cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting high-cost privately insured patients based on self-reported health and utilization data.

Objectives To examine how well self-reported data on health, health behaviors, and healthcare utilization by a sample of privately insured patients predict whether they will incur high healthcare costs the following year. Study design A 2012 mail survey of autoworkers from Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors, with 3983 survey respondents linked to their health insurance claims data for 2012 and 2013. Methods High healthcare costs are defined as being in the 75th percentile or higher of healthcare expenditures. Models that include combinations of claims-based measures of expenditures and morbidity and self-reported measures of health, health behaviors, and healthcare utilization are compared. Results Claims-based measures of healthcare costs and comorbidity for 2012 were strong predictors of whether a patient would incur high healthcare costs in 2013 (C statistic = 0.78). Self-reported measures of chronic conditions, health status, health behaviors, and hospital use are also good predictors of high healthcare costs. However, even the most comprehensive model that included self-reported measures was not as accurate in predicting high healthcare costs (C statistic = 0.73). Conclusions Efficient targeting of high-cost patients is crucial to the success of innovative care delivery models that attempt to lower costs and improve quality of care through more intensive care management of patients. The results of this study show that in the absence of claims data on prior use and expenditures, patient-reported measures of health status and prior healthcare use are reasonable predictors of future healthcare costs for a privately insured population.
Electronic, Magnetic, and Redox Properties and O2 Reactivity of Iron(II) and Nickel(II) o-Semiquinonate Complexes of a Tris(thioether) Ligand: Uncovering the Intradiol Cleaving Reactivity of an Iron(II) o-Semiquinonate Complex

The iron(II) semiquinonate character within the iron(III) catecholate species has been proposed by numerous studies to account for the O2 reactivity of intradiol catechol dioxygenases, but a well-characterized iron(II) semiquinonate species that exhibits intradiol cleaving reactivity has not yet been reported. In this study, a detailed electronic structure description of the first iron(II) o-semiquinonate complex, [PhTttBu]Fe(phenSQ) [PhTttBu = phenyltris(tert-butylthiomethyl)borate; phenSQ = 9,10-phenanthrenesemiquinonate; Wang et al. Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 5871–5873], was generated through a combination of electronic and Mossbauer spectroscopies, SQUID magnetometry, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. [PhTttBu]Fe(phenSQ) reacts with O2 to generate an intradiol cleavage product, diphenic anhydride, in 16% yield. To assess the dependence of the intradiol reactivity on the identity of the metal ion, the nickel analogue, [PhTttBu]Ni(phenSQ), and its derivative, [PhTttBu]Ni(3,5-DBSQ) (3,5-DBSQ...
Widths of low-lying levels of Na 17

I have used a potential model and results from an earlier shell-model calculation to compute expected widths for decays of the first three states of $^{17}\mathrm{Na}$. I compare them with a recent experiment that observed a large peak near the region of the predicted $3/{2}^{+}$ and $5/{2}^{+}$ states.
Culture, Corn, and Complexity

What was the world like in the southwestern portion of the United States before Europeans? While this chapter identifies on a number of cultures, the focus will be on the Ancestral Pueblo. Thus, the greatest attention is focused on people living in the Four Corners region of the United States, which is the area where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. Within this region, there are quite a few large archaeological sites of interest. Using the archaeological record, this chapter will highlight how the Ancestral Pueblo were not necessarily a homogeneous culture group. Archaeological reconstructions reveal that there was a great deal of variation in cultural traditions, material culture, subsistence strategies, and social complexity. The differences seen among the various Pueblo groups represented ideologies or worldview, and as such, these groups had to be considered and discussed as distinctive groups with unique histories and identities.
Network Polydispersity and Deformation-Induced Damage in Filled Elastomers

An a priori assumption in micromechanical analysis of polymeric networks is that the constitutive polymer strands are of equal length. Monodisperse distribution of strands, however, is merely a simplifying assumption. This paper relaxes this assumption and considers a vulcanized network with a broad distribution of strand length. In the light of this model, this study predicts the damage initiation and stress–stretch dependency in filled polymer networks with random internal structures. The degradation of network mechanical behavior is assumed to be controlled by the adhesive failure of the strands adsorbed to the filler surface. This study shows that the short adsorbed strands are the culprits for damage initiation and their finite extensibility is a key determinant of the mechanical strength.
Prior ties and the use of shared v. unique knowledge of new hires

Hiring R&D researchers is an important source of new ideas. We study how a hiring firm’s use of new employees’ knowledge is influenced by prior ties – connections between its new employees and currently existing employees. We propose that the impact of new employees’ prior ties on the hiring firm’s use of their knowledge is not uniformly positive: It depends on whether the knowledge is shared (knowledge the firm has used before) or unique (knowledge the firm has not used before). We theorize that prior ties will be positively associated with the firm’s use of a new hire’s shared knowledge but negatively with the use of unique knowledge. We test our predictions using data from the Electronics and Electrical Goods industry between 1985 and 2000.
Heart Failure in the Neonate

Abstract Neonatal heart failure is a clinical syndrome caused by cardiovascular and noncardiovascular abnormalities, which results in characteristic signs and symptoms including edema, respiratory distress, and growth failure accompanied by circulatory, neurohormonal, and molecular derangements. The causes of neonatal heart failure are varied and include congenital heart disease, inherited or acquired cardiomyopathy, and systemic diseases. Accurate diagnosis of etiology is key for appropriate therapy and is comprised of thorough evaluation, including family history, focused physical exam, noninvasive cardiac testing, laboratory testing, and, in appropriate cases, invasive testing including endomyocardial biopsy. Treatment options include diuretic therapy, afterload reduction, beta-blockade, inotropic and vasoactive medications, mechanical ventilatory and circulatory support, and heart transplantation. In the majority of instances, these treatment modalities have been described in adult or older pediatric populations and can only be extrapolated to the neonatal age-group.
Form of critical nuclei at homo-phase boundaries

Abstract Even though more than six decades have passed since the first theory on heterogeneous nucleation at grain boundaries (GBs) was established in the 1950s, the concurrent shape variation (co-deformation) of both the nucleus and the GB was still not captured by existing models. By using a fully variational approach, we demonstrate for the first time that a nucleus with low-energy facet(s) is highly deformable in response to its interaction with the GB along the triple junction line and, consequently, its energy of formation can be reduced by orders of magnitude relative to predictions by previous methods.
A look-ahead partial routing framework for the stochastic and dynamic vehicle routing problem

In this paper, we study the vehicle routing problem with dynamic customers, where a portion of the customer requests are known in advance and the rest arrive in real time. We propose an optimization-based look-ahead dynamic routing framework that involves request forecasting, partial planning, and dynamic real-time routing of the fleet. This framework has the capabilities for adjustments in response to routing environments with different levels of uncertainties. Through extensive numeral simulations, we exam its performance in routing environments with various levels of uncertainties. We demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed solution by benchmarking against two other routing strategies. This paper fills the gap in the literature on studying the relationship between the level of route planning in the solution approach and the quality of the solution under various system conditions.
A New Algorithm for Counting Independent Motifs in Probabilistic Networks

Biological networks provide great potential to understand how cells function. Motifs are topological patterns which are repeated frequently in a specific network. Network motifs are key structures through which biological networks operate. However, counting independent (i.e., non-overlapping) instances of a specific motif remains to be a computationally hard problem. Motif counting problem becomes computationally even harder for biological networks as biological interactions are uncertain events. The main challenge behind this problem is that different embeddings of a given motif in a network can share edges. Such edges can create complex computational dependencies between different instances of the given motif when considering uncertainty of those edges. In this paper, we develop a novel algorithm for counting independent instances of a specific motif topology in probabilistic biological networks. We present a novel mathematical model to capture the dependency between each embedding and all the other embeddings, which it overlaps with. We prove the correctness of this model. We evaluate our model on real and synthetic networks with different probability, and topology models as well as reasonable range of network sizes. Our results demonstrate that our method counts non-overlapping embeddings in practical time for a broad range of networks.
Hand weakness in elderly patients

Weakness of the hand is a common problem in the elderly. When joint and vascular diseases have been ruled out, a systematic anatomic approach to the possible neurologic causes can be used to sort through nonspecific symptoms and the complexity of hand anatomy. Syndromes of the peripheral nerves supplying the hand (ie, median, ulnar, radial) are common and are generally caused by compression of these nerves in their pathway through the elbow, forearm, or wrist. Other common causes of hand weakness include lower motor neuron syndromes involving the brachial plexus; cervical radiculopathy amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; and myasthenia gravis. Along with a careful history and physical examination, several tests are helpful in discerning the nature and location of lesions. Electromyography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and myelography may all be used to exclude or support a diagnosis.
Distributed Control of Plates with Segmented Sensors and Actuators

Integrating active materials, such as piezoelectrics, shape—memory alloys, electrostrictive materials, magnetostrictive materials, electrorheological fluids, etc., with elastic structures transforms the structures from a completely passive system to an active adaptive system (Tzou, 1991a). With the rapid development of VLSI technologies, adding an “intelligence” to the structure could also become a reality in the near future (Tzou & Fukuda, 1991&1992).
A pilot investigation of the effect of electronic cigarettes on smoking behavior among opioid-dependent smokers.

Abstract Introduction Compared to the general population, smoking rates are 2–4 times higher among individuals with opioid use disorders (OUDs). These smokers also have poor long-term cessation rates, even with pharmacotherapy or other interventions. Low success rates with traditional approaches may prompt smokers with OUDs to try more novel products like electronic cigarettes (ECIGs). This pilot study was designed to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and effect of ECIGs on smoking behavior among smokers with OUD. Methods Participants (N = 25) were daily smokers receiving buprenorphine/naloxone for OUD at an outpatient clinic. They were randomized to use a second-generation ECIG (0 or 18 ng/ml nicotine) ad libitum for two weeks while completing assessments via text messaging daily, and also via in-person visits at baseline, end of the two-week intervention, and a 4-week follow-up. Results Feasibility was evidenced by high enrollment (93.9%) and retention (70.9%) rates. ECIG adherence was relatively high as measured by self-report (80.6% active, 91.7% placebo), while the average volume of liquid used per week was low (~3 ml). Both ECIG doses produced reductions in self-reported cigarettes per day that were not supported by average carbon monoxide levels. Biologically-confirmed smoking abstinence was observed in 8% of participants. Conclusions Preliminary results suggest that smokers with OUD are interested in using ECIGs, but their adherence may be less than ideal. Poor medication adherence rates are often observed in this disparate population, and future work should consider the use of other ECIG device types and a combination of methods to verify and quantify ECIG use.
Applications of Click Chemistry in the Development of HIV Protease Inhibitors

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been devastating for millions of people around the world. Inhibition of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease is among the most important approaches for the therapeutic intervention in HIV infection. Since the discovery of the HIV-1 protease, this enzyme has been considered as a key target for the inhibition of viral replication. A large body of research has been done to develop an effective HIV-1 protease inhibitor. There are to date 10 HIV-1 protease inhibitor drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that have improved the survival and quality of life of HIV infected people. These drugs are prescribed in combination with the reverse transcriptase inhibitors, which is referred to as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The HIV-1 protease inhibitors play a vital role in HAART. The applications of click chemistry are dispersing in the field of drug discovery. Recently, click chemistry has captured a lot of attention and has become a powerful tool for the synthesis of medicinal skeletons in the discovery of anti-HIV drugs. Click reaction is a well-known method for making carbon−heteroatom−carbon bonds. Click reactions are popular because they are wide in scope, of high yielding, quick to perform, and easy to purify. In this review, we outlined current approaches towards the development of HIV-1 protease inhibitors employing click chemistry.
Cross-disciplinary evolution of the genomics revolution.

Born out of the Human Genome Project (HGP), the field of genomics evolved with phenomenal speed into a dominant scientific and business force. While other efforts were intent on estimating the economic impact of the genomics revolution, we shift focus to the social and cultural capital generated by bridging together biology and computing—two of the constitutive disciplines of “genomics”. We quantify this capital by measuring the pervasiveness of bio-computing cross-disciplinarity (XD) in genomics research during and after the HGP. To provide interlocking perspectives at the career and epistemic levels, we assembled three data sets to measure XD via (i) the collaboration network between 4190 biology and computing faculty from 155 departments in the United States, (ii) cross-departmental affiliations within a comprehensive set of human genomics publications, and (iii) the application of computational concepts and methods in research published in a preeminent genomics journal. Our results show the following: First, research featuring XD collaborations has higher citation impact than other disciplinary research—an effect observed at both the career and individual article levels. Second, genomics articles featuring XD methods tend to have higher citation impact than epistemically pure articles. Third, XD researchers of computing pedigree are drawn to the biology culture. This statistical evidence acquires deeper meaning when viewed against the organizational and knowledge transfer mechanisms revealed by the data models. With cross-disciplinary initiatives set to dominate the agenda of funding agencies, our case study provides a framework for appreciating the long-term effects of these initiatives on science and its standard-bearers.
One-pot conversion of carbohydrates into furan derivatives in biphasic tandem catalytic process

Abstract Biphasic tandem catalytic process (biTCP) is a generalized “one-pot” synthesis approach to produce hydrophobic biofuels or biobased chemicals from relatively hydrophilic biomass feedstocks. In this work, we report our findings on employing the biTCP to convert carbohydrates (such as fructose) to value-added furan derivative chemicals, 2,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran (DMTHF), 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) or 5-methylfurfural (MF). Through the studies of kinetics and probe reactions, the reaction mechanism was explored, in which the key intermediates, such as 5-methylfurfural (MF) and DMF, were identified during the conversion of fructose to DMTHF. The catalytic effects of the different catalysts, H2SO4 and Pd/AC, partitioned in water and organic phases, respectively, were elucidated. The effect of various organic solvents and process conditions were systematically studied to maximize the production yield of DMTHF. At the optimum conditions, a ∼ 70% yield of DMTHF was achieved from fructose with the hydrophobic Pd/AC and the hydrophilic Bronsted acid catalysts in the water-diethyl ether biphasic solution at 130 °C in 12 h. In addition, the effect of the co-solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which modulated the distribution of furan products, was also investigated. Finally, the deactivation mechanism of the Pd/AC catalyst was discussed.
Bait and Switch: A strategy to avoid host defense by the ticks

Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites of animals and humans. In the livestock industry, economic losses due to ticks and tick borne diseases (TBD) amount to million of dollars. In public health, ticks are second to mosquitoes in terms of impact of human diseases. CDC has listed 14 TBD causative agents of which, 9 are transmitted by Amblyomma americanum and Ixodes scapularis. With few exceptions, the transmission of TBD agents requires successful tick feeding. Thus understanding tick-feeding mechanism is a critical step in developing novel methods to stop TBD agent transmission. We know that ticks secrete numerous tick saliva proteins that suppress host immunity to facilitate feeding and disease agent colonization. However, mechanisms of how the tick suppresses host immunity remain unanswered. We investigated the effect of 15 A. americanum and I. scapularis recombinant tick saliva proteins (rTSPs) on murine macrophage function as revealed by expression of pro-inflammatory co-stimulatory markers (CD40, C80, and CD86). Additionally, the effect of rTSP on macrophage secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNFa, IL1, IL6, IL-10, TGF beta) was also investigated. Our analysis identified five pro-inflammatory and two anti-inflammatory tick saliva proteins. The two anti-inflammatory proteins appear to reverse the expression of co-stimulatory markers activated by LPS and rTSPs. These data collectively demonstrate the presence of a “bait and switch” mechanism through which the tick may evade host immunity. We propose that ticks secrete two types of immune-modulating proteins: those that stimulate host immune cells and those that dampen the activated cells.
The Bit (and Three Other Abstractions) Define the Borderline Between Hardware and Software

Modern computing is generally taken to consist primarily of symbol manipulation. But symbols are abstract, and computers are physical. How can a physical device manipulate abstract symbols? Neither Church nor Turing considered this question. My answer is that the bit, as a hardware-implemented abstract data type, serves as a bridge between materiality and abstraction. Computing also relies on three other primitive—but more straightforward—abstractions: Sequentiality, State, and Transition. These physically-implemented abstractions define the borderline between hardware and software and between physicality and abstraction. At a deeper level, asking how a physical device can interact with abstract symbols is the wrong question. The relationship between symbols and physical devices begins with the realization that human beings already know what it means to manipulate symbols. We build and program computers to do what we understand to be symbol manipulation. To understand what that means, consider a light switch. A light switch doesn’t turn a light on or off. Those are abstractions. Light switches don’t operate with abstractions. We build light switches (and their associated circuitry), so that when flipped, the world is changed in such a way that we understand the light to be on or off. Similarly, we build computers to perform operations that we understand as manipulating symbols.
Teacher Perception of Preschool Disruptive Behavior: Prevalence and Contributing Factors

The ways in which teachers perceive and subsequently respond to preschoolers’ behavior have significant implications for children’s experience in the classroom. To further understand the nature and...
Presidential party affiliation and electoral cycles in the U.S.economy: evidence from party changes in adjacent terms.

Unique evidence presented in this study challenges previous findings about presidential politics and business cycles. Prior studies find strong evidence for a Democratic economic growth advantage of about 1.8 percent per year over the course of a term but only weak evidence for a pre- election surge in growth for incumbent Presidents of either party. This study finds a much smaller Democratic advantage and strong evidence for a pre-election growth surge for Republican Presidents relative to Democratic Presidents. The novelty of these results is attributable to the use of repeated party-change reversals in adjacent terms for identification in place of binary changes in isolated terms separated by as much as a half-century in prior studies. We find a strongly partisan Federal Reserve effect on growth as well. Results are insensitive to an extensive battery of robustness checks including a placebo test.
Resolution of Deep Venous Thrombosis: Proposed Immune Paradigms

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a pathology encompassing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) associated with high morbidity and mortality. Because patients often present after a thrombus has already formed, the mechanisms that drive DVT resolution are being investigated in search of treatment. Herein, we review the current literature, including the molecular mechanisms of fibrinolysis and collagenolysis, as well as the critical cellular roles of macrophages, neutrophils, and endothelial cells. We propose two general models for the operation of the immune system in the context of venous thrombosis. In early thrombus resolution, neutrophil influx stabilizes the tissue through NETosis. Meanwhile, macrophages and intact neutrophils recognize the extracellular DNA by the TLR9 receptor and induce fibrosis, a complimentary stabilization method. At later stages of resolution, pro-inflammatory macrophages police the thrombus for pathogens, a role supported by both T-cells and mast cells. Once they verify sterility, these macrophages transform into their pro-resolving phenotype. Endothelial cells both coat the stabilized thrombus, a necessary early step, and can undergo an endothelial-mesenchymal transition, which impedes DVT resolution. Several of these interactions hold promise for future therapy.
Surface ligation stage revealed through polarity-dependent fluorescence during perovskite nanocrystal growth

Methylammonium lead iodide perovskite (MAPbI3) nanocrystals (NCs) exhibit favorable photophysics for a range of light emitting applications. A comprehensive mechanistic understanding of the nucleation and growth processes for these NCs is still elusive. Absorbance and fluorescence spectra were measured during a NC synthesis with kinetics limited by precursor solvation using a rapid sampling technique wherein syringe filters quench NC growth. The signal from well-capped NCs in the reaction mixture was isolated by the use of polar syringe filters, enabling spectroscopic observation of the surface ligation process. Our results indicate that the formation of these NCs involves a single stage of nucleation and growth, followed by a terminal surface ligation stage.
Synthesis: Outsourcing of Information Services: Where Are We?

In this paper, I share some insights obtained from the papers from the fifth International Conference on Outsourcing of Information Services (ICOIS), while drawing upon the broader literature on outsourcing. I examine the current status, changes over time, and potential future directions in the area of outsourcing. As discussed in the paper, the outsourcing of information services (OIS) seems to offer greater potential benefits, with new industries being rooted on outsourcing and significant societal impacts. However, risks associated with OIS have increased as well, making it imperative that firms consider both aspects and not outsource IT when it increases risk and lowers returns. OIS has also become more diverse and more complex, with the broadening of actors involved from one client and one or a few vendors to a large number of individual and organizational external agents, potentially including some central and some peripheral actors as well as crowds, small cloud-based firms, robots, and marginalized individuals. As expected, the governance of outsourcing arrangements has undergone major shifts, from contracted and collaborative arrangements to arms-length and digitally-mediated structures. The research on outsourcing parallels this trend, with greater diversity in both theoretical foundations and research methods, and seems to permeate research in other areas such as business value of IT and design science. Perhaps even more drastic changes lie ahead in OIS, amidst emerging ITs, such as “big data,” blockchains, social media, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
Transformative Practices in Engineering Education: The Embedded Expert Model

Contribution: This study extends the embedded expert literature by examining a cross-college partnership between engineering and education faculty and its impact on the engineering faculty’s teaching practices. Background: Previous embedded expert models focused on disciplinary expert models that required extensive educational training to prepare embedded experts to work with instructors to transform courses using active learning strategies. Intended Outcomes: This study employed a novel approach to the embedded expert model by utilizing science, math, and technology education faculty to support undergraduate engineering instructors in transforming teaching practices. Active learning strategies and culturally relevant pedagogy were emphasized in this multisemester transformation process. Anticipated outcomes included decreases in the drop, withdrawal, and failure rates in transformed courses, and an increase in overall GPA for students enrolled in these courses. Application Design: The embedded educational expert approach supported instructors in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering and academic inquiry scholarship, and chemical engineering. Course interventions included adaptive assessment, project-based learning (PBL), peer-assisted learning, and case studies. Findings: Observation, interview, survey, and course level support the multidisciplinary embedded expert model for transforming instructors’ teaching practices and improving student pass rates within multiple engineering departments.
The effects of perceived risk on control-compliance relationships

Abstract Although agent perceived risk is an important element in agency theory, it has received very little research attention. This paper explores two situational factors, specifically environmental uncertainty and agent dependence, that affect agents' risk evaluations and preferences towards types of control. We hypothesize that control mechanisms combined with situational factors affect agent compliance behaviors. Our results suggest that environmental uncertainty heightens the positive effect of behavioral control and the negative effect of outcome control on consummate compliance. Agent dependence further intensifies the effects of environmental uncertainty on the control-compliance relationships. We develop recommendations for marketing managers to develop effective control mechanisms in light of these results.
Defining the Limits of Supplemental Jurisdiction Under 28 U.S.C. § 1367: A Hearty Welcome to Permissive Counterclaims

In 1990, Congress passed 28 U.S.C. sec. 1367, which combined the judge-made doctrines of ancillary and pendent jurisdiction into a new category, "supplemental jurisdiction." Supplemental jurisdiction allows federal district courts with original jurisdiction to also have jurisdiction over all other claims that form part of the "same case or controversy under Article 1II of the United States Constitution." This Article analyzes supplemental jurisdiction over both permissive and compulsory counterclaims, before and after the codification of sec. 1367, by looking at the meaning of "same case or controversy." It then examines two Circuit Court opinions that have held permissive counterclaims may be subject to supplemental jurisdiction as part of the "same case or controversy" as the claim over which the court has original jurisdiction. The author concludes that recent opinions from the Second and Seventh Circuit Courts of Appeal have correctly recognized federal courts' ability to hear permissive counterclaims without independent jurisdiction.
Cheating among college and university students: A North American perspective

Academic integrity is an issue of critical importance to academic institutions and has been gaining increasing interest among scholars in the last few decades. This article discusses data obtained over the last three years from over 80,000 students and 12,000 faculty in the United States and Canada. While documenting that cheating on tests and exams and plagiarism are significant issues on our college and university campuses, it also offers some thoughts on possible strategies to encourage greater levels of academic integrity among students.
A gradient method for anomalous small-angle x-ray scattering

A new method of general applicability for analyzing data from anomalous dispersion small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS) measurements is described. ASAXS is used as a contrast variation method to label the scattering from a single element in a complex material containing several types of scatterers. The contrast variation is achieved through the anomalous dispersion of X-rays. Thus only one sample is required for a complete analysis. To label a scatterer by ASAXS, the atomic scattering factor of an element in the sample is varied by the selection of photon energies near the absorption edge of the element. Careful selection of the photon energies allows the contrast of only the labeled scatterer to change. Data from several small-angle scattering measurements, each conducted at a fixed energy, are combined in a single analysis. The gradient method, used as an extension to a standard SAXS data analysis method, is demonstrated by isolating the volume fraction size distribution of Cr{sub 23}C{sub 6} in 9Cr-1 MoVNb steel.
Vestibular dysfunction: Prevalence, impact and need for targeted treatment

This manuscript is the first in a series on vestibular neuropharmacology, and serves to establish why it is important to develop pharmacologicinterventionsto treat disorders of the vestibular system. We will review the prevalence of vestibular disorders, present studies thatdescribetheimpactofvestibulardisordersonquality of life and clinically significant outcomes such as falls, and discuss the need for rational, targeted treatment. We will advance a central hypothesis, that for vestibular disorders with a well-defined pathophysiology, targeted, effective treatments exist. The prevalence of vestibular disorders has been estimated in several population-based studies, and can be categorized into studies that evaluated a cardinal symptom of vestibular dysfunction, vertigo; studies that estimated vestibular function using balance testing, and studies that considered the prevalence of specific vestibulardisorders.We will revieweach category of population-basedstudy in this order.A study in Germany queried a representative sample of the population about vestibular vertigo, which was defined as rotational vertigo (illusion of self-motion or object motion), positional vertigo (vertigo or dizziness precipitated by changes of head position, such as lying down or turning in bed) or recurrent dizziness with nausea and oscillopsia or imbalance. Neurotologic interviews
Convection-enhanced delivery for glioblastoma: targeted delivery of antitumor therapeutics

SUMMARY Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults and carries a dismal prognosis despite advancements in treatment. Diffuse tumor infiltration precludes curative surgical resection and necessitates advancements in drug delivery mechanisms. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) enables continuous local drug delivery for a diverse population of antitumor agents. Importantly, CED circumvents therapeutic challenges posed by the blood–brain barrier by facilitating concentrated local therapeutic drug delivery with limited systemic effects. Here, we present a concise review of properties essential for safe and efficient convection-enhanced drug delivery, as well as a focused review of clinical studies evaluating CED in the treatment of glioblastoma.
The Use of Hardware Description Languages in the Development of Microelectromechanical Systems

We describe how hardware description languages (HDLs) can be used to support the design and simulation of systems incorporating components interacting in multiple energy domains. This methodology encourages emphasis on higher-level system design while providing performance targets for lower-level component design. It can also be made independent of the actual simulation engine (special-purpose mixed domain simulators or separate simulators for different energy domains). This approach supports modular, hierarchical design and allows strategies such as rapid prototyping and component reuse to be applied to multidomain systems, thus speeding the development of such systems for commercial use.
Medical myth: Measuring white blood cells in the stools is useful in the management of acute diarrhea.

It is routine clinical practice, endorsed by the American College of Gastroenterology,1 that the fecal white blood cell count should be used to determine if an acute episode of diarrhea is invasive. This test is also used to direct further investigations and therapy. This practice assumes that the fecal white blood cell count predicts that the stool culture will be positive for invasive disease and will, therefore, predict the patient's response to antimicrobial therapy. The results of multiple studies note that this is a poor test on both counts. The use of this test dates to the beginning of this century, when clinicians noted that patients with bacillary dysentery were much more likely to have white blood cells in their stool specimens than patients with amebic dysentery. Only the presence of Shigella species and Entamoeba histolytica were reported in these historic works.2 In a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature from 1970 to 1994, Huicho et al3 determined the accuracy of stool white blood cell counts for predicting the results of stool cultures. Only studies with enough information to determine sensitivity and specificity of the test were included in the meta-analysis. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, a peak sensitivity of 70% for the test was noted, but the specificity was just 50%. Using a cutoff to maximize specificity (90%) resulted in a sensitivity of about 40%. The test depends heavily on the time taken for the specimen to be examined after it has been retrieved and also on the experience of the operator. Increasing time results in increasing cell lysis and decreased sensitivity. The use of fecal white blood cell counts to predict the results of the stool culture is at best a secondary consideration. The most important question is, “Does the test result predict response to antimicrobial therapy?” Several articles have noted that neither the results of stool culture nor the fecal white blood cell count predict the response to therapy for either domestic4,5 or imported diarrhea.6 Because the presence of white blood cells in stool specimens is a poor predictor of culture and response to therapy, its routine use should be abandoned in favor of a more cost-effective and rational clinical algorithm.
Restorative Justice in the Classroom: Necessary Roles of Cooperative Context, Constructive Conflict, and Civic Values

To ensure that restorative justice is effective, a cooperative context must be developed, future conflicts must be managed constructively, and relevant parties need to adopt civic values. The theory underlying the creation of a cooperative context is social interdependence theory. Goal interdependence may be positive (i.e., cooperative) or negative (i.e., competitive). Creating a cooperative context will both help prevent destructively managed conflicts and help create positive relationships. The long-term maintenance of a cooperative context depends on resolving conflicts constructively. Individuals need to learn how to resolve conflicts of interests through integrative negotiation and peer mediation. Individuals also need to learn how to resolve intellectual disagreements through the constructive controversy procedure. Intellectual disagreements are inherent in all decision making. Finally, engaging in cooperative efforts and resolving conflicts constructively inculcates civic values. It is the combination of cooperative experiences, constructive conflict resolution, and civic values that most effectively ensures that all relevant parties can redress past wrongs and reconcile with each other.
Thermoviscoelastic Characterization and Prediction of Kevlar/Epoxy Composite Laminates

The thermoviscoelastic characterization of Kevlar 49/Fiberite 7714A epoxy composite lamina and the development of a numerical procedure to predict the viscoelastic response of any general laminate constructed from the same material were studied. The four orthotropic material properties, S sub 11, S sub 12, S sub 22, and S sub 66, were characterized by 20 minute static creep tests on unidirectional (0) sub 8, (10) sub 8, and (90) sub 16 lamina specimens. The Time-Temperature Superposition-Principle (TTSP) was used successfully to accelerate the characterization process. A nonlinear constitutive model was developed to describe the stress dependent viscoelastic response for each of the material properties. A numerical procedure to predict long term laminate properties from lamina properties (obtained experimentally) was developed. Numerical instabilities and time constraints associated with viscoelastic numerical techniques were discussed and solved. The numerical procedure was incorporated into a user friendly microcomputer program called Viscoelastic Composite Analysis Program (VCAP), which is available for IBM PC type computers. The program was designed for ease of use. The final phase involved testing actual laminates constructed from the characterized material, Kevlar/epoxy, at various temperatures and load level for 4 to 5 weeks. These results were compared with the VCAP program predictions to verify the testing procedure and to check the numerical procedure used in the program. The actual tests and predictions agreed for all test cases which included 1, 2, 3, and 4 fiber direction laminates.
Population Dynamics and Distribution of Root Lesion Nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans) over a Three-Year Potato Crop Rotation

Population dynamics of Pratylenchus penetrans Cobb (root lesion nematode) were investigated in commercial potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) fields in the Central Sands of Wisconsin to test the hypothesis that cultural and management practices influence spatial distribution and temporal stability of nematodes over a 3-yr crop rotation. From 1998 to 2000, P. penetrans populations were investigated in fumigated and unfumigated commercial potato fields and in the subsequent rotational crops {corn (Zea mays L.) or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and fresh market vegetables] and winter cereal cover crops. Pratylenchus penetrans populations were quantified in each field using a 0.5-ha uniform sampling grid. Traditional and geostatistical methods and interpolation maps were used to estimate the spatial distribution and temporal stability of nematode populations within each field and crop. In fumigated and unfumigated fields, the mean populations increased as the rotation progressed (potato→corn→vegetable). Population densities of P. penetrans increased more during the corn crop than potato crop. According to the Index of Dispersion, P. penetrans were aggregated (clumped) in all unfumigated fields; however, aggregation was only detectable in the fumigated fields 2 or 3 yr following soil fumigation. Geostatistical methods identified aggregation in only one field. In many cases, higher nematode populations occurred near tillage implement entry locations into each field. Nematode densities alone were not highly correlated with potato yields, corn yields, soil moisture, or soil pH but were consistently correlated with Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) symptoms in unfumigated fields. Populations expressed more temporal stability in unfumigated fields than in fumigated fields.
Technical Note-Generalized Upper Bounds and Triangular Decomposition in the Simplex Method

This note shows how the new updating techniques for triangular factors of the basis can be modified for the generalized upper-bounding algorithm.
Paediatric home ventilatory support: the Auckland experience.

Objectives: To examine the trend over time, describe the disease categories treated, intervention success and outcomes of the children treated at home with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and ventilation via tracheostomy (invasive ventilatory support, IVS) by the Respiratory Service at the Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland. Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of the Respiratory Service records from November 1991 to February 2004. Results: Home CPAP, NIV or IVS was initiated in 160 children (89 boys, median age 6 years) in the study period. Sixty-nine (46 boys) remain on support and are still actively managed by the Starship Respiratory Service, of whom 46% live outside the Greater Auckland Region. Despite 42% of children being less than 5 years of age at initiation of therapy, institution of support failed in only 11%. The majority received treatment by non-invasive mask interface (68% (n = 108) CPAP, 29% (n = 47) NIV), with only 3% (n = 5) supported via tracheostomy. The numbers and complexity of support rose over the 12 years. Respiratory support was discontinued in 57% of cases, after a median of 12.5 months (range 3–52 months); in two-thirds, support was no longer required due to an improvement in the medical condition. The most common indication for support in current patients is respiratory parenchymal or airway disease followed by neuromuscular disease. Obesity is not a common indication. Conclusion: This review documents the increasing trend in children receiving respiratory support at home. Future planning and resources are needed to address this growing need.
Deconstructing the Peptide-MHC Specificity of T Cell Recognition

In order to survey a universe of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-presented peptide antigens whose numbers greatly exceed the diversity of the T cell repertoire, T cell receptors (TCRs) are thought to be cross-reactive. However, the nature and extent of TCR cross-reactivity has not been conclusively measured experimentally. We developed a system to identify MHC-presented peptide ligands by combining TCR selection of highly diverse yeast-displayed peptide-MHC libraries with deep sequencing. Although we identified hundreds of peptides reactive with each of five different mouse and human TCRs, the selected peptides possessed TCR recognition motifs that bore a close resemblance to their known antigens. This structural conservation of the TCR interaction surface allowed us to exploit deep-sequencing information to computationally identify activating microbial and self-ligands for human autoimmune TCRs. The mechanistic basis of TCR cross-reactivity described here enables effective surveillance of diverse self and foreign antigens without necessitating degenerate recognition of nonhomologous peptides.
Explaining the Origins of the Iran Hostage Crisis: A Cognitive Perspective

Psychological approaches have long been utilized to try to understand the mindsets of terrorists, but much of this literature has drawn on Freudian-inspired psychoanalytic approaches derived from the field of what is sometimes known as abnormal psychology. Building upon recent work which has largely dismissed the value of this kind of approach, this article suggests that we ought to draw more actively than hitherto upon newer, cognitive-based approaches to the study of terrorism. Stressing the importance of analogical reasoning in normal human reasoning, this article seeks to explain the actions of the Iranian students who stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran in November 1979. Cognitive images of “another 1953,” it is argued, played an especially decisive role in the hostage takers' decision-making processes. While analogical reasoning represents only one cognitive approach to decision-making, future research in the field of terrorist studies should utilize more up-to-date “mainstream” approaches to underst...
The Textility of Emotion: A Study Relating Computational Textile Textural Expression to Emotion

Computational textiles are textiles that respond to computer programming commands through embedded electronics. The purpose of this study is to determine what still and shape-changing, textural expressions of computational textiles can communicate emotionally to people. The central hypothesis is that for both kinds of textiles, there will be differences depending on whether the study participants experience the textiles via vision alone or via both vision and touch.If designers could begin to understand the nature of what various textile expressions communicated, and what computational textiles communicated in transformation then it would be possible to more clearly understand the role that texture of a computational textile plays in communicating emotion through a computational object.
Motor activity-mediated partial recovery in ischemic rats.

Spontaneous partial recovery in motor and/or cognitive dysfunctions in stroke patients has been documented, but the factors that affect such functional improvement have not been well elucidated. The present study demonstrates that repeated behavioral testing (daily or once a week over a period of 4 weeks) promoted partial recovery from motor asymmetry in adult ischemic rats. In contrast, ischemic animals that were only tested once every 2 weeks or once after 4 weeks did not show such partial recovery. These results suggest that repeated behavioral testing (i.e., increased use of the ischemia-affected limbs and body parts) may contribute to partial recovery of motor deficits following an experimental stroke, even in the absence of pharmacological therapeutic intervention.