cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Old Becomes New Again: Kidnappings by Daesh and Other Salafi-Jihadists in the Twenty-First Century

ABSTRACTDaesh fighters have taken hostage over 100 foreigners in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere since 2012. The kidnappings drew international attention in August 2014, when American journalist James Foley was decapitated and a video of his death was posted online. But the pattern of kidnappings and gruesome videos distributed by violent Salafi-jihadists extends back over a decade to the killing of Daniel Pearl in 2002. This article traces shifts in the strategic rationale of Al Qaeda and Daesh for beheading Western hostages. It argues that terrorists altered their calculations on foreign hostages beginning in 2012 and U.S. counterterrorism policy does not take these shifts into account.
What We Need is Good Communication: Vernacular Globalization in Some Hungarian Speech

This study is a cultural interpretivist investigation of the system of meanings that shapes the use of the term “communication” ( kommunikacio ) in Hungarian citizens’ assessments of political communication. Using a combination of the diary-interview method and semantic analysis of mediated texts, I find that Hungarian citizens distinguish good communication from bad using a set of local standards (veracity, morality, quality, effectiveness, and effects on society). I also find that citizens’ communication ideal and the cultural premises animating that ideal are closely aligned with the tenets of translocal communication culture, and I argue that these meanings serve as evidence of the vernacular globalization of that culture. I also discuss how citizens’ metadiscourse becomes a unique site for the local articulation of translocal meanings.
CMR-based planning of catheter and surgical interventions for aortopulmonary collaterals before Fontan completion: pilot study of 5 cases

Background Aortopulmonary collateral arteries (APCAs) are frequently observed in single ventricle patients. However those patients require staged surgery toward Fontan completion, APCAs are believed to cause evil situations against Fontan circulation such as impediment of anterograde pulmonary blood flow, volume overload for single ventricle and decrease in systemic blood flow. Therefore, interventions for APCAs are often considered especially before Fontan completion. Planning of interventions used to be based on fluoroscopic angiogram (FA). But FA can provide the information about the location and size of APCAs. Therefore, FA-based planning depends on the operator’s impression about the amount of APCAs. Cardiac MRI (CMR) was reported to useful for quantify APCAs. The aim of this study is to apply CMR to planning of interventions for APCAs before Fontan completion.
Microstructure Development During Sintering

The engineering properties of materials are strongly affected by their microstructure. The microstructural features of importance are many: grain size and grain shape, pore size and location, distribution of second phases (such as precipitates), and others. For polycrystalline ceramics, for example, it is frequently found that the fracture strength is proportional to the inverse square root of the grain size. Metals show a similar relationship for the stress at which they yield. As another example, metal alloys can be strengthened by the presence of dispersed second-phase particles. A well-known case is that of aluminum, a very soft material in its pure form, which can be hardened by the incorporation of a few percent of copper. The added copper, after appropriate heat treatment, forms very small Al-Cu precipitates that make plastic deformation of the alloy more dif-ficult than that of the pure aluminum. In another example, the high-temperature creep resistance of sintered silicon nitride depends strongly on the nature and amount of a thin glassy layer, perhaps only 2 nm wide, that is often present at the grain boundaries.
Use of FoxP3 Diptheria Toxin Receptor (Foxp3DTR) Donor T Cells to Define the Mechanism Involved in the Inhibition of GvHD by Azacytidine in Vivo

Abstract 4113 Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the primary treatment for high risk and relapsed hematological malignancies. However, the desired graft versus leukemia (GvL) effect is frequently accompanied by Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) in which donor lymphocytes target host tissues, often resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. We and others have shown that the hypomethylating agent, 5-azacytidine (azaC), can mitigate GvHD in both murine preclinical transplant models and in human clinical trials while maintaining a robust GvL effect. Two mechanisms have been proposed to explain how azaC reduces GvHD: 1) the generation of suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) through the in vivo conversion of alloreactive donor T effectors (FoxP3-) into suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) via the pharmacologic hypomethylation of the Foxp3 promoter resulting in enhanced gene expression or, 1 2) the direct anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of azaC on allogeneic T cells. 2 To assess the importance of azaC-generated Tregs in ameliorating GvHD we obtained Foxp3 DTR mice in which Tregs can be selectively ablated (>97%) following the administration of diphtheria toxin (DT). 3 To induce GvHD, 1×10 7 panT cells obtained from Foxp3 DTR mice were injected (CD45.2+) via the lateral tail vein on day 11 post allo-HSCT (CD45.1+) into allogeneic recipients (Balb/c). Transplanted mice were treated with PBS (carrier) or azaC (2 mg/kg) (i.p.) on days +15, +17, +19, and +21, followed by injection (i.p.) of DT or PBS on days +16 +18 +20 (DT 10 μg/kg) and +22 (DT 50 μg/kg) to deplete azaC-induced Tregs. Complete depletion of Tregs by DT was confirmed by flow cytometery. Mice injected with PBS (n=5) or DT (n=5) (without azaC) developed severe GvHD and died by day 26 post HSCT. In sharp contrast, 100% of mice (n=5) treated with azaC alone survived >100 days, displayed no visible GvHD related symptoms, and gained weight at a similar rate as T cell depleted bone marrow controls. The treatment of mice with azaC +DT (n=5) resulted in significantly prolonged survival compared to the PBS treated mice (p=0.003) but in contrast to the azaC group, failed to survive beyond day 60 (p=0.003). Furthermore, the azaC alone group had higher percentages of Tregs (CD4+/CD25+/FoxP3+, p=0.001), CD3+ T cells (p=0.002), and B220+ B cells (p=0.02) than the azaC +DT group (consistent with less clinical GvHD) and less gastrointestinal GvHD when graded by an independent pathologist. These results suggest that BOTH pharmacologic conversion of alloreactive FoxP3- donor T cells to FoxP3-expressing Tregs and direct toxicity to allogeneic T cells by azaC represent important mechanisms involved in the amelioration of GvHD by azaC in vivo. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The EGR2 targets LAG-3 and 4-1BB describe and regulate dysfunctional antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment

Although the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) indicates an endogenous antitumor response, immune regulatory pathways can subvert the effector phase and enable tumor escape. Negative regulatory pathways include extrinsic suppression mechanisms, but also a T cell–intrinsic dysfunctional state. A more detailed study has been hampered by a lack of cell surface markers defining tumor-specific dysfunctional TILs, and PD-1 alone is not sufficient. Recently, we identified the transcription factor Egr2 as a critical component in controlling the anergic state in vitro. In this study, we show that the Egr2-driven cell surface proteins LAG-3 and 4-1BB can identify dysfunctional tumor antigen–specific CD8+ TIL. Co-expression of 4-1BB and LAG-3 was seen on a majority of CD8+ TILs, but not in lymphoid organs. Functional analysis revealed defective IL-2 and TNF production yet retained expression of IFN-γ and regulatory T cell–recruiting chemokines. Transcriptional and phenotypic characterization revealed coexpression of multiple additional co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors. Administration of anti–LAG-3 plus anti–4-1BB mAbs was therapeutic against tumors in vivo, which correlated with phenotypic normalization. Our results indicate that coexpression of LAG-3 and 4-1BB characterize dysfunctional T cells within tumors, and that targeting these receptors has therapeutic utility.
Using nonfiction scientific literature for conservation biology education: The Tigerland effect

Despite the volume of research published and pedagogy practiced in conservation biology, there is little assessment of the effectiveness of pedagogical techniques for improving undergraduate conservation literacy and student engagement. We evaluated student responses (2009–2011) to reading Tigerland and Other Unintended Destinations by Eric Dinerstein (2005) and found that the book effectively reinforced applied and theoretical concepts learned in class, improved vocabulary, and clarified student perceptions of the field and their potential careers. Our study suggests that reading of nonfiction scientific literature is a valuable option for engaging students in a more meaningful way than can be solely gained from reading required primary literature or textbooks.
A Concis Presentation of Supiervised Learing Algorithems for Feedforward Neural Netwoks

Abstract With an increasing interest in neural networks for identification and control of dynamic systems, there is a need to present neural network training algorithms in a form suitable for immediate implementation into a computer code by new students of neural networks, whether in academe or in industry. The purpose of mis paper is to fulfill this need. A concise presentation of standard back propagation and extended Kaiman filter based algorithms is given. The work presented here was carried out at Ford Motor Company during a sabbatical leave.
Newer Technologies in Breast Cancer Imaging: Dedicated Cone-Beam Breast Computed Tomography

Dedicated breast computed tomography (CT) is the latest in a long history of breast imaging techniques dating back to the 1960s. Breast imaging is performed both for cancer screening as well as for diagnostic evaluation of symptomatic patients. Dedicated breast CT received US Food and Drug Administration approval for diagnostic use in 2015 and is slowly gaining recognition for its value in diagnostic 3-dimensional imaging of the breast, and also for injected contrast-enhanced imaging applications. Conventional mammography has known limitations in sensitivity and specificity, especially in dense breasts. Breast tomosynthesis was US Food and Drug Administration approved in 2011 and is now widely used. Dedicated breast CT is the next technological advance, combining real 3-dimensional imaging with the ease of contrast administration. The lack of painful compression and manipulation of the breasts also makes dedicated breast CT much more acceptable for the patients.
Robust Discretization of Nonlocal Models Related to Peridynamics

We study some nonlocal models related to peridynamics. These models are parameterized by a horizon that serves as a length scale measuring the range of nonlocal interactions. We focus on robust numerical schemes that can approximate both nonlocal models and their local limits as the horizon parameter vanishes. A representative linear model is used as an illustration. We show the lack of robustness of some standard numerical methods and describe a remedy to get asymptotically compatible schemes by utilizing elements of the recently developed nonlocal vector calculus and nonlocal calculus of variations. Such findings may be useful to ongoing research on modeling and simulations of nonlocal and multiscale problems.
Technical Note: A feasibility study of using the flat panel detector on linac for the kV x-ray generator test

Purpose To investigate the feasibility of using kV flat panel detector on linac for consistency evaluations of kV x-ray generator performance. Methods An in-house designed aluminum (Al) array phantom with six 9 × 9 cm2 square regions having various thickness was proposed and used in this study. Through XML script-driven image acquisition, kV images with various acquisition settings were obtained using the kV flat panel detector. Utilizing pre-established baseline curves, the consistency of x-ray tube output characteristics, including tube voltage accuracy, exposure accuracy and exposure linearity was assessed through image quality assessment metrics including ROI mean intensity, ROI standard deviation (SD), and noise power spectrums (NPS). The robustness of this method was tested on two linacs for a 3-month period. Results With the proposed method, tube voltage accuracy can be verified through conscience check with a 2% tolerance and 2 kVp intervals for forty different kVp settings. The exposure accuracy can be tested with a 4% consistency tolerance for three mAs settings over forty kVp settings. The exposure linearity tested with 3 mAs settings achieved a coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.1. Conclusion We proposed a novel approach that uses the kV flat panel detector available on linac for x-ray generator test. This approach eliminates the inefficiencies and variability associated with using third-party QA detectors while enabling an automated process.
Cost-related medication non-adherence among U.S. adults with diabetes.

Abstract Aims To examine factors that affect cost-related medication non-adherence (CRN), defined as taking medication less than as prescribed because of cost, among adults with diabetes and to determine their relative contribution in explaining CRN. Methods Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for 2013–2014 were used to identify individuals with diabetes and their CRN. We modeled CRN as a function of financial factors, regimen complexity, and other contextual factors including diabetes care, lifestyle, and health factors. Dominance analysis was performed to rank these factors by relative importance. Results CRN among U.S. adults with diabetes was 16.5%. Respondents with annual income Conclusions In addition to traditional risk factors of CRN, compliance with annual recommendations for diabetes and healthy lifestyle were associated with lower CRN. Policies and social supports that address these contextual factors may help improve CRN.
Candidates for óac and Hac

The purpose of this paper is to order and briefly describe, via two diagrams (Diagram 1 and Diagram 5 below), various spectra and subspaces that are closely related to scattering spectra and scattering subspaces. This will be done from the operator-theoretic viewpoint and the orderings are obtained primarily via Fredholm theory and Fourier theory, respectively. Both self-adjoint and non-self-adjoint operators will be considered, inasmuch as non-self-adjoint operators and methods are now being used in scattering theory.
The Childhood Solid Tumor Network: A St. Jude Initiative.

e21022 Background: Pediatric solid tumors are rare and basic research that focuses on the mechanisms of tumor development provide the best hope for new therapies. However, limited access to applica...
NLRP3 inhibition improves heart function in GPER knockout mice

Abstract The molecular mechanisms of postmenopausal heart diseases in women may involve the loss of estrogen-deactivation of its membrane receptor, G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), and subsequent activation of the cardiac NLRP3 inflammasome, a component of the innate immune system. To study the potential effects of cardiac GPER on NLRP3-mediated inflammatory pathways, we characterized changes in innate immunity gene transcripts in hearts from 6-month-old cardiomyocyte-specific GPER knockout (KO) mice and their GPER-intact wild type (WT) littermates using RT2 Profiler™ real-time PCR array. GPER deletion in cardiomyocytes decreased %fractional shortening (%FS) and myocardial relaxation (e′), and increased the early mitral inflow filling velocity-to-early mitral annular descent velocity ratio (E/e′), determined by echocardiography, and increased the mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), determined by real-time PCR. Of the 84 inflammasome-related genes tested, 9 genes were upregulated, including NLRP3 and IL-18, while 1 gene, IL-12a, was downregulated in GPER KO when compared to WT. The importance of NLRP3 upregulation in GPER KO-induced heart failure was further confirmed by an in vivo study showing that, compared to vehicle-treated KO mice, 8 weeks of treatment with a NLRP3 inhibitor, MCC950 (10 mg/kg, i.p., 3 times per week), significantly limited hypertrophic remodeling, defined by reductions in heart weight/body weight, and improved systolic and diastolic functional indices, including increases in %FS and e′, and decreases E/e′ (P
Laparoscopic Management of a Ruptured Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy

Video Objective We demonstrate laparoscopic management of an interstitial ectopic pregnancy with ongoing rupture and describe different techniques for hemostasis. Setting The patient was a 40 year old G6P2032 found to have a live 10 week interstitial ectopic pregnancy on ultrasound. She had no symptoms or free fluid at the time of diagnosis, and at the start of the surgery had evidence of hemoperitoneum with ongoing rupture. Interventions We performed a laparoscopic cornual resection and repair using vasopressin, a harmonic scalpel and bipolar device, and multilayer closure with barbed suture. We describe additional methods for hemostasis including a purse string suture and lateral control of the uterine vessels. Conclusion With a hemodynamically stable patient, ruptured interstitial pregnancy can be managed laparoscopically. Many techniques can help decrease blood loss including using vasopressin, surgical energy devices, compression around the base of the ectopic, and lateral control of the uterine vessels.
Public Deliberation as a Tool for Managing the Commons: A Case Study of the Bloomington Community Orchard

This essay focuses on how public deliberation is used as a tool for managing the commons. Through the lens of Elinor Ostrom’s research of managing the commons, the Bloomington Community Orchard is analyzed as a case study to better understand the value of the process of public deliberation as a tool for managing the commons and the importance of timing for implementation.
Comparative Effectiveness of Topically Administered Tranexamic Acid Versus Topical Oxymetazoline Spray for Achieving Hemostasis in Epistaxis.

Abstract Background The use of tranexamic acid (TXA) has recently gained popularity as a treatment modality for epistaxis in the emergency department. Previous studies have compared topical TXA to nasal packing. However, topical TXA has not yet been compared with topical oxymetazoline in the treatment of epistaxis. Objectives This study compares the efficacy of the intravenous formulation of TXA applied topically vs. the vasoconstrictor oxymetazoline applied topically in achieving hemostasis in patients presenting to the emergency department with anterior epistaxis. Methods In this prospective study, patients presenting to the emergency department with the chief complaint of epistaxis, and meeting inclusion criteria, were allocated into 2 treatment groups; topical oxymetazoline vs. topical application of the intravenous preparation of TXA. Patients were assessed for time to hemostasis in the emergency department as well as the occurrence of rebleeding within the next 48 h after discharge. Results Hemostasis was achieved in 14 (78%) of the 18 patients in the TXA group compared with 7 (35%) of the 20 patients in the oxymetazoline group. While there were occurrences of rebleeding in the emergency department before discharge and at 48 h in both groups, 11 patients in the TXA group had no recurrence of bleeding compared with 5 in the oxymetazoline group. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the topical application of the intravenous preparation of TXA is more effective than topical oxymetazoline for achievement of hemostasis in anterior epistaxis. This has clinical significance toward preventing an avoidable need for escalation of treatment that could include applying nasal packing or cautery as well as preventing avoidable return emergency department visits. These outcomes would increase cost, potentially increase patient discomfort, and prolong emergency department throughput time.
Nitrite attenuates mitochondrial impairment and vascular permeability induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in the lung.

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is directly related to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and a major obstacle in lung transplantation (LTx). Nitrite (NO2–), which is reduced in vivo to form nitric ...
Characteristics of Patients and Treatment Recommendations from a Multidisciplinary Spinal Tumor Program.

Objective: We describe characteristics of patient and treatment recommendations from a spinal tumor board at one institution, including representation from palliative care. Background: The impact of prospective multidisciplinary input for patients with spinal tumors is poorly understood despite their increasing complexity. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 622 cases sequentially discussed at a weekly spinal tumor board, and abstracted patient and treatment information from the medical record and meeting minutes. Results: From April 2017 to February 2019, 622 cases representing 438 unique patients were discussed. The median age was 62 years (range 21-92). Most patients had spinal tumors originating from metastases (91.78%), including breast (14.3%), nonsmall cell lung cancer (13.4%), prostate (10.9%), and renal cell cancer (8.8%), and the remainder had primary central nervous system (4.3%) or benign tumors (3.9%). Sixty-five percent of patients were alive at last follow-up. Conventional external beam radiotherapy was the most common treatment recommendation (33.8%) followed by surgery (26.2%), stereotactic body radiation therapy (17.8%), imaging follow-up (16.6%), and vertebroplasty (15.9%). Palliative care was the primary treatment recommended for 4.5%, and no therapy recommended for 4.0%. Treatment recommendation involved two modalities for 29% of cases, and three in 1.3% of cases. In four cases, biopsy to confirm pathology changed management due to unexpected findings of osteomyelitis, hematopoiesis, or new diagnosis of plasmacytoma. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary input is integral to the optimal care of spinal tumor patients. The high risk of death highlights the need to prioritize modalities that optimize quality of life in the context of a patient's individual prognosis.
Turn-signal utilization by rats with either unilateral or bilateral posterior parietal cortex injuries

Rats with sham, unilateral, or bilateral aspiration lesions of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) were trained in a water T-maze to use flashing lights located along the starting alley (two each) and inner walls of the goal alleys (two each) to find a hidden escape platform. Thereafter, the performance of the spatial response was tested under several conditions. Rats with bilateral PPC lesions were significantly inferior to unilateral- and sham-injured rats in learning the “turn-signal” cued spatial task. Also, left-PPC-injured rats committed significantly more errors than did the control animals. After mastering the task, cue saliency was reduced and the amount of spatial discontiguity between the stimuli and escape site was increased in two stages. That is, the flashing light closest to the escape platform was turned off for one testing session. On the following day, animals were required to rely on information located within the starting alley to make the correct spatial response at the choice point. Animals with bilateral or left PPC lesions were significantly impaired on the task with cues located only in the starting alley. The animals were then tested with competing constant illumination of the lights on the side of the apparatus opposite the flashing-light cues. The performance of all animals dropped to chance and failed to improve with training. Finally, three of the sham-operated controls were retrained to criterion on the original discrimination and prepared with bilateral PPC injuries. Substantial savings was observed. The results reveal a greater role of the left PPC than the right in the use of local sensory cues for spatial navigation, and they show that the PPC is not the repository of the “engram” for this learned visuospatial behavior.
Dynamic Leukocyte Populations Are Associated With Early- and Late-stage Lesions in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition typically targeting the axillary and anogenital regions of the body. The massive inflammatory cell infiltrate produced in this cryptogenic condition has led investigators in the attempt to link particular inflammatory cell fractions and cytokines to disease development, and ultimately to disease treatment. This study qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes the white blood cell fractions of macrophages, B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, plasma cells, and granulocytes in 104 HS lesions on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Four dermis-associated epithelial categories were investigated from persons with HS: 15 unaffected HS skin (US), 19 distended but unruptured follicle epithelium (UF), 62 migrating stratified squamous epithelium (MSSE) from ruptured follicles, and 35 degraded migrating epithelial sheets (DMES). In addition, 27 control skin (CS) from persons without HS were evaluated. Analysis of cell counts indicated that non-migratory dermal epithelium (CS, US, and UF) stimulated very little inflammatory response. However, contrary to previous studies which indicated macrophages to be the chief inflammatory cell in HS, this study showed that plasma cells were the primary cell type present in early-stage HS lesions (MSSE), whereas granulocytes were the major cell population seen in late-stage HS lesions (DMES).
Predicting phosphorescence energies and inferring wavefunction localization with machine learning.

Phosphorescence is commonly utilized for applications including light-emitting diodes and photovoltaics. Machine learning (ML) approaches trained on ab initio datasets of singlet–triplet energy gaps may expedite the discovery of phosphorescent compounds with the desired emission energies. However, we show that standard ML approaches for modeling potential energy surfaces inaccurately predict singlet–triplet energy gaps due to the failure to account for spatial localities of spin transitions. To solve this, we introduce localization layers in a neural network model that weight atomic contributions to the energy gap, thereby allowing the model to isolate the most determinative chemical environments. Trained on the singlet–triplet energy gaps of organic molecules, we apply our method to an out-of-sample test set of large phosphorescent compounds and demonstrate the substantial improvement that localization layers have on predicting their phosphorescence energies. Remarkably, the inferred localization weights have a strong relationship with the ab initio spin density of the singlet–triplet transition, and thus infer localities of the molecule that determine the spin transition, despite the fact that no direct electronic information was provided during training. The use of localization layers is expected to improve the modeling of many localized, non-extensive phenomena and could be implemented in any atom-centered neural network model.
Association Between Structural Housing Repairs for Low-Income Homeowners and Neighborhood Crime

Importance The root causes of violent crime in Black urban neighborhoods are structural, including residential racial segregation and concentrated poverty. Previous work suggests that simple and scalable place-based environmental interventions can overcome the legacies of neighborhood disinvestment and have implications for health broadly and crime specifically. Objective To assess whether structural repairs to the homes of low-income owners are associated with a reduction in nearby crime. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study using difference-in-differences analysis included data from the City of Philadelphia Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP) from January 1, 2006, through April 30, 2013. The unit of analysis was block faces (single street segments between 2 consecutive intersecting streets) with or without homes that received the BSRP intervention. The blocks of homes that received BSRP services were compared with the blocks of eligible homes that were still on the waiting list. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2019, to February 28, 2021. Exposures The BSRP intervention includes a grant of up to $20 000 provided to low-income owners for structural repairs to electrical, plumbing, heating, and roofing damage. Eligible homeowners must meet income guidelines, which are set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and vary yearly. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was police-reported crime across 7 major categories of violent and nonviolent crimes (homicide, assault, burglary, theft, robbery, disorderly conduct, and public drunkenness). Results A total of 13 632 houses on 6732 block faces received the BSRP intervention. Owners of these homes had a mean (range) age of 56.5 (18-98) years, were predominantly Black (10 952 [78.6%]) or Latino (1658 [11.9%]) individuals, and had a mean monthly income of $993. These census tracts compared with those without BSRP intervention had a substantially larger Black population (49.5% vs 12.2%; |D| = 0.406) and higher unemployment rate (17.3% vs 9.3%; |D| = 0.357). The main regression analysis demonstrated that the addition to a block face of a property that received a BSRP intervention was associated with a 21.9% decrease in the expected count of total crime (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.76-0.80;P Conclusions and Relevance This study found that the BSRP intervention was associated with a modest but significant reduction in crime. These findings suggest that intentional and targeted financial investment in structural, scalable, and sustainable place-based interventions in neighborhoods that are still experiencing the lasting consequences of structural racism and segregation is a vital step toward achieving health equity.
Automated Test Scheduling using Adaptive Hybrid Prediction Technique

In a typical data center, there is always an ongoing need to isolate faulty components. Diagnostic and Regression tests are generally tending towards automation. However, the diagnostic tools also put the underlying hardware to various levels of stress. It is challenging to select appropriate test tools and schedule them in such a way that they can help uncover maximum defects and ensure minimal disturbance to the live customer setup. In this paper, we propose a technique to automatically schedule tests on a target system with minimal disturbance to the workload using a real-time adaptive hybrid predictive model. The models we use are trained to predict resource utilization in a fast and accurate manner. This solution enhances the critical decision-making ability of an admin by scheduling the regression or diagnostic tests accurately. Schedules are recommended based on actual resource utilization and are spaced out at intervals when low resource utilization is predicted. This ensures minimal downtime for maintenance and helps meet customer SLA. We also propose a technique to automate the selection process of the best fit time-series model based on analysis of data, which in due course would reduce the prediction overhead by half. This solution can work alongside any existing management framework or can be designed as a standalone tool.
Thermal Stability of some polyphosphonylureas

Polyphosphonylureas were prepared from the condensation of phenylphosphonic diisocynate with secondary and primary diamines employing the interfacial technique. The thermal properties of the products were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. In air the products undergo thermal oxidative degradation at temperatures greater than 300°C. The products undergo identical thermal degradation at temperatures less than 300°C in both air and N2. The products show significantly better thermal stability than their carbon counterparts. Die Grenzflachenpolykondensation von Phenylphosphonsaure-diisocyanat mit verschiedenen primaren und sekundaren Diaminen wird beschrieben. Die thermischen Eigenschaften der Polymeren wurden durch Differentialthermoanalyse und durch thermogravimetrische Analyse untersucht. Die Polymeren wurden in Luft thermooxydativ bei Temperaturen uber 300°C abgebaut. Unterhalb von 300°C verlauft in Luft und in Stickstoff der gleiche thermische Abbau. Die Produkte zeigen eine deutlich h&ohere thermische Bestandigkeit als die kohlenstoffanalogen Verbindungen.
Dynorphins are endogenous opioid peptides released from granule cells to act neurohumorly and inhibit excitatory neurotransmission in the hippocampus.

Publisher Summary Studies have suggested that the properties of the neuropeptide synapse in the mammalian brain do not faithfully follow the pattern evident for the neuromuscular junction cholinergic synapse. This chapter explores this issue by studying the actions of the dynorphin neuropeptides in the hippocampus. The opioid peptides are chosen because they were among the first to have well-characterized competitive receptor antagonists. The hippocampus is chosen because this mammalian brain structure contained a group of cells (the granule cells of the dentate gyrus) that synthesized the dynorphins and released these peptides in a calcium-dependent manner. Slices of the hippocampus maintain viability and are also readily studied as an in vitro preparation. The results suggest that dynorphins act as retrograde neurotransmitters, released from the dendrites of the granule cells following perforant path activation; retrograde feedback has several conceptual advantages. First, it provides direct feedback regulation of an excitatory input from the target. Second, providing the feedback from the dendrite rather than an axon allows a spatially precise regulation of the active input. Third, the diffusion of the dynorphin peptides from the sites of release to the targets enables the peptide to activate kappa receptors. Lastly, the dynorphins produce inhibition that has a much longer duration than that of the standard transmitter; following a short train of activation events, the released dynorphin produces inhibition that is sustained for many seconds to minutes.
Regulation of Phosphatidylinositol 3′-Kinase by Tyrosyl Phosphoproteins FULL ACTIVATION REQUIRES OCCUPANCY OF BOTH SH2 DOMAINS IN THE 85-kDa REGULATORY SUBUNIT

Phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI 3′-kinase) is activated in insulin-stimulated cells by the binding of the SH2 domains in its 85-kDa regulatory subunit to insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). We have previously shown that both tyrosyl-phosphorylated IRS-1 and mono-phosphopeptides containing a single YXXM motif activate PI 3′-kinase in vitro. However, activation by the mono-phosphopeptides was significantly less potent than activation by the multiply phosphorylated IRS-1. We now show that the increased potency of PI 3′-kinase activation by IRS-1 relative to phosphopeptide is not due to tertiary structural features IRS-1, as PI 3′-kinase is activated normally by denatured, reduced, and carboxymethylated IRS-1. Furthermore, activation of PI 3′-kinase by bis-phosphorylated peptides containing two YXXM motifs is 100-fold more potent than the corresponding mono-phosphopeptides and similar to activation by IRS-1. These data suggest that tyrosyl-phosphorylated IRS-1 or bis-phosphorylated peptides bind simultaneously to both SH2 domains of p85. However, these data cannot differentiate between an activation mechanism that requires two-site occupancy for maximal activity as opposed to one in which bivalent binding enhances the occupancy of a single activating site. To distinguish between these possibilities, we produced recombinant PI 3′-kinase containing either wild-type p85 or p85 mutated in its N-terminal, C-terminal, or both SH2 domains. We find that mutation of either SH2 domains significantly reduced phosphopeptide binding and decreased PI 3′-kinase activation by 50%, whereas mutation of both SH2 domains completely blocked binding and activation. These data provide the first direct evidence that full activation of PI 3′-kinase by tyrosyl-phosphorylated proteins requires occupancy of both SH2 domains in p85.
Is Selling Sex Good Business? : Prostitution in Nineteenth Century New York City

This study examines the impact of red light districts on the New York City’s land values for the years 1867 to 1870 using the monocentric model and bid-rent function as the foundation for the analysis. The results suggest that the Tenderloin red light district is a positive amenity, while the Bleecker and Washington Square red light district is a disamenity. The history of prostitution in New York City provides valuable insight into causes for the differences in the marginal impacts of prostitution on Manhattan’s urban environment. In the end, despite prostitution’s ongoing profitability well into the twentieth century, the strong disamenity associated with the Bleecker and Washington Square brothels and the oppressive conditions of the prostitution business merit strict attention. Metropolitan policy makers must be aware of a brothel’s work conditions and its impact on the surrounding urban environment when they implement laws and regulations against prostitution. This article is available in Undergraduate Economic Review: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol3/iss1/8 Undergraduate Economic Review A publication of Illinois Wesleyan University Vol. III – 2006 2007 Title “Is Selling Sex Good Business? : Prostitution in Nineteenth Century New York City” Author Ida Bastiaens Affiliation Davidson College Abstract This study examines the impact of red light districts on the New York City’s land values for the years 1867 to 1870 using the monocentric model and bid-rent function as the foundation for the analysis. The results suggest that the Tenderloin red light district is a positive amenity, while the Bleecker and Washington Square red light district is a disamenity. The history of prostitution in New York City provides valuable insight into causes for the differences in the marginal impacts of prostitution on Manhattan’s urban environment. In the end, despite prostitution’s ongoing profitability well into the twentieth century, the strong disamenity associated with the Bleecker and Washington Square brothels and the oppressive conditions of the prostitution business merit strict attention. Metropolitan policy makers must be aware of a brothel’s work conditions and its impact on the surrounding urban environment when they implement laws and regulations against prostitution. 1 Bastiaens: Is Selling Sex Good Business? : Prostitution in Nineteenth Centur Published by Digital Commons @ IWU, 2007
A Comparison of Amino Acid-Induced Hypercalciuria in Sham-Operated and Parathyroidectomized Rats

In previous studies we have demonstrated that the reduced renal reabsorption of calcium and hypercalciuria resulting from protein consumption are associated with serum insulin levels. Arginine stimulation of insulin secretion also results in hypercalciuria. The present study was designed to test whether the calciuria associated with arginine-stimulated insulin secretion is mediated by insulin inhibition of parathyroid hormone (PTH) activity. Parathyroidectomized (PTX) and sham-operated rats were infused with physiological saline, or with 12 mmol X kg-1 X hour-1 arginine in saline at 1.2 ml/hour. Analysis of data from clearance periods 90-150 minutes after infusions commenced show that arginine infusion increased urine volume, and calcium excretion (nanograms/minute and nanograms/milliliter glomerular filtration rate), to the same extent in PTX and sham-operated animals. PTH does not, therefore, appear to be involved in the calciuretic response to amino acid infusion.
Student Perceptions of Engineering Service Experiences as a Source of Learning Technical and Professional Skills

A dramatic increase in engineering student participation during the last decade indicates heightened student and faculty interest in engineering service experiences. The first step towards understanding why students are drawn to such opportunities is to examine how students perceive engineering service experiences as an important source of learning technical and professional skills involved in the engineering disciplines. The following study investigates how students compare their service experience with their traditional coursework experience as a source of learning professional and technical skills in engineering. Students’ perception of where they learned professional and technical knowledge or skills provides an insight into the potential impact service-based interventions creates. This study compares service experiences with traditional coursework-based learning to examine the impact of service on students’ perception of learning sources. Students participating in an eclectic and large variety of engineering service experiences were surveyed. Engineering students on average identified that 45% of what they have learned about technical skills and 62% of what they have learned about professional skills was gained through their engineering service experience. Female students credited service experiences as their source of both professional and technical skills significantly higher than male students, and were consistent across academic years. Engineering students’ perceive service-based learning experiences, relative to their traditional course-based learning, to significantly impact what they know about technical and professional engineering outcomes.
An Intraoperative Glucose Control Benchmark for Formal Verification

Abstract Diabetes associated complications are affecting an increasingly large population of hospitalized patients. Since glucose physiology is significantly impacted by patient-specific parameters, it is critical to verify that a clinical glucose control protocol is safe across a wide patient population. A safe protocol should not drive the glucose level into dangerous low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) ranges. Verification of glucose controllers is challenging due to the high-dimensional, non-linear glucose physiological models which contain both unobservable states and unmeasurable patient-specific parameters. This paper presents a hybrid system model of a closed-loop physiological system that includes an existing FDA-accepted high-fidelity physiological model tailored to intraoperative settings and a validated improvement to a clinical glucose control protocol for diabetic cardiac surgery patients. We propose the closed-loop model as a physiological system benchmark for verification and present our initial results on verifying the system using the SMT-based hybrid system verification tool dReach.
Characterization and Electrochromic Properties of Ultrathin Films Self-Assembled from Poly(diallyldimethylammonium) Chloride and Sodium Decatungstate

Poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (P) and sodium decatungstate (W) were layer-by-layer self-assembled onto quartz, mica, and ITO-electrode substrates (S). The self-assembled films, S-(P/W)n, were characterized by absorption spectrophotometry, reflectivity, cyclic voltammetry and scanning force microscopy (AFM). The electrochemical properties of the S-(P/W)n films were found to differ from those in which the polyelectrolyte remained at the outermost layer, i.e., S-(P/W)n/P. Photoelectrochemical measurements provided evidence for the electrochromic and photoelectrochromic behavior of these films.
Hydrogen atoms as a probe of the optical anisotropy of indium phosphide (001)

The reflectance difference spectra of the InP(0 0 1) (2×1) and δ(2×4) reconstructions have been characterized using hydrogen as a probe of the surface bonds. Bands observed at 1.9, 3.1, 4.1, and 4.6 eV on the (2×1) and at 2.8, 3.7, and 4.6 eV on the δ(2×4) decrease in direct proportion to the hydrogen coverage. By comparing the changes in the reflectance difference spectra to the changes in the atomic structure of the surfaces, it is possible to relate the peaks to transitions involving specific valence bond states.
Identity and intimacy during adolescence: Connections among identity styles, romantic attachment and identity commitment

Integration of adult attachment and psychosocial development theories suggests that adolescence is a time when capacities for romantic intimacy and identity formation are co-evolving. The current study addressed direct, indirect and moderated associations among identity and romantic attachment constructs with a diverse sample of 2178 middle adolescents. Identity styles were found to have unique and direct associations with identity commitment. Attachment anxiety showed only indirect associations and attachment avoidance had both direct and indirect associations with identity commitment. Tests of moderation revealed that gender, race and relationship status had no influence on the direct associations of identity styles or romantic attachment with identity commitment. Few differences in association strength among identity styles and romantic attachment emerged for gender or race. However, the differences found for relationship status suggested that relationship experiences adolescents bring to their exploration of identity and intimacy matter for how these two areas of development articulate.
Emerging independence in nursing graduates: An analysis of traditional-nontraditional value patterns

The study sought to determine whether current nursing graduates value assertiveness, independence, and achievement to a greater degree than had past graduates, and whether selection or socialization might account for such a change. Scores on the Allport Vernon Lindsey Scale of Values for 55 1974 graduates of a private baccalaureate school of nursing were compared with 66 1980 graduates. Only scores on the political scale were significantly higher for the 1980 class. 1980 graduates displayed a traditional value pattern of high social and low political scores upon entering the educational program. Longitudinal comparison of scores for the 1980 class showed a significant rise in scores on the political scale; graduating scores did not differ significantly from college norms. The results suggest a rise in nontraditional values which is the result of the educational socialization process.
Raman spectroscopic investigations of the acid-base forms of dithizone

Raman spectra of three forms of dithizone are presented. Significant structural changes are indicated in the Raman spectra when a proton is added or lost from neutral dithizone (H2Dz) to form the corresponding conjugate acid of dithizone (H3Dz+) and the dithizone anion (HDz−), respectively. These spectral changes are correlated with the structures previously proposed for these species.
Angle-resolved photoemission: From reciprocal space to real space

Abstract The prospects for converting angle-resolved photoemission data from reciprocal space to real space are evaluated. Examples are given for one- and two-dimensional systems, where wave functions have been obtained for quantum well states confined between steps and for planar molecules adsorbed at a surface. The extension to three-dimensional systems via variable photon energies is discussed. The uncertainty relation between position and momentum makes such a capability complementary to imaging in real space by scanning tunneling microscopy. Angle-resolved photoemission provides access to the internal structure of an electronic orbital and penetrates below the surface.