cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined Electrophysiological and Behavioral Evidence for the Suppression of Salient Distractors.

Researchers have long debated how salient-but-irrelevant features guide visual attention. Pure stimulus-driven theories claim that salient stimuli automatically capture attention irrespective of go...
Scaling issues in large networks of small sensors: energy and communication management

We discuss five scaling-related issues in robotics and robotic systems. They are unified by an understanding of the fundamental engineering constraints imposed by the essentially fixed fundamental strength of materials and the essentially fixed practical density at which energy can be stored. These constraints have profound effects on when big bodies are in danger of collapsing under their own weight and when small bodies are in danger of running out of fuel. The section on strength provides a review of the lesson that small is strong, big is weak. The section on speed relates design and scale to inherent speed capability, including a discussion of why humanoid robots walk in unnatural-looking ways. The section on energy reinforces the realization that stored energy scales as the cube of a body’s characteristic linear dimension, whereas its baseline power requirement usually scales as a lower power, e.g., the square of that dimension, so running time and range usually decrease cripplingly rapidly with size. The section on power shows how baseline power – and its dependence on speed – in combination with stored energy determines a body’s running time and range. The section on communication discusses scale-related communication quality and duration, especially in systems that are simultaneously large and small, e.g., in networks composed of a very large number of very small robot-like nodes.
Epidemiologic Terms, Concepts, and Levels of Investigation

In an epidemiologic study the conceptualization and definition of the problem are the primary requisites. Conceptualization involves a frame of reference for ordering one’s thoughts coherently, the formulation of hypotheses, and the development of methods and strategies for testing hypotheses. For example, the comprehensive epidemiologic investigation of psychiatric disorder in the community, the Stirling County Study,2 had a highly developed conceptual basis. The problem to be studied was possible relationships between levels of community integration-disintegration and the prevalence of mental illness in various communities in the county. The researchers first conducted preliminary fieldwork to obtain information about the human ecology and other environmental characteristics of the area. Then they developed measurable indices of community integration-disintegration (the independent variable), methods for case-finding, and an operational definition of mental illness (the dependent variable).* They postulated bridging mechanisms that offered explanations for relationships between two sets of variables. Such a conceptualization of the problem enabled the investigators to formulate and test hypotheses about relationships between the independent and dependent variables; for example, their results supported the hypothesis that disintegrated communities contained more mentally ill persons than the integrated communities. (See Chapter 11.)
A Small Step Forward: The ALI's Domestic PartnersRecommendation

The ALI has recently suggested that qualifying, non-marital, cohabiting partners be treated as having taken on certain financial obligations with respect to each other. Basically, absent an explicit agreement to the contrary, the individuals will be treated as if they had married for purposes of determining their inter se rights and responsibilities, but will be treated as unmarried as far as the obligations of third parties are concerned. While this proposal has a variety of strengths, it is likely to be criticized as undermining the family, especially because same-sex partners may qualify as "domestic partners." The article shows why these criticisms lack force. While the ALI Recommendation has its weaknesses, it nonetheless is a step in the right direction and deserves serious consideration.
A High-Deductible System

The two main reasons for the introduction of a bonus-maius system are (1) to reward the accident-free drivers with bonuses, while penalizing bad drivers with maluses and (2) to induce policyholders to drive more carefully. Other policy incentives have been suggested to achieve the same goals. In this part, we will investigate the effect of the introduction of a deductible. With a deductible, policyholders participate in the financial consequences of an accident. They are thus encouraged to drive carefully. Moreover, bad drivers are penalized, since over a lifetime they are expected to pay more deductibles than good drivers. So it may be argued that a deductible achieves the same goals as a BMS. Vandebroek (1993), using a dynamic programming model, even argues that partial coverage is superior to BMS in inducing a proper level of care by policyholders.
Rings of Rejection and Recognition in Ancient India

Dans la litterature sanskrite, un anneau ou un collier, quelquefois un bracelet, joue un role capital dans trois ensembles de mythologie separes mais en relation, chacun traitant du theme du rejet ou de la reconnaissance sexuels. Dans les trois cycles, le bijou circulaire resout le paradoxe du rejet sexuel du mari : l'epoux desire a la fois une rencontre erotique et un enfant legitime, mais pas de la meme femme. L'article considere ces trois cycles separement puis ensemble, afin de voir comment l'anneau ou le collier n'est pas simplement polyvalent mais bivalent, ambivalent, signifiant en meme temps deux choses opposees, comme beaucoup de symboles.
Understanding socioecoNomiC & Lifestyle factors in patiEnts with heArt failuRe-UNCLEAR Study.

Introduction Patients with heart failure face enormous challenges with disease burden. Socioeconomic and lifestyle patterns and disease insights have been sparsely reported in the past. The current study aims to go in-depth into understanding these characteristics in patients with heart failure. Methods 110 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) were enrolled in the study. During clinic/hospital visit, patients filled out a questionnaire survey identifying various socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics. Data were expressed as %. Gender comparisons were made using Pearson chi-squared tests. Results Of the 110 patients. 56% were male. Mean age was 63± 14 yrs. 49% of patients were >65 yrs. Major self-reported co-morbidities were heart attack (35%), erectile dysfunction (55%), rhythm issues (60%), diabetes (44%) and arthritis (49%). Depression was common at 44%. 70% of the subjects had Medicare and 9% were uninsured. 81% had NYHA class 2 or more symptoms. Vision (79%) and hearing issues (33%) were common and 8% had trouble with combined vision, hearing and reading. 22% had trouble reading pill bottles. 39% of patients lived alone. Only 42% of the patients knew the names of their HF medications and 84% set their own pill schedules. 35% of patients reported forgetfulness as the main reason for missing pills. A summary of author reported significant characteristics are listed in the table with gender-based differences. While no key gender-based differences exist, females fared better in being able to recollect the names of their HF medications. Conclusion The current analysis highlights the significant limitations HFrEF. patients face on a day to day basis. While certain variables are non-modifiable; patients, caregivers and healthcare systems need to continue to evolve and adapt to these limitations/barriers to make a meaningful improvement in the morbidity and mortality associated with HFrEF.
Concussion Management in Summer Camps

Children are exposed to head injury throughout the year, specifically during the active summer months. Protocols for managing concussions at summer camps are varied, and the management of concussions in this setting has yet to be evaluated. Our objective was to characterize the patterns of concussion management among summer camp providers via a cross-sectional survey of clinicians. Of the 108 participants, 46% reported a protocol was used to treat concussion in their camp setting, 49% reported comfort in treating concussion at camp, 44% reported they would either send a child home or to a hospital immediately following the injury, and 85% reported they would be likely to use a standardized guideline. The strategies used by surveyed providers may be unnecessarily conservative in the management of concussions, and may also result in an over-utilization of health care services. These results provide a catalyst to create a standardized guideline. Subscribe to JPRA
Inpatient versus Outpatient Management of TIA or Minor Stroke: Clinical Outcome

Background The management of patients with acute transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is highly variable. Whether hospitalization of such patients significantly improves short-term clinical outcome is unknown. We assessed the short-term clinical outcome associated with inpatient versus outpatient management of patients with TIA or minor stroke. Methods We evaluated a consecutive series of patients with acute TIA or minor ischemic stroke (NIH Stroke Scale score ≤ 3) presenting to a single emergency department (ED). We randomized patients to either hospital-based or outpatient-based management. All patients underwent interview and examination 7-10 days following the index event. Results This study included 100 patients, 41 with TIA and 59 with minor stroke. Nineteen (46%) of the TIA patients and 29 (49%) of the minor stroke patients randomized to hospital management, and the remaining 22 TIA patients and 30 minor stroke patients randomized to outpatient-based management. In the patients with a minor stroke, neurologic worsening occurred in 6 out of 29 (21%) in the inpatient arm compared with 3 out of 30 (10%) in the outpatient arm (p = 0.3). In none of these cases was acute interventional therapy or need for urgent admission considered medically appropriate. In the patients with a TIA, recurrence of a TIA occurred in 2 out of 19 (11%) in the inpatient arm compared with 2 out of 22 (9%) in the outpatient arm (p = 1). None of the patients with a TIA randomized to the inpatient arm experienced a stroke compared with 1 out of 22 in the outpatient arm (p = 1). There were no deaths in either group. Conclusion Routine hospitalization of all patients with TIA or minor ischemic stroke may not positively affect short-term clinical outcome.
Managing Interference Through Discrete Modulation and Liquid Metal Antennas

We pursue interference mitigation via the integration of two key ideas. First, understanding the behavior of available rates under discrete signaling which has recently been shown to be promising in the interference channel. This part calls for calculation of good bounds on post-interference mutual information under discrete signaling, as a function of the forward and cross channel gains. Second, the capacity of the interference channel is known to be very irregular, so for any target capacity there are “outage” sets that we aim to avoid by using reconfigurable antennas. For the first component, we report an analytical lower bound on the mutual information and establish a constant gap $O(\log\gamma)$ to capacity (excepting an outage set) that is derived using a purely discrete signaling. This result outperforms the gap reported by Dytso et al that was generated via a mixed discrete-continuous input strategy. In the second part of this work, we propose to use a reconfigurable antenna technology involving liquid metal antennas that can steer the channel away from the outage scenarios and therefore facilitate higher values of coded rates for the two-user symmetric Gaussian interference channel. The viability of the proposed technique is studied via simulations.
Patient-reported outcomes measures and patient preferences for minimally invasive glaucoma surgical devices.

Many therapeutic options are available to glaucoma patients. One recent therapeutic option is minimally invasive glaucoma surgical (MIGS) devices. It is unclear how patients view different treatments and which patient-reported outcomes would be most relevant in patients with mild to moderate glaucoma. We developed a questionnaire for patients eligible for MIGS devices and a patient preference study to examine the value patients place on certain outcomes associated with glaucoma and its therapies. To summarize the progress to date. Questionnaire development: We drafted the questionnaire items based on input from one physician and four patient focus groups, and a review of the literature. We tested item clarity with six cognitive interviews. These items were further refined. Patient preference study: We identified important benefit and risk outcomes qualitatively using semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with patients who were eligible for MIGS devices. We then prioritized these outcomes quantitatively using best-worst scaling methods. Questionnaire testing: Three concepts were deemed relevant for the questionnaire: functional limitations, symptoms, and psychosocial factors. We will evaluate the reliability and validity of the 52-item draft questionnaire in an upcoming field test. Patient preference study: We identified 13 outcomes that participants perceived as important. Outcomes with the largest relative importance weights were “adequate IOP control” and “drive a car during the day.” Patients have the potential to steer clinical research towards outcomes that are important to them. Incorporating patients’ perspectives into the MIGS device development and evaluation process may expedite innovation and availability of these devices.
Improving Health Care Utilization, Improving Chronic Disease Utilization, Health Status, and Adjustment in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cystic Fibrosis: A Preliminary Report

We conducted a randomized clinical trial of a 3-session written self-disclosure intervention for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Patients (n = 39) who were at least 15 years of age and diagnosed with CF participated in the intervention. Participants in the intervention arm were asked to write in the health care setting about an important emotionally distressing issue of personal significance for a 20-min period of time and two additional 20-min writing episodes at the patient's home, which were prompted by telephone calls. Patients in the control condition received standard care alone. Findings revealed that the intervention resulted in a reduction of the number of days patients spent in the hospital over a 3-month period. The intervention did not have an impact on physiological (Forced Expiratory Volume and Body Mass Index or subjective markers of health status. These findings extend those of Pennebaker's (cf., J. Smyth, 1998) demonstrating an effect of the written-self-disclosure intervention on health care utilization. These preliminary findings are promising and justify further investigation of the modified intervention in other chronic illness populations.
Determination of Antimicrobial Prescribing Practices in an Integrated Health System Emergency Department.

Introduction Antibiotic stewardship utilizes interprofessional collaborative practices, including professionals from medicine, pharmacy, nursing, social services, and clinical laboratory science, to identify potential problems proactively. A tertiary care integrated health system's Emergency Department (ED) aimed to identify antimicrobials prescribed to the outpatient community as part of a proactive antimicrobial stewardship project. Methods A pilot, prospective, snapshot of a tertiary community hospital's outpatient antimicrobial prescribing habits was conducted. All subjects were identified via a daily report of patients discharged from the ED over 30 days in the summer of 2017 and individually reviewed for prescribed antimicrobial(s). Exclusions were hospital admission, antimicrobial sensitivity, and antimicrobial courses less than five days or more than 14 days. The primary goal was determining the number of antimicrobial oral tablets/capsule prescriptions to adult outpatients within a 5 to 14-day treatment window. Secondary goals were to include the diagnosis, non-capsule/tablet antimicrobial, pediatric patients, and prescriptions outside the treatment window. Results Total number of antimicrobial prescriptions over the 30-day period was 653 in 5,520 individual visits. Total number of adults prescribed oral antimicrobials was 467 (15.6 daily). Patients were diagnosed with infections including urinary tract, cellulitis, soft tissue injury, abscess, upper respiratory, dental caries, gastrointestinal, sexually transmitted, otitis media/externa, pneumonia, viral, pyelonephritis, tick-borne, fungal, Bell's Palsy, and sepsis. The number of non-adult, non-oral, and outside window treatment antimicrobial prescriptions were 186 (6.2 daily). With an average 184 patients treated in the ED daily, approximately 11.8% received antimicrobial treatment on discharge. Conclusion Important aspects of the project were the evaluation of antimicrobial prescribing habits for a midwest ED and identification of potential complications requiring future interventions for follow-up or preventative measures to assist in patient care and community health. Areas of practice improvement were identified inadvertently as a result of this project. Potential future studies included seasonal variability, whether the patient obtained a prescription and complied with treatment, and differences between inpatient and outpatient antimicrobial prescribing practices.
Factors influencing pharmacy faculty behavior, perceptions, and challenges with determining authorship credit

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to identify challenges in determining authorship and author order, factors and criteria that influence behavior in determining authorship and author order, and beliefs about authorship and familiarity with guidelines among pharmacy faculty. Methods An online survey was emailed to faculty from three groups of schools categorized by degree of external research funding. Academic discipline and rank, tenure status, years in rank, and gender were queried. Questions were created to determine frequency of authorship justification and author order by specific factors. Power pressures experienced when determining authorship were queried. Three case studies were also included to determine behavior for authorship and authorship order. Results A total of 295 usable responses were received (30.2% response rate). A majority of faculty experienced power pressures when determining authorship. Justifying authorship for supervision of student projects and statistical analysis was common. Quantity and quality of contributions were the most common reason for justifying order. Writing substantial sections of an article was ranked the most important component in determining author order. Differences in justifying authorship based on promotion and tenure pressures were noted by academic rank, tenure status, and academic discipline. Familiarity with International Committee for Medical Journal Editors guidelines did not appear to influence behaviors. Conclusions There is a plurality of perceptions and attitudes among faculty in relation to authorship. A model for recognition of contributions is needed. More structured guidance in concert with moral and ethical principles would help to clarify how to best establish authorship and author order.
Evidence Lacking to Support Universal Unhealthy Drug Use Screening.

To address the growing problem of unhealthy drug use, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently updated its recommendations on screening for unhealthy drug use in adults and adolescents. For the first time, the USPSTF recommends screening adults 18 years and older by asking about unhealthy drug use.
Health Care Providers' Utilization of and Perspectives on Mobile Health Technology for Diabetes and Pregnancy Support.

OBJECTIVE Mobile health (mHealth) technology can be an effective tool to deliver behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes for individuals with diabetes. However, there is limited evidence on mHealth for pregnant women managing diabetes or for the role of health care providers (HCPs) in delivering mHealth tools. To prepare for the development of a pregnancy-specific mHealth intervention for diabetes, we sought to understand HCPs’ acceptance, utilization, and design recommendations for how mHealth technology can best be used to support the management of diabetes during pregnancy. METHODS Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with clinical HCPs (obstetricians, nurses, diabetes educators, dietitians, and lactation counselors) who care for low-income pregnant women with diabetes. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. RESULTS Participants (n = 29) generated five themes and 14 subthemes. Knowledge and acceptance themes included utilization of mobile resources and barriers to HCPs’ adoption. Knowledge of popular pregnancy applications (apps) dominated, while familiarity with and use of diabetes apps varied by profession and proximity to continued education. Technology adoption barriers included lack of credibility, dependence on Internet resources, and reliance on knowledge networks. Design themes addressed user-centered design, responsive and practical education, and clinical integration. Clinicians recommended patient-participatory design, customizable features, data-tracking features, motivational feedback, and bidirectional communication capabilities. CONCLUSION Although HCPs strongly embraced mHealth tools as an adjunct to obstetric care for women with diabetes, they also expressed limited knowledge and apprehension about patient engagement. HCP recommendations and concerns must critically inform the development of meaningful tools for this population.
Wide-field optical imaging along the neurovascular coupling pathway

Understanding how different diseases of the central nervous system affect neurovascular coupling will allow for linking changes in neural or metabolic dysfunction to changes in hemodynamic signaling upon which blood-based imaging methods rely. We developed a dual fluorophore imaging system for simultaneous, high-speed mapping of neural, metabolic, and hemodynamic activity. Proof-of-concept measurements of spontaneous and stimulus-evoked dynamics are presented in awake and anesthetized mice. This flexible hardware platform allows for integrating optogenetic stimulation for all optical neural circuit interrogation and readout, and for examining the interaction between multiple cell populations.
Multimorbidity Accrual After Incident Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Wolf at the Door

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has long been recognized to have serious extraarticular manifestations such as interstitial lung disease (ILD).1 Consequences of immunosuppressive medications used to treat RA include serious infections, liver toxicity, and osteoporosis leading to fracture.2,3 Patients with RA are known to have increased risk for other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease.4 Over the last 2 decades, the relationship between RA, articular disease activity, systemic inflammation, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been elucidated as an important contributor to morbidity and mortality.5 RA and its treatments may possibly affect cancer risk.6 Recently, RA has been associated with non-ILD pulmonary diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.7,8 Since RA is a painful, long-term condition, it can also lead to mental health and substance abuse disorders.9,10 Thus, almost any condition could in theory be attributed to RA. The specter of these morbidities looms like a wolf at the door for patients with RA. Indeed, nearly all of them seem to have been investigated separately, resulting in numerous publications. How do clinicians and researchers integrate these many conditions when considering patients with RA? The concept of “multimorbidity” may be the answer. Simply stated, multimorbidity is the co-occurrence of 2 or more chronic conditions.11 On the surface, this may seem similar to the traditional concept of comorbidity.12 However, the emerging concept of multimorbidity places the patient at the center of a complex, holistic framework that takes into account the total burden of morbidities. Therefore, the multimorbidity concept recasts chronic conditions from sideline actors to an ensemble cast, each contributing uniquely to the plot. In this issue of The Journal of Rheumatology , Gunderson and colleagues investigated multimorbidity burden in RA.13 They used the Rochester Epidemiology Project … Address correspondence to Dr. J.A. Sparks, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 60 Fenwood Road, #6016U, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Email: jsparks{at}bwh.harvard.edu.
Racial Disparities in 7-Day Readmissions from an Adult Hospital Medicine Service

Health systems have targeted hospital readmissions to promote health equity as there may be racial and ethnic disparities across different patient groups. However, 7-day readmissions have been understudied in adult hospital medicine. This is a retrospective study. We performed multivariable logistic regression between patient race/ethnicity and 7-day readmission. Mediation analysis was performed for limited English proficiency (LEP) status. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients with initial admissions for congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cancer. We identified all adults discharged from the adult hospital medicine service at UCSF Medical Center between July 2016 and June 2019. The primary outcome was 7-day all-cause readmission back to the discharging hospital. There were 18,808 patients in our dataset who were discharged between July 2016 and June 2019. A total of 1,297 (6.9%) patients were readmitted within 7 days. Following multivariable regression, patients who identified as Black (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.15–1.58, p <0.001) and patients who identified as Asian (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.50, p = 0.008) had higher odds of readmission compared to white patients. Multivariable regression at the subgroup level for CHF, COPD, and cancer readmissions did not demonstrate significant differences between the racial and ethnic groups. Black patients and Asian patients experienced higher rates of 7-day readmission than patients who identified as white, confirmed on adjusted analysis.
The Organizational Ecology of State Support for Public Flagship Universities

Background/Context:Several studies have investigated state political and economic factors that explain differences in levels of state appropriations for colleges and universities. Few studies have ...
Effects of gut content on δ15N, δ13C and C:N of the macroinvertebrate Mysis diluviana

Abstract Stable isotopes have become a popular method for studying aquatic food webs. Lack of laboratory studies and standardized methods, however, may limit the application and interpretation of stable isotope analysis. One procedure applied inconsistently among stable isotope studies for whole body and bulk invertebrate samples is gut evacuation after capture. We evaluated the importance of gut evacuation prior to stable isotope analysis in the omnivorous macroinvertebrate Mysis diluviana . Mysis ranging from 9 to 20 mm were fed a diet of Artemia for 58 days in the laboratory. Following this acclimation period, Mysis with empty guts, full guts of Artemia , and full guts of green algae ( Scenedesmus obliquus ) were processed for stable isotope analysis of δ 15 N, δ 13 C and C:N. We found no significant difference among gut content treatments for any of these metrics. We conclude that gut evacuation is an unnecessary step in stable isotope analysis of Mysis in the size range we investigated.
The Demand for and Supply of Liability Insurance

The demand for and supply of liability insurance arise from the legal liability of individuals and corporations for injuries caused to third parties. Tort liability rules and liability insurance markets have attracted substantial attention in recent years. This paper introduces the literature on the demand for and supply of liability insurance. The focus is on issues that distinguish liability from first party insurance. Particular emphasis is given to the relationships between liability law, liability insurance, and risk reduction.
SimTrack: A compact c++ code for particle orbit and spin tracking in accelerators

SimTrack is a compact c++ code of 6-d symplectic element-by-element particle tracking in accelerators originally designed for head-on beam–beam compensation simulation studies in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. It provides a 6-d symplectic orbit tracking with the 4th order symplectic integration for magnet elements and the 6-d symplectic synchro-beam map for beam–beam interaction. Since its inception in 2009, SimTrack has been intensively used for dynamic aperture calculations with beam–beam interaction for RHIC. Recently, proton spin tracking and electron energy loss due to synchrotron radiation were added. In this article, I will present the code architecture, physics models, and some selected examples of its applications to RHIC and a future electron-ion collider design eRHIC.
Self-adaptive worms and countermeasures

In this paper, we address issues related to defending against widespreading worms on the Internet. We study a new class of worms called the selfadaptive worms. These worms dynamically adapt their propagation patterns to defensive countermeasures, in order to avoid or postpone detection, and to eventually infect more computers. We show that existing worm detection schemes cannot effectively defend against these self-adaptive worms. To counteract these worms, we introduce a game-theoretic formulation to model the interaction between worm propagator and defender. We show that the effective integration of multiple defensive schemes (e.g., worm detection, forensics analysis) is critical for defending against self-adaptive worms. We propose different combinations of defensive schemes for different kinds of self-adaptive worms, and evaluate the performance of defensive schemes based on real-world traffic traces.
Antijamming performance of slow FH-CPM signals with concatenated coding and jamming estimation

A slow frequency-hopping (FH) spread-spectrum (SS) system with trellis-coded interleaved continuous phase modulation (CPM) is proposed, where the phase is continuous during each hop interval. The proposed system provides power- and bandwidth-efficient antijam capability in the presence of partial-band noise jamming. The proposed receivers use coherent or noncoherent iterative demodulation and decoding along with jammer state information. Furthermore, an iterative jamming state estimation technique is proposed to provide robust antijam performance.
A novel formal loop shaping design procedure

The loop transfer recovery method of J.C. Doyle and G. Stein (1978, 1979) has been adapted to achieve a prescribed closed-loop transfer function rather than loop recovery. One problem associated with this method is a doubling of the number of states. A method that uses the asymptotic characteristics of the algebraic Riccati equation to solve the loop-shaping problem using only the original number of states is proposed. An example using a four-state plant is presented to illustrate the method and to compare it to the original loop-shaping technique. >
Cloud tuning in a coupled climate model: Impact on 20th century warming

[1] Climate models incorporate a number of adjustable parameters in their cloud formulations. They arise from uncertainties in cloud processes. These parameters are tuned to achieve a desired radiation balance and to best reproduce the observed climate. A given radiation balance can be achieved by multiple combinations of parameters. We investigate the impact of cloud tuning in the CMIP5 GFDL CM3 coupled climate model by constructing two alternate configurations. They achieve the desired radiation balance using different, but plausible, combinations of parameters. The present-day climate is nearly indistinguishable among all configurations. However, the magnitude of the aerosol indirect effects differs by as much as 1.2 Wm − 2, resulting in significantly different temperature evolution over the 20th century.
Using a real-time replay of students’ word processing to understand and promote better writing

Research on the psychology of writing is difficult because the writing process is not as easy to study as is the written product. The software described in this paper, Real-Time Replay, provides access to the writing process by capturing all writer keystrokes and replaying them in realtime. Point of utterance revisions can be viewed at once by the writer, who can then provide an immediate, retrospective protocol of the process. In this paper, the main features of the replay software are described, along with an accompanying program for collecting descriptive statistics on written documents.
Self-esteem in early adolescence: The identification and prediction of contrasting longitudinal trajectories

The present study focused on differences in self-esteem trajectory in early adolescence rather than on average change across all children. Longitudinal data from 128 adolescents were obtained over a 2-year period that encompassed the transition from elementary school to junior high school. Cluster analysis revealed four markedly divergent self-esteem trajectories: consistently high (35%), chronically low (13%), steeply declining (21%), and small increase (31%). Attempts to predict trajectories were only partially successful. Peer social support was the strongest predictor, but its relation to self-esteem appears more circumscribed than had been thought. The discussion considers differences in the experience of early adolescence, as well as implications for the design and evaluation of preventive intervention.
A Note on Quine's Treatment of Transfinite Recursion

In this note we point out a limitation of the treatment of transfinite recursion in Quine's Set Theory and its Logic 2 and develop a method for overcoming it. We shall also mention and indicate how to overcome a second more trivial limitation. We assume familiarity with Set Theory and its Logic and use its notation and terminology. Numbered references are to Quine's numbered formulae. In our work we continue the numbering of § 26. The first difficulty is that the theorems which show that his device for defining functions by transfinite recursion (§ 25) accomplishes its purpose do not apply to functions defined by recursion over all the ordinals. Let γ be the function which gives the value of the function we want for an ordinal y from the sequence of its values for ordinals less than y.
Mechanical Characterization of Biological Tissue: Finite Element Modeling

Indentation, in addition to the traditional tensile testing, has been widely used for evaluating mechanical properties of hard materials such as metals and bone as well as soft materials like polymer and soft tissues. However, it is difficult to measure the contact area and surface deformation in conventional indentation tests of soft tissue which will bring large errors to the evaluation of the material properties. Also the assumption of isotropic property limited the usage of indentation test in characterizing the nonlinear, anisotropic properties of soft tissue thin film. In this project, 2D and 3D finite element analyses has been carried out to predict hyperelastic material response under indentation and punch tests. A novel indentation test system was developed, which made the direct measurement of local deformation and contact area possible. The apparatus consists of a transparent indenter, a digital microscope, and a computer based control and data acquisition system. The proposed testing system and associated finite element analysis are used to characterize the mechanical properties of multiscale (bulk and thin film) biological tissues.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Basic calcium phosphate crystals stimulate the endocytotic activity of cells - Inhibition by anti-calcification agents

Pathological calcifications are associated with many medical conditions including diabetes, breast cancer, and crystals-associated osteoarthritis. The deposition of calcium-containing crystals on cells induces detrimental cellular effects and speeds up the progression of associated diseases. We carried out the present study to test the hypotheses that calcium-containing crystals may stimulate the influx of other molecules existing in the extracellular fluid disturbing normal molecular signaling and that anti-calcification agent will inhibit such endocytotic process. We found that basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals greatly stimulated the endocytotic activity of cells by rendering the cells more permeable and that the anti-calcification agent phosphocitrate and several others inhibited the crystals-mediated endocytosis. This is the first study reporting that the endocytotic activity of cells is affected by BCP crystals and that such endocytotic activity can be inhibited by anti-calcification agents. Since calcium-containing crystals are associated with many human diseases and in many circumstances are associated with apoptotic bodies, extracellular and matrix vesicles where DNA fragments, small peptides, and minerals are released into extracellular space, the findings reported here are important for our understanding of the complex biological effects and the potential pathological role of calcium-containing crystals in crystals-associated diseases, and for the development of disease modifying agents as well.
Using Scientific Methods to Resolve Questions in the History and Philosophy of Science: Some Illustrations

The factors that account for successful scientific efforts are disputed among philosophers and historians of science, who rely heavily on impressionistic and case study methods to support their positions. Resolution of many such debates will require more adequate methods for sampling, analyzing, and integrating the historical track record. A more accurate description and understanding of scientific processes and successes, and the development of decision aids for such higher level scientific judgments as theory appraisal, will offer practical help to the working scientist.
Fast human brain magnetic resonance responses associated with epileptiform spikes

Neuronal currents produce local electromagnetic fields that can potentially modulate the phase of the magnetic resonance signal and thus provide a contrast mechanism tightly linked to neuronal activity. Previous work has demonstrated the feasibility of direct MRI of neuronal activity in phantoms and cell culture, but in vivo efforts have yielded inconclusive, conflicting results. The likelihood of detecting and validating such signals can be increased with (i) fast gradient-echo echo-planar imaging, with acquisition rates sufficient to resolve neuronal activity, (ii) subjects with epilepsy, who frequently experience stereotypical electromagnetic discharges between seizures, expressed as brief, localized, high-amplitude spikes (interictal discharges), and (iii) concurrent electroencephalography. This work demonstrates that both MR magnitude and phase show large-amplitude changes concurrent with electroencephalography spikes. We found a temporal derivative relationship between MR phase and scalp electroencephalography, suggesting that the MR phase changes may be tightly linked to local cerebral activity. We refer to this manner of MR acquisition, designed explicitly to track the electroencephalography, as encephalographic MRI (eMRI). Potential extension of this technique into a general purpose functional neuroimaging tool requires further study of the MR signal changes accompanying lower amplitude neuronal activity than those discussed here.
Putting prevention into daily practice

The future holds promise for expanding preventive therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk. These preventive concepts are supported by sound science and strong evidence from multiple randomized clinical trials. To be successful, the health care system must continue to provide financial resources to support physicians and other health care providers in preventive cardiovascular efforts. In the long run, this support should result in a decrease in the need for expensive high-technology, acute-care interventions. Health care provider teams involving physicians, nurses, and other providers will be necessary to ensure the success of these measures, and they must be integrated into the expanding network of inpatient and outpatient delivery systems. Finally, programs to train fellows, residents, and medical students in preventive skills will provide the basis for expanded application of cardiovascular risk therapies and contribute to the ultimate widespread success in decreasing the morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease.
Buspirone in Alzheimer's disease.

Anxiety symptoms are experienced by the majority of patients with Alzheimer′s disease. Generalized anxiety disorder may occur in 5–6% of patients with Alzheimer′s disease. Anxiety symptoms may underlie agitation and aggression. Anxiety and agitation cause significant morbidity, caregiver distress and may even precipitate institutionalization. Benzodiazepines, although frequently used to treat anxiety and agitation in patients with Alzheimer′s disease, should be avoided because of the high morbidity associated with their use. Disturbances in serotonergic neurotransmission may underlie anxiety symptoms and agitation. Preliminary evidence suggests that buspirone may be a good nonsedating alternative to treat Alzheimer′s disease patients with persistent anxiety symptoms and agitation–aggression. Effective doses reported range from 15 to 60 mg/day is generally well-tolerated. Large, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the potential benefits of buspirone for anxiety symptoms and other behavioral ...
A few remarks on the kinetics of static grain growth in rocks

Static grain growth is a relatively simple transformation in which grain size increases under driving forces caused by grain and interphase boundary curvature. Given the relative simplicity of the protocol for grain growth experiments, measurements of grain boundary mobility show surprising variations. Boundary mobilities during grain growth are affected by solute and impurity chemistry, chemical fugacity of trace and major elements, pore size and number, pore fluid chemistry, the presence of melts, and the presence of solid second phases, as well as temperature and pressure. All of these factors may exert influence on grain growth of rocks in natural situations and many are also present during the laboratory experiments. Provided that the necessary kinetics parameters are known, bounds may be placed on the interface mobility when pores, partial melts, or solutes are present. To predict the rate of grain growth in natural situations will require improved laboratory data and careful consideration of the thermodynamic conditions likely to be encountered in nature.
What Every Business School Needs to Know about Its Master of Business Administration (MBA) Graduates.

Although the 1990s represented an expansive period for business schools in the United States the past few years have seen a significant drop in demand for this once popular degree program. As many schools of business struggle to retain their market share in this increasingly competitive environment, one powerful, but sometimes overlooked, strategy is to survey program graduates to better understand the many ways in which they may have benefited from their program. Because this information can be used for more focused advertising, targeted recruitment, and program improvements, the authors present a plan for gathering, analyzing, and using this important information. In their plan, they use results from a recent survey of more than 2,200 Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates from a business school associated with a private university in the southwestern United States.
How Many Trees Does it Take to Cook a Pot of Rice? Fuelwood and Tree Consumption in Four Philipine Communities

The cutting of trees for fuelwood is one of many human activities contributing to deforestation in developing nations. This paper examines the extent to which fuelwood consumption contributes to deforestation in terms of the amount of fuelwood consumed, local preferences for tree species, and number of trees consumed as fuelwood in four rural Philippines communities. The research findings are placed within the context of a cooperative five year research and development project between the academic community, government, and industry.
Comparison of lipoxidase oxidation and autoxidation of cottonseed oil by rat bio-assay

A stepwise oxidation of cottonseed oil with navy bean lipoxidase shows a straight-line relationship for increases in peroxide value, carbonyl value, and diene conjugation.
Using high-temperature superconductors for levitation applications.

Melt-textured, bulk high-temperature superconductors are finding increasing uses in superconducting bearings, flywheel energy storage, and other levitational applications. This article reviews the use of these materials in magnetic-levitation applications. The behavior of levitational force, stiffness, damping, and rotational losses is discussed.
Correlation between molecular structure and self-healing in aseries of Anthraquinone derivatives doped in PMMA polymer

We observe that many different derivatives of anthraquinone chromophores doped in PMMA self heal after undergoing photodegradation. We are interested to know the mechanisms that are responsible for photodegradation and photorecovery, which are not yet fully understood. We used fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy as a probe of the photodegradation and recovery process while the temperature dependence is used to determine the energies of the species involved. We hypothesize that the host polymer mediates the formation of a quasi-stable state. In this scenario, once photo - damaged by intense pump laser, the molecules non radiatively decay into a tautomer state by intra molecule proton transfer, which subsequently leads to the formation of a damaged species - leading to decay of the fluorescence intensity. This hypothesis is consistent with our observation. The temperature dependent fluorescence decay and recovery studies give an insight about the different energy levels participating in optical excitation, decay and recovery. Comparing the experimental parameters such as decay and recovery rates of the fluorescence signal associated with the evolution of peaks in the fluorescence and absorbance spectrum helps us understand correlations between the efficiency of the recovery process and the structures of the dye molecules. Based on the temperature and the time-dependent observations of fluorescence and absorption, we validate qualitatively a new theoretical model which qualitatively takes into account the observed behavior and sheds light on the underlying mechanism. Preliminary measurements show good agreement with the theoretical model. More careful experiments and calculations are in process for further validation of the model.
The Chicago teamsters’ strike of 1902: A community confronts the beef trust

(1985). The Chicago teamsters’ strike of 1902: A community confronts the beef trust. Labor History: Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 250-267.
Tunneling spectroscopy in ferromagnetic semiconductors

The observation of zero-bias anomalies in tunneling has received much attention but their interpretation has suffered from a lack of definition of the character of the tunneling barrier. Junctions formed from a metal with Eu-chalcogenide ferromagnetic semiconductors offer a potential means of overcoming this difficulty. We have made rectifying junctions of EuS:Eu on In. The results indicate: 1) a large resistivity peak at zero-bias voltage which, in the ferromagnetic region, has a strong magnetic-field dependence, and 2) a resistance maximum near 30 mV which has been tentatively assigned to excitation of collective modes in the bulk of the semiconductor. We interpret the present results by considering excitation of ferromagnetic magnons in the barrier region.