cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic Seismic and Tsunami Hazard Analysis Conditioned on a Megathrust Rupture of the Cascadia Subduction Zone

This paper presents a framework for a probabilistic hazard assessment for the multi-hazard seismic and tsunami phenomena (PSTHA). For this work, we consider a full-rupture event along the Cascadia Subduction Zone and apply the methodology to the study area of Seaside, Oregon, along the US Pacific Northwest coast. In this work, we show that the annual exceedance probabilities (AEP) of the tsunami intensity measures (IM) are qualitatively dissimilar to the IMs of the seismic ground motion in the study area. Specifically, the spatial gradients for the tsunami IM are much stronger across the length scale of the city owing to the physical differences of energy dissipation of the two mechanisms. Example results of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) and probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis (PTHA) are shown for three observation points in the study area of Seaside. For the seismic hazard, the joint mean annual rate of exceedance shows similar trends for the three observation points, even though there is a large scatter between and . For the tsunami hazard, the joint AEP of hmax and (MF)max shows a high correlation between the two IMs in the study area. The joint AEP at each of the three observation points follows a particular Froude number (Fr) due to the local site-specific conditions locally rather than the distributions of fault slips. The joint probability distribution of hmax and (MF)max throughout the study region falls between 0.1 ≤ Fr < 1.0 (i.e., the flow is subcritical) regardless of return interval (500-, 1,000-, and 2,500-yr). However, the peak of the joint probability distribution with respect to hmax and (MF)max varies with the return interval, and the largest values of hmax and (MF)max were observed with the highest return intervals (2,500 yr) as would be expected. The results of the PSTHA can be the basis for a probabilistic multi-hazard damage assessment and help to understand the uncertainties of the multi-hazard assessments.
Refining fault slip rates using multiple displaced terrace risers—An example from the Honey Lake fault, NE California, USA

Abstract Faulted terrace risers are semi-planar features commonly used to constrain Quaternary slip rates along strike-slip faults. These landforms are difficult to date directly and therefore their ages are commonly bracketed by age estimates of the adjacent upper and lower terrace surfaces. However, substantial differences in the ages of the upper and lower terrace surfaces (a factor of 2.4 difference observed globally) produce large uncertainties in the slip-rate estimate. In this investigation, we explore how the full range of displacements and bounding ages from multiple faulted terrace risers can be combined to yield a more accurate fault slip rate. We use 0.25-m cell size digital terrain models derived from airborne lidar data to analyze three sites where terrace risers are offset right-laterally by the Honey Lake fault in NE California, USA. We use ages for locally extensive subhorizontal surfaces to bracket the time of riser formation: an upper surface is the bed of abandoned Lake Lahontan having an age of 15.8 ± 0.6 ka and a lower surface is a fluvial terrace abandoned at 4.7 ± 0.1 ka. We estimate lateral offsets of the risers ranging between 6.6 and 28.3 m (median values), a greater than fourfold difference in values. The amount of offset corresponds to the riser's position relative to modern stream meanders: the smallest offset is in a meander cutbank position, whereas the larger offsets are in straight channel or meander point-bar positions. Taken in isolation, the individual terrace-riser offsets yield slip rates ranging from 0.3 to 7.1 mm/a. However, when the offset values are collectively assessed in a probabilistic framework, we find that a uniform (linear) slip rate of 1.6 mm/a (1.4–1.9 mm/a at 95% confidence) can satisfy the data, within their respective uncertainties. This investigation demonstrates that integrating observations of multiple offset elements (crest, midpoint, and base) from numerous faulted and dated terrace risers at closely spaced sites can refine slip-rate estimates on strike-slip faults.
Environmental Regulators on the Front-Lines: A View from the States

The enforcement approach and regulatory style of regulators is often the subject of study in a host of policy arenas. Related to understanding enforcement is the nature of the interactions between regulator and regulatee. Yet, in the realm of U.S. environmental policy, these interactions remain understudied. We strive to understand how front-line environmental regulators with state environmental protection agencies interact with their counterparts in the regulated community since these interactions constitute environmental policy. We conducted an extensive online survey of these regulators in seventeen states, which resulted in a sample of more than 1,200 regulators. To our knowledge, no survey of this scale has been conducted in the U.S. with this population; further, this level of participation provides perspectives from around the nation and includes states that are both environmental leaders and laggards. These data reveal that environmental regulators generally have positive interactions and are building productive relationships with their regulatory counterparts. Our findings contribute to the dialogue on responsive regulation and the ability of regulators to have positive, productive interactions without the automatic presumption of regulatory capture. By documenting the voices of these front-line regulators, we can better articulate how environmental regulation can and should evolve in the U.S.
Viscoelastic properties and ion dynamics in star-shaped polymerized ionic liquids

Abstract The viscoelastic and dielectric response of linear and star-shaped polymeric ionic liquids (PolyILs) based on imidazolium/bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide are probed over a broad range of frequencies and temperatures and are evaluated in connection to the polymer architecture and morphology. At longer timescales, the arm dynamics of star PolyILs are shown to be more sluggish and elastic relative to those of linear chains of comparable size. Arm retraction delays terminal relaxation in the melt, resulting in an enhanced zero-shear viscosity that increases exponentially with the arm length. Yet at shorter timescales, long-chain branching is shown to have only secondary effects on the segmental and ion motions. That is, star PolyIL melts are found to have a lower viscoelastic fragility, more frustrated secondary β fluctuations, and—for stars with the shortest arms—higher activation energies for ion hopping at low temperatures. Even so, all PolyILs ultimately exhibit nearly similar rates of segmental relaxation, ion disassociation, and dc conductivity over the investigated temperature range, regardless of polymer architecture including arm length. This study thus demonstrates how the disparity between chain, segmental, and ion dynamics in branched PolyILs can be exploited in the assembly of functional polymer electrolyte materials with divergent morphologies and controlled viscoelasticity properties, both can be varied independently of ion transport.
A Collaborative Framework for Robotic Task Specification

Abstract Implementation of automated robotic solutions for complex tasks currently faces a few major hurdles. For instance, lack of effective sensing and task variability – especially in high-mix, low-volume processes – creates too much uncertainty to reliably hard-code a robotic work cell. Current collaborative frameworks generally focus on integrating the sensing required for a physically collaborative implementation. While this paradigm has proven effective for mitigating uncertainty by mixing human cognitive function and fine motor skills with robotic strength and repeatability, there are many instances where physical interaction is impractical, as human reasoning and task knowledge are still needed. The proposed framework consists of key modules such as a path planner, path simulator, and result simulator. An integrated user interface facilitates the operator to interact with these modules and edit the path plan before ultimately approving the task for automatic execution by a manipulator that need not be collaborative. The software modules are integrated using the Robotic Operating System. Application of the collaborative framework is illustrated for a pressure washing task in a remanufacturing environment that requires one-off path planning for each part. The framework can also be applied to various other tasks, such as spray-painting, sandblasting, deburring, grinding, and shot peening.
Ketamine for Acute Agitation

This review describes the use of ketamine for acutely agitated patients in the emergency care setting. Evidence for its efficacy will be reviewed and practical suggestions for using ketamine in this scenario will be presented. The available observational literature on the topic of ketamine for agitation was recently summarized in a systematic review. This review found that ketamine effectively and quickly sedates acutely agitated patients. However, it did raise some concerns about an increased intubation rate in patients administered ketamine. In severely agitated patients, particularly those presumed to be caused by stimulant drug use, who need immediate sedation to ensure the safety of the patient and staff, ketamine is a reasonable and safe choice. Emergency practitioners can consider giving ketamine 4-6 mg/kg IM (500 mg for most adults). Once given, it is important to closely monitor the patient for adverse effects and that the examination continue to determine the etiology of the patient’s agitation.
Syntheses and Structures of Triple-Decker ComplexesIncorporating Octamethylruthenocene and Nonamethylruthenocene

Five new diruthenium triple-decker complexes were synthesized by the reaction of ruthenium electrophiles with metallocenes of ruthenium. At 40 °C, the reaction of [(C5R5)Ru(NCMe)3]+ (R = H, Me) wit...
Examination of pain threshold and neuropeptides in patients with acute suicide risk.

Abstract Introduction One of the main challenges in suicide prevention is the limited understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying suicide. Recent findings suggest impairments in pain processing in acutely suicidal patients. However, little is known about the biological factors that may drive these discrete physiological abnormalities. In this study, we examined plasma peptides involved in analgesic and inflammatory responses and physical pain threshold in acutely suicidal patients. Methods Thirty-seven depressed patients of both sexes hospitalized for severe suicidal ideation or a recent suicide attempt were characterized clinically including history of suicidal ideation and behavior. Psychological and physical pain, and pressure pain threshold was also measured. Plasma levels of β-endorphin, neurotensin, agouti-related protein (AgRP), C-reactive protein (CRP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were run in Milliplex multiplex assays. Results The number of lifetime suicide attempts was positively correlated with β-endorphin (r = 0.702; p = 0.007), and neurotensin (r = 0.728, p = 0.007) plasma levels. Higher pain threshold was measured in the suicide attempt group as compared to the suicidal ideation group. Pain threshold was strongly and negatively associated with CRP plasma levels (r = −0.548; p Conclusion Our results suggest that abnormalities in the opioid and neurotensin systems may underlie the increase in pain threshold found in suicide attempters, and possibly risk for suicidal behavior. Targeting pain circuits and systems may provide therapeutic mechanisms for suicide prevention.
Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

Trauma and Acute Care Surgery is a specialty that spans the spectrum from community-based non-academic practices to University based academic medical centers. There are a variety of models that vary in the percentage devoted to each of the three pillars of the specialty; Trauma, Emergency General Surgery, and Surgical Critical Care. We will explore a few models that are currently employed and offer ways of ensuring success. Finding the balance between your academic goals and clinical goals is key and there must be alignment between the organizational priorities and the individual priorities to establish mutually beneficial long-term success.
How women have fared in the labour market with China's rise as a global economic power

Under a centrally planned system, China made significant achievements in gender equality. Half a century later, China has joined the ranks of upper‐middle‐income countries, and decades of rapid growth have accompanied major structural changes in the economy. We assess the evolution of women's economic opportunities during the period, focusing on labour force participation, occupational segregation, leadership in business, and the gender wage gap, as well as informal sector employment and migration. We undertake a review of existing research and conduct new empirical analysis using a combination of data sources, including four waves of Chinese population census data through 2010, and province‐level migration data. We focus especially on migrant women, a group typically excluded from similar studies. Although investments in human capital have advanced prospects for better‐paid jobs for women, we find that rapid economic growth has not alleviated discrimination against women rooted in cultural and social norms and that the implementation of existing laws designed to protect and support women needs to improve.
Persistence of High-Need Status Over Time Among Fee-for-Service Medicare Beneficiaries:

Although administrative claims data can be used to identify high-need (HN) Medicare beneficiaries, persistence in HN status among beneficiaries and subsequent variation in outcomes are unknown. We use national-level claims data to classify Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries as HN annually among beneficiaries continuously enrolled between 2013 and 2015. To examine persistence of HN status over time, we categorize longitudinal patterns in HN status into being never, newly, transiently, and persistently HN and examine differences in patients' demographic characteristics and outcomes. Among survivors, 23% of beneficiaries were HN at any time-4% persistently HN, 13% transiently HN, and 6% newly HN. While beneficiaries who were persistently HN had higher mortality, utilization, and expenditures, classification as HN at any time was associated with poor outcomes. These findings demonstrate longitudinal variability of HN status among FFS beneficiaries and reveal the pervasiveness of poor outcomes associated with even transitory HN status over time.
Resource Allocation in Vehicular Communications Using Graph and Deep Reinforcement Learning

Cellular based vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications have recently gained more interest from both academia and industry. However, there exist many challenges in cellular-based V2X communications in which resource allocation is one of the main challenges. In this paper, we propose a graph and deep reinforcement learning-based resource allocations in which channels for vehicular communications are assigned in a centralized manner by the base station whereas vehicular user equipment uses deep reinforcement learning for distributed power control. Graph-based channel allocation includes a weighted bipartite matching and clustering scheme and relies on strictly limited channel state information (CSI). Whereas, power selection is performed using deep reinforcement learning where each agent selects the transmission power to maximize the aggregated V2V data rate. Our proposed scheme relies on realistic channel assumption with minimum transmission overhead. In addition, we have also performed simulations and have shown that our scheme is better compared to previous schemes in terms of sum V2V and sum V2I capacity.
Auditory brainstem deficits from early treatment with a CSF1R inhibitor largely recover with microglial repopulation

Signaling between neurons and glia is necessary for the formation of functional neural circuits. A role for microglia in the maturation of connections in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) was previously demonstrated by postnatal microglial elimination using a colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R). Defective pruning of calyces of Held and significant reduction of the mature astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were observed after hearing onset. Here, we investigated the time course required for microglia to populate the mouse MNTB after cessation of CSF1R inhibitor treatment. We then examined whether defects seen after microglial depletion were rectified by microglial repopulation. We found that microglia returned to control levels at four weeks of age (18 d postcessation of treatment). Calyceal innervation of MNTB neurons was comparable to control levels at four weeks and GFAP expression recovered by seven weeks. We further investigated the effects of microglia elimination and repopulation on auditory function using auditory brainstem recordings (ABRs). Temporary microglial depletion significantly elevated auditory thresholds in response to 4. 8, and 12 kHz at four weeks. Treatment significantly affected latencies, interpeak latencies, and amplitudes of all the ABR peaks in response to many of the frequencies tested. These effects largely recovered by seven weeks. These findings highlight the functions of microglia in the formation of auditory neural circuits early in development. Further, the results suggest that microglia retain their developmental functions beyond the period of circuit refinement.
Blue Gilia Construction, Inc.: A Revenue Recognition Case Study

This case emulates a real business situation in the construction industry providing students the opportunity to critically think about revenue recognition for long-term contracts. The case includes an error in the financial reports and weaknesses in accounting procedures giving students the opportunity to review the COSO framework, evaluate internal controls procedures and make recommendations regarding accounting processes. Accounting concepts for revenue recognition using percentage-of-completion for long-term contracts can be challenging for students to grasp and remember. This case study takes the approach that students need to think critically about the implications of revenue recognition and be able to analyze the effects of a change (correction) to the financial reports. By providing students with a completed Excel spreadsheet for a percentage-of-completion schedule, students are able to quickly make a change (correction) to the Excel spreadsheet and analyze the effects of the change on the revenue recognized during the period as well as the effect on the assets and liabilities.
Open Science and Single-Case Design Research:

Research indicating many study results do not replicate has raised questions about the credibility of science and prompted concerns about a potential reproducibility crisis. Moreover, most publishe...
Evaluation of clinical, Gram stain, and microbiological cure outcomes in men receiving azithromycin for acute nongonococcal urethritis: discordant cures are associated with Mycoplasma genitalium infection.

Background In men with nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), clinicians and patients rely on clinical cure to guide the need for additional testing/treatment and when to resume sex, respectively; however, discordant clinical and microbiological cure outcomes do occur. How accurately clinical cure reflects microbiological cure in specific sexually transmitted infections (STI) is unclear. Methods Men with NGU were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Trichomonas vaginalis, urethrotropic Neisseria meningitidis ST11 clade strains, and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU). Men received azithromycin 1 g and returned for a 1-month test-of-cure visit. In MG infections, we evaluated for the presence of macrolide resistance-mediating mutations (MRM) and investigated alternate hypotheses for microbiological treatment failure using in situ shotgun metagenomic sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, multiple locus typing analyses, and quantitative PCR. Results Of 280 men with NGU, 121 were included in this analysis. In the monoinfection group, 52 had CT, 16 had MG, 7 had UU, 10 had mixed infection, and 36 men had idiopathic NGU. Clinical cure rates were 85% for CT, 100% for UU, 50% for MG, and 67% for idiopathic NGU. Clinical cure accurately predicted microbiological cure for all STI, except MG. Discordant results were significantly associated with MG-NGU and predominantly reflected microbiological failure in men with clinical cure. MG MRM, but not MG load or strain, were strongly associated with microbiological failure. Conclusions In azithromycin-treated NGU, clinical cure predicts microbiological cure for all STI, except MG. NGU management should include MG testing and confirmation of microbiological cure in azithromycin-treated MG-NGU when MRM testing is unavailable.
4 Right care at the right time: a care model redesign quality improvement project

Background Over the last several years, there have been focused efforts to continually improve communication amongst the care team while maintaining patient and family centered care, progressing the patient through their care as clinically indicated, and ensuring timely and efficient discharge planning. Despite these efforts, there was a lack of reliability in the care model which created gaps amongst care team members (inclusive of the patient) in the knowledge of the plan of care. Objectives Care Model redesign is an approach aimed to decrease overall length of stay, improves workflow efficiencies that prioritize quality and timely care, and set a “gold standard” for hospital patient care. The goal of the inpatient care model was to improve both patient and staff satisfaction, while ensuring processes that support patient throughput and overall access to care. Methods The Model for Improvement, best practice review, adaptive change management, human centered design tools, and PDSA cycles were utilized within the project. We created a new care model with structured connections and tools to support discussions. We engaged front line staff through a design session and optimized current technology to merge segmented work into one cohesive approach. The new care model was initially piloted, evaluated, and spread to eight units across the hospital. The team leveraged a multidisciplinary coaching model, and consistent leadership presence to ensure engagement of all team members. Results The data highlights reduced variation by creating a more reliable model to replicate. This resulted in a 21% rate of improvement, and we have exceeded the organization’s goal of 20% of discharges by 11:00am (figure 1). The team identified process, outcome, and balancing metrics for this project that were closely monitored and reviewed (figure 2). Conclusions There is a continued commitment to follow the new process 7 days a week, identify opportunities and problem solve a patient’s plan of care as a team, and maintain high reliability. Communication and coordination amongst care teams and complex discharge planning has improved. Team members have demonstrated workflow efficiencies by being proximate to patients and each other.
Self-Adjoint Operator Polynomials

Let x be a Hilbert space with the scalar product ; x,y ∈ x. In this chapter we consider monic operator polynomials . $$ L\left( \lambda \right) = \mathop \sum \limits_{j = 0}^{\ell - 1} {\lambda ^j}{A_j} + {\lambda ^\ell }I $$ whose coefficients are (bounded) self-adjoint operators on x : Aj = A j * for j = 0,…,l-1.
In Vitro Biosynthesis of the Subunits of Acetylcholine Receptor

The acetylcholine receptor (AChR) of electric ray and eel is one of the few neurotransmitter receptors to be isolated and extensively characterized. It occupies a unique position in the catalogue of membrane proteins thus far purified, in that it is the only such protein that exhibits both a receptor and an ionophore activity. Located in the post-synaptic plasma membranes of Torpedo electric organ, the AChR is an oligomer of four non-identical subunits. The actual organization of these four polypeptides in the lipid bilayer, and their mechanism of functional interaction, however, is still unknown. The biosynthetic pathway of this molecular complex is an important aspect of the formation and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions. It is, furthermore, a potential paradigm for the manner in which other multi-subunit integral membrane proteins are assembled and transported to the plasmalemma.
Developing Human Capital through Personal Web Use in the Workplace: Mapping Employee Perceptions

Personal web usage can be defined as any voluntary act of employees using their company’s web access during office hours to surf non-work related websites for non-work purposes. Previous research suggested that personal web usage is a negative force with productivity losses, congested computer resources, security costs, and the potential risk of legal liability. However, using qualitative research we investigated the attitudes of a diverse set of individuals to personal web usage. Our findings suggest that personal web usage in the workplace can be potentially constructive, although we acknowledge the potential for negative uses as well. We suggest an extension of social contract theory to explain these findings.
Formation of pattern in regenerating tissue pieces of Hydra attenuata: II. Degree of proportion regulation is less in the hypostome and tentacle zone than in the tentacles and basal disc

The relative sizes of the various structures in Hydra attenuata were compared over a broad range of animal sizes to determine in detail the ability to regulate proportions during regeneration. The three components of the head, namely hypostome, tentacles, and tentacle zone from which the tentacles emerge, the body column, and the basal disc were all measured separately. Ectodermal cell number was used as the measure of size. The results showed that the basal disc proportioned exactly over a 40-fold size range, and the tentacle tissue proportioned exactly over a 20-fold size range. In contrast, the hypostome and tentacle zone proportioned allometrically . With decreasing size, the hypostome and tentacle zone became an increasing fraction of the animal at the expense of body tissue, and in the very smallest regenerates at the expense of tentacle tissue. In their current form, the reaction-diffusion models proposed for pattern regulation in hydra are not consistent with the data.
Osteogenic sarcoma of maxilla. Report of a case.

Abstract In the foregoing case, wide surgical resection was performed. The pathology report revealed osteogenic sarcoma of the maxilla with a wide periphery of normal tissue. The surgical defect was made less noticeable by the insertion of a chrome-cobalt acrylic-base obturator. Postinsertion elongation of the upper lip made it unnecessary to replace the columella. In such cases, more alertness on the part of dentists and physicians would favor earlier correct diagnosis and treatment of osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw.
Document Analysis Systems for Digital Libraries: Challenges and Opportunities

Implications of technical demands made within digital libraries (DL’s) for document image analysis systems are discussed. The state-of-the-art is summarized, including a digest of themes that emerged during the recent International Workshop on Document Image Analysis for Libraries. We attempt to specify, in considerable detail, the essential features of document analysis systems that can assist in: (a) the creation of DL’s; (b) automatic indexing and retrieval of doc-images within DL’s; (c) the presentation of doc-images to DL users; (d) navigation within and among doc-images in DL’s; and (e) effective use of personal and interactive DL’s.
The effects of altered N-linked oligosaccharide structures on maturation and targeting of lysosomal enzymes in Dictyostelium discoideum.

We have examined the relationship of N-linked oligosaccharide structures to the proper targeting and proteolytic processing of two lysosomal enzymes, α-mannosidase and β-glucosidase, in the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. Two different mutant strains, HL241 and HL243, each synthesize the same nonglucosylated, truncated, lipid-linked oligosaccharide precursor, Man6GlcNAc2. [3H]Mannose-labeled N-linked oligosaccharides were studied following their release from immunoprecipitated α-mannosidase and β-glucosidase by digestion with peptide: N-glycosidase F. The oligosaccharides from both mutants resembled each other, but they were smaller and contained fewer anionic groups than those from the wild-type. The oligosaccharides from the mutants strains were reduced in sulfate and Man-6-P content, and all Man-6-P was in the form of acid-stable phosphodiesters. Pulse-chase radiolabeling experiments using [35S] methionine indicated that the precursor forms of both enzymes were smaller than wild-type, and that this difference was due solely to differences in N-linked oligosaccharides. The precursor forms of the enzymes were not over-secreted, but appeared to be proteolytically processed into mature forms at approximately 50% the rate of wild-type. This is mainly due to their prolonged retention in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, but, ultimately, both enzymes were properly targeted to lysosomes. These studies indicate that a reduction in the amount of sulfation, phosphorylation or size of the N-linked oligosaccharides in these mutants is not critical for the proteolytic processing and targeting of the lysosomal enzymes, but that these changes may influence their rate of exit from the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Geographic profiling with event prediction

Studies have shown that the target preference of a serial criminal is dependent upon the distance he or she must travel from their residence to the target. Further research has identified this relationship as the journey to crime theory. This theory states that a criminal's propensity to commit crime decreases exponential with increasing distance from their home. This paper combines the journey to crime theory along with other geographic profiling methodologies with spatial crime forecasting methodologies to produce a unique geographic profiling methodology. In this methodology, a density surface representing the likelihood of future crime occurrence at each point in the sample space is calculated using locations and location features of previous events of a serial offender. The forecasted density surface is then used to simulate a complete crime surface, where every point in the sample space is considered a crime point of varying degree. The method then models a residence likelihood surface using a density function that accounts for distance to every point in the sample space and the forecasted density score of each of these future crimes.
Computer Vision for Human–Machine Interaction: A Framework for Gesture Generation and Interpretation

In this paper I describe ongoing research that seeks to provide a common framework for the generation and interpretation of spontaneous gesture in the context of speech. I present a testbed for this framework in the form of a program that generates speech, gesture, and facial expression from underlying rules specifying (a) what speech and gesture are generated on the basis of a given communicative intent, (b) how communicative intent is distributed across communicative modalities, and (c) where one can expect to find gestures with respect to the other communicative acts. Finally, I describe a system that has the capacity to interpret communicative facial, gestural, intonational, and verbal behaviors.
Superior longitudinal fasciculus and cognitive dysfunction in adolescents born preterm and at term.

Aim To understand the relationship between cognition and white-matter structure in adolescents born preterm without obvious brain injury. Methods Thirty-two adolescents from a longitudinal study of child development were selected according to risk of developmental disorders at birth (born at term: eight males, five females; median age 16y 1mo, interquartile range 10mo; low risk preterm: four males, five females, median age 16y, range 4mo; high risk preterm: three males, seven females, median age 16y 2mo, range 1y 2mo) and reading ability (good: three males, eight females, median age 16y, range 7mo; average: six males, three females, median age 16y 10mo, range 1y; poor: six males, six females, median age 16y, range 6mo). Preterm birth was defined as a gestational age of 36 weeks or less and a birthweight of 1600g or less. All participants had normal clinical neuroimaging findings. We examined fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, and volume of three major white-matter fasciculi. The relationship between structural measures and birth risk, hemisphere, and cognitive ability (attention, lexical and sublexical decoding, auditory phonological awareness, and processing speed) were analysed using mixed-model regression. Results Left-hemisphere superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity were linked to reading-related skills (fractional anisotropy vs letter–word identification, r(30)=−0.37, p<0.05; fractional anisotropy vs phoneme reversal, r(30)=−0.34, p=0.05; radial diffusivity vs letter–word identification, r(30)=0.31, p<0.10; radial diffusivity vs phoneme reversal, r(30)=0.40, p<0.05), whereas right-hemisphere SLF fractional anisotropy was related to attention skills (fractional anisotropy vs inattentiveness, r(30)=−0.38, p<0.05). SLF volume decreased as these skills declined for adolescents born preterm (volume vs phoneme reversal, r(17)=0.58, p<0.01; volume vs inattentiveness, r(17)=−0.69, p<0.01), but not for those born at term. Interpretation The relationship between cognitive skills and SLF volume suggests that in adolescents born preterm, cryptic white-matter injury may exist, possibly related to oligodendrocyte or axonal loss, despite normal clinical neuroimaging.
A Didactic Approach to Linear Waves in the Ocean

The general equations of motion for ocean dynamics are presented and the waves supported by the (inviscid, unforced) linearized system with respect to a state of rest are derived. The linearized dynamics sustains one zero frequency mode (called buoyancy mode) in which salinity and temperature rearrange in such a way that seawater density does not change. Five nonzero frequency modes (two acoustic modes, two inertia--gravity or Poincare modes, and one planetary or Rossby mode) are also sustained by the linearized dynamics, which satisfy an asymptotic general dispersion relation. The most usual approximations made in physical oceanography (namely incompressibility, Boussinesq, hydrostatic, and quasigeostrophic) are also consider, and their implications in the reduction of degrees of freedom (number of independent dynamical fields or prognostic equations) of, and compatible waves with, the linearized governing equations are particularly discussed and emphasized.
Reversal of protein-bound vitamin B12 malabsorption with antibiotics in atrophic gastritis

The role of bacteria in the bioavailability of protein-bound vitamin B12 was examined in eight elderly subjects who had atrophic gastritis and in eight normal controls. On separate days and in random order, vitamin B12 absorption tests were performed using either radiolabeled crystalline or protein-bound vitamin B12. At the same time, bacterial samples were collected from the upper gastrointestinal tract. The tests and gastrointestinal aspirates were performed before and during tetracycline therapy. Crystalline vitamin B12 was absorbed to the same extent in the two study groups. Atrophic gastritis subjects absorbed significantly less protein-bound vitamin B12 than normal controls (mean +/- SEM, 0.7% +/- 0.2% vs. 1.9% +/- 0.5%, respectively). However, protein-bound vitamin B12 absorption in these subjects normalized after antibiotic therapy. These results suggest that the small amounts of vitamin B12 released from the protein binders is readily absorbed (as shown in vitro) and/or metabolized by bacteria.
Biochemical Characterization of Sulfur Assimilation by Salmonella pullorum

The biochemical basis for a cysteine requirement in Salmonella pullorum strain MS35 is presented. Before determining the missing biochemical functions, it was established that the assimilatory sulfate-reducing pathway for this species is an inorganic one in which 3′-phosphoadenylylsulfate (PAPS), sulfite, and sulfide are intermediates. A requirement for 2′- and 3′-adenosine monophosphate was found for in vitro synthesis of PAPS, possibly because 2′- and 3′-adenosine monophosphate inhibits endogenous nucleases that destroy PAPS. The cysteine requirement of strain MS35 was attributed to a defect at 37 C in sulfate permeation and temperature sensitivity in sulfite reduction. At 25 C, sulfite was metabolized to sulfide. A novel property of sulfate-utilizing revertants was their unselected ability to assimilate thiosulfate sulfur at 25 C but not at 37 C.
Approximate dynamic programming for high dimensional resource allocation problems

There are wide arrays of discrete resource allocation problems (buffers in manufacturing, complex equipment in electric power, aircraft and locomotives in transportation) which need to be solved over time, under uncertainty. These can be formulated as dynamic programs, but typically exhibit high dimensional state, action and outcome variables (the three curses of dimensionality). For example, we have worked on problems where the dimensionality of these variables is in the ten thousand to one million range. We describe an approximation methodology for this problem class, and summarize the problem classes where the approach seems to be working well, and research challenges that we continue to face.
Modulating the Yield But Not Pathway of Protein Self-Assembly by the Surface-Layer Protein SbpA in Solution

Surface layer (S-layer) proteins form a highly ordered crystalline, yet porous, layer on the outermost cell surface of most species of bacteria and archaea. S-layers not only provide the cell a layer for protection, they are postulated to mediate several functions such as cell adhesion, drug resistance and providing a scaffold for mineralization. Thus, S-layers provide a robust in vitro model system to test our understanding of the dynamics of self-assembly pathways, as well as a biological scaffold for hierarchical assembly of nano-materials. The SbpA protein from Lysinibacillus sphaericus is a well characterized S-layer protein that forms Ca2+ dependent, 2D crystals in solution with square symmetry. Here we use ensemble techniques to study the self-assembly process in solution. We use light scattering to follow assembly kinetics and determine a phase a diagram for crystallization; moreover we use electron microscopy and SAXS to confirm that SbpA forms large crystalline sheets in solution, detectable by our assay. Surprisingly, we find that while SbpA requires a minimal amount of Ca2+ to crystallize, excess divalent ions in solution inhibit interaction between subunits and thus self-assembly. In addition, we find that the crystallization of SbpA does not require the formation of a nucleus, and that all the steps for self-assembly are energetically favorable. We propose a model in which SbpA monomers that lack significant tertiary structure aggregate rapidly in solution to form dense protein clusters, which then order into crystalline sheets.
Parsing Cognition: The Power of Psychology Paradigms

THE EARLIEST systematic descriptions of psychotic disorders noted that attention is disturbed in these conditions. Kraepelin, 1(p6) for example, wrote that in schizophrenia, there is "a certain unsteadiness of attention" and it is quite difficult for these patients to "keep their attention fixed for any length of time." Kraepelin explained these variations in attention ( aufmerksamkeit in German is less ambiguous than attention in English) as manifestations of impaired volition, even a kind of inattention, as it were, and therefore an epiphenomenon of the disorder. Recent explorations of schizophrenic psychopathology, however, strongly suggest that attentional dysfunctions are primary manifestations of the disease process in schizophrenia (as Bleuler 2 believed), and that the earliest as well as the later phases of attention are disordered, as exemplified in the studies by Green et al. 3,4 The term "phases of attention" requires clarification. Until the middle of the 19th century, scientists believed that
Suppressive effect of sustained low-contrast adaptation followed by transient high-contrast on peripheral target detection

We observed that presenting a low-contrast Gabor patch (2 cpd, 5° eccentricity, contrast=4%) for 8 s and then flashing a 20–30 ms high-contrast patch over it could elicit the perceptual disappearance of a subsequent low-contrast stimulus, whereas neither low-contrast adaptation nor high-contrast flash alone had any considerable effect (p<0.00001). In other experiments we found (a) suppressive components are phase-insensitive, (b) the effect transfers between eyes, (c) suppression is selective for orientation, and (d) the induction by the transient high-contrast Gabor patch could be transferred to another previously adapted location up to a few degrees. Results indicate synergy between contrast and adaptation through a non-linear interaction between rapid gain adjustment to transient change and adaptation to sustained spatial patterns. Findings are compatible with non-local mechanisms presumably at the cortical level.
Political theorists as dangerous social actors

What is the appropriate degree of abstraction from existing social facts when engaging in normative political theory? Through a focus on American Indian and other indigenous claims over historically expropriated lands, this essay argues that highly abstracted forms of normative analysis can often misunderstand the core moral problems at stake in real cases, and that they can pose moral dangers when they do so. As argued, the hard moral issues involved in indigenous land claims within countries such as Canada and the United States often have far more to do with questions about competing uses for public lands than with abstract property theory as such. The essay argues that normative theorists will often do more social good, and pose fewer dangers, when they pay close attention to the real moral challenges that social actors face on the ground than when they become captured by abstract questions with ambiguous practical importance.
Use of resectoscope to aid in bladder stone extraction

We describe a modified technique of standard cystoscopic manipulation to facilitate bladder stone extraction. This technique decreases the overall time required for stone manipulation by allowing larger size stone fragments to be removed from the urethra under direct visualization.
Qualitative alteration in hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 apoproteins associated with bile duct ligation, and the administration of ethinyl estradiol, phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene.

Abstract We have investigated in rat liver whether different forms of cytochrome P-450 are altered in hepatic disorders associated with impaired drug metabolism. Total hepatic cytochrome P-450 is decreased after either bile duct ligation or the administration of ethinyl estradiol. In contrast, phenobarbital administered alone increases hepatic content of cytochrome P-450, and when administered with ethinyl estradiol the reduction in cytochrome P-450 was prevented. Microsomal ethylmorphine N -demethylase activities paralleled changes in cytochrome P-450 content, except in bile duct ligation. where it is diminished to a greater extent. Four forms of microsomal cytochrome P-450 apoproteins. ranging in molecular weight from 50,000 to 58,000, were tentatively identified in a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-6 M urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system by their responsiveness to pharmacological agents, turnover and benzidine peroxidase staining. Phenobarbital administration increased primarily band IV (50,000 daltons); in contrast only band III (53,000 daltons) was responsive to 3-methyl-cholanthene. Bile duct ligation was associated with a marked reduction in bands I, III and IV while bands I and III were decreased with ethinyl estradiol administration. Simultaneous administration of phenobarbital and ethinyl estradiol demonstrated a return of band I and an increase in density of bands II and IV. The mechanism of this reversal by phenobarbital was determined by the double-isotope technique and demonstrates that phenobarbital increases the relative synthesis rates of P-450 apoproteins in ethinyl estradiol-treated rats. These sludies support the hypothesis that mulliple forms of cytochrome P-450 are present in liver microsomal membranes and that alterations in specific apoproteins may be associated with an increase or a decrease in the functional properties of cytochrome P-450.
Appearance-based politics: Sex-typed facial cues communicate political party affiliation ☆

Abstract Consequential political judgments often rely on facial appearance, yet the facial cues that compel such judgments remain unspecified. We predicted that judgments of political party affiliation, and by extension their accuracy, rely on the sex-typicality of facial cues (i.e., the degree of facial masculinity and femininity). In Study 1, we found that among Republicans/Conservatives in the 111th U.S. House of Representatives, women were significantly more sex-typical than men. This was not true for Democrats/Liberals. In Study 2, we examined the relationship between sex-typicality of facial cues and social judgments. We found that the accuracy of Republican categorizations was positively related to feminine cues in women but negatively related to masculine cues in men. In contrast, the opposite pattern was true for Democratic categorizations. Facial sex-typicality mediated the interaction between politician sex and party and perceiver party affiliation judgments. We discuss the implications that these findings have for electoral politics.
Development and Assessment of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Surgical Secondary Events Grading System

Studying surgical secondary events is an evolving effort with no current established system for database design, standard reporting, or definitions. Using the Clavien–Dindo classification as a guide, in 2001 we developed a Surgical Secondary Events database based on grade of event and required intervention to begin prospectively recording and analyzing all surgical secondary events (SSE). Events are prospectively entered into the database by attending surgeons, house staff, and research staff. In 2008 we performed a blinded external audit of 1,498 operations that were randomly selected to examine the quality and reliability of the data. Of 4,284 operations, 1,498 were audited during the third quarter of 2008. Of these operations, 79 % (N = 1,180) did not have a secondary event while 21 % (N = 318) had an identified event; 91 % of operations (1,365) were correctly entered into the SSE database. Also 97 % (129 of 133) of missed secondary events were grades I and II. There were 3 grade III (2 %) and 1 grade IV (1 %) secondary event that were missed. There were no missed grade 5 secondary events. Grade III–IV events are more accurately collected than grade I–II events. Robust and accurate secondary events data can be collected by clinicians and research staff, and these data can safely be used for quality improvement projects and research.