cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards a Generic Infrastructure to Adjust the Autonomy of Soar Agents.

Developing and testing intelligent agents is a complex task that is both time-consuming and costly. This creates the potential that problems in the agent’s behavior will be realized only after the agent has been put to use. In this paper we explore two implementations of a generic agent selfassessment framework applied to the Soar agent architecture. Our system extends previous work and can be used to achieve adjustable levels of agent autonomy or runtime verification with only minor modifications to existing Soar agents. We present results indicating the computational overhead of both approaches compared against an agent that exhibits identical behavior without the help of the self-assessment framework. Agents whose behavior has not been completely validated run the risk of performing their tasks incorrectly. Such situations may occur if an agent encounters situations it was not designed to deal with or if its knowledge for how to deal with a particular situation is incorrect. In the former case, the agent is operating outside of its intended (specified) scope; in the later case, the agent’s implementation is inconsistent with its specification and thus incorrect. Regardless, the impact of unintended behavior may be relatively minor, or, in mission critical situations such as when controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle, the consequences may have a far reaching impact. Prior work on adjustable autonomy (e.g., [Bradshaw & et. al.2005, Reed2005, Sellner et al.2006]) has explored a variety of approaches that allow a human supervisor, or an agent itself to deal with exceptional situations that may arise due to incomplete or incorrect knowledge. In this paper, we briefly describe a generic infrastructure of adjustable autonomy that can be used in conjunction with Soar agents and compare the performance of two implementations of this infrastructure. Our generic framework (see Figure 1) works in conjunction with the Soar [Laird, Newell, & Rosenbloom1987] agent archicture. After a Soar agent identifies possible operators (goals or actions) to pursue next, the framework intercepts decision making to compare the actions and goals to an external policy. The result of the comparsion may deny, require or allow operators the agent has proposed. If all proposed operators have been denied, the framework provides Copyright c © 2008, Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (www.aaai.org). All rights reserved. Agent’s Internal Reasoning
Xenopus class I proteins

Class I molecules in the amphibian Xenopus are encoded by a single copy MHC gene. Alleles are found in 2 highly diverse sets, defined primarily by their α2 domains and cytoplasmic regions, that match perfectly 2 divergent allelic sets of TAP2 and lmp7 genes. It is likely that these sets of processing, transport, and presenting genes have been coselected in the Xenopus lineage. Previous biochemical analyses of the class I proteins already suggested that two lineages existed, and there are other unusual properties of the molecules, such as associations with non-β2-microglobulin proteins, that await future study.
A comparison study between topological insulators based on valley Hall and quantum spin Hall effects

Over the past few years, the rapid development in the fields of condensed matter physics, electronic and photonic systems have inspired the design and experimental demonstration of various acoustic topological insulators. Among these, the topologically protected one-way propagation is a phenomenon that is gaining increased attention. Pseudospin states, which is the analogue of the Quantum Spin Hall Effect from electronic systems, has been proven to enable topological edge states in acoustics. Similarly, Valley Hall (VH) effect is also observed in acoustic systems and provides a pair of valley vortex states with opposite chirality. These valley vortex states can similarly form topologically protected edge states and in turn realize robust one-way propagation. However, the differences in the physics behind these acoustic systems give rise to distinct features such as angle selection and immunization level to various types of defects. In this article, the comparison between topological insulators (TI) and valley hall topological insulators (VHTI) address the difference and similarities in several aspects. Both of them have topologically protected bandgaps and thus the robust one-way propagation. For the maximum transmission incident angle and defect immunization, however, VH topological waveguide and TI waveguide show different characteristics.
Massive splenic calcification in amyloidosis with normal labs and physical exam.

A 64-year-old male with medical history of hypertension, type II diabetes, coronary artery disease, and AL amyloidosis involving the heart, kidney and liver was admitted for decompensated heart failure, requiring Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) and inotropic support. The patient was listed for heart transplant, but later developed cardiac arrest and required Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA ECMO) treatment. Abdominal X-ray was obtained to confirm the position of feeding tube which showed massive intra-peritoneal calcification (A). CT abdomen was obtained, and he was found to have extensive splenic calcification measures 8.9 x 7.1cm in cross-section and it spans 8.9 cm in craniocaudal direction (B). Spleen was impalpable on physical exam. Before the cardiac arrest, patient's renal function was at baseline, with the remaining of the basic metabolic panel normal. Hepatic function panel was significant for mild elevation in alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransaminases. All other laboratory work including coagulation and iron studies were normal. Nonetheless, patient's condition deteriorated over the course and he expired. Amyloid fibrils have an affinity to calcium and can result in calcific deposition in organs. Literature review showed that in amyloidosis, splenic calcification occurs in conjunction with other organs calcification especially liver. Thus this patient's case highlights the unique presentation of massive splenic calcification without any other organ calcification with relatively normal laboratory and physical examination except findings consistent with his heart failure diagnosis.
Neutron Scattering and the Optical Model near A = 208 and Implications on the Inelastic Scattering Cross Section of Uranium-238

Differential elastic neutron scattering cross sections of 206Pb, 207Pb, 208Pb, and 209Bi are measured at incident neutron energy intervals of ∼25 keV from 0.6 to 1.0 MeV. Optical model parameters a...
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: Analysis of the national cancer database

Abstract Objectives Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) that carries significant mortality. Given the rarity of MPNST, current knowledge on the disease is limited. We aim to characterize patient, tumor, and treatment factors, and determine variables associated with 5-year overall survival (OS) in individuals with MPNST. Materials and Methods We utilized the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify adult patients diagnosed with MPNST from 2004 to 2015, and analyze patient, tumor, treatment, and survival data. American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC 8) staging criteria for STS was utilized. Results In our cohort of 2,858 patients with MPNST, median age at diagnosis was 47. The 5-year OS rate was 52%. Age, race, tumor size, and treatment regimen significantly predicted 5-year OS on univariate analysis. AJCC 8 stage appeared to predict 5-year OS in head and neck tumors (though not significantly), but not trunk and extremity tumors. Conclusion While our cohort of patients with MPNST are typically relatively young and healthy, 5-year OS is only 52%. Notably, age extremes, large tumor size, and certain treatment regimens are associated with worse outcomes. While AJCC 8 staging guidelines may have some value in predicting OS in head and neck tumors, they do not reliably risk stratify patients with trunk and extremity MPNST. Ultimately, MPNST is associated with high mortality with few modifiable risk factors, and survival may not be adequately predicted by current staging systems.
Characterization of anti-prostatic acid phosphatase monoclonal antibody and its medical significance.

Abstract Monoclonal antibody to purified prostatic acid phosphatase from seminal plasma was produced by fusion of spleen cells from immunized mice with the Sp2/O-Ag 14 cell line. This hybridoma-derived antibody, designated MAb-14, was classified as IgG1 immunoglobulin. The apparent affinity constant of phosphatase.MAb-14 complex formation calculated by using the Langmuir isotherm is 2.4 x 10(-8) M. The molecular weight of the complex formed under the condition of antibody excess was found to be 350K, which suggests that 2 molecules of prostatic phosphatase bind to 1 molecule of the antibody. The MAb-14 antibody bound to phosphatase had a negligible effect on the catalytic activity of the enzyme. All isoenzymatic forms of catalytically active prostatic phosphatase, resolved by isoelectric focusing or by chromatofocusing in different pH gradients, reacted with the monoclonal antibody. Several peptides of Mr 25K to 76K and of 13K to 76K were adsorbed from the prostatic tissue extract and from seminal fluid, respectively, on an MAb-14-Sepharose column. The MAb-14 monoclonal antibody was applied to the immunohistochemical investigation of prostatic phosphatase distribution in normal human prostate gland, in nodular hyperplasia, and in adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Immunostaining was observed in prostatic secretory epithelium, within the luminal content of prostatic glands, and in the neighborhood of prostatic cancer cells. Metastatic prostatic carcinoma was also strongly immunoreactive with the antibody. There was no cross-reactivity with leukocytes, kidney, liver, pancreas, spleen, breast, stomach mucosal, and colon tissues.
Diagnosis and Antibiotic Management of Otitis Media and Otitis Externa in United States Veterans

Background Acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME) occur primarily in children, whereas acute otitis externa (AOE) occurs with similar frequency in children and adults. Data on the incidence and management of otitis in adults are limited. This study characterizes the incidence, antibiotic management, and outcomes for adults with otitis diagnoses. Methods A retrospective cohort of ambulatory adult veterans who presented with acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) diagnoses at 6 VA Medical Centers during 2014-2018 was created. Then, a subcohort of patients with acute otitis diagnoses was developed. Patient visits were categorized with administrative diagnostic codes for ARI (eg, sinusitis, pharyngitis) and otitis (OME, AOM, and AOE). Incidence rates for each diagnosis were calculated. Proportions of otitis visits with antibiotic prescribing, complications, and specialty referral were summarized. Results Of 46 634 ARI visits, 3898 (8%) included an otitis diagnosis: OME (22%), AOM (44%), AOE (31%), and multiple otitis diagnoses (3%). Incidence rates were otitis media 4.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9-4.2) and AOE 2.0 (95% CI, 1.9-2.1) diagnoses per 1000 patient-years. By comparison, the incidence rates for pharyngitis (8.4; 95% CI, 8.2-8.6) and sinusitis (15.2; 95% CI, 14.9-15.5) were higher. Systemic antibiotics were prescribed in 75%, 63%, and 21% of AOM, OME, and AOE visits, respectively. Complications for otitis visits were low irrespective of antibiotic treatment. Conclusions Administrative data indicated that otitis media diagnoses in adults were half as common as acute pharyngitis, and the majority received antibiotic treatment, which may be inappropriate. Prospective studies verifying diagnostic accuracy and antibiotic appropriateness are warranted.
Branched surfaces and Markov minimal sets in foliations of 3-manifolds

Abstract We find necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a Markov minimal set in a transversely orientable codimension one foliation of a closed Riemannian 3-manifold M. Specifically, we show that if a foliation F has a Markov minimal set, then any branched surface carrying F can be modified to contain a 1-dimensional graph that captures the holonomy of F and has a specific structure. Conversely, when a branched surface W contains a graph with these properties, the holonomy group for any foliation carried by W contains a Markov sub-pseudgroup; this together with an added criterion are sufficient for the existence of a Markov minimal set in any foliation F carried by W. When the sufficiency criteria are satisfied, the Markov minimal set is stable under C 1 -perturbations of F, provided that the complement of W in M is simply connected.
Unveiling dislocation characteristics in N i 3 Al from stacking fault energy and ideal strength: A first-principles study via pure alias shear deformation

Nickel aluminide $(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}_{3}\mathrm{Al})$ is an important material for a number of applications, especially when used as a strengthening constituent in high-temperature Ni-based superalloys. Despite this, there is minimal information on its mechanical properties such as strength, plasticity, creep, fatigue, and fracture. In the present work, a first-principles based pure alias shear deformation has been applied to shed light on dislocation characteristics in $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}_{3}\mathrm{Al}$ using the predicted stacking fault energy (i.e., the \ensuremath{\gamma} surface) and ideal shear strength $({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{IS}})$. Results include direct evidence for the splitting of a $1/2[\overline{1}10]$ dislocation into two Shockley partials on the ${111}$ plane, which is further supported by the equivalence of the complex stacking fault (CSF) energy ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{CSF}}$ and the antiphase boundary (APB) energy ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{APB}111}$. Estimates of the Peierls stresses using ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{IS}}$ and elastic properties suggest the prevalence of edge dislocations in Ni and screw dislocations in $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}_{3}\mathrm{Al}$, agreeing with experimental observations regarding the dominance of edge dislocations in the first stage of crystal deformation in fcc metals and the yield-strength anomaly related to screw dislocations in $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}_{3}\mathrm{Al}$. The present calculations further point out that the CSF and APB111 are easily formed by shear due to the low-energy barriers, although the lowest planar energies are for the superlattice intrinsic stacking fault and the APB001. Through the case of $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}_{3}\mathrm{Al}$, the present work demonstrates that the pure alias shear methodology is not only computationally efficient but also provides valuable insight into the nature of shear-related properties.
Doctor of nursing practice students' perceptions of professional change through the DNP program.

Abstract Background This thematic analysis study examined how post master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students described personal and professional growth in their views of self, healthcare, and clinical practice that evolved as a result of the curriculum and experiences in the DNP program. Purpose The purpose of this thematic analysis was to describe and discuss perceptions of graduating post master's DNP students regarding personal and professional development that occurred during the DNP program to identify how DNP graduates saw themselves change and grow during the course of the DNP program. Method A thematic analysis method was used to code, categorize, and summarize data from 42 reflection papers of post master's DNP students into a thematic framework based on the eight DNP Essentials which are the framework upon which DNP programs build their curriculum and design student experiences. The authors systematically analyzed the statements from each student paper and drew interpretation of the students' statements into themes that were congruent with the eight DNP Essentials and one stand-alone category. Results Data analysis yielded 15 themes that were aligned within eight categories of the DNP Essentials and one stand-alone category. Conclusions The eight DNP Essentials provided a framework for the themes which reflected professional growth attributed to the journey through the DNP program. A ninth category entitled Personal Advancements described students' perceptions of their personal and professional development. These dimensions are proposed in the new DNP Essentials currently in development. Increasing understanding of the DNP students' journey serves to inform DNP curriculum development and program experiences, and informs faculty of the influence they have on molding students into a more robust professional role.
The Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement of Clinical Trials in ADRD (IMPACT-AD): A Novel Clinical Trials Training Program

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) clinical trials require multidisciplinary expertise in medicine, biostatistics, trial design, biomarkers, ethics, and informatics. To provide focused interactive training in ADRD clinical trials to a diverse cadre of investigators. The Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement of Clinical Trials in ADRD (IMPACT-AD) is a novel multidisciplinary clinical trial training program funded by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association with two educational tracks. The Professionals track includes individuals who fill a broad variety of roles including clinicians, study coordinators, psychometricians, and other study professionals who wish to further their knowledge and advance their careers in ADRD trials. The Fellowship track includes current and future principal investigators and focuses on the design, conduct and analysis of ADRD clinical trials. The 2020 inaugural iteration of IMPACT-AD was held via Zoom. Thirty-five trainees (15 Fellowship track; 20 Professionals track) were selected from 104 applications (34% acceptance rate). Most (n=25, 71%) identified as female. Fifteen (43%) were of a non-white race; six (18%) were of Hispanic ethnicity; eight (23%) indicated they were the first person in their family to attend college. Participants completed daily evaluations as well as pre- and post-course assessments of learning. Across topic areas, >90% of trainees evaluated their change in knowledge based on the lectures as “very much” or “somewhat increased.” The mean proportion correct responses in pre- and post-course assessments increased from 55% to 75% for the Professionals track and from 54% to 78% for the Fellowship track. IMPACT-AD successfully launched a new training opportunity amid a global pandemic that preliminarily achieved the goals of attracting a diverse cohort and providing meaningful training. The course is funded through 2025.
Effect of iron addition on mAb productivity and oxidative stress in Chinese hamster ovary culture

Trace metals play a critical role in the development of culture media used for the production of therapeutic proteins. Iron has been shown to enhance the productivity of monoclonal antibodies during Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture. However, the redox activity and pro-oxidant behavior of iron may also contribute toward the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this work, we aim to clarify the influence of trace iron by examining the relationship between iron supplementation to culture media, mAb productivity and glycosylation, and oxidative stress interplay within the cell. Specifically, we assessed the impacts of iron supplementation on (a) mAb production and glycosylation; (b) mitochondria-generated free hydroxyl radicals (ROS); (c) the cells ability to store energy during oxidative phosphorylation; and (d) mitochondrial iron concentration. Upon the increase of iron at inoculation, CHO cells maintained a capacity to rebound from iron-induced viability lapses during exponential growth phase and improved mAb productivity and increased mAb galactosylation. Fluorescent labeling of the mitochondrial hydroxyl radical showed enhanced environments of oxidative stress upon iron supplementation. Additional labeling of active mitochondria indicated that, despite the enhanced production of ROS in the mitochondria, mitochondrial membrane potential was minimally impacted. By replicating iron treatments during seed train passaging, the CHO cells were observed to adapt to the shock of iron supplementation prior to inoculation. Results from these experiments demonstrate that CHO cells have the capacity to adapt to enhanced environments of oxidative stress and improve mAb productivity and mAb galactosylation with minimal perturbations to cell culture.
Submonomer synthesis of sequence defined peptoids with diverse side-chains.

Abstract Peptoids are a diverse family of sequence-defined oligomers of N-substituted glycine monomers, that can be readily accessed by the solid-phase submonomer synthesis method. Due to the versatility and efficiency of this chemistry, and the easy access to hundreds of potential monomers, there is an enormous potential sequence space that can be explored. This has enabled researchers from many different fields to custom-design peptoid sequences tailored to a wide variety of problems in biomedicine, nanoscience and polymer science. Here we provide detailed protocols for the synthesis of peptoids, using optimized protocols that can be performed by non-chemists. The submonomer method is fully compatible with Fmoc-peptide synthesis conditions, so the method is readily automated on existing automated peptide synthesizers using protocols provided here. Although the submonomer synthesis for peptoids is well established, there are special considerations required in order to access many of the most useful and desirable sidechains. Here we provide methods to include most of the amino-acid-like side chains, some of the most important non-natural monomer classes, as well as the creation of peptoid conjugates and peptide-peptoid hybrids.
A narrative review of modern approach and outcomes evaluation in congenital heart defects.

Objective The purpose of this review is to highlight critical advances and innovative approaches to the most challenging clinical situations in congenital heart surgery, to establish a new perspective from which to evaluate current clinical practice patterns and contemporary United States program ranking systems. Background The past decades have witnessed substantial advances in the treatment of congenital heart defects. New strategies are deeply rooted in calculated risk-taking innovations. Pioneer surgeons developed, improved and refined critical operative skills and techniques to optimize cardiovascular physiology, decrease operative mortality and improve clinical outcomes. Methods Unfortunately, in the modern surgical era, supportive environments to allow surgeons to make similar gains and innovative contributions remain scarce. In the current practice, overall procedure volume is prioritized to safeguard quality metrics, including hospital survival and length of stay, surgical complications, and neurocognitive outcomes. As a result, exceptional surgical results have become translated and defined by public ranking systems such as the US News and World Report Best Children's Hospital National Ranking (USNWR) and the Congenital Heart Surgery Database of the Society for Thoracic Surgeons (CHSD-STS), primary based upon early post-operative mortality. This reality places surgeons in a vulnerable position where pressure to achieve a high clinical ranking contrasts with a surgeon definition of "acceptable" surgical risk. Currently, the most frequently used risk stratification tools do not factor in important differences in strategies, such as staged palliation versus complete repair, or bi-ventricular versus uni-ventricular physiology. This favors hospitals pursuing multistage surgical approaches, even if the result is worse long-term morbidity, mortality and increased resource utilization. This economy of ranking-based decision-making causes surgeons either avoid operating altogether or accept less advantageous multi-staged treatment strategies for patients with elevated expected mortality. Such an environment also might present much farther-reaching negative impacts on the growth and development of junior surgeons and trainees, as well as on the pursuit of new surgical innovations to aid future generations of patients. Conclusions Risk aversive surgical behavior is creating an environment not favorable for the children born with truly complex congenital heart defects. Keywords Biventricular conversion; congenital heart surgery; multidisciplinary approach; risk-stratification; surgical outcomes.
Automatic Portrait Video Matting via Context Motion Network.

Automatic portrait video matting is an under-constrained problem. Most state-of-the-art methods only exploit the semantic information and process each frame individually. Their performance is compromised due to the lack of temporal information between the frames. To solve this problem, we propose the context motion network to leverage semantic information and motion information. To capture the motion information, we estimate the optical flow and design a context-motion updating operator to integrate features between frames recurrently. Our experiments show that our network outperforms state-of-the-art matting methods significantly on the Video240K SD dataset.
What contextual factors account for anxiety and depressed mood in hospice family caregivers

Objective End-of-life caregiving is associated with poorer mental health compared with other caregiving. The objective of this study was to examine the association between contextual characteristics and appraisal factors on family caregivers' mental health and well-being. Methods Family hospice caregivers were recruited across four states using a non-probabilistic sampling approach. This study analyzed contextual (demographic, caregiving, economic) and appraisal factors (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, Zarit Burden Interview) on caregivers' anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, and positive affect and well-being (Positive Affect and Well-being Scale). Hierarchical linear regression models were generated in SPSS version 24. Results Data from 102 family caregivers were analyzed. On average, participants were 58.93 years of age (SD = 14.24), mostly female (72.55%), spouses/partners (51.96%), and non-Hispanic White (78.43%). Most (75.49%) described their financial situation as comfortable or more than adequate. Younger age (B = -0.11, 95% CI = -0.18 to -0.05) and increased caregiving burden (B = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.27) were associated with increased anxiety, while lower perceived financial adequacy (B = -1.19, 95% CI = -2.07 to -0.32), lower social support (B = -0.04, 95% CI = -0.06 to -0.01), and increased caregiving burden (B = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.08-0.22) were associated with worsened depression. Greater social support (B = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.05-0.14) and lower caregiving burden (B = -0.19, 95% CI = -0.32 to -0.07) were associated with greater positive affect and well-being. Conclusions Findings suggest significant impact of contextual factors on mental health and well-being, and support the need for holistic assessment of hospice caregivers' wellbeing and programs and policies providing social services and economic support to caregivers.
An automated centrifugal microfluidic assay for whole blood fractionation and isolation of multiple cell populations using an aqueous two-phase system.

Fractionating whole blood and separating its constituent components one from another is an essential step in many clinical applications. Currently blood sample handling and fractionation processes remain a predominantly manual task that require well-trained operators to produce reliable and reproducible results. Herein, we demonstrate an advanced on-chip whole human blood fractionation and cell isolation process combining (i) an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) to create complex separation layers with (ii) a centrifugal microfluidic platform (PowerBlade) with active pneumatic pumping to control and automate the assay. We use a polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran (DEX) mixture as the two-phase density gradient media and our automated centrifugal microfluidic platform to fractionate blood samples. Different densities of precisely tuned PEG–DEX solutions were tested to match each of the cell types typically targeted during blood fractionation applications. By employing specially designed microfluidic devices, we demonstrate the automation of the following steps: loading of a whole blood sample on-chip, layering of the blood on the ATPS solution, blood fractionation, precise radial repositioning of the fractionated layers, and finally extraction of multiple, selected fractionated components. Fractionation of up to six distinct layers is shown: platelet-rich plasma, buffy coat, PEG, DEX with neutrophils, red blood cells (RBCs) and high density gradient media (HDGM). Furthermore, through controlled dispensing of HDGM to the fractionation chamber, we show that each of the fractionated layers can be repositioned radially, on-the-fly, without disturbing the interfaces, allowing precise transfer of target fractions and cell types into external vials via a chip-to-world interface. Cell counting analysis and cell viability studies showed equivalence to traditional, manual methods. An overall cell viability greater than 90% of extracted cells demonstrates that the proposed approach is suitable for cell isolation applications. This proof-of-principle demonstration highlights the utility of the proposed system for automated whole blood fractionation and isolation for blood cell applications. We anticipate that the proposed approach will be a useful tool for many clinical applications such as standard cell isolation procedures and other bioanalytical assays (e.g., circulating tumor cells, and cell and gene therapy).
Cartoon Wasteland: Remediating and Recommodifying Archival Media in Disney’s Epic Mickey

The Walt Disney Company’s multimedia empire understandably figures prominently in media industries studies of convergence, synergy, and cultural production in the age of the multinational conglomerate. While macrostructural, industry-based analyses are indispensable to understanding the industrial dimensions of Disney’s cultural production, it is equally crucial to consider how the company’s corporate strategies are brought to bear on the form and aesthetics of particular media texts—not only the most commonly analyzed media objects, such as movies and other filmed entertainment, but new media endeavors as well. Taking Disney’s 2010 Wii video game Disney Epic Mickey as a case study, this paper thus examines how Disney’s corporate synergy and remediation practices as well as creative participants’ individual agency shaped the game’s highly intertextual and digitextual design. Building on political economic analyses of Disney’s corporate synergy, I discuss the ways in which Epic Mickey’s redeployment of archival Disney media in a new-media, digital framework is shaped by Disney’s broader reissuing and recommodification strategies. Drawing from media theory work on remediation, digitextuality, and prosthetic memory, I also argue that remembering and archiving, as discursive practices, are central to the game’s formal/aesthetic logic and modes of user engagement.
Approximation Errors of State and Output Trajectories Using Recurrent Neural Networks

This paper addresses the problem of estimating training error bounds of state and output trajectories for a class of recurrent neural networks as models of nonlinear dynamic systems. We present training error bounds of trajectories between the recurrent neural network models and the target systems. The bounds are obtained provided that the models have been trained on N trajectories with N independent random initial values which are uniformly distributed over [a, b]m e Rm.
Cookies for the real world: assessing the potential of rfid for contractor monitoring

The purpose of this paper is to draw together in one place knowledge that is relevant to the possible role of RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) in contractor monitoring. The paper uses multiple case studies and internet survey methods to explore several issues in RFIDenabled monitoring of contractors. It also offers some conceptual frameworks to help decision makers think through ways RFID might emerge as a contractor monitoring technology as well as some of the key reasons for using this mechanism of monitoring. The paper concludes with research challenges and key issues for practitioners.
Application of IGBT, MCT and EST in hard- and soft-switching power converters

The performance of power insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), MOS-controlled thyristor (MCT) and emitter switched thyristor (EST) in hard- and soft-switching conditions are studied in detail using extensive measurements and device and circuit simulations. Simulated results are in excellent agreement with the measured data under a variety of stress conditions. Simulation results were obtained from a novel mixed device and circuit simulator in which plasma switching dynamics are studied under boundary conditions imposed by the circuit operation. Based on these results, a critical study is made on the performance of MCT and EST in hard- and soft-switching converter applications. The results of simulation are compared with IGBT operated under identical conditions.
5-Chloro-2-(2'-((dimethylamino)methyl)-4'-iodophenylthio)benzenamine: a new serotonin transporter ligand.

Abstract Two novel ligands with 4′ substitution on the Phenyl Ring B of biphenylthiol, 5-chloro-2-(2′-((dimethylamino)methyl)-4′-iodophenylthio)benzenamine ( 7 ) and 2-(2′-((dimethylamino)methyl)-4′-methoxyphenylthio)-5-iodobenzenamine ( 8 ), were prepared and tested as potential serotonin transporter (SERT) imaging agents. The new ligands displayed extremely high binding affinities to SERT ( K i =0.22±0.09 and 0.11±0.04 nM, respectively), with very low binding affinities to dopamine and norepinephrine transporters ( K i >1000 nM). The corresponding [ 125 I] 7 and [ 125 I] 8 were successfully prepared from tri- n -butyltin derivatives. They showed good brain uptakes and prolonged retention after intravenous injection in rats (brain uptake was 1.77% and 0.98% dose/g for [ 125 I] 7 , and 0.92% and 0.29% dose/g for [ 125 I] 8 , at 2 and 120 min, respectively). Significantly, [ 125 I] 7 showed excellent uptake and prolonged retention in the hypothalamus, where SERT concentration was highest. The hypothalamus/cerebellum (HY/CB) ratios (target/background ratios) were 4.24, 7.10, 8.24 and 12.6 at 2, 4, 6 and 12 h, respectively. The HY/CB ratios for [ 125 I] 8 were 3.97, 5.57 and 5.06 at 1, 2 and 4 h, respectively. Adding the 4′-iodo group to the Phenyl Ring B of Compound ( 7 ) appeared to reduce the rate of clearance from the brain, and kinetics favored uptake and retention in the hypothalamus. The localization of [ 125 I] 7 in the hypothalamus region in the rat brain could be blocked by pretreatment with (+)McN5652, escitalopram and ADAM ( 2 ), which are all selective SERT ligands (at 2 mg/kg iv, 5 min pretreatment). Ex vivo autoradiograms of rat brain sections (at 4 h after intravenous injection of [ 125 I] 7 ) showed intense labeling in regions of the brain known to have high SERT density. The excellent selective uptake and retention in the hypothalamus region suggest that [ 123 I] 7 is a potential lead compound for developing new imaging agents targeting SERT-binding sites with single-photon emission computed tomography.
Dispersion coefficient prediction within a bed packed with perfusive particles

The effective medium model of perfusive particles has been used to modify the dispersion coefficient of a packed bed to account for intraparticle velocity and internal structure of the perfusive particles. In this model, the diffusivity factor has been derived by solving the steady-state diffusion equation in the three regions (that is, external, envelope, and internal regions) of the effective medium model and proved experimentally. The diffusivity factor is incorporated with hydrodynamic parameters obtained earlier to modify the dispersion coefficient of bed packed with perfusive particles. It was found that the diffusivity factor is independent of perfusive particle shape. Also, it was found that the uniformity of perfusive particles is not a necessary condition, once average accessible porosity is considered instead of actual porosity. Finally, it was shown that a significant error would be introduced to predict the performance of bed packed with perfusive particles if the effect of perfusive phenomena on the dispersion coefficient of a packed bed were not considered. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
The connections between poverty discourse and educational reform: When did “Reform” become synonymous with inattention?

This article presents the view that genuine educational reform is impossible in today's political, social, and economic climte. This climate is assessed through a review of how we got to where we are, including the lasting influence of the Reagan and Bush administration's celebration of individualism, the consequent growth in poverty, the prevailing view that “the past was better than the present,” and the accompanying realities that have led to a devaluation of education and parenting in favor of an overvaluation of more simply assessed “economic” measures.
CANDIDA SEPSIS IN THE VERY LOW BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANT. † 1758

We reviewed records of 167 infants < 1500 g to identify risk factors and determine if changes in obstetrical and neonatal care from 1989 to 1995 affected the incidence of candida sepsis (CS). All available charts of infants who lived ≥ 7d were reviwed. Data were analyzed using chi square, t-test and multiple logistic regression. Mean birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA) and other demographics were similar in 1989-90 & 1994-95. Pneumothorax, necrotizing enterocolitis and severe IVH were less common in 1994-95, likely due to increased use of AS. Postnatal Abx use and feeding practices did not differ in the two epochs. Infants with CS were smaller (826±250 v. 1066±285g), more premature (25.9±2.3 v. 28.5 ±2.5wk), required longer ventilator support (36.4±27 v. 12.2 ±19d), received more Abx (35.3±18 v. 15.2±13d), had more CVLs 91% v. 50% for longer periods (26.5±19 v. 11.6±18d) and higher mortality (35% v. 9%) than those without CS (all p<0.001). Only GA or BW and use of CVL were independent predictors of CS. AS use did not correlate with CS. Maternal Abx had a weak positive correlation (p=0.1). CS incidence tended to increase from 89 to 95 perhaps due to increased use of CVLs. More data are needed to clarify a possible relationship of maternal Abx and CS.Table
Natural history of alcohol and drug-related brain disorder: Implications for neuropsychological research

Abstract Clinical investigations are conducted within limits imposed by the natural history of the phenomena under study. A model for the natural history of alcohol and drug-related brain disorder is presented along with the theoretical arguments and research data which support such a model. The model is then discussed in terms of how it might affect the design and implementation of future studies of the neuropsychological consequences of substance abuse.
An example of a regular inbreeding system with cubic ancestral growth that preserves some genetic variability

A specific regular inbreeding system of quadruple half-second cousin mating is considered. A regular inbreeding system can be thought of as a graph which satisfies certain natural homogeneity properties. Random walks Xn and Yn are introduced on the nodes of the graph; the event {Xn=Yn} is a renewal event by the homogeneity properties. In Arzberger (1985) it is shown that 1) graphs associated with left cancellative semigroups are regular, and 2) for regular systems, the population becomes genetically uniform if and only if the event {Xn=Yn} is recurrent. In Arzberger (1986) the system of quadruple half-second cousin mating is associated with a cancellative semigroup, thus the system is regular. In this paper we show that 1) An is asymptotically of the form cn3, where An is the number of ancestors n generations into the past, 2) {Xn=Yn} is not recurrent (this is shown by associating (Xn, Yn) with a random walk in Z3, 3) P[X3n=Y3n] is asymptotically of the form cn−3/2. Thus, in this example, genetic heterogeneity is maintained, with a cubic rate of growth for An, not by an exponential growth rate, as in all previous examples of regular inbreeding systems in which genetic heterogeneity is maintained.
Hippocampal amnesia disrupts the flexible use of procedural discourse in social interaction.

Background: We have worked to develop rich communicative environments as a way to study the real‐world demands that communication places on language‐and‐memory‐in‐use by focusing on the impact of declarative memory impairments on social interaction. Here, we analyse procedural discourse—the practice of telling another person how to do something (e.g., giving directions). Aims: To facilitate comparison to previous research on procedural discourse, this study includes an analysis of the procedural steps produced by target participants. This study also offers a novel approach by focusing on the collaborative and interactional nature of how procedural discourse is produced to meet the demands of real‐world communication. Methods & Procedures: Procedural discourse samples were obtained on nine individuals with hippocampal amnesia and nine comparison participants each interacting with a clinician. Using traditional procedural and linguistic‐based measures and interactional discourse measures, we analysed target...
Tunneling through photonic bandgaps: A reexamination of superluminal group velocities

It is widely believed that photons tunnel through bandgaps with group velocities exceeding c. Here we examine the experimental evidence and show that the measured group delays are photon lifetimes as opposed to transit times.
Psychology of Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse: Lessons from Combat Veterans

This article provides important phenomenological observations, conceptual models, research findings, theoretical ideas, and psychotherapeutic techniques that are proving useful in working with combat veterans who display both PTSD and substance abuse disorders. Some of the clinical challenges of treating patients displaying a complicated trauma response are explored, such as the phenomena of patient and therapist dichotomous thinking, a "tuned-out" patient style, and difficulty establishing or maintaining therapeutic alliance. A clinically useful model (cocomplication model) is presented that views PTSD and substance abuse as tending mutually to impede resolution of one another, so that over time the patient may never achieve significant resolution of either problem. An overview of historical and current models of PTSD is then presented in order to provide a context for understanding ways that pretrauma variables might help determine the nature, persistence, and severity of adverse psychological reactions to overwhelming stress. Pathogenic beliefs developed in response to childhood mistreatment, abuse, or neglect are capable of mediating responses to later trauma. Once reinforced in combat or by other trauma, such beliefs may become particularly tenacious and compelling. Pathogenic beliefs incompatible with recovery from the trauma response and from addiction are reviewed. Testing for safety among traumatized populations is discussed and treatment suggestions are provided to avoid confirmation of pathogenic beliefs. A clinical case is provided that illustrates the application of these concepts to formulation and treatment.
Raising the decontamination level for thyroid hormone ingestions

Ninety-two pediatric cases (age < or = 6 years) of acute thyroid hormone ingestions that were reported over a 20-month period to one American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC)-certified regional poison center were reviewed to determine whether significant toxicity in pediatric patients is associated with acute ingestions of < or = 5 mg levothyroxine (T4) equivalent of thyroid hormone and the highest-tolerated milligram-per-kilogram dose. Parameters evaluated included patient weight, amount ingested, drug preparation, treatment type, outcome, management site, and relevant comments. Eight patients had mild symptoms requiring no specific medical intervention and there was no correlation between the amount ingested and symptoms observed. The maximum T4 dose ingested without gastrointestinal decontamination was 0.13 mg/kg (2 mg). A literature review was also conducted. Only one case of moderate toxicity with a dose of less than 5 mg T4 equivalent was found in the literature review. Significant toxicity is not expected with ingestions of less than or equal to 5 mg T4 equivalent of thyroid hormone.
Mechanistic and structural analysis of aminoglycoside N-acetyltransferase AAC(6')-Ib and its bifunctional, fluoroquinolone-active AAC(6')-Ib-cr variant.

Enzymatic modification of aminoglycoside antibiotics mediated by regioselective aminoglycoside N-acetyltransferases is the predominant cause of bacterial resistance to aminoglycosides. A recently discovered bifunctional aminoglycoside acetyltransferase (AAC(6′)-Ib variant, AAC(6′)-Ib-cr) has been shown to catalyze the acetylation of fluoroquinolones as well as aminoglycosides. We have expressed and purified AAC(6′)-Ib-wt and its bifunctional variant AAC(6′)-Ib-cr in Escherichia coli and characterized their kinetic and chemical mechanism. Initial velocity and dead-end inhibition studies support an ordered sequential mechanism for the enzyme(s). The three-dimensional structure of AAC(6′)-Ib-wt was determined in various complexes with donor and acceptor ligands to resolutions greater than 2.2 A. Observation of the direct, and optimally positioned, interaction between the 6′-NH2 and Asp115 suggests that Asp115 acts as a general base to accept a proton in the reaction. The structure of AAC(6′)-Ib-wt permits th...
SUPERSYMMETRIC TREATMENT OF A PARTICLE SUBJECTED TO A RING-SHAPED POTENTIAL

The ring-shaped Hartmann potential V = ησǫ0 ( 2a0 r − ηa 0 rsinθ ) was introduced in quantum chemistry to describe ring-shaped molecules like benzene. In this article, fundamental concepts of supersymmetric quantum mechanics (SUSYQM) are discussed. The energy eigenvalues and (radial) eigenfunctions of the Hartmann potential are subsequently rederived using the techniques of SUSYQM.
Wealth and growth among Mayan Indian peasants

The significance of economic stratification in several highland Guatemalan Indian peasant communities is investigated in terms of its impact on physical growth of the inhabitants. Studies are mentioned from more industrialized countries which associate differences in growth with wealth. The question of whether richer people in such poor communities eat significantly better diets and so achieve larger size is explored by correlating economic status with the height and weight of children. The lack of a positive association in this case leads to a consideration of factors which might militate against it.