cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vascular Endothelial Cells Produce Soluble Factors That Mediate the Recovery of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells after Radiation Injury

Abstract The risk of terrorism with nuclear or radiologic weapons is considered to be high over the coming decade. Ionizing radiation can cause a spectrum of hematologic toxicities, from mild myelosuppression to myeloablation and death. However, the potential regenerative capacity of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) after radiation injury has not been well characterized. In this study, we sought to characterize the effects of ionizing radiation on human HSCs and to determine whether signals from vascular endothelial cells could promote the repair of irradiated HSCs. Exposure of human bone marrow CD34+ cells to 400 cGy caused a precipitous decline in hematopoietic progenitor cell content and primitive cells capable of repopulating nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice (SCID-repopulating cells), which was not retrievable via treatment with cytokines. Conversely, culture of 400 cGy–irradiated bone marrow CD34+ cells with endothelial cells under noncontact conditions supported the differential recovery of both viable progenitor cells and primitive SCID-repopulating cells. These data illustrate that vascular endothelial cells produce soluble factors that promote the repair and functional recovery of HSCs after radiation injury and suggest that novel factors with radiotherapeutic potential can be identified within this milieu.
UNLV Special Collections in the Twenty-First Century

University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Special Collections is consistently striving to provide several avenues of discovery to its diverse range of patrons. Specifically, UNLV Special Collections has planned and implemented several online tools to facilitate unearthing treasures in the collections. These online tools incorporate Web 2.0 features as well as searchable interfaces to collections.
An analysis of user influence ranking algorithms on Dark Web forums

Social media is actively utilized by extremists to spread out their ideologies. While the Internet provides a platform for any users around the world to share their opinions, some opinions in social media can be related to the national security and threatening to others. Given the large volume and exponential growing rate of messages on the social media platforms, it is impossible to analyze the messages by manual effort. An effective way to identify the threat through social media is detecting the influential users automatically. Bu identifying the influential users, we can determine the impact and the neighborhood of these users. In this work, we develop weights to incorporate message content similarity and response immediacy to measure the degree of influence between any two users on a social networking site and integrate the weights with the typical link analysis techniques. In our experiment, we investigate the impact of weights and the basic algorithms (iterative or prestige) on the user influence ranking. The experiment is conducted on the Dark Web forum provided in the ISI-KDD Challenge. The result shows that the weights make substantial impact on the ranking results, especially on the in-degree algorithm.
On the k-layer planar subset and topological via minimization problems

Two closely related problems important for performance-driven layout design, the k-layer planar subset problem (k-PSP) and the k-layer topological via minimization problem, are studied. It is shown that both are NP-complete. Moreover, both problems can be solved in polynomial time when the routing regions are crossing channels. It can be shown that under a suitable assumption, all the channels for interblock connections in the general cell design style are crossing channels. The algorithms are based on an efficient algorithm for computing a maximum weighted k-cofamily in a partially ordered set. >
Effective-medium approximation for composite media: Realizable single-scale dispersions

It is known that the popular effective medium approximation (EMA) for the effective conductivity σe of a composite is exactly realizable by certain multiscale hierarchical microstructures. We have found a class of periodic, single-scale dispersions that achieve the EMA function at a given phase conductivity ratio for a two-phase, two-dimensional composite over all volume fractions. Moreover, to an excellent approximation (but not exactly), the same structures realize the EMA for almost the entire range of phase conductivities and volume fractions. The inclusion shapes are given analytically by the generalized hypocycloid, which in general has a nonsmooth interface. To find these structures, we utilized target optimization techniques and a theorem concerning the spectral function.
Measuring molecular elasticity by atomic force microscope cantilever fluctuations.

In single-molecule mechanics experiments the molecular elasticity is usually measured from the deformation in response to a controlled applied force, e.g., via an atomic force microscope cantilever. We have tested the validity of an alternative method based on a recently developed theory. The concept is to measure the change in thermal fluctuations of the cantilever tip with and without its coupling to a rigid surface via the molecule. The new method was demonstrated by its application to the elasticity measurements of L- and P-selectin complexed with P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 or their respective antibodies, which showed values comparable to those measured from the slope of the force-extension curve. L- and P-selectin were found to behave as nearly linear springs capable of sustaining large forces and strains without sudden unfolding. The measured spring constants of ∼4 and ∼1 pN/nm for L- and P-selectin, respectively, suggest that a physiological force of ∼100 pN would result in an ∼200% strain for the respective selectins.
OPTIMIZED SYSTEM FOR D- PRODUCTION FROM CHARGE EXCHANGE IN ALKALI METALS

Negative ion production for neutral (deuteron) beam injectors is considered for a general system utilizing charge-exchange production in alkali metals. Experimental results provide parameters and show good correlation with calculations using known atomic cross sections, so that beam behavior can be predicted. It is found that coupling into the high voltage accelerator poses significant constraints on optimization of the system, e.g., to determine its minimum size. A typical design for 200-keV final energy provides D{sup -} at 1.5 keV from charge-exchange in rubidium, with an average current density of 23 mA/cm{sup 2} and a total current of 20 A.
Effects of Developmental Music Groups for Parents and Premature or Typical Infants Under Two Years on Parental Responsiveness and Infant Social Development

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of music therapy intervention on premature infants' and full term infants' developmental responses and parents' responsiveness. Subjects (n=56) were parent-infant dyads who attended developmental music groups or a control condition assessing responsiveness during toy play. All subjects were matched according to developmental age and were also matched by group for socioeconomic status and for maternal depression. Types of infant play and parent responsiveness were measured using observation of a standardized toy play for parent-infant dyads. Observations were coded with the number of seconds spent in each behavior using the SCRIBE observation program. Parents completed a questionnaire on the perception of their infant's general development, interpretations of their child's needs, the purpose of using music with their child, and their child's response to music. The infants attending the developmental music groups with their parents demonstrated significantly more social toy play (p < .05) during the standardized parent-infant toy play than infants who did not attend the music groups. While not significant, graphic analysis of parent responsiveness showed parents who attended the developmental music groups engaged in more positive and less negative play behaviors with their infants than parents who did not attend the music groups. This study demonstrates the first findings of positive effects of developmental music groups on social behaviors for both premature and full term infants under 2 years old.
Non‐apoptotic desquamation of cells from corneal epithelium: Putative role for Muc4/sialomucin complex in cell release and survival

Muc4/sialomucin complex (SMC), a large heterodimeric mucin composed of an extracellular mucin subunit ASGP-1 and a transmembrane subunit ASGP-2, is present at the rat ocular surface localized mainly to the most superficial layers of the epithelia. To investigate corneal homeostasis and the functions of Muc4/SMC at the ocular surface, we developed a corneal epithelial cell culture system from corneal explants, from which migrating cells formed an epithelial sheet resembling the native epithelium with regard to microanatomy, expression of characteristic markers, cell migration, and Muc4/SMC expression. Cells migrating from the explants expressed smooth muscle actin. Proliferation was detected only on the edge of epithelial sheet in the immature epithelium and throughout the sheet in confluent cultures. Microscopy revealed that the epithelial sheet was formed from four to six layers of cells expressing keratin 3 and Muc4/SMC in forms identical to those expressed at ocular surface in vivo. Electron microscopy showed cells in various morphological states in the process of releasing from the surface of the multilayer (desquamating). Surprisingly, few of these cells showed evidence of apoptosis, either by morphological or DNA fragmentation analyses. These results suggest a new model for desquamation from stratified epithelia, in which desquamation and apoptosis are independent and sequential processes. Desquamating cells also exhibit a high level of Muc4/SMC. Since Muc4/SMC has been shown to be a potent anti-adhesive and a repressor of apoptosis, we propose that it plays a role in the non-apoptotic desquamation process.
Third-party certification in the global agrifood system

Recently, third-party certification (TPC) has emerged as a significant regulatory mechanism in the global agrifood system. It reflects a broader shift from public to private governance. Traditionally, government agencies were responsible for monitoring food safety and quality standards. However, the globalization of the agrifood system, the consolidation of the food retail industry, and the rise in private retailer standards have precipitated a shift in responsibility for this task to third-party certifiers. This development is reconfiguring social, political, and economic relations throughout the contemporary agrifood system. In discussing the rise of TPC, this paper focuses on the role and implications for three key stakeholder groups: supermarket chains, producers, and non-governmental organizations. We conclude that TPC reflects the growing power of supermarkets to regulate the global agrifood system. At the same time, TPC also offers opportunities to create alternative practices that are more socially and environmentally sustainable.
On the impact of neighborhood discovery on geographical routing in wireless sensor networks

In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), sensing nodes operate in dynamic environments resulting in neighboring nodes being discovered or lost at any moment causing the network topology to change constantly. Hence, routing schemes especially geographical ones (which use node positions to route data packets) require periodic exchange of control packets to discover neighboring nodes. Even though it is intuitive that the overhead caused by their periodic broadcasts may affect the end-to-end performance of the routing scheme, previous works have not thoroughly studied the impact of transmission power and frequency of control packets in static as well as mobile environments. Hence, based on our study, Distributed Neighborhood Discovery Protocol (DNDP) is proposed that can make online decisions to find the best transmit power and frequency for sending discovery packets so to minimize the effect on routing.
A PSPICE model for the MOS controlled thyristor

A PSPICE model for the MOS controlled thyristor (MCT), consisting of an SCR section and two MOSFET sections, is proposed. The parameters of the equivalent circuit are calculated from the data provided by the manufacturer and some simple measurements. The simulation and experimental results of a phase-controlled rectifier are compared. >
Electron Scattering in Buried InGaAs MOSFET Channel with HfO2 Gate Oxide

Group III-V semiconductor materials are being studied as potential replacements for conventional CMOS technology due to their better electron transport properties. However, the excess scattering of carriers in MOSFET channel due to high-k gate oxide interface significantly depreciates the benefits of III-V high-mobility channel materials. We present results on Hall electron mobility of buried QW structures influenced by remote scattering due to InGaAs/HfO 2 interface. Mobility in In 0.77 Ga 0.23 As QWs degraded from 12000 to 1200 cm 2 /V-s and the mobility vs. temperature slope changed from T -1.2 to almost T +1.0 in 77-300 K range when the barrier thickness is reduced from 50 to 0 nm. This mobility change is attributed to remote Coulomb scattering due to charges and dipoles at semiconductor/oxide interface. Elimination of the InGaAs/HfO 2 interface via introduction of SiO x interface layer formed by oxidation of thin a-Si passivation layer was found to improve the channel mobility. The mobility vs. sheet carrier density shows the maximum close to 2×10 12 cm -2 .
A nondestructive fiber-based imaging system to assess tissue-engineered vascular grafts

The clinical need for alternatives to autologous vein and artery grafts for small-diameter vascular reconstruction have led researches to a tissue-engineering approach. Bioengineered vascular grafts provide a mechanically robust conduit for blood flow while implanted autologous cells remodel the construct to form a fully functional vessel [1]. A typical tissue-engineering approach involves fabricating a vascular scaffold from natural or synthetic materials, seeding the lumen of a vessel with endothelial cells (EC) and the vessel wall with smooth muscle cells or fibroblasts to mimic the functional properties of a native vessel. The cell-seeded vascular scaffold is then preconditioned in vitro using a pulsatile bioreactor to mimic in vivo conditions to enhance vessel maturation before implantation (Fig. 1).Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Clinical expressions of food allergy

Background The perception, by both the public and health professionals, of the clinical expressions of food allergy (FA) varies widely, from one extreme of nonexistence to another extreme of causing almost every ailment. Critical investigations in recent years led to a better clarification, as well as a reasonable classification, of FA manifestations. Objective To provide a differential diagnosis of adverse reactions to foods and a classification of well proven FA manifestations. Data Sources Reviews and original articles published in peer-reviewed journals, as well as classic textbooks on FA. Results FA can affect several body systems. The gastro-intestinal tract is probably the most affected organ, but it does not always exhibit overt symptoms. Cutaneous manifestations are next in frequency, and in some studies are the most frequent perhaps because they are visible. Respiratory symptoms as sole manifestations of FA are less common, but have high frequency in children with atopic dermatitis. Systemic anaphylaxis has been responsible for sudden fatalities, although the exposure was often to minute quantities of the offending food. Other rare manifestations have been reported and are probably underdiagnosed. Conclusions FA is defined as the immunologically mediated adverse reactions to foods. It can be expressed in a wide array of clinical manifestations, ranging from simple gastro-intestinal, cutaneous, or respiratory symptoms to fatal anaphylaxis. Studies are needed to verify some rare or anecdotal manifestations that have been reported but are still considered controversial.
Patient-Centered, Recovery-Oriented Psychiatric Care and Treatment Are Not Always Voluntary

Explicitly coercive measures are sometimes necessary in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients. The author describes how use of such measures is not antithetical to patient-centered, recovery-oriented practice either in inpatient or outpatient settings. Citing a definition widely used by advocates to describe the overarching goal of recovery--"a full, meaningful, and self-determined life in the community … regardless of psychiatric status"--the author draws parallels between coercive measures taken by society to prevent and treat citizens' dangerous behaviors, such as speeding and public inebriation, and coercive interventions to address dangerous behaviors of psychiatric patients, such as harm to self or others. Society applies coercive interventions to address dangerous behaviors, not psychiatric status.
Uptake and cellular actions of mycolactone, a virulence determinant for Mycobacterium ulcerans.

Abstract Mycolactone is a macrolide secreted by Mycobacterium ulcerans . Experimental evidence suggests that mycolactone plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of Buruli ulcer by causing both tissue destruction and immunosuppression. To understand the cell biology of mycolactone activity, we have synthesized the fluorescent mycolactone derivativebodipymycolactone. Although derivatization resulted in a modest decrease in cytopathic activity, the derivatized and native molecules produce identical phenotypes in cultured cells. Confocal microscopy of bodipymycolactone added to cultured fibroblasts, shows that it is localized to the cytosol. Bodipymycolactone fails to bind to the cell membrane and is excluded from the nucleus. Uptake is both nonsaturable and noncompetitive with excess mycolactone, consistent with passive diffusion of this toxin through the cell membrane. These facts, combined with the inability of signal transduction inhibitors to inhibit mycolactone cytopathicity point towards the presence of an cytosolic target for mycolactone. A dose dependent increase in intracellular calcium levels at occurs upon mycolactone exposure, but chelation of intracellular calcium alters neither the cytopathicity nor the caspase induction profile of treated cells. Mitochondrial polarization is maintained in treated cells for up to 3 days arguing that the rise in intracellular calcium levels may be a result of cytoskeletal remodeling.
Anticipated child loss to migration and sustained high fertility in an east Caribbean population.

Abstract Development today is commonly accompanied by rapid urbanization and, where possible, high rates of migration to industrialized countries. At the same time, the expected demographic transition has often not materialized despite decreases in death rates. Child‐to‐woman ratios in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are related to the educational attainment of women in a census district, the percentage of men engaged in agriculture, whether the district has direct access to the outside world through a port or airport, and, when the other variables are controlled, the stability of a district's population. Those districts with the greatest stability of population had the lowest child‐to‐woman ratios, suggesting that the anticipated loss of children to migration may be an important factor in maintaining high reproductive rates.
Anaerobic, Nitrate-Dependent Oxidation of U(IV) Oxide Minerals by the Chemolithoautotrophic Bacterium Thiobacillus denitrificans

Under anaerobic conditions and at circumneutral pH, cells of the widely distributed, obligate chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Thiobacillus denitrificans oxidatively dissolved synthetic and biogenic U(IV) oxides (uraninite) in nitrate-dependent fashion: U(IV) oxidation required the presence of nitrate and was strongly correlated with nitrate consumption. This is the first report of anaerobic U(IV) oxidation by an autotrophic bacterium.
Why do people die from taking Ecstasy

This paper looks at the process that underlies many of the well-publicized fatalities and injuries that have resulted from taking Ecstasy. The physical process is described and some of the theories that seek to explain this phenomenon are discussed. The role of the frontline emergency staff will be described briefly, as will some of the dilemmas of harm reduction and public policy regarding this mass phenomenon.
PRACTICING STATISTICS OR WHAT THEY FORGOT TO SAY IN THE CLASSROOM

This report gives a brief summary of some of the things that are important for a practicing statistician to know, but which are seldom taught in statistics courses. Issues covered include: tips on keeping up with the literature, useful computer programs, the importance of good interpersonal communication in collaborative work, ideas on data gathering and analysis and suggestions for improving report writing.
Investigating missing sources of sulfur at Fairbanks, Alaska.

We investigated disparities in elemental sulfur and inorganic sulfate concentrations in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) data from 2005 to 2012 at a monitoring station in Fairbanks, AK. In approximately 28% of the observations from 2005 to 2012, elemental sulfur by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy significantly exceeded the inorganic sulfur by ion chromatography (IC), suggesting the presence of a significant quantity of unmeasured sulfur compounds. The mean ratio of sulfur by XRF to that by IC for only these cases was 1.22 ± 0.11. The largest discrepancies between elemental sulfur and sulfate were most frequently observed in the summer, although discrepancies were observed year round. Assuming the additional sulfur (other than inorganic sulfate) as the upper limit estimate, this work shows that organosulfur species (or the additional sulfur) account for 1.29% of organic carbon (OC) and 0.75% of PM2.5 in Fairbanks. An analysis of all available air quality system (AQS) data suggests that these r...
Laptop librarians: Meeting 21st century needs by going mobile

Hospital librarianship is a profession in search of a new paradigm. The librarians at West Virginia Health Sciences Library Charleston Division are attempting to create that paradigm by using technology to deliver services to offsite facilities in new ways, advancing the role of the medical librarian in the hospital setting instead of retreating, going to their clientele instead of waiting for their clientele to come to them. This article describes two projects that use high-tech to deliver high-touch.
Sickle cell anemia; first case reported from Egypt.

Rheumatic fever, rheumatic arthritis, acholuric jaundice were excluded in this case on the clinical and laboratory findings. The history, physical examination and the laboratory studies all supported the diagnosis of sickle cell anemia. This case presents certain points of interest. It is the first case of sickle cell anemia reported from Egypt. The disease was found in the patient and her father and excluded in the other members of the family. It is, however, possible that the paternal uncle had also suffered and died from the disease. The patient is a white girl and admixture of Negro blood was reasonably excluded through 6 ancestral generations. This case, therefore, adds to those already described in subjects of the white race from the Mediterranean area. It will be noticed that the patient’s family originates from Algeria, where 3 cases were diagnosed in natives by Smith 19 on the basis of the anatomical changes observed in the spleen.
Analysis on Power Loss Characteristics and Efficiency of Energy-Saving Technologies of Overhead Grounding Wires

With scale expanding of power grids and length increasing of transmission lines,the power loss of overhead ground wires has become an increasingly prominent problem.Therefore,the power loss characteristics of ground wires through field measurement and computer simulation,and the quantitative data and laws of induced current of 110~500 kV typical single,double circuit transmission line were studied,and a variety of energy-saving measures for overhead ground wire,such as single point grounding,segmentation,transposition,coordinate transposition with overhead conductors and grounding wires,etc.,were proposed,which have been applied to Guangdong power grid.It is shown that the energy-saving technologies can make overhead ground wires lossless operation and achieve enormous economic and social benefits basically.In addition,investment costs and economic benefits of energy-saving projects in Guangdong Power Grid and China Southern Power Grid were analyzed,which is of great significance to green power grid construction.
The Enlightment on International Experience of Medical Insurance

Our country's system of medical security is in the process of construction.But the main direction of the system of health care for all has determined.Supported by urban employees,new rural and urban residents,assisted by urban medical relief,our country will fulfill every citizen-covered areas of medical insurance.
Application of uncertainty modeling frameworks to uncertain isosurface extraction

Proper characterization of uncertainty is a challenging task. Depending on the sources of uncertainty, various uncertainty modeling frameworks have been proposed and studied in the uncertainty quantification literature. This paper applies various uncertainty modeling frameworks, namely possibility theory, Dempster-Shafer theory and probability theory to isosurface extraction from uncertain scalar fields. It proposes an uncertainty-based marching cubes template as an abstraction of the conventional marching cubes algorithm with a flexible uncertainty measure. The applicability of the template is demonstrated using 2D simulation data in weather forecasting and computational fluid dynamics and a synthetic 3D dataset.
Fossil DNA persistence and decay in marine sediment over hundred-thousand-year to million-year time scales

DNA in marine sediment contains both fossil sequences and sequences from organisms that live in the sediment. The demarcation between these two pools and their respective rates of turnover are generally unknown. We address these issues by comparing the total extractable DNA pool to the fraction of sequenced chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) in sediment from two sites in the Bering Sea. We assume that cpDNA is a tracer of non-reproducing fossil DNA. Given >150,000 sequence reads per sample, cpDNA is easily detectable in the shallowest samples but decays with depth, suggesting that sequencing-based richness assessments of communities in deep subseafloor sediment are relatively unaffected by fossil DNA. The initial decrease in cpDNA reads suggests that most cpDNA decays within 100–200 k.y. of deposition. However, cpDNA from a few phylotypes, including some that match fossil diatoms, are present throughout the cored sediment, ranging in age to 1.4 Ma. The relative fraction of sequences composed by cpDNA decreases non-linearly with increasing sediment age, suggesting that detectable cpDNA becomes more recalcitrant with age. This can be explained by biological activity decreasing with sediment age and/or by preferential long-term survival of only the most thoroughly protected DNA. The association of cpDNA reads with published records of siliceous microfossils, including diatom spores, at the same sites suggests that microfossils may help to preserve DNA. This DNA may be useful for studies of paleoenvironmental conditions and biological evolution on time scales that approach or exceed 1 m.y.
A New Neuroanatomy of Basal Ganglia Circuitry

The basal ganglia (BG) consist of interconnected deep gray matter nuclei whose role in modulating motor activity has long been recognized. Classical circuit diagrams suggest a linear propagation of competing signals through direct and indirect pathways that respectively facilitate and inhibit movement. The classical model has provided a critical foundation for understanding health and disease. However, studies in both animals and humans suggest that BG circuitry and function is more complex, sophisticated, and nonlinear and that it is critical not only for movement modulation but for other cognitive functions as well. Sophisticated invasive and noninvasive studies in animals and humans highlight widespread network interactions and nonlinearities not accounted for by the classical model while shedding light on mechanisms of therapeutic intervention. Emerging techniques will enable further dissection and micromanipulation to characterize circuits in animals whereas advanced computational models will enhance our understanding of the complex function and organization of the basal ganglia.
Comparable Performance of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved and Reduced Ejection Fraction

Background— Despite the growing epidemic of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), no valid measure of patients’ health status (symptoms, function, and quality of life) exists. We evaluated the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), a validated measure of HF with reduced EF, in patients with HFpEF. Methods and Results— Using a prospective HF registry, we dichotomized patients into HF with reduced EF (EF≤ 40) and HFpEF (EF≥50). The associations between New York Heart Association class, a commonly used criterion standard, and KCCQ Overall Summary and Total Symptom domains were evaluated using Spearman correlations and 2-way ANOVA with differences between patients with HF with reduced EF and HFpEF tested with interaction terms. Predictive validity of the KCCQ Overall Summary scores was assessed with Kaplan–Meier curves for death and all-cause hospitalization. Covariate adjustment was made using Cox proportional hazards models. Internal reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s α. Among 849 patients, 200 (24%) had HFpEF. KCCQ summary scores were strongly associated with New York Heart Association class in both patients with HFpEF ( r =−0.62; P <0.001) and HF with reduced EF ( r =−0.55; P =0.27 for interaction). One-year event-free rates by KCCQ category among patients with HFpEF were 0 to 25=13.8%, 26 to 50=59.1%, 51 to 75=73.8%, and 76 to 100=77.8% (log rank P <0.001), with no significant interaction by EF ( P =0.37). The KCCQ domains demonstrated high internal consistency among patients with HFpEF (Cronbach’s α=0.96 for overall summary and ≥0.69 in all subdomains). Conclusions— Among patients with HFpEF, the KCCQ seems to be a valid and reliable measure of health status and offers excellent prognostic ability. Future studies should extend and replicate our findings, including the establishment of its responsiveness to clinical change.
Liquidity shocks, business cycles and asset prices

Abstract In the aftermath of the Great Recession, macro models that feature financing constraints have attracted increasing attention. Among these, Kiyotaki et al. (2012) is a prominent example. In this paper, we investigate whether the liquidity shocks and financial frictions proposed by Kiyotaki et al. (2012) can improve the asset pricing predictions of the frictionless RBC model. We study the quantitative business cycle and asset pricing properties in an economy in which agents feature recursive preferences, are subject to a liquidity constraint, and suffer liquidity shocks. We find that the model predicts highly nonlinear time variation and levels of risk premia, which are driven by endogenous fluctuations in equity prices. However, the model fails to account for a basic fact: Periods of scarce liquidity are associated with high asset prices and low expected returns.
Radiology Prep to the Rescue: Radiocontrast Enema After Failure of Oral Bowel Preparation for Patients with an Ileocolonic Fistula.

Radiology Prep to the Rescue: Radiocontrast Enema After Failure of Oral Bowel Preparation for Patients with an Ileocolonic Fistula
A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Tulsa's IDA Program: Findings From a Long-Term Follow-Up of a Random Assignment Social Experiment

This report presents findings from a cost-benefit analysis of the Tulsa Individual Development Account (IDA) program, a demonstration program that was initiated in the late 1990s and is being evaluated through random assignment. The key follow-up data used in the evaluation was collected around 10 years after random assignment, about six years after the program ended. The results imply that, during this 10-year observation period, program participants gained from the program and that the program resulted in net costs to the government and private donors, and that society as a whole was probably worse off as a consequence of the program. The report examines in some detail whether these findings are robust to a number of different considerations, including the assumptions upon which the results depend, uncertainly reflected by the standard errors of the impact estimates used to derive the benefits and costs, and omitted benefits and costs, and concludes that they are essentially robust. For example, a Monte Carlo analysis suggests that the probability that the societal net benefits of the Tulsa program were negative during the observation period is over 90 percent and that the probability that the loss to society exceeded $1,000 is 80 percent. Further analysis considered benefits and costs that might occur beyond the observation period. Based on this analysis, it appeared plausible, although far from certain, that the societal net benefits of the Tulsa program could eventually become positive. This would occur if the program’s apparent positive net impact on educational attainment generates substantial positive effects on the earnings of program participants after the observation period ended. However, there was no evidence that the educational impacts had yet begun to produce positive effects on earnings by the end of the observation period.
Development of the real-time neutron activation diagnostic system for NIF

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is one of the highest fluence neutron sources provided by the nuclear fusion of deuterium and tritium nuclei. One of the resultant products is 14.1 MeV neutrons which provide key information to the conditions in which they were formed. The degree of polar and azimuthal symmetry of the neutron flux is a key metric for the performance of the capsule, thus a spatially-resolved measurement of the neutron distribution is critical. Implementing a suite of 48 lanthanum bromide detectors with zirconium activation samples around the target chamber has been developed to measure the neutron distribution. The system provides near real-time time estimates of the neutron fluence distribution. It is designed to operate over six orders of magnitude of neutron yield, providing overall yield estimates precise to 2%. The system is designed to operate continuously through the NIF shot cycles, accommodating high data rates. We will describe the nuclear counting system, data acquisition and archiving, analysis, and yield distribution results for some NIF high yield shots. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. LLNL-CONF-736439
Sperulo's Vision

THE CURIAL HUMANIST FRANCESCO SPERULO CLAIMED TO build the Medici villa in verse, constructing the edifice in 407 lines of hexameter, preceded by a prose letter dedicating the work to Cardinal Giulio de’ Medici. The poet praises his patron and Pope Leo, as well as their Medici ancestors, but most of all he talks about the villa they are just beginning to build on the Monte Mario, describing it as if he can already see it. As we have seen, Sperulo's poem was one of several works written about the Medici villa, and was based on a long and rich literary tradition of villa panegyrics. Yet his poem was highly unusual for its length, its specificity to the actual villa, some of its subject matter, and the very fact of praising an actual building not yet built. Here, we take up the poet's vision of the villa, examining it in the context of literary tradition and Medici dynastic ideology, beginning with a brief synopsis of the poem's scope and structure. THE POET AS MEDICI VATES Sperulo attributes almost all of his poem to Father Tiber; the first eleven lines of the poem establish that Tiber is managing the villa's construction, and line 12 through the penultimate line 406 is an extended quote from the river god. His tasks include supplying materials on rafts, encouraging the workers to best the ancients (8–14), and excavating ancient marbles and transporting them to the villa (44). Father Tiber lavishly praises the site (14–21) and extols Cardinal Giulio for using art to elevate a site graced by Nature (22–32). Tiber commences his description of the villa by pointing out ancient marbles that he is placing there (47–77). He then praises at length the Medici ancestors beginning with Giovanni di Bicci (78–204), tracing the family back to the Etruscan king Porsenna, drawing on traditional imagery of the Etruscan origin of Tuscany and the Medici family.
Mining the Research Literature in Systems Biology

The research literature in Systems Biology is growing exponentially, making it difficult for the researchers to efficiently search, retrieve, analyze, and apply the literature to new research in a timely fashion. This chapter helps researchers to efficiently search the major biomedical literature databases PubMed and the Web of Science, stay current with the literature using alert services, and manage personal article citation databases using bibliographic management software like EndNote. Tricks for getting the most out of database search interfaces and using them in innovative ways are presented. The chapter also discusses new bioinformatics tools that go beyond the standard database search interfaces and present the published literature in ways that elucidate hidden relationships within the Systems Biology research, which can lead to new information discovery and more productive research.
Learned Helplessness and Explanatory Style

The purpose of this chapter is to describe theory and research in learned helplessness and explanatory style, particularly as this work pertains to personality psychology. The chapter begins by providing basic background about these topics and ends by discussing some current areas of investigation.
Social Workers as Magistrates or JPs

An inspection of data on magistrates and justices of the peace revealed that in many states the statutes do not require law degrees for the positions. A survey of a randomly selected sample of magistrates in one midwestern state found support for the claim that a law degree was not a pre-requisite for a magistrate's position. The author argues that social workers have the education and skills for magistrate and justice of the peace positions and proposes them as areas of employment. This study examines the commonly held belief that law degrees are required to hold lower-level judicial positions. The specific characteristics of magistrates in a midwestern state are studied as an exemplar. What are their educational backgrounds? Must one be an attorney? What is their gender distribution? What legal knowledge is required? What problems do they experience? The answers to these questions and others are supplemented by a social worker's reflections on her serving as a magistrate. An inspection of the magistrate and justice of the peace court systems nationwide is followed by the single-state study methodology and findings. A study of the magistrate and justice of the peace (JPs) court systems in the U.S. was conducted by referring to information published by the Conference of State Court Administrators and the National Center for State Courts (1982). In reference to Table I, it can be seen that twenty-five states have magistrate and/or Justice of the peace/justice courts. All of these courts seem to have roughly similar responsibilities in handling lower-level litigation and legal affairs. Other states, such as Wisconsin, have municipal courts with roughly the same jurisdiction, but the nation-wide variation was such in municipal courts that they were left out of the study. In very few states are law degrees required of magistrates or justices, although several of the states mandate completion of law-related educational experiences. The magistrate system in Iowa was developed about ten years ago. The number of magistrates assigned to each county depends on the size of the county. The responsibilities of the magistrate include: simple-misdemeanor trials (both jury and non-jury), search warrants, small claims (up to $1,000), initial appearances (ranging from simple-misdemeanors to felonies), mental health/substance abuse commitments, marriages and preliminary hearings (1979 Code of Iowa).
Tolerance to Anoxia

Before exploring the physiological responses to forced submersion and diving, I might ask the question of whether any kind of response is necessary, or whether, in addition to special physiological adaptations, it is likely that diving animals have an exceptional tolerance to anoxia that provides a safety margin if they were to extend their dives beyond the limit of their oxygen reserves? Reptiles are an ideal group in which to explore the adaptations to anoxia and/or diving because some members of this class do one or the other and perhaps both very well. Tolerance to anoxia in turtles was reviewed recently by Penney (1987), who concluded that their remarkable diving ability is a “spin-off” of their tolerance of hibernation. As you will see through the course of the following chapter, I do not think this is quite correct; many features of diving are quite different from those of torpor.
Spatial analysis of radiation oncology access disparities within Illinois: Implications for rural cancer care.

e18644Background: Radiation therapy is a mainstay of cancer care. However, radiation oncology practices (RadOncs) are often concentrated in urban areas, posing a travel burden to rural patients. We...
The serotonin transporter and nonselective transporters are involved in peripheral serotonin uptake in the Gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta.

In mammals, circulating serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] is sequestered by platelets via the 5-HT transporter (SERT) to prevent unintended signaling by this potent signaling molecule. Teleost...
Growth of large size (≥ 38 mm diameter) KCaI3:Eu scintillator crystals

Abstract KCaI3 :Eu is a scintillator composition that is promising for national security applications, with a high light yield and good energy resolution ( ∼ 70,000 ph/MeV and ∼ 3% E.R. at 662 keV, respectively). In addition to its high performance, we have been successful at growing KCaI3:Eu at larger sizes (38 mm diameter) without cracking. In this work we utilized a multi ampoule growth station to grow four 38 mm diameter crystals simultaneously. Three of these crystals achieved an energy resolution of ∼ 4% at 662 keV. The three crystals were hermetically packaged and a collimation study was carried out. This study revealed that light yield at a given irradiation location is dominated by photon path lengths and self-absorption, while the energy resolution dependence is affected heavily by local crystal quality. A 50 mm diameter KCaI 3:Eu crystal was grown that achieved an energy resolution of 4.6% at 662 keV. GEANT4 was used to model a gap-style package that results in reduced photon path lengths, and therefore reduced self-absorption probability.
INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL APLICADA A NEGÓCIOS

Cada organizacao deve avaliar onde inteligencia artificial pode gerar valor para o seu negocio, para entao estruturar a propria jornada e solucoes usando tal tecnologia. Apresento varios casos com IA que estao funcionando hoje no Brasil. Todos os casos reais que ja citei nesse texto apontam para solucoes especificas, enderecando oportunidades de transformar ou melhorar a operacao de cada organizacao. E por isso que: Bradesco tem a BIA; Banco Original tem a ORI; Algar tem a DUDA; Leroy Merlin tem a LIA; Escola de Negocios Saint Paul tem o PAUL; MRV Engenharia tem a MARIA ROSA; Urbano Vitalino Advogados tem a CAROL.
Effects of exoskeleton use on movement kinematics during performance of common work tasks: A case study

BACKGROUND An exoskeleton may assist performance of basic work-related tasks. Its application should not alter user kinematics, which compromise user safety. OBJECTIVE This case study was used to assess whether people wearing a lower-body K-SRDTM exoskeleton could complete common work tasks without altering kinematics that may increase injury risk. METHODS Three males performed three tasks: kneeling and standing (kneel), lifting and lowering a weighted box floor-to-waist (lift), and stair-climbing with a weighted box (climb), all repeated with and without exoskeleton use (EXO, NONE). RESULTS Kinematics with EXO often mimicked NONE. Hip and knee flexion with EXO often exceeded NONE without increasing heart rate for kneel. During lift with EXO, participants avoided greater lateral trunk flexion associated with injuries and used the preferred semi-squat technique. Participants produced more foot clearance with EXO than NONE during climb. Other outcomes of heart rate, perceived exertion, fatigue, and usability were mixed. CONCLUSIONS EXO augmentation does not need to alter movement kinematics during performances of kneel, lift, and climb tasks. EXO kinematic alterations did not appear to compromise user safety in terms of lateral trunk bending. It may encourage good technique, such as greater foot clearance to avoid tripping, for some tasks, and changes in lifting strategies to avoid extreme flexion and protect passive tissues.
Degradation of Polymers by O(3P) in Low Earth Orbit

O(3P) is a highly reactive species which may cause damage to materials on contact. In low Earth orbit (LEO) high energy collisions (~4.5 eV) of O(3P) with spacecraft materials can lead to extensive degradation. We use ab initio molecular orbital calculations to investigate the possibility of chain breaking in polyethylene caused by a single O(3P) attack under LEO conditions, since the occurrence of such reactions could greatly accelerate the erosion. The smallest alkanes (N=2,3,5,7) serve as models of polyethylene. For the case of ethane (N=2), we explore the triplet potential energy surface of the following reaction: O(3P)+CH3 CH3 •O CH3+•CH3. Analogous reactions, where O(3P) attacks a central carbon atom, are studied for the higher alkanes. Results obtained using the Hartree-Fock method, and density functional theory are reviewed. We conclude that conditions in LEO are conducive to chain breaking in polyethylene caused by a single O(3P) attack.