cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with the disbursements of development assistance for health in low-income and middle-income countries, 2002-2017.

INTRODUCTION In 2017, development assistance for health (DAH) comprised 5.3% of total health spending in low-income countries. Despite the key role DAH plays in global health-spending, little is known about the characteristics of assistance that may be associated with committed assistance that is actually disbursed. In this analysis, we examine associations between these characteristics and disbursement of committed assistance. METHODS We extracted data from the Creditor Reporting System of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and the WHO National Health Accounts database. Factors examined were off-budget assistance, administrative assistance, publicly sourced assistance and assistance to health systems strengthening. Recipient-country characteristics examined were perceived level of corruption, civil fragility and gross domestic product per capita (GDPpc). We used linear regression methods for panel of data to assess the proportion of committed aid that was disbursed for a given country-year, for each data source. RESULTS Factors that were associated with a higher disbursement rates include off-budget aid (p<0.001), lower administrative expenses (p<0.01), lower perceived corruption in recipient country (p<0.001), lower fragility in recipient country (p<0.05) and higher GDPpc (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Substantial gaps remain between commitments and disbursements. Characteristics of assistance (administrative, publicly sourced) and indicators of government transparency and fragility are also important drivers associated with disbursement of DAH. There remains a continued need for better aid flow reporting standards and clarity around aid types for better measurement of DAH.
Trends and Opportunities for SRAM Based In-Memory and Near-Memory Computation

Changes in application trends along with increasing number of connected devices have led to explosion in the amount of data being generated every single day. Computing systems need to efficiently process these huge amounts of data and generate results, classify objects, stream high quality videos and so on. In-Memory Computing and Near-Memory Computing have been emerged as the popular design choices to address the challenges in executing the above-mentioned tasks. Through In-Memory Computing, SRAM Banks can be repurposed as compute engines while performing Bulk Boolean operations. Near-Memory techniques have shown promise in improving the performance of Machine learning tasks. By carefully understanding the design we describe the opportunities towards amalgamating both these design techniques for obtaining further performance enhancement and achieving lower power budget while executing fundamental Machine Learning primitives. In this work, we take the example of Sparse Matrix Multiplication, and design an I-NMC accelerator which speeds up the index handling by 10x-60x and 10x-70x energy efficiency based on the workload dimensions as compared with non I-NMC solution occupying just 1% of the overall hardware area.
Brainstem damage is associated with poorer sleep quality and increased pain in gulf war illness veterans

Abstract Aims Gulf War Illness (GWI) is manifested as multiple chronic symptoms, including chronic pain, chronic fatigue, sleep problems, neuropsychiatric disorders, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin problems. No single target tissue or unifying pathogenic process has been identified that accounts for this variety of symptoms. The brainstem has been suspected to contribute to this multiple symptomatology. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the brainstem in chronic sleep problems and pain in GWI veterans. Materials and methods We enrolled 90 veterans (Age = 50 ± 5, 87% Male) who were deployed to the 1990–91 Gulf War and presented with GWI symptoms. Sleep quality was evaluated using the global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Pain intensities were obtained with the Brief Pain Inventory sum score. Volumes in cortical, subcortical, brainstem, and brainstem subregions and diffusion tensor metrics in 10 bilateral brainstem tracts were tested for correlations with symptom measures. Key findings Poorer sleep quality was significantly correlated with atrophy of the whole brainstem and brainstem subregions (including midbrain, pons, medulla). Poorer sleep quality also significantly correlated with lower fractional anisotropy in the nigrostriatal tract, medial forebrain tract, and the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus. There was a significant correlation between increased pain intensity and decreased fractional anisotropy in the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus. These correlations were not altered after controlling for age, sex, total intracranial volumes, or additional factors, e.g., depression and neurological conditions. Significance These findings suggest that the brainstem plays an important role in the aberrant neuromodulation of sleep and pain symptoms in GWI.
A Tale of Seven Cases – Faculty Unions in the United States – From Yeshiva To Elon: Is It Time to Review Yeshiva and the Positions of Church-Sponsored Colleges and Universities As Well?

This article is a summary discussion of the main issues faced by faculty at private, often church-sponsored, universities who sought to be represented by a union in collective bargaining with their employers. The discussion begins by tracing the origins of the rule that faculty at private universities are managers and not employees under the aegis of the National Relations Act in the Supreme Court case of Yeshiva University. The summary then follows developments over the years up to the most recent decision of the National Labor Relations Board that sanctioned the efforts of adjunct professors at Elon University to seek union representation. In examining these two book-end cases, the article discusses issues relating to the effect of the religion clauses of the First Amendment in the context of the National Labor Relations Board’s shifting views on the topic. Last, the authors discuss unionization in the context of church-sponsored colleges and universities. Is it now time for the Supreme Court to review its seminal decision in Yeshiva University and for church-sponsored colleges and universities to rethink their positions as well?
DSS-induced inflammation in the colon drives a proinflammatory signature in the brain that is ameliorated by prophylactic treatment with the S100A9 inhibitor paquinimod.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is established to drive pathological sequelae in organ systems outside the intestine, including the central nervous system (CNS). Many patients exhibit cognitive deficits, particularly during disease flare. The connection between colonic inflammation and neuroinflammation remains unclear and characterization of the neuroinflammatory phenotype in the brain during colitis is ill-defined. Methods Transgenic mice expressing a bioluminescent reporter of active caspase-1 were treated with 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 7 days to induce acute colitis, and colonic, systemic and neuroinflammation were assessed. In some experiments, mice were prophylactically treated with paquinimod (ABR-215757) to inhibit S100A9 inflammatory signaling. As a positive control for peripheral-induced neuroinflammation, mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Colonic, systemic and brain inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were measured by cytokine bead array (CBA) and Proteome profiler mouse cytokine array. Bioluminescence was quantified in the brain and caspase activation was confirmed by immunoblot. Immune cell infiltration into the CNS was measured by flow cytometry, while light sheet microscopy was used to monitor changes in resident microglia localization in intact brains during DSS or LPS-induced neuroinflammation. RNA sequencing was performed to identify transcriptomic changes occurring in the CNS of DSS-treated mice. Expression of inflammatory biomarkers were quantified in the brain and serum by qRT-PCR, ELISA and WB. Results DSS-treated mice exhibited clinical hallmarks of colitis, including weight loss, colonic shortening and inflammation in the colon. We also detected a significant increase in inflammatory cytokines in the serum and brain, as well as caspase and microglia activation in the brain of mice with ongoing colitis. RNA sequencing of brains isolated from DSS-treated mice revealed differential expression of genes involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses. This inflammatory phenotype was similar to the signature detected in LPS-treated mice, albeit less robust and transient, as inflammatory gene expression returned to baseline following cessation of DSS. Pharmacological inhibition of S100A9, one of the transcripts identified by RNA sequencing, attenuated colitis severity and systemic and neuroinflammation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that local inflammation in the colon drives systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation, and this can be ameliorated by inhibition of the S100 alarmin, S100A9.
Aspects of the Molecular Non-Molecular Transition in Se and Te

Se and Te undergo transitions to metallic structures with pressure. Anomalous variations in lattice parameters and frequencies with pressure are shown to be precursors of the transition.
These Working Wives: Representation of the “Two-Job” Woman between the World Wars

Abstract Between 1920 and 1930, the number of married women who held paying jobs increased about 25 percent. While all employed women were controversial, married women were particularly so. The controversy intensified during the 1930s, when policies such as Section 213 of the 1932 Federal Economy Act forced many married women out of work. This paper looks at magazine coverage of the “two-job” wife, as married female workers were known. Examining popular magazines such as Ladies' Home Journal, Harper's, Forbes, and The American, as well as an alternative publication for employed women, it argues that the domestic role was reinforced, often by framing articles in terms of cultural change itself, which was seen by some as benefitting women and by others as victimizing them. Moreover, the paper supports Ruth Schwartz Cowan's argument that the “feminine mystique” was rooted in the interwar years, not the 1950s.
Image change detection using wireless sensor networks

Change detection in images is of great interest due to its relevance in applications such as video surveillance. This paper presents the underlying theoretical problem of image change detection using wireless sensor network. The proposed system consists of multiple image sensors which make local decisions independently and send them to the base station which finally makes a global decision and declares whether a significant change has occurred or not.
Cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) and protein kinase C phosphorylate sites in the amino acid sequence corresponding to the M3/M4 cytoplasmic domain of α4 neuronal nicotinic receptor subunits

To determine whether α4 subunits of α4β2 neuronal nicotinic receptors are phosphorylated within the M3/M4 intracellular region by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) or protein kinase C (PKC), immunoprecipitated receptors from Xenopus oocytes and a fusion protein corresponding to the M3/M4 cytoplasmic domain of α4 (α4336−597) were incubated with ATP and either PKA or PKC. Both α4 and α4336−597 were phosphorylated by PKA and PKC, providing the first direct biochemical evidence that the M3/M4 cytoplasmic domain of neuronal nicotinic receptor α4 subunits is phosphorylated by both kinases. When the immunoprecipitated receptors and the α4336−597 fusion protein were phosphorylated and the labeled proteins subjected to phosphoamino acid analysis, results indicated that α4 and α4336−597 were phosphorylated on the same amino acid residues by each kinase. Furthermore, PKA phosphorylated serines exclusively, whereas PKC phosphorylated both serines and threonines. To determine whether Ser368 was a substrate for both kinases, a peptide corresponding to amino acids 356–371 was synthesized (α4356−371) and incubated with ATP and the kinases. The phosphorylation of α4356−371 by both PKA and PKC was saturable with Kms of 15.3 ± 3.3 µm and 160.8 ± 26.8 µm, respectively, suggesting that Ser368 was a better substrate for PKA than PKC.
Generation of 238 nJ,16 ns stretched pulses in all semiconductor X-CPA system

The generation of 238 nJ stretched pulses in an XCPA system has been achieved prior to a pulse compression stage. The total system gain is 41 dB. Using one CFBG, 1.62 ps pulse is stretched over 4000 times and recompressed back to 1.80 ps.
Application of micro-genetic algorithm (MGA) to a class of electromagnetic analysis and synthesis problems

It is well known that the genetic algorithms (GAs) fall under a special category of optimization schemes that are robust stochastic search methods based on the principles of natural selection, and that they are particularly effective in searching for global maxima in a multidimensional and multi-modal functional domain. The GAs simultaneously process a population of points in the optimization space, and use stochastic operators to transition from one generation of points to the next, resulting in a decreased probability of them being trapped in local extremes. For electromagnetic problems, the GAs have found to a whole host of applications, for instance, the design of broadband antennas, spatial filter design, microwave absorber synthesis. We consider the problem of synthesizing broad-band microwave absorbers comprising frequency selective surfaces embedded in multilayered dielectric media in the frequency range from 19 to 36 GHz. We also consider the application of the MGA to the problem of extracting the equivalent circuit models for spiral inductors embedded in a multilayer structure.
Does This Computational Theory Solve the Right Problem? Marr, Gibson, and the Goal of Vision:

David Marr's book Vision attempted to formulate athoroughgoing formal theory of perception. Marr borrowed much of the "computational" level from James Gibson: a proper understanding of the goal of vision, the natural constraints, and the available information are prerequisite to describing the processes and mechanisms by which the goal is achieved. Yet, as a research program leading to a computational model of human vision, Marr's program did not succeed. This article asks why, using the perception of 3D shape as a morality tale. Marr presumed that the goal of vision is to recover a general-purpose Euclidean description of the world, which can be deployed for any task or action. On this formulation, vision is underdetermined by information, which in turn necessitates auxiliary assumptions to solve the problem. But Marr's assumptions did not actually reflect natural constraints, and consequently the solutions were not robust. We now know that humans do not in fact recover Euclidean structure--rather, they reliably perceive qualitative shape (hills, dales, courses, ridges), which is specified by the second-order differential structure of images. By recasting the goals of vision in terms of our perceptual competencies, and doing the hard work of analyzing the information available under ecological constraints, we can reformulate the problem so that perception is determined by information and prior knowledge is unnecessary.
A model of the electron corona by reference to radio observations

The K-coronameter developed at the High Altitude Observatory [1] to study the electron corona outside of eclipse has been in routine use since 1956 September. Up to the present date, usable observations have been obtained on some fifty-five days, and the accumulated information on the corona out to one solar radius from the limb has permitted the development of models of the electron corona above the quiet disk, the polar regions, and the active regions. The last of these, since it departs from the spherically symmetric model, should be of interest to radio astronomers.
Chemical modification and conformation studies on bence jones protein

A λ-type Bence Jones protein was chemically modified by carbamaylation of the e-amino groups of its lysine side chains and by nitration and reduction of its tyrosine residues. All 30 e-amino groups were carbamylated, but only 6 of the 14 tyrosine side chains were nitrated. The gross conformation of the macromolecules (shape) was not altered in these reactions, as tested by intrinsic viscosity and sedimentation coefficient determinations. Also, the immunoprecipitability was not affected by the chemical modification. However, circular dichroism (CD) spectra revealed slight to moderate changes in the conformational details within the macromolecules. The appearance of a positive CD band at 240 nm on nitration was caused by 3-nitrotyrosine residues, whereas the new band at 300 nm was probably due to change of asymmetric environment of tryptophan chromophores. Ein λ-Typ Bence Jones Protein wurde durch Carbamylieren der e-Aminogruppen seiner Lysinseitenketten und durch Nitrieren und Reduktion seiner Tyrosingruppen chemisch modifiziert. Alle 30 e-Aminogruppen konnten carbamyliert werden, aber nur 6 von den 14 Tyrosingruppen wurden nitriert. Die Bruttokonformation (Form) der Makromolekule wurde durch diese Reaktionen nicht beeinflust, was durch Messungen des Staudinger-Index und des Sedimentationskoeffizienten gezeigt wurde. Auch die Immunreaktion wurde durch die chemische Modifizierung nicht beeinflust. Die Zirkulardichroismus (CD)-Spektren dagegen zeigten kleine bis masige anderungen der Konformation im Innern der Makromolekule. Das Erscheinen einer positiven CD Bande bei 240 nm nach Nitrierung wurde durch 3-Nitrotyrosingruppen hervorgerufen, wahrend die neue Bande bei 300 nm wahrscheinlich durch eine anderung der Vicinaleffekte an Tryptophanchromophoren verursacht wurde.
The effectiveness of United Network of Organ Sharing status 2 transplantation in the modern era

Background The continued benefit of United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) status 2 transplantation in the modern era has been questioned. Methods We measured deterioration to higher status designations, improvement allowing delisting, and risk of death or delisting as too ill, regardless of subsequent status, from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database. Extended Cox models were used to assess the relative hazard of status 2 transplantation vs waiting after status 2 listing. The likelihood of transplantation was measured with logistic regression. Results We analyzed 14,153 candidates listed from 2003 to 2008. Within 1 year of initial listing, deterioration to status 1B occurred frequently (63%), while delisting as too well occurred rarely (2%–7%). Death or delisting as too ill occurred among 27% at 2 years after initial status 2 listing. Mortality at 2 years after status 2 transplantation was 13%. The hazard ratio (HR) after 180 days of status 2 transplantation vs waiting during or after initial status 2 listing was 0.41 (95% confidence interval, 0.31–0.55). The likelihood of transplantation was markedly diminished for women (odds ratio, 0.71; p p p p Conclusions Escalation of UNOS status is common and delisting as too well is uncommon after initial status 2 listing. Despite the decreasing number of transplants provided to status 2 registrants, sub-groups of patients may be at high risk of waiting at status 1A, justifying the continued use of the status 2 designation.
Interpretation, History and Narrative

INTRODUCTION: HISTORICAL NARRATIVES AS FICTIONS AND AS METAPHORS At present, one of the most recurrent views in the philosophy of history claims that historical writing is interpretive and that a primary form that this interpretation takes is narration. Furthermore, narration, according to this approach, is thought to possess an inevitably fictional element, namely, a plot, and, in this regard, the work of the narrative historian is said to be more like that of the imaginative writer than has been admitted. The upshot of this philosophically, moreover, is the assertion that historical narrations, qua narrative interpretations, are to be assessed, in large measure, in terms of the kind of criterion of truth that is appropriate to literary works. And a subsidiary, though far less tendentious, consequence is that our understanding of historical interpretation can profit from literary or “discourse” analysis. This position, which was perhaps anticipated by Nietzsche, is suggested in varying degrees by Roland Barthes and Louis Mink; it has been developed most extensively by Hayden White; and it commands a following among historians, literary critics, and philosophers of history. For White, historical writing is interpretive in several separable, though interrelated, registers. Historical argumentation in the dissertative mode involves a paradigm choice; second, in a broad sense, a historical tract requires the choice of an ideological perspective; and, also, a historical narrative itself enjoins a choice of a plot structure, which, in turn, is related to the discursive tropes that “figure” the writing of the text. For the purposes of this essay, it is White's conclusions about the specific status that he assigns to narrative interpretation that preoccupy us.
The impact of holiday eating cues on self-regulatory bolstering for dieters and non-dieters

Objective: Two studies examined the hypothesis that the presence vs. absence of holiday food cues leads dieters to bolster self-regulatory resources and reduce consumption of a snack food. Study 1 evaluated snack-food consumption on a holiday vs. a non-holiday and in Study 2, the proposed underlying mechanism – the bolstering of self-regulatory resources when facing holiday-related cues – was explored.Methods: Study 1 followed a quasi-experimental design in which participants (N = 152) consumed candies either on a holiday or a non-holiday. Dieting behaviour was measured and the main outcome measure was consumption quantity. In Study 2, a true experiment, participants (N = 110) read primes associated with holiday eating, holiday history or a neutral topic. Self-regulatory bolstering was assessed as the main outcome measure.Results: Study 1 showed that dieters consume more of a food item on an ordinary day relative to a holiday; the consumption patterns of non-dieters did not vary based on holiday cues. Stu...
On The Compressibility of Metallic Cesium

The volume discontinuity of cesium at 45,000 kg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ is attributed to a shift of the valence electrons from the $6s$ zone to the empty $5d$ zones. A Wigner-Seitz calculation for the $6s$ and $5d$ bands supports this explanation. The potential used is described and tabulated. The possible existence of similar transitions for potassium and rubidium is discussed.
Whither the developmental state? The growing role of NGOs in Japanese aid policymaking

Japan is often characterized as a developmental state, i.e., a state with a strong and autonomous bureaucratic leadership that directs the economy toward achieving developmental goals. This study challenges the developmental state model, arguing that the once-powerful Japanese bureaucracy has lost much of its authority and is no longer autonomous from societal forces. By focusing on the growing role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Japan's official development assistance (ODA) policymaking, this study shows how the nongovernmental sector has begun to challenge bureaucratic dominance and reshape state–civil society relations in Japan.
Observation of sharp vibronic bands in the O4− `core ion' by mid infrared predissociation spectroscopy of O4−·Arn clusters

Abstract We report the first observation of an infrared (v 0,0 ∼4150 cm −1 ) electronic band system arising from excitation of the ground state O 4 − ion, which we discuss in the context of the expected transition (J. Chem. Phys. 114 (2001) 3010) between the two low lying isomeric forms of this species. Surprisingly, the band displays sharp vibrational fine structure, opening the way for a detailed spectroscopic characterization of a charge–resonance stabilized dimer ion.
What is embodied about cognition

It is currently debated whether the meanings of words and objects are represented, in whole or in part, in a modality-specific format-the embodied cognition hypothesis. I argue that the embodied/disembodied cognition debate is either largely resolved in favor of the view that concepts are represented in an amodal format, or at a point where the embodied and disembodied approaches are no longer coherently distinct theories. This merits reconsideration of what the available evidence can tell us about the structure of the conceptual system. We know that the conceptual system engages, online, with sensory and motor content. This frames a new question: How is it that the human conceptual system is able to disengage from the sensorimotor system? Answering this question would say something about how the human mind is able to detach from the present and extrapolate from finite experience to hypothetical states of how the world could be. It is the independence of thought from perception and action that makes human cognition special-and that independence is guaranteed by the representational distinction between concepts and sensorimotor representations.
Experimental nutrient additions accelerate terrestrial carbon loss from stream ecosystems

Nutrient pollution of freshwater ecosystems results in predictable increases in carbon (C) sequestration by algae. Tests of nutrient enrichment on the fates of terrestrial organic C, which supports riverine food webs and is a source of CO2, are lacking. Using whole-stream nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions spanning the equivalent of 27 years, we found that average terrestrial organic C residence time was reduced by ~50% as compared to reference conditions as a result of nutrient pollution. Annual inputs of terrestrial organic C were rapidly depleted via release of detrital food webs from N and P co-limitation. This magnitude of terrestrial C loss can potentially exceed predicted algal C gains with nutrient enrichment across large parts of river networks, diminishing associated ecosystem services.
A computational model for dynamic vision

This paper describes a novel computational model for dynamic vision which promises to be both powerful and robust. Furthermore the paradigm is ideal for an active vision system where camera vergence changes dynamically. Its basis is the retinotopically indexed object-centered encoding of the early visual information. Specifically, the relative distances of objects to a set of referents is encoded in image registered maps. To illustrate the efficacy of the method, it is applied to the problem of dynamic stereo vision. Integration of depth information over multiple frames obtained by a moving robot generally requires precise information about the relative camera position from frame to frame. Usually, this information can only be approximated. The method facilitates the integration of depth information without direct use or knowledge of camera motion.
Performance analyses on the generalised buddy system

For the past three decades, the buddy system has been the method of choice for memory allocation because of its speed and simplicity. However, the software realisation indicates that the buddy system incurs the overhead of internal fragmentation, external fragmentation, and memory traffic due to splitting and coalescing memory blocks. This paper presents a thorough analysis of the buddy system and its generalised extension, i.e. the generalised buddy system. All problems associating with the generalised buddy system will be extensively investigated. These problems include internal fragmentation, boundary and size blind spots that are the major causes for external fragmentation, and lastly splitting and coalescing overhead that can slow down the system performance. In 1996, Chang and Gehringer introduced the modified buddy system which eliminates two major drawbacks. First, it eliminates the splitting and coalescing overhead associated with the buddy system. Secondly, it also eliminates the internal fragmentation by using a new marking algorithm that only allocates a requested size. However, the severity of external fragmentation resulting from boundary and size blind spot remains to be studied. We propose an extension to the design that can solve existing issues. The extension also includes the first-fit algorithm into hardware domain. Two solutions that can solve the issues of size and boundary blind spots are also proposed. These solutions involve bit shifting to solve the boundary blind spot and the generalised buddy system to solve the size blind spot. We also present the simulation results of the proposed solutions. These results clearly indicate that both the shifting and the generalised buddy system yield minimal improvement over the modified buddy system. However, we believe that for some applications, these approaches enhance memory utilisation.
Quantification of creep strain distribution in small crept lead-free in-situ composite and non composite solder joints

Abstract Single shear lap creep specimens with a 1 mm 2 cross sectional area (similar in size to solder joints used in electronic packaging) were developed using lead free solders to examine the effect of in situ composite microstructures on the creep resistance and damage accumulation processes at temperatures between 25 and 150°C. Local strain measurements were made optically by following the change in shape of a scratch. Average creep strain measurements on non-composite solder joints were similar to comparable data from solder joint specimens in the literature. The distribution of strain across the specimen was measured in detail to determine how strain instabilities develop near interfaces, or near the center of the solder joint. The evolution of strain is quantified across the joint and related to microstructural features such as voids and reinforcements. Room temperature creep resistance is far superior in the composite, but at elevated temperatures, both types of joints have similar creep resistance. By analysis of the local strain history, a criteria for damage initiation is identified in terms of the local strain where the onset of tertiary creep is first observed, and subsequently accelerates heterogeneous straining in the joint. The in situ composite solders cause a more homogeneous strain evolution compared to the non-composite solder, but local tertiary creep commences at a lower strain than in the non-composite joint, but only, at lower temperatures and higher strain-rates. The impact of these different constitutive behavior and damage accumulation conditions is discussed as it pertains to improving the long term reliability of a solder joint.
From the Inside Out: A New Approach to Teaching Professional Identity Formation and Professional Ethics

Professional identity formation is a dynamic process that begins in undergraduate nursing education and continues to develop throughout one's professional career. In recent decades, nursing educators emphasized the social dimension of professional identity formation in which professionalization is achieved through following rules, codes, and standards set by the profession. Character or psychological development and the proper use of virtues like integrity, compassion, or courage are often part of the hidden curriculum. The purpose of this article is to introduce a recently developed conception of professionalism that is grounded in virtue ethics and integrates both social and character development into a professional identity that is dynamic, situated, and lifelong. The conception is operationalized through the Framework for Nurse Professionals (FrNP) and the Stair-Step Model of Professional Transformation. The FrNP and the Stair-Step Model promote a robust and morally resilient professional nursing identity that will foster professional growth throughout one's career.
Peroxidase-antiperoxidase evaluation of human oral squamous cell papillomas

In human beings, the viral origin of condylomatous lesions of the mouth and cervix, multiple papillomas, and verruca vulgaris of the larynx has been established. The viral origin of papillomatosis in rabbits and dogs has also been documented. The literature, however, shows no conclusive evidence of a viral origin of human oral squamous cell papillomas (SCP). The purpose of this study was to use the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining technique to determine whether human papillomavirus (HPV) antigens exist in serial step sections of human oral SCP. Fifty human oral SCPs were randomly selected from the department files, and tissue sections were subjected to an indirect immunoperoxidase-PAP technique. Evidence of HPV-Type I virus antigens was found in 2 of 50 papillomas studied (2 of 194 tissue sections). This suggests that all oral SCPs are not of viral antigen.
OPTIMAL DESIGN OF SYMMETRIC STRUCTURES AGAINST POSTBUCKLING COLLAPSE

Abstract Bars, trusses, beams, plates and other “strictly symmetric” structures have been shown previously to buckle under increasing loads, which often approach limiting values as buckling progresses. These collapse loads represent a more reasonable design criterion than the initial buckling loads since unavoidable imperfections often make the latter entirely meaningless, but do not affect extended postbuckling behavior. The equations governing optimal design against collapse are developed and shown to be somewhat simpler than the equations governing optimum buckling strength. They are applied to the example of a fixed-fixed beam, which buckles laterally and torsionally and which collapses under a load which is about one third greater than its buckling load. This collapse load can in turn be increased substantially if optimal rather than prismatic design is selected.
Composition of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen in Continental Precipitation Investigated by Ultra-High Resolution FT-ICR Mass Spectrometry

The atmospheric transport of fixed nitrogen (N) is a critical component of the global N cycle that has been heavily impacted by human activities. It has been shown that organic N is an important contributor to atmospheric N, but its sources and composition are largely unknown. Rainwater samples collected in New Jersey were analyzed by negative and positive ion ultrahigh-resolution electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). Elemental compositions of 402 N-containing compounds were determined and five main groups of compound classes were identified: compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and N detected as positive ions (CHON+), compounds containing CHON detected as negative ions (CHON−), compounds containing CHN detected as positive ions (CHN+), and CHON compounds that contain sulfur (S) detected as both positive and negative ions (CHONS+, CHONS−, respectively). The CHON+ compound class has the largest number of compounds detected (i.e., 281), wi...
High-Efficiency Panchromatic Hybrid Schottky Solar Cells

Nanostructured Schottky inorganic-organic solar cells provide overall power conversion efficiencies exceeding 3%, with extremely large short-circuit photocurrents. The device EQE faithfully tracks the absorptance of the CdSe nanorods, and the IQE is approximately constant over the entire visible spectrum as opposed to a p-n junction hybrid solar cell fabricated with a highly absorbing organic polymer.
Using support vector machine for improving protein-protein interaction prediction utilizing domain interactions

Understanding protein interactions is essential to gain insights into the biological processes at the whole cell level. The high-throughput experimental techniques for determining protein-protein interactions (PPI) are error prone and expensive with low overlap amongst them. Although several computational methods have been proposed for predicting protein interactions there is definite room for improvement. Here we present DomainSVM, a predictive method for PPI that uses computationally inferred domain-domain interaction values in a Support Vector Machine framework to predict protein interactions. DomainSVM method utilizes evidence of multiple interacting domains to predict a protein interaction. It outperforms existing methods of PPI prediction by achieving very high explanation ratios, precision, specificity, sensitivity and F-measure values in a 10 fold cross-validation study conducted on the positive and negative PPIs in yeast. A functional comparison study using GO annotations on the positive and the negative test sets is presented in addition to discussing novel PPI predictions in the pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium.
Transient radiative cooling of a semi-infinite solid with parallel-walled cavities

Abstract A semi-infinite solid of blackbody material is separated into slabs by periodically spaced ininfinitely deep cavities bounded by plane parallel walls. The solid material is brought to uniform initial temperature and subsequently is allowed to cool by conduction in the interior and by radiation at the surfaces. The temperature history of the solid with cavities was calculated numerically. Similar calculations were performed to obtain the rate of cooling of the same material without cavities. Comparison is made between the apparent brightness temperatures measured at a great distance by a thermal radiation detector with a resolving power insufficient to discriminate between a smooth surface and one with cavities. It is shown that over a wide range of aspect angles the solid with cavities may have a higher apparent temperature even when the top surfaces of the slabs are cooler than the surface of a homogeneous solid. Phenomena such as the one described may be useful in the interpretation of measurements of infrared radiation from the lunar surface.
Morphological transformation of cells induced by Kirsten sarcoma virus transforming factor is independent of serine protease

Reports from several laboratories have suggested that the virus transformed state may be maintained either by ectopically produced growth factors of alternatively by ectopically produced serine proteases including plasminogen activator. Here we show that the maintenance of transformation induced by Kirsten sarcoma virus induced growth factor(s) is independent of serine proteases in that (1) the factors are not themselves serine proteases, and (2) the growth factors do not induce the expression of detectable serine proteases or plasminogen activator.
1083 SALINE-WASHED RED BLOOD CELLS (WRC) UNSUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTING POST-TRANSFUSION CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION (PTCMV) IN NEONATES

CMV-seronegative and frozen-deglycerolized blood, when used to prevent PTCMV, have disadvantages of increased cost and limited availability. CMV harbored within leukocytes is the presumed source of PTCMV. With the IBM 2991 Blood Cell Processor, we achieved 89% reduction in white blood cells using a protocol of long spins (2.5 to 5 min) and slow superout rate (200 ml/min). The average post-wash count was 1300/cu mm (range 200-3000). Fresh frozen plasma (62 units) and platelets (27 units) were given without special preparation. We followed 54 CMV-seronegative neonates who received WRC. Birth weights (BW) were less than 1500 gm in 43%,. Infants received 1-36 WRC transfusion (avg 6.0 per patient). These WRC were 51% seropositive. Serology (ELISA) and viral cultures were performed at an average of 89.6 days (range 18-147) following the last transfusion. Six infants developed laboratory evidence of CMV infection. Infections in 5 of the infants were asymptomatic (BW 1060, 1960, 2180, 2270 and 3500 gms). One infant (BW 720 gm) died after a very complicated course. Dissemination of CMV was noted at autopsy. Presently available methods of leukocyte depletion are inadequate to prevent PTCMV. Our data suggest that CMV-seronegative and frozen deglycerolized blood are preferable to WRC. However, the lack of symptoms in the infected infants suggests that WRC may offer an advantage over conventional blood products.
Child care demand and labor supply of young mothers over time.

This paper uses panel data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) to analyze jointly fertility, employment, and child care decisions of young women over time. As these young women age (from 21 to 25 years on average) they become increasingly likely to have young children, to be employed, and to use nonrelative forms of child care. A multivariate analysis reveals that rising wage rates and changes in household structure are important determinants of these upward trends. Further analysis reveals a considerable amount of movement each year among states defined by the presence of young children, employment, and child care arrangement. Overall the young women in the NLSY can be characterized as being in a volatile stage of their lives, when many economic and demographic factors are changing. They appear to respond to these changes by altering their labor supply and child care behavior.
Reducing Folding Scenario Candidates in Pseudoknots Detection Using PLMM_DPSS Algorithm Integrated With Energy Filters

Pseudoknots are important functional structures in RNA. Despite of numerous pseudoknot prediction tools, biologists still need a pseudoknot detection method with much higher sensitivity. We have previously developed the pseudoknot local motif model and dynamic partner sequence stacking (PLMMDPSS) algorithm which predicts short loop 2 pseudoknots with high sensitivity. Integrated with Mfold, PLMM_DPSS is capable of predicting both H-type and complicated type pseudoknots. In this study, we have developed PLMM_DPSS_SF Mfold_FF with the following modifications: the extension of the PLM model to include long loop 2 pseudoknots, the incorporation of overall folding energy calculation, recombination of non-overlapping pseudoknots within one sequence and two filters for higher specificity, The prediction results have shown that PLMM_DPSS_SF_Mfold_FF is more sensitive than other leading pseudoknot prediction tools and results in a low alternative folding number, and results also support the notion that some kinetic barriers may trap RNA folding in local minimums.
Chromatography of proteins on columns of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone using adsorbed textile dyes as affinity ligands

Abstract A simple and inexpensive chromatography system for proteins is introduced. When the amino derivatives of chlorotriazine dyes or other azo dyes were added to an aqueous slurry of the crosslinked polymer polyvinylpolypyrrolidone they were adsorbed, thus forming an immobilized dye chromatographic matrix. The association of the textile dyes with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone did not prevent them from acting as affinity ligands for proteins. Parameters such as ionic strength, dye concentration, and column size modulated the affinity effect exerted by the immobilized dyes. Lysozyme present in an egg white protein mixture bound to a column onto which the amino derivative of Procion Brown H-A was adsorbed and was eluted with a linear gradient of KCl. The resulting purification of the enzyme was 37-fold with 80% of the original activity being recovered. Free dye eluting with the lysozyme was removed on a column of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone equilibrated with 0.5 m KCl. After chromatography, the dye column was regenerated with 0.5 m NaOH and recharged with dye. The system presented here allows one to initially screen large numbers of potentially useful protein ligants to optimize a protein separation, followed by scaleup to a system size determined by the user.
A direct path to dependable software

What would it take to make software more dependable? Until now, most approaches have been indirect: some practices – processes, tools or techniques – are used that are believed to yield dependable software, and the argument for dependability rests on the extent to which the developers have adhered to them. This article argues instead that developers should produce direct evidence that the software satisfies its dependability claims. The potential advantages of this approach are greater credibility (since the argument is not contingent on the effectiveness of the practices) and reduced cost (since development resources can be focused where they have the most impact).
Partnership advantage and its determinants in distributor and manufacturer working relationships

Abstract This paper draws upon a social exchange theory perspective and the marketing channels literature to provide a conceptualization of partnership advantage. Partnership advantage directs consideration to the interdependent nature of manufacturer and distributor working relationships, and to the resultant need of each firm to be cognizant of the advantage that it provides to its partner firm, relative to alternate potential partners. The contribution of partnership advantage to competitive advantage in the final customer marketplace is also discussed. A key informant methodology and a structural equation modeling approach were employed to investigate the determinants of partnership advantage. Both the manufacturer firm perspective and the distributor firm perspective were studied, with sample sizes of 162 manufacturer firms and 199 distributor firms. Nine distributor firm characteristics were found to account for 66% of the total variation in partnership advantage from the manufacturer firm perspective. Market penetration ability, with a path coefficient of 0.57, made the greatest unique contribution. Thirteen manufacturer capabilities explained 58% of the total variation in partnership advantage from the distributor firm perspective. Product offering, with a path coefficient of 0.69, made the most unique contribution.
Crosslinked hyaluronan scaffolds as a biologically active carrier for valvular interstitial cells

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a major component of the cardiac jelly during heart morphogenesis, is a polysaccharide that upon modification can be photopolymerized into hydrogels. Previous work in our lab has found that photopolymerizable HA hydrogels are suitable scaffolds for the culture and proliferation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs), the most prevalent cell type in native heart valves. The physical properties of HA gels are easily modified through alteration in material crosslink density or by copolymerizing with other reactive macromolecules. Degradation products of HA gels and the starting macromers significantly increased VIC proliferation when added to cell cultures. With low molecular weight HA (<6700 Da) exhibiting greatest stimulation of VIC proliferation. Low molecular weight HA degradation products added to VIC cultures also resulted in a four-fold increase in total matrix production and a two-fold increase in elastin production over untreated controls. VIC internalization of HA, as shown by cellular uptake of fluorescently labeled HA, likely activates signaling cascades resulting in the biological responses seen here. Lastly, VICs encapsulated within HA hydrogels remained viable, and significant elastin production was observed after 6 weeks of culture. This work shows promise for the creation of a tissue-engineered heart valve utilizing the synergistic relationship between hyaluronic acid and VICs.
Application of Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for Reaction-Diffusion Systems in Developmental Biology

Nonlinear reaction-diffusion systems which are often employed in mathematical modeling in developmental biology are usually highly stiff in both diffusion and reaction terms. Moreover, they are typically considered on multidimensional complex geometrical domains because of complex shapes of embryos. We overcome these computational challenges by combining discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element methods with Strang type symmetrical operator splitting technique, on triangular meshes. This allows us to avoid directly solving a coupled nonlinear system, as is necessary with the standard implicit schemes. Numerical solutions of two reaction-diffusion systems, the well-studied Schnakenberg model, which has been applied to several problems in developmental biology, and a new biologically based system for skeletal pattern formation in the vertebrate limb, are presented to demonstrate effects of various domain geometries on the resulting biological patterns.