disorder. Hypertension contributes to the development and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, and antihypertensive treatment reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and congestive heart failure. Although hypertension is frequently present in nondiabetic individuals with low levels of proteinuria and chronic kidney disease, reducing blood pressures in this population does not reliably slow nephropathy progression. Many of these patients with recent African ancestry have the primary kidney disease "solidified glomerulosclerosis" that is strongly associated with renal-risk variants in the apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1). This kidney disease contributes to secondarily elevated blood pressures. The APOL1-associated spectrum of nondiabetic nephropathy also includes proteinuric kidney diseases, idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, collapsing glomerulopathy, severe lupus nephritis, and sickle cell nephropathy. This article reviews relationships between mild to moderate essential hypertension and chronic kidney disease with a focus on the role of APOL1 in development of hypertension. Available evidence strongly supports that APOL1 renal-risk variants associate with glomerulosclerosis in African Americans, which then causes secondary hypertension, not with essential hypertension per se.
Application of the interface potential approach for studying wetting behavior within a molecular dynamics framework

We introduce a means to implement the interface potential approach for computing wetting properties within a molecular dynamics framework. The general approach provides a means to determine the contact angle of a liquid droplet on a solid substrate in a mother vapor. We present a framework for implementing "spreading" and "drying" versions of the method within an isothermal-isobaric ensemble. Two free energy methods are considered: cumulative integration of average force profile and multistate Bennett acceptance ratio. An umbrella sampling strategy is used to restrain volume fluctuations and to ensure adequate sampling of a broad volume range. We explore implementation of the approach with the GROningen MAchine for Chemical Simulations and the Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator. We test the accuracy and efficiency of the method with models consisting of a monoatomic Lennard-Jones fluid in the vicinity of a structureless or atomistically detailed substrate. Our results show that one can successfully generate the drying potential within the framework pursued here. The efficiency of the method is strongly dependent upon how one handles the dynamics of the two confining walls. These decisions impact the rate of volume fluctuations, and therefore, the quality of the volume distributions collected. Our efforts to implement the spreading method with molecular dynamics alone proved unsuccessful. The rate at which the configuration space of the vapor phase evolves is insufficient. We show how one can overcome this challenge by implementing a coupled molecular dynamics/Monte Carlo approach. Finally, we show how one can determine the variation in interfacial properties with temperature and substrate strength.
Extravasation of PEGylated Spherical Nanoparticles through a Circular Pore of Similar Size

In this paper, we study the extravasation of PEGylated spherical nanoparticles through a circular pore of similar size using theoretical, computational, and experimental methods. First, we develop ...
16 Forensic Evaluation in Delinquency Cases

This chapter reviews the advances in research and practice in the evaluation of youth in delinquency cases before the juvenile court. A brief history of juvenile courts examines how juvenile forensic evaluations have evolved across the past century. Then the current status of three specific types of evaluations is reviewed. These three sections address evaluation of mental health and dispositional needs of delinquent youths, assessing risk of violence and recidivism, and specific psycholegal questions arising in delinquency cases, including waiver to criminal court, competence to stand trial, and capacities to waive Miranda rights. The chapter closes with a review of selected advances that are anticipated in this field across the next decade. Keywords: forensic; evaluations; juveniles; delinquency; psychology
China's Economic Reforms in a Comparative Perspective1

The paper makes recommendations for extending the reform effort while establishing macroeconomic equilibrium in China. The recommendations concern increasing the decision-making power of enterprises, which are to respond to profit incentives; creating the conditions for effective competition in Chinese industry; reforming prices; linking bonuses to work performance; establishing an effective monetary policy; rationalizing the banking system; and setting realistic interest rates. The paper indicates the need for taking simultaneous action in all these areas. J. Comp. Econ., September, 1987, 11(3), pp. 410–426. The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 and World Bank, Washington, D.C. 20433.
The Brief Case: "Not Positive" or "Not Sure"-COVID-19-Negative Results in a Symptomatic Patient.

A previously healthy 35-year-old male presented to our hospital in mid-March 2020 with an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The patient had been in the shower when he experienced a sudden, pounding frontal headache associated with nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, and weakness. Initial imaging
Super-resolution ophthalmoscopy: Virtually structured detection for resolution improvement in retinal imaging.

Quantitative retinal imaging is essential for advanced study and clinical management of eye diseases. However, spatial resolution of retinal imaging has been limited due to available numerical aper...
Sufficiency, Equality, and Human Rights

This contribution restates the premises of my recent Not Enough: Human Rights in an Unequal World (Cambridge, Mass., 2018), a historical study of economic and social rights in relation to distributive ideals across millennia. It also responds to selected criticisms in those responses in the human rights literature addressed to the book’s framework and the last few pages on the near-present.
The politics and experience of disability: a view from the blind side

This paper combines literature from the field of management and organizational studies with literature from other social sciences to describe how people with disabilities experience organizational life. A brief history of the education and socialization of blind people in the United States places the discussion within the context of the author's own disability. The paper concludes with a call for research that highlights the experience of people with disabilities who are making the transition from organizational outsider to insider. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
Ligand-induced growth cone collapse: amplification and blockade by variant GAP-43 peptides

Growth cones are powerful amplifiers for signals from the microenvironment. Their collapse can be triggered by cell surface components of myelin and brain membranes, as well as by soluble ligands, including neurotransmitters. GAP-43 is a protein concentrated on the inner surface of the growth cone membrane. Assayed in isolation, it interacts with the heterotrimeric protein, G(o), and in oocytes it amplifies the effects of ligand-triggered G protein activation. We wished to examine whether GAP-43 serves to amplify signals at the growth cone. The G(o) stimulating region of GAP-43 is encoded in the 10 amino acids (MLCCMRRT-KQ) of the first exon. We examined the effect of this peptide upon chick dorsal root ganglion growth cone collapse and neurite retraction triggered by brain membranes or myelin, as well as by serotonin. We find that application of the GAP-43 1–10 peptide amplifies the effects of all three ligands. The amplification is greater when GAP-43 1–10 is injected intracellularly. Peptides with amino acid substitutions for the two cysteine residues manifest parallel changes in growth cone collapse and G(o) stimulation. In particular, tyrosine or methionine substitutions cause the peptide to inhibit G(o) and to block induced growth cone collapse. The GAP-43 peptides therefore regulate the sensitivity of growth cones to extrinsic signals. The modified peptides serve as a starting point for the design of reagents to enhance CNS regeneration.
Modeling Network Medium Access Protocols for Network Quality of Service Analysis

Design-time analysis and verification of distributed real-time embedded systems necessitates the modeling of the time-varying performance of the network and comparing that to application requirements. Earlier work has shown how to build a system network model that abstracted away the network's physical medium and protocols which govern its access and multiplexing. In this work we show how to apply a network medium channel access protocol, such as Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), to our network analysis methods and use the results to show that the abstracted model without the explicit model of the protocol is valid.