cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptual accuracy of upper airway compromise in children: Clinical relevance and future directions for research

Approximately 80% of children with asthma have coexisting allergic rhinitis. The accurate recognition and assessment of asthma and rhinitis symptoms is an integral component of guideline-based treatment for both conditions. This article describes the development and preliminary evaluation of a novel paradigm for testing the accuracy of children's assessment of their upper airway (rhinitis) symptoms. This work is guided by our previous research showing the clinical efficacy of tools to evaluate children's perceptual accuracy of asthma symptoms and linking accurate asthma symptom perception to decreased asthma morbidity (Fritz G, et al., Ethnic differences in perception of lung function: A factor in pediatric asthma disparities? Am J Respir Crit Care Med 182:12–18, 2010; Klein RB, et al., The Asthma Risk Grid: Clinical interpretation of symptom perception, Allergy Asthma Proc 251–256, 2004). The pilot study tests a paradigm that allows for the examination of the correspondence of children's assessment of their upper airway functioning with actual values of upper airway flow through the use of a portable, handheld nasal peak flowmeter. Nine children with persistent asthma were evaluated over a 4-week period. The article describes the rhinitis perceptual accuracy paradigm and reviews the results of a pilot study, showing a large proportion of inaccurate rhinitis symptoms “guesses” by the sample of children with persistent asthma. Patterns of inaccuracy, rhinitis control, and asthma morbidity are also described. Directions for future work are reviewed. The development of clinical tools to evaluate children's accuracy of rhinitis symptoms are needed, given the central role of the self-assessment of symptoms in guideline-based care. Accurate perception of the severity of rhinitis symptoms may enhance rhinitis control, lessen the burden of asthma, and prevent unnecessary emergency use among this high-risk group of children.
On the rate of convergence in topology preserving neural networks

A formal analysis of the neighborhood interaction function selection in the topology preserving unsupervised neural network is presented in this paper. The definition of the neighborhood interaction function is motivated by anatomical evidence as opposed to what is currently used, which is a uniform neighborhood interaction set. By selecting a neighborhood interaction function with a neighborhood amplitude of interaction which is decreasing in spatial domain the topological order is always enforced and the rate of self-organization to final equilibrium state is improved. Several simulations are carried out to show the improvement in rate between using a neighborhood interaction function vs. using a neighborhood interaction set. An error measure functional is further defined to compare the two approaches quantitatively.
Paclitaxel reduces regulatory T cell numbers and inhibitory function and enhances the anti-tumor effects of the TLR9 agonist PF-3512676 in the mouse

The anti-tumor properties of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 agonist CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) are enhanced by combinations with several cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens. The mechanisms of this added benefit, however, remain unclear. We now report that, similar to the depletion of regulatory T cells (Treg) using anti-CD25, paclitaxel increased the anti-tumor effect of the TLR9 agonist PF-3512676 in a CD8+ T cell-dependent fashion. Paclitaxel treatment decreased Treg numbers in a TLR4-independent fashion, and preferentially affected cycling Treg expressing high levels of FoxP3. The paclitaxel-induced reduction in Treg FoxP3 expression was associated with reduced inhibitory function. Adoptively transferred tumor-antigen specific CD8+ T cells proliferated better in mice treated with paclitaxel and their recruitment in the tumor was increased. However, the systemic frequency of PF-3512676-induced tumor-antigen specific effector CD8+ T cells decreased with paclitaxel, suggesting opposite effects of paclitaxel on the anti-tumor response. Finally, gene expression profiling and studies of tumor-associated immune cells revealed a complex modulation of the PF-3512676-induced immune response by paclitaxel, including a decrease of IL-10 expression and an increase in IL-17-secreting CD4+ T cells. Collectively, these data suggest that paclitaxel combined with PF-3512676 may not only promote a better anti-tumor CD8+ response though increased recruitment in the tumor, possibly through Treg depletion and suppression, but also exerts more complex immune modulatory effects.
Solar wind quasi-invariant as a new index of solar activity

Solar wind parameters, such as magnetic field strength B, plasma density ρ and bulk speed υ correlate with solar cycle measured by sunspot numbers SSN. Using hourly data in the solar wind near the Earth, we show that the energy density ratio QI = (B²/8π)/(ρυ²/2) has a correlation coefficient (cc) with SSN which is appreciably higher than for each of B, ρ and υ taken separately. The proposed quasi-invariant is related to magnetic Mach number MA (QI = MA−2). The yearly median QI for the last 28 years holds a linear relation with SSN with high cc = 0.98, which makes it the best index of solar activity derived from solar wind parameters so far.
Durability of polylactide‐based polymer blends for injection‐molded applications

The durability of polylactide (PLA) blended with polycarbonate (PC) was assessed by exposure to conditions of elevated temperature and humidity over a period of several weeks. Mechanical performance, moisture absorption, chemical composition, and thermal properties were monitored as a function of continuous conditioning at 70°C and 90% relative humidity (RH). All PLA and PC/PLA blends showed significant moisture absorption and hydrolysis, resulting in degradation of properties. Furthermore, while the addition of PC was intended to improve the durability of the blend over neat PLA, it was found that the hydrolysis products of PLA accelerated the degradation of PC itself. This study shows for the first time the hydrolysis behavior of PC/PLA blends in an increasingly acid environment during heat and humidity conditioning. These injection-molding grades of PLA-based resins are currently not suitable for use in applications that require long-term durability in environments subject to elevated temperature and humidity, such as automotive interiors. Further material formulation work is required before use in injection-molded applications for automotive. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Unsolved Problems of Experimental Statistics

Abstract * Prepared in connection with research sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Presented to the American Statistical Association and the Biometric Society 28 December 1953.
Pancreatitis following bile duct sphincter of Oddi manometry: utility of the aspirating catheter

The aspirating sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) catheter was shown to reduce the frequency of post-procedure pancreatitis from 31% to 4% following a pancreatic duct evaluation. This study was designed to prospectively evaluate the utility of the aspirating manometry catheter in reducing the frequency of pancreatic enzyme elevation and clinical pancreatitis following isolated bile duct manometry. Thirty-eight patients were randomly assigned to undergo bile duct SOM with the standard perfusion (infused group) catheter or the aspirating catheter (aspirated group). Overall, the frequency of both amylase and lipase level elevation at least two times the upper limits of normal was 30% at 2 hours, 25% at 6 hours, and 18% at 18 hours after the procedure and was similar for the aspirated and infused groups. No episodes of clinical pancreatitis occurred in either group. The SOM catheter was perfused with full-strength contrast in 12 consecutive patients undergoing a bile duct evaluation. Only one patient had any contrast material identified in the pancreatic duct. The results of this study support the theory that increased pancreatic duct hydrostatic pressure is the major cause for post-SOM pancreatitis and suggests that SOM evaluation of the bile duct alone appears to be safe.
URBAN GEOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES: MY EXPERIENCE OF THE FORMATIVE YEARS

During the period up to and through World War 11, doctoral dissertations in the University of Chicago were written in the form of monographs on individual cities. Among the major themes of this period were situation of a city with respect to a productive hinterland; historical geography of original settlement and sequential development; transportational, industrial, trade, and residential activities in individual cities; land utilization patterns within a city; and tributary areas. These themes illustrate the context of the field at the time members of my generation were students. Among the contributions we in our turn made were empirical quantitative studies classifying cities, theoretical typologies of city distributions and internal patterns, field studies of individual cities, and patterns of urban distribution and growth for the United States or other countries.
Dual modelling and select mortality

Abstract A practical means of constructing select mortality tables is described. It involves the graduation of the ultimate experience coupled with the modelling of the log crude mortality ratios for individual select experiences relative to the ultimate experience. The methodology is formulated within the generalised linear and non-linear modelling framework. The method is illustrated with reference to the UK assured lives' experience. An objective comparison with other methods is made.
News Flash... Information Technology is Here to Stay

In late March, the Electronic Seismologist sent his favorite cub reporter on his first special assignment to the EarthScope Computational Science and Information Technology Workshop in Snowbird, Utah. EarthScope (http://www.earthscope.org), in case you haven't heard, is a major program under consideration for funding in the U.S. that will examine a good part of the North American continent from all sorts of viewpoints in the coming decade. It clearly will challenge our ability to integrate many different data types into a cohesive view of Earth structure and processes. So with high hopes, notepad in hand, and a pencil in my ear (oop... BEHIND my ear; next time I'll bring a laptop!), I headed to the mountains. I came away with a strong sense of deja vu . There we were, slightly disoriented geoscientists along with some outside agitators from the computer science community gathered together to wallow (or waller, where I come from) in acronym soup and to try to get a grip on a very important problem. Ah... I've got it... the year: 1997; the place: a nameless hotel on the outskirts of Chicago; the event: the IRIS FISSURES Workshop (Malone, 1997); the problem: produce a software framework to aid seismologists in data processing and research. Granted, five years later, there are quite a few differences. Many/most of the acronyms have changed, software frameworks are termed Information Technology, the problem has been expanded to include the whole of the geosciences, and, obviously, the venue is a vast improvement. The constants: simultaneously excited, confused, and concerned geoscientists; similarly stimulated and remarkably patient computer scientists; lack of a common language; and an overwhelming sense that the problem at hand is truly a grand challenge. While at the workshop, I took lots of notes in anticipation of dazzling readers with the latest in …
Genetic variation in the nucleotide excision repair pathway and colorectal cancer risk.

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) enzymes are critical for the removal of bulky DNA adducts caused by environmental carcinogens, such as heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are found in two putative risk factors for colorectal cancer, tobacco smoke and meat cooked at high temperature. To examine the association between common genetic variants in NER genes and the risk of colorectal cancer, we conducted a case-cohort study within the CLUE II cohort. Twenty-two single nucleotide polymorphisms in 11 NER genes were genotyped in 250 colorectal cancer cases and a subcohort of 2,224 participants. Incidence rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using a modified Cox regression model and robust variance estimate. The ERCC6 1213G variant, which is thought to reduce NER capacity, was associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer compared with the homozygous wild type (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.00-1.86 and RR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.53-4.58 for the RG and GG genotypes respectively with P trend = 0.0006). Having at least one XPC 492H allele was also associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (RR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.20-2.57). When the combined effects of ERCC6 R1213G and XPC R492H were examined, the risk of colorectal cancer significantly increased with increasing number of variant alleles ( P trend = 0.00003). Our study suggests that genetic polymorphisms in the NER genes, ERCC6 and XPC , may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(11):2263–9)
The epidemiology and early clinical features of West Nile virus infection

We studied early clinical features of the West Nile virus (WNV) infection. Case patients were Ohio residents who reported to the Ohio Department of Health from August 14 to December 31, 2002, with a positive serum or cerebrospinal fluid for anti–WNV IgM. Of 441 WNV cases, medical records of 224 (85.5%) hospitalized patients were available for review. Most frequent symptoms were fever at a temperature of 38.0°C or higher (n = 155; 69.2%), headache (n = 114; 50.9%), and mental status changes (n = 113; 50.4%). At least one neurological symptom, one gastrointestinal symptom, and one respiratory symptom was present in 186 (83.0%), 119 (53.1%), and 46 (20.5%) patients, respectively. Using multivariate logistic regression and controlling for age, we found that the initial diagnosis of encephalitis (P = .001) or reporting abdominal pain (P < .001) was associated with death. Because initial symptoms of WNV infection are not specific, physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion during the epidemic season, particularly in elderly patients with compatible symptoms.
Case study: integrated design of RC5 encryption

With the wireless communications coming to homes and offices, the need to have a secure data transmission is of utmost importance. Today, it is important that information is sent confidentially over the network without fear of hackers or unauthorized person having access to it; this makes security implementation in networks a crucial demand. RC5 is an encryption algorithm which is widely used in wireless transport layer security. In this paper, RC5 system architecture is investigated and a high-performance design in terms of encryption throughput is introduced. The proposed architecture designed with a pipeline technique achieves a higher throughput. In this study, over 80% increase was reported in the encryption throughput as compared to related work.
Context extraction for local fusion using fuzzy clustering and feature discrimination

We present a novel method for fusing different classifiers outputs. Our approach, called Context Extraction for Local Fusion with Feature Discrimination (CELF-FD), is a local approach that adapts the fusion method to different regions of the feature space. It is based on a novel objective function that combines context identification and multi-algorithm fusion criteria into a joint objective function. This objective function is defined and optimized to produce contexts as compact clusters in subspaces of the high-dimensional feature space via unsuper-vised clustering and feature discrimination. Optimization of the objective function also provide optimal fusion parameters for each context. Our initial experiments have indicated that the proposed fusion approach outperforms all individual classifiers and the global fusion method.
Women Showing Off: Notes on Female Exhibitionism:

The limitations of the phallocentric cast of earlier psychoanalytic formulations of "female exhibitionism" linger into the present. In part this connects to certain historical expectations for women's social behavior, and to the vicissitudes of Freud's insufficient knowledge of women in his libidinal psychosexual phasing used as a basis for analytic understanding. The contemporary fade of libido theory contributes to the neglect of such topics as they relate to the biological body. Yet ease and conflict regarding conscious and unconscious female body image representations related to that stepchild of theory-pregnancy and childbirth in particular-play a major role in female body display. Recognition of such body fantasies and female body meanings from early childhood into maturity tends to be marginalized within all of the psychoanalytic theories current today. The focus here on female exhibitionism suggests a normative spectrum for pleasurably active sex seeking and pleasurable procreative desire and fantasy that is present in a female's use of her body and which (of course, but secondarily) can become caught up in conflict. Two cases accenting analyses of female "showing off" behavior are included.
Calculating the near field of a line of sources using Mellin transforms

In slender-body theories, one often has to find asymptotic approximations for certain integrals, representing distributions of sources along a line segment. Here, such approximations are obtained by a systematic method that uses Mellin transforms. Results are given near the line (using cylindrical polar coordinates) and near the ends of the line segment (using spherical polar coordinates).
Simulation of Missiles and Targets in a Model Ship Level Systems Engineering

The use of high fidelity simulations in the design and engineering of missiles is well established. They are used to define performance envelopes, estimate terminal effectiveness, serve as test beds for alternative control systems, and for many other applications. On the other hand, simulations used in ship combat system design typically only represent missiles by simple models, such as time of flight tables and probability of kill. Such simulations are now proving inadequate to answer many ship level engineering questions. Emerging threats, such as stealthy cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and sophisticated electronic countermeasures make it necessary to represent factors such as trajectory shaping, terminal approach, and kill mechanisms. These factors affect the performance, and thus the design, of the entire ship combat system. This paper explains the approach taken to developing a simulation of the U. S. Navy's AEGIS ship combat system with emphasis on factors affecting the selection of appropriate missile and threat models.
Association between abnormal contrast sensitivity and mortality among people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Purpose To investigate the relationship between contrast sensitivity (CS) and mortality among people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); and to explore the hypothesis that abnormal CS is a marker of systemic, life-threatening microvascular disease. Design Longitudinal, observational cohort study. Methods We evaluated 3395 eyes of 1706 individuals enrolled in the Longitudinal Study of the Complications of AIDS (1998–2008). CS was evaluated as a risk factor for death, and was compared to the presence of systemic diseases characterized by microvasculopathy (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, renal disease) and to laboratory markers of those diseases. Abnormal CS was defined as logCS Results CS was abnormal in 284 of 1691 (16.8%) study participants at enrollment. There was a positive relationship between the presence of abnormal CS at study entry and mortality (relative risk 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.7-2.3, P P values ≤ .01), but abnormal CS remained associated with death even after adjustment for these diseases and for other known predictors of death among people with AIDS. Diseases characterized by microvasculopathy were more often identified as causes of death among individuals with abnormal CS than among those with normal CS, although the strength of the association was moderate ( P = .06). Conclusions Abnormal CS among people with AIDS is associated with increased mortality, and is independent of other risk factors for death that are monitored routinely. The relationship may indicate life-threatening microvascular disease in other organs.
Neural Correlates of Structure-from-Motion Perception in Macaque V1 and MT

Structure-from-motion (SFM) is the perception of three-dimensional shape from motion cues. We used a bistable SFM stimulus, which can be perceived in one of two different ways, to study how neural activity in cortical areas V1 and MT is related to SFM perception. Monkeys performed a depth-order task, where they indicated in which direction the front surface of a rotating SFM cylinder display was moving. To prevent contamination of the neural data because of eye position effects, all experiments with significant effects of radius, vergence, and velocity were excluded. As expected, the activity of ∼50% of neurons in V1 and ∼80% of neurons in MT is affected by the stimulus. Furthermore, the activity of 20% of neurons in area V1 is modulated with the percept. This proportion is higher in MT, where the activity of >60% of neurons is modulated with the percept. In both areas, this perceptual modulation occurs only in neurons with activity that is also affected by the stimulus. The perceptual modulation is not correlated with neural tuning properties in area V1, but it is in area MT. Together, these results suggest that V1 is not directly involved in the generation of the SFM percept, whereas MT is. The perceptual modulation in V1 may be attributable to top-down feedback from MT.
Automated cleaning of electronic components

Environmental and operator safety concerns are leading to the elimination of trichloroethylene and chlorofluorocarbon solvents in cleaning processes that remove rosin flux, organic and inorganic contamination, and particulates from electronic components. Present processes depend heavily on these solvents for manual spray cleaning of small components and subassemblies. Use of alternative solvent systems can lead to longer processing times and reduced quality. Automated spray cleaning can improve the quality of the cleaning process, thus enabling the productive use of environmentally conscious materials, while minimizing personnel exposure to hazardous materials. In addition, the use of robotic and automated systems can reduce the manual handling of parts that necessitates additional cleaning. The author describes the development of a prototype robotic system for cleaning electronic components in a spray cleaning workcell. An important feature of the prototype system is the capability to generate the robot paths and motions automatically from the CAD models of the part to be cleaned, and to embed cleaning process knowledge into the automatically programmed operations. >
Evaluating Second-Line Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes: Focus on Secondary Effects of GLP-1 Agonists and DPP-4 Inhibitors:

OBJECTIVETo discuss the controversy surrounding selection of second-line type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) therapy by reviewing available data regarding secondary effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, which include low hypoglycemia risk, weight loss, and cardiovascular (CV) and β-cell function benefits.DATA SOURCESA MEDLINE search (1966–March 2013) was conducted using the following key terms: β-cell protection, blood pressure, DPP-4 inhibitors, exena tide, exenatide extended-release, GLP-1 agonists, hypoglycemia, lina glip tin, lipid, liraglutide, pancreatitis, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, and type 2 diabetes.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTIONIdentified articles published in English were evaluated for inclusion, with priority given to randomized controlled trials in humans receiving incretin monotherapy or incretin combination therapy with metformin. References identified in these articles were reviewed for additional trials.DATA SYNTHESISM...
Digital-image correlation and XFEM based shock-reliability models for leadfree and advanced interconnects

Models for crack initiation and propagation in leadfree solders under shock-impact events have been developed using extended finite element method (XFEM). XFEM enables the modeling the solder interconnect without explicitly meshing the crack surface. The crack propagated in crack domain along the solution dependent path with no requirement of re-meshing the model. Interface damage properties of the copper-solder interface have been characterized at high strain rate on a bi-material specimen using high-speed imaging in conjunction with digital image correlation. Damage properties have been used as input to the XFEM models. The XFEM submodels have been developed using node-based submodeling, transient displacement and velocity histories from digital image correlation measurements with high-speed imaging of board assemblies during shock. Four interconnect types have been modeled using XFEM including Sn3Ag0.5Cu, 90Pb10Sn, Cu-Reinforced Columns, and63Sn37Pb interconnects on ceramic ball-grid arrays. In addition, Sn3Ag0.5Cu on plastic ball-grid arrays have also been modeled. Extended finite element models have been correlated with cohesive-zone models along with experimental results. The board assemblies have been tested at 1,500g and 12,500g. The failed assemblies have been cross-sectioned and the failure modes correlated with model predictions. The predicted failure modes for all four interconnect types correlate well with the observed locations for failure. Previously, the authors have developed explicit finite element models, cohesive-zone models, and global-local models for prediction of transient dynamics and life prediction of electronics [Lall 2004, 2005, 2006a-c, 2007a-e, 2008a-d]. Previous researchers have applied XFEM in various other fields such as concrete, composite materials [Unger 2007, Hettich 2008]. Damage and life prediction of transient dynamics in electronics interconnects using XFEM in conjunction with digital image correlation and explicit submodeling is new.
Factors affecting consumer assessment of eco-labeled vehicles

A statewide sample of Maine registered vehicle owners is used to examine factors that affect their assessments of eco-labeled conventionally fueled passenger vehicles. The study focuses on developing an empirical and theoretical framework with which to model vehicle choice decisions under eco-labeled conditions. Particular attention is paid to how eco-information may affect the two-stage vehicle purchase process. The study builds upon environmental economic and psychology literature in examining the role of personal characteristics such as perceived effectiveness of consumer purchase decisions and perceptions of the eco-labeled products as factors in the vehicle purchase decision. It was found that environmental attributes of an eco-labeled passenger vehicle are significant in the purchase decision. The eco-information is considered in the vehicle purchase decision, but is generally not considered at the class-level decision.
Improvement in Emergency Airway Equipment Transport

BACKGROUND: Airway management out of the operating room in many major institutions is often performed by teams, requiring airway providers to carry their own materials at all times. The bag containing airway equipment must be light enough to be carried easily, while containing sufficient equipment to manage airways in various settings. Additionally, transport of the bag throughout the hospital raises concern about transmission of infection. We hypothesized that a new system of multiple, smaller bags would decrease weight, facilitate prompt location of equipment, and reduce the risk of bags acting as fomites. METHODS: The service purchased small, nylon laryngoscope bags with dividers to keep equipment organized. The contents of the original bag and a new replacement bag were cataloged and both bags were weighed. Fourteen clinicians working on emergency airway consults at the time of the study were timed as they searched the bags for predetermined equipment with 2 scenarios and intubated a mannequin. The surfaces of the bags were swabbed for culture. RESULTS: Clinicians were significantly faster to locate equipment with the new compared to the original bag, with a difference of 39 s ( P < .001, 95% CI 19–58 s) in the first scenario, and 22 s ( P < .001, 95% CI 13–32 s) in the second. The cultures from the original bag demonstrated coagulase-negative Staphylococcus , enterococcus, Bacillus species, alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus , non-hemolytic Streptococcus , and a Staphylococcus species of a second type. The culture of the new bag after clinical use but before cleaning grew rare Aspergillosis species. The culture of the new bag after undergoing proper cleaning demonstrated no growth. CONCLUSIONS: Exchanging a large canvas bag for several smaller nylon bags has improved the transport of emergency airway equipment, with benefits in carrying the bag, locating equipment, and reducing the transport of pathogens throughout the hospital.
After the halcyon days: the anti-/alterglobalization movement and international organizations, 1996–2011

ABSTRACTWhy are relations between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations (IOs) sometimes conflictual and other times collaborative? This article evaluates hypotheses in the international relations and social movements literatures with reference to relations between NGOs associated with the anti-/alterglobalization movement and multilateral economic institutions (MEIs). Drawing on an original database and interviews with MEI and NGO staff members, the article shows that attributes of NGOs – including NGO budgets, ideology, and organizational structure – rather than the political or economic environment better account not only for an overall increase in collaboration with IOs since the late 1990s, but also for a growing divergence among NGOs regarding the acceptability of such collaboration.
Development of Analysis Tools for RC Members Subjected to Three-Dimensional Combined Loads

This paper presents a new finite element-based model for analysis of reinforce concrete (RC) frames subjected to combined loading conditions. The proposed model is formulated to address the interaction between the axial force, biaxial shear, biaxial bending, and torsion. The shear mechanism along the beam is modeled by using the Timoshenko beam approach with curved three dimensional (3-D) frame elements with arbitrary cross-section geometry. The problem consists of solving a system of equations by combining the equilibrium conditions, compatibility conditions and constitutive laws of materials at the section and structural level. The concrete constitutive model follows the Softened Membrane Model (SMM) with a tangentstiffness formulation. The validity of the model is established by correlation of analytical results with experimental tests of RC specimens. The result shows that the flexural capacity and ductility of the RC members decreased significantly under the effect of combined bending and torsion.
Mechanical properties of self-assembled Fmoc-diphenylalanine molecular gels.

We explore the phase diagram and mechanical properties of molecular gels produced from mixing water with a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution of the aromatic dipeptide derivative fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF). Highly soluble in DMSO, Fmoc-FF assembles into fibrous networks that form gels upon addition of water. At high water concentrations, rigid gels can be formed at Fmoc-FF concentrations as low as 0.01 wt %. The conditions are established defining the Fmoc-FF and water concentrations at which gels are formed. Below the gel boundary, the solutions are clear and colorless and have long-term stability. Above the gel boundary, gels are formed with increasing rapidity with increasing water or Fmoc-FF concentrations. A systematic characterization of the effect of Fmoc-FF and water concentrations on the mechanical properties of the gels is presented, demonstrating that the elastic behavior of the gels follows a specific, robust scaling with Fmoc-FF volume fraction. Furthermore, we charact...
Mechanisms Underlying Ion Transport in Lamellar Block Copolymer Membranes

Recent experiments have reported intriguing trends for the molecular weight (MW) dependence of the conductivity of block copolymer lamellae that contrast with the behavior of homopolymer matrices. ...
Feedback to emergency medical services providers: the good, the bad, and the ignored.

HYPOTHESIS: To determine the type and frequency of immediate unsolicited feedback received by emergency medical service (EMS) providers from patients or their family members and emergency department (ED) personnel. METHODS: Prospective, observational study of 69 emergency medical services providers in an urban emergency medical service system and 12 metropolitan emergency departments. Feedback was rated by two medical student observers using a prospectively devised original scale. RESULTS: In 295 encounters with patients or family, feedback was rated as follows: 1) none in 224 (76%); 2) positive in 51 (17%); 3) negative in 19 (6%); and 4) mixed in one (< 1%). Feedback from 254 encounters with emergency department personnel was rated as: 1) none in 185 (73%); 2) positive in 46 (18%); 3) negative in 21 (8%); and 4) mixed in 2 (1%). Patients who had consumed alcohol were more likely to give negative feedback than were patients who had not consumed alcohol. Feedback from emergency department personnel occurred more often when the emergency medical service provider considered the patient to be critically ill. CONCLUSIONS: The two groups provided feedback to emergency medical service providers in approximately one quarter of the calls. When feedback was provided, it was positive more than twice as often as it was negative. Emergency physicians should give regular and constructive feedback to emergency medical services providers more often than currently is the case.
Comparative Urological Outcome in Women with Spinal Cord Injury

We evaluated 35 women for urological complications followed for 2 to 12 years after spinal cord injury. Of the patients 13 were treated with a Foley catheter, while 22 were managed by intermittent catheterization. Urological complications in the chronic catheterization group were frequent and serious compared to those in patients treated by intermittent catheterization.
Information requirements for real-time motorist information systems

A motorist information survey (ibid., p.93-100) has identified Seattle commuter types, behaviors and decision-making processes. This information can be used to design motorist information systems intended to impact and modify commuter behavior by increasing the efficiency with which existing transportation facilities are used. Central to the design of these systems is the targeting of susceptible commuter subgroups and the tailoring of information to lead these targeted audiences to modify their commuting behavior. A description is given of the general approach of using advanced driver information systems to alleviate urban congestion, and a specific strategy for designing real-time motorist information to impact commuter behavior and decision-making. >
An Improved Data-Driven Hint Selection Algorithm for Probability Tutors.

Data-driven systems such as the Hint Factory have been successful at providing student guidance by extracting procedural hints from prior user data. However, when only small amounts of data are available, it may be unable to do so. We present a novel hint-selection algorithm for coherent derivational domains, such as probability, which addresses this problem by searching a frontier of viable, partially matching student states. We tested this algorithm on a dataset collected from two probability tutors and performed a cold start comparison with direct state matching. We found that our algorithm provided higher value hints to students in unknown states 55.0% of the time. For some problems, it also provided higher value hints in known states.
A permutation-based non-parametric analysis of CRISPR screen data

Clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) screens are usually implemented in cultured cells to identify genes with critical functions. Although several methods have been developed or adapted to analyze CRISPR screening data, no single specific algorithm has gained popularity. Thus, rigorous procedures are needed to overcome the shortcomings of existing algorithms. We developed a Permutation-Based Non-Parametric Analysis (PBNPA) algorithm, which computes p-values at the gene level by permuting sgRNA labels, and thus it avoids restrictive distributional assumptions. Although PBNPA is designed to analyze CRISPR data, it can also be applied to analyze genetic screens implemented with siRNAs or shRNAs and drug screens. We compared the performance of PBNPA with competing methods on simulated data as well as on real data. PBNPA outperformed recent methods designed for CRISPR screen analysis, as well as methods used for analyzing other functional genomics screens, in terms of Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves and False Discovery Rate (FDR) control for simulated data under various settings. Remarkably, the PBNPA algorithm showed better consistency and FDR control on published real data as well. PBNPA yields more consistent and reliable results than its competitors, especially when the data quality is low. R package of PBNPA is available at: https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/PBNPA/ .
P018 Host genetics of adaptive and innate immunity in inflammatory bowel disease

Aim Our aim is to identify variants of adaptive and innate immunity genes associated with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), to identify patients at risk of severe disease, inform treatment strategies, and highlight novel therapeutic opportunities. Specific alleles of the HLA class I and class II genes, involved in adaptive immunity, have been associated with disease as well as disease severity. Genes involved in innate immunity [e.g., the STimulator of INterferon Genes ( STING ) gene, and Killer Immunoglobulin-type Receptor ( KIR ) genes, which encode receptors on Natural Killer cells], and the Haptoglobin ( HP ) gene’s HP2 allele , which encodes Zonulin, a regulator of intestinal tight junctions (Zonulin is not encoded by the HP1 allele), may also play a role in IBD risk. Methods We have developed amplicon-based Fluidigm Access Array Illumina MiSeq next generation sequencing genotyping assays for the HLA, KIR, and STING genes, and a PCR-based assay for detecting the HP1 and HP2 HP alleles. We are genotyping 2141 subjects, including controls, CD and UC patients (including those with medically refractory disease) using these assays. We apply BIGDAWG software for case/control association analyses of genotyping data for HLA class I and class II alleles, KIR genes, STING variants and Zonulin. Results The rare (frequency = 0.006) DRB1 ∗ 01:03 allele confers the highest UC or CD risk (odds-ratio (OR) = 4.98 for UC, 6.25 for CD, and 12.59 for medically refractory UC). Kaplan–Meiers analysis of time from diagnosis to colectomy in MRUC showed a more rapid decline for DRB1 ∗ 01:03 positive UC patients vs. DRB1 ∗ 01:03 -negative patients (OR = 2.84, p = 1.79E−09). KIR2DL3 homozygotes are protective for UC in the presence of the HLA C1/C2 KIR ligand genotype (OR = 0.49, p = 6.03E−04). The HP2 allele was associated with UC (OR = 4.57, p = 1.1E-02), as was HP2 homozygosity (OR = 5.14, p = 2.4E-02). Conclusions Genotyping of innate and adaptive immune genes associated with UC and CD can have powerful predictive value. For example, the high risk conferred by DRB1 ∗ 01:03 for CD, UC and MRUC may warrant earlier intervention, closer monitoring, and counseling about the importance of compliance. Zonulin also appears to confer UC risk. Genotyping multiple loci may produce more accurate risk assessments.
Applying Trauma Theory to Organizational Culture

This chapter aligns phase-oriented trauma intervention theory with the goals of achieving safety, permanency and well-being for child welfare agencies and organizations. Phase One in trauma interventions is all about achieving Safety and Stabilization and can be accomplished for organizations through establishing physical and psychological safety for staff. Phase Two of trauma intervention, Integration, can be understood in an organizational context as the development of strategies to achieve permanency, or workforce attachment, through the development of staff supports that encourage retention and organizational commitment. Phase Three, Consolidation, can be achieved through developing and sustaining future-oriented learning organizations that support, nurture and sustain staff in their work of helping traumatized children and families move toward well-being.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of PiSSK1 reveals essential role of S-locus F-box protein-containing SCF complexes in recognition of non-self S-RNases during cross-compatible pollination in self-incompatible Petunia inflata

Function of Petunia PiSSK1. Self-incompatibility (SI), an inbreeding-preventing mechanism, is regulated in Petunia inflata by the polymorphic S-locus, which houses multiple pollen-specific S-locus F-box (SLF) genes and a single pistil-specific S-RNase gene. S 2-haplotype and S 3-haplotype possess the same 17 polymorphic SLF genes (named SLF1 to SLF17), and each SLF protein produced in pollen is assembled into an SCF (Skp1–Cullin1–F-box) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. A complete suite of SLF proteins is thought to collectively interact with all non-self S-RNases to mediate their ubiquitination and degradation by the 26S proteasome, allowing cross-compatible pollination. For each SCFSLF complex, the Cullin1 subunit (named PiCUL1-P) and Skp1 subunit (named PiSSK1), like the F-box protein subunits (SLFs), are pollen-specific, raising the possibility that they also evolved specifically to function in SI. Here we used CRISPR/Cas9-meditated genome editing to generate frame-shift indel mutations in PiSSK1 and examined the SI behavior of a T 0 plant (S 2 S 3) with biallelic mutations in the pollen genome and two progeny plants (S 2 S 2) each homozygous for one of the indel alleles and not carrying the Cas9-containing T-DNA. Their pollen was completely incompatible with pistils of seven otherwise-compatible S-genotypes, but fully compatible with pistils of an S 3 S 3 transgenic plant in which production of S3-RNase was completely suppressed by an antisense S 3-RNase gene, and with pistils of immature flower buds, which produce little S-RNase. These results suggest that PiSSK1 specifically functions in SI and support the hypothesis that SLF-containing SCF complexes are essential for compatible pollination.
“But I Don't Want to Tell Them the Answer”: Preservice Teachers' (mis)understandings about literacy instruction

Abstract The purpose of this study was to notice and name the beliefs 33 preservice teachers had about literacy teaching/learning. The beliefs were noted by using evidence from their ‘language-in-use’ during supported, literacy planning sessions with a teacher educator. Critical discourse analysis revealed that the preservice teachers believed (1) assessment is instruction, (2) literacy teaching/learning is inauthentic, and (3) children are not intellectually motivated. The findings are discussed through the lenses of figured worlds and the apprenticeship of observation. Implications for teacher educators are offered.
Investigation of plastic deformation modes in Al0.1CoCrFeNi high entropy alloy

Abstract Mechanisms contributing to the plastic deformation of coarse grained (CG, average grain diameter 1–2 mm), and friction-stir-processed fine grained (FG, 0.3–14 μm) fcc Al0.1CoCrFeNi high entropy alloy was investigated. In the grain interiors of CG, deformation primarily occurred via planar slip of undissociated ½ dislocations on parallel (111) planes. Stacking faults were also detected, and they appeared to have contributed to the formation of parallel (111) slip-bands. In comparison, the deformed FG microstructure was dominated by dislocation cell-like structures, which suggested that proximity to the grain-boundaries, unlike CG, have substantially influenced dislocation arrangements. Interestingly, nanoscale (∼2 nm thick) deformation twins were unambiguously observed in both deformed FG and CG microstructures, and that such twins did not emanate from grain boundaries. These twins invariably comprised of two variants, which lay on two different (111) habit planes oriented by ∼70° from each other. The formation of such two-variant deformation twinning provides an additional plastic deformation mode and is expected to improve the work hardening of Al0.1CoCrFeNi high entropy alloy.
Delays, Dilutions, and Delusions: Implementing the Dodd-Frank Act

Five years ago, the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy filing triggered a run on the shadow banking system, leading to cascading collapses here and abroad (D'Arista & Epstein, 2010). Credit markets froze, the stock market plummeted, residential real estate prices fell, and unemployment climbed to double digits. More than four million homes were lost to foreclosure (Blomquist, 2012). What started as a banking crisis stemming from the use of excess short-term leverage to finance high-risk mortgage-linked securities (Taub, 2011), became an economic crisis and the largest downturn since the Great Depression (FCIC, 2011).Members of the Bush administration (Paulson, 2008) made the promise of "never again" to justify the extraordinary government interventions to bail out and shore up the very institutions whose risky practices caused the collapse. The promise that the government would prevent future crashes was what helped Bush convince Congress to support the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, one small piece of the multi-trillion dollar bailout (Herszenhorn, 2008). Members of the Obama administration echoed this promise of never again, assuring the public that if their vision of reform legislation passed, the government would never again bail out the banks (McCarthy, 2010).Yet, today, the top banks are bigger and still borrow excessively in the short-term and overnight markets leaving them vulnerable to large scale, sudden runs. Whereas at the end of 2006, the top six bank holding companies had assets equivalent to 55 percent of GDP (Johnson, 2011), at the end of the second quarter of 2013 their assets were equivalent to 58 percent (National Information Center, 2013 and BEA, 2013). While banks have increased their equity capital slightly, and there are calls by regulators and reformers for even higher requirements, their legal obligation is merely three percent of total non-risk-weighted assets. That allows borrowing of $97 for every $100 in assets, or a 33-1 leverage ratio. Such levels of leverage were a key factor in the 2007-2008 crisis (Admati, DeMarzo, Hellwig & Pfleiderer, 2011), yet both permitted and actual leverage still remains far too high (Admati 2013). Experts like former FDIC Chair Sheila Bair call for a minimum of eight percent (Bair, 2012), and others, such as finance scholars Anat Admati and Martin Hellwig suggest between twenty to thirty percent (Admati & Hellwig, 2013) to help ensure banks internalize, not socialize their losses. In addition to size and leverage, banks are still dangerously interconnected and prone to wholesale runs due to their excessive dependence on short-term, often overnight borrowing through the repurchase agreement (repo) market. Today, repos remain a fragile source of funding (Lew, 2013), with roughly $1.8 trillion in collateral financed through just the tri-party repo segment of the repo market in July 2013 (New York Fed, 2013).
Modification of Stereotypic Rocking of a Blind Adult.

A device to prevent drivers from falling asleep was used to reduce stereotypic rocking in an adult blind student in a residential school. His rocking was the chief obstacle to employment and to acc...