cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal Launch Manifesting for Heterogeneous Disaggregated Satellite Constellations

As interest for disaggregated satellite architectures increases, better analytic tools to evaluate the architectures are necessary. This research fills a void for launch vehicle selection capable o...
Atmospheric Eddies Mediate Lapse Rate Feedback and Arctic Amplification

Projections of amplified climate change in the Arctic are attributed to positive feedbacks associated with the retreat of sea ice and changes in the lapse rate of the polar atmosphere. Here, a set of idealized aquaplanet experiments are performed to understand the coupling between high-latitude feedbacks, polar amplification, and the large-scale atmospheric circulation. Results are compared to CMIP5. Simulated climate responses are characterized by a wide range of polar amplification (from none to nearly 15-K warming, relative to the low latitudes) under CO_2 quadrupling. Notably, the high-latitude lapse rate feedback varies in sign among the experiments. The aquaplanet simulation with the greatest polar amplification, representing a transition from perennial to ice-free conditions, exhibits a marked decrease in dry static energy flux by transient eddies. Partly compensating for the reduced poleward energy flux is a contraction of the Ferrel cell and an increase in latent energy flux. Enhanced eddy energy flux is consistent with the upper-tropospheric warming that occurs in all experiments and provides a remote influence on the polar lapse rate feedback. The main conclusions are that (i) given a large, localized change in meridional surface temperature gradient, the midlatitude circulation exhibits strong compensation between changes in dry and latent energy fluxes, and (ii) atmospheric eddies mediate the nonlinear interaction between surface albedo and lapse rate feedbacks, rendering the high-latitude lapse rate feedback less positive than it would be otherwise. Consequently, the variability of the circulation response, and particularly the partitioning of energy fluxes, offers insights into understanding the magnitude of polar amplification.
Barcoded NS31/AML2 Primers for Sequencing of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Communities in Environmental Samples

Premise of the study: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are globally important root symbioses that enhance plant growth and nutrition and influence ecosystem structure and function. To better characterize levels of AMF diversity relevant to ecosystem function, deeper sequencing depth in environmental samples is needed. In this study, Illumina barcoded primers and a bioinformatics pipeline were developed and applied to study AMF diversity and community structure in environmental samples. Methods: Libraries of small subunit ribosomal RNA fragment amplicons were amplified from environmental DNA using a singlestep PCR reaction with barcoded NS31/AML2 primers. Amplicons were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq sequencer using version 2, 2 × 250-bp paired-end chemistry, and analyzed using QIIME and RDP Classifier. Results: Sequencing captured 196 to 6416 operational taxonomic units (OTUs; depending on clustering parameters) representing nine AMF genera. Regardless of clustering parameters, ∼20 OTUs dominated AMF co...
Oral immunization with Sendai virus in mice.

We have sought to exploit the common mucosal immune system in order to achieve effective respiratory immunity following oral, i.e., gastrointestinal, immunization. The concept of a common mucosal immune system is embodied in the observation that IgA B lymphocytes initially encountering antigen at one mucous membrane can, during their differentiation toward IgA-secreting plasma cells, migrate to other mucous membranes distant from the site of initial antigenic stimulation (Rudzik et al. 1975; Weisz-Carrington et al. 1979). Although antigen is not required for this homing of IgA plasma cell precursors to distant mucous membranes, it has been shown, for example, that antigen applied to the respiratory tract can enhance the number of IgA-bearing, antigen-specific lymphocytes which accumulate in the respiratory tract of orally or enterically primed rodents (Pierce and Cray 1981; Weisz-Carrington et al. 1987). The model system we are using is Sendai virus infection of mice. Sendai virus, a parainfluenza type 1 virus related to human respiratory pathogens, naturally infects mice and can cause a wide spectrum of disease ranging from relatively mild upper respiratory infection to lethal viral pneumonia.
Epibulbar granular cell tumor. Report of a case and review of the literature.

Background: The granular cell tumor (GCT) is a common, usually benign, neoplasm of uncertain histogenesis that may affect any organ in the body. It occurs rarely in ophthalmic sites, where orbital location is most frequent. The purpose of this report is to describe a unique case of an epibulbar, subconjunctival GCT in a child. Method: Histopathologic examination of the excised tumor included standard and immunohistochemical staining of formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Results: Histopathologic study showed the characteristic morphology of GCT. Immunohistochemistry was strongly positive for vimentin, weakly and partly positive for neuron-specific enolase, and negative for S-100 and HAM-56. Conclusions: Granular cell tumor must be added to the differential diagnosis of epibulbar masses. Immunohistochemistry of the tumor in this case suggests an uncommitted mesenchymal cell origin.
A hybrid method for detection and prevention of SQL injection attacks

SQL injection attack (SQLIA) pose a serious security threat to the database driven web applications. This kind of attack gives attackers easily access to the application's underlying database and to the potentially sensitive information these databases contain. A hacker through specifically designed input, can access content of the database that cannot otherwise be able to do so. This is usually done by altering SQL statements that are used within web applications. Due to importance of security of web applications, researchers have studied SQLIA detection and prevention extensively and have developed various methods. In this research, after reviewing the existing research in this field, we present a new hybrid method to reduce the vulnerability of the web applications. Our method is specifically designed to detect and prevent SQLIA. Our proposed method is consists of three phases namely, the database design, implementation, and at the common gateway interface (CGI). Details of our approach along with its pros and cons are discussed in detail.
Educational Attainment Promotes Fruit and Vegetable Intake for Whites but Not Blacks.

Background. Although the protective effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on health behaviors are well-known, according to the minorities’ diminished return theory, the health return of SES, particularly educational attainment, is systemically smaller for minorities than Whites. Aims. The current study explored Black–White differences in the effects of educational attainment and income on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Methods. This cross-sectional study used the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 2017 (n = 3217). HINTS is a nationally representative survey of American adults. The current analysis included 2277 adults who were either non-Hispanic White (n = 1868; 82%) or non-Hispanic Black (n = 409; 18%). The independent variables in this study were SES (educational attainment and income). The dependent variable was consumption of fruits and vegetables. Race was the focal moderator. Results. In the overall sample, high educational attainment and income were associated with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables. Race moderated the effect of educational attainment but not income on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Conclusion. In line with the past research in the United States, Whites constantly gain more health benefits from the very same educational attainment than Blacks. The health gain from income is more equal across races than the health gain from educational attainment. Such diminished returns may be due to racism across institutions in the United States.
Performance of Submicron Silicon MOSFETs Fabricated by Edge-Defined Vertical-Etch Technique

This paper describes the performance of n-channel and p-channel submicrometer silicon MOS devices fabricated by edge-defined vertical etch techniques. Submicrometer MOS devices with gate length of 0.3 to 0.6 μm and gate oxide thickness of 8 to 16 nm have been fabricated with self-aligned, lightly doped source/drain extensions using a sidewall oxide spacer technology. Some of the devices have been fabricated with PtSi formed on the gate and source/drain to reduce series resistance. Mobility, linear and saturation gain, and drain saturation current have been examined as a function of gate length. Finally, ring oscillator performance for both n-channel and p-channel devices is discussed.
Perineal Urethrocutaneous Fistula Complicating Ischiectomy

The role of ischiectomy for the repair and/or prevention of ischial ulcers is controversial. We report a rare complication of a perineal urethrocutaneous fistula following ischiectomy and flap closure to repair an ischial ulcer. This complication and its management are reviewed.
Sustainable cotton production

Abstract: This chapter reviews prevalent perceptions about cotton’s ecological impacts and brings additional considerations to the discussion. The benefits, risks and limitations of various farming systems in addressing the sustainability of cotton are then discussed. Complementary strategies to bring sustainable cotton to scale are presented. The chapter ends by linking cotton production to emergent trends in sustainable fashion.
Faculty facilitators' and standardized family members (SFMs) perceptions of student teamwork during an interprofessional education simulation workshop

Standardized patients can be trained to portray standardized family members (SFMs) for interprofessional education (IPE) initiatives to maximize student learning. To date, studies of IPE often focu...
Reaction-Induced Excitations and Their Effect on Surface Chemistry

Despite intensive study of reactions on metals, it is unclear whether electronic excitations play an important role. Here, we show that nonadiabatic effects do indeed play a significant role in N2 ...
An Update on Neonatal and Pediatric Acute Kidney Injury

The purpose of this review is to highlight the major advances of pediatric and neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) research over the last 5 years with particular interest in describing renal physiology, the definition of AKI, risk factors, epidemiology, interventions, and outcomes. The utilization of standardized definitions of AKI has revolutionized our understanding of the incidence and impact of AKI. This has culminated in the seminal Assessment of Worldwide Acute Kidney Injury, Renal Angina and Epidemiology in critically ill children (AWARE), and Assessment of Worldwide Acute Kidney Injury Epidemiology in Neonates (AWAKEN) publications in pediatric and neonatal AKI, respectively. These studies have clearly shown an independent association of AKI with mortality in critically ill children and neonates. Recent work aimed at the prevention of AKI has demonstrated that nephrotoxic medication-induced AKI occurs commonly and can be prevented with protocolized renal function monitoring. This review also highlights advances in the early identification of patients at risk for the development of AKI via scoring systems (renal angina index), functional tests (furosemide stress test), or novel biomarkers. Furthermore, fluid overload has clearly been shown to impact outcomes in those with the most severe forms of AKI requiring renal replacement therapy. Recent single-center studies have highlighted that children with AKI are at increased risk of chronic kidney disease. The incidence and adverse impact of AKI on outcomes across critically ill pediatric and neonatal populations have been clearly established The importance of fluid overload in children with severe AKI requiring renal replacement therapy is clear. Children with AKI are at increased risk of chronic kidney disease and require long-term outpatient follow-up. As the impact of AKI has become clear, efforts have shifted to prevention of nephrotoxic-induced AKI, early identification, risk stratification (renal angina), and the development of novel biomarkers.
Online Hypothesis Testing and Non-Parametric Model Estimation Based on Correlated Observations

Online hypothesis testing and non-parametric model estimation is studied for a heterogeneous network of sensors collecting correlated observations. It is assumed that the statistical model for sensor data is not available and nonparametric estimation is used to estimate the model. Copula densities are used to model the correlation in sensor data. The batch-mode expectation maximization (EM) algorithm is first developed for Gaussian copulas and then extended to an online EM-based algorithm which performs the hypothesis detection and model estimation on a sample-by-sample basis. Results are presented for three real-world datasets and compared with those from widely-used supervised and unsupervised methods. It is shown that the proposed method achieves significant improvements in hypothesis testing compared to other unsupervised and even some supervised learning methods.
Measuring Learning During Search: Differences in Interactions, Eye-Gaze, and Semantic Similarity to Expert Knowledge

We investigate the relationship between search behavior, eye -tracking measures, and learning. We conducted a user study where 30 participants performed searches on the web. We measured their verbal knowledge before and after each task in a content-independent manner, by assessing the semantic similarity of their entries to expert vocabulary. We hypothesize that differences in verbal knowledge-change of participants are reflected in their search behaviors and eye-gaze measures related to acquiring information and reading. Our results show that participants with higher change in verbal knowledge differ by reading significantly less, and entering more sophisticated queries, compared to those with lower change in knowledge. However, we do not find significant differences in other search interactions like page visits, and number of queries.
Grief: A Brief History of Research on How Body, Mind, and Brain Adapt.

ABSTRACTObjectiveUsing an integrative view of psychology, neuroscience, immunology, and psychophysiology, the present review of literature curates the findings that have had an impact on the field of bereavement research and shaped its development.MethodsBeginning with pivotal systematic description
Linoleic acid‐derived metabolites constitute the majority of oxylipins in the rat pup brain and stimulate axonal growth in primary rat cortical neuron‐glia co‐cultures in a sex‐dependent manner

In adult rats, omega-6 linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) serves as a precursor to oxidized LA metabolites (OXLAMs) known to regulate multiple signaling processes in the brain. However, little is known regarding the levels or role(s) of LA and its metabolites during brain development. To address this gap, fatty acids within various brain lipid pools, and their oxidized metabolites (oxylipins) were quantified in brains from 1-day-old male and female pups using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. Primary neuron-glia co-cultures derived from postnatal day 0-1 male and female rat neocortex were exposed to vehicle (0.1% ethanol), LA, the OXLAM 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE), or prostaglandin E2 at 10-1000 nM for 48 h to test their effects on neuronal morphology. In both male and female pups, LA accounted for 1-3% of fatty acids detected in brain phospholipids and cholesteryl esters. It was not detected in triacylglycerols, and free fatty acids. Unesterified OXLAMs constituted 47-53% of measured unesterified oxylipins in males and females (vs. ~5-7% reported in adult rat brain). Of these, 13-HODE was the most abundant, accounting for 30-33% of measured OXLAMs. Brain fatty acid and OXLAM concentrations did not differ between sexes. LA and 13-HODE significantly increased axonal outgrowth. Separate analyses of cultures derived from male versus female pups revealed that LA at 1, 50, and 1000 nM, significantly increased axonal outgrowth in female but not male cortical neurons, whereas 13-HODE at 100 nM significantly increased axonal outgrowth in male but not female cortical neurons. prostaglandin E2 did not alter neuronal outgrowth in either sex. This study demonstrates that OXLAMs constitute the majority of unesterified oxylipins in the developing rat brain despite low relative abundance of their LA precursor, and highlights a novel role of LA and 13-HODE in differentially influencing neuronal morphogenesis in the developing male and female brain.
The Impact of Health Narratives on Persuasion in African American Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

African American women (AAW) experience higher burdens of disease and have the highest rate of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes when compared to females of other ethnic groups. Health na...
On Eventually Periodic Sets as Minimal Additive Complements

We say a subset $C$ of an abelian group $G$ \textit{arises as a minimal additive complement} if there is some other subset $W$ of $G$ such that $C+W=\{c+w:c\in C,\ w\in W\}=G$ and such that there is no proper subset $C'\supset C$ such that $C'+W=G$. In their recent paper, Burcroff and Luntzlara studied, among many other things, the conditions under which "eventually periodic sets", which are finite unions of infinite (in the positive direction) arithmetic progressions and singletons, arise as minimal additive complements in $\mathbb Z$. In the present paper we shall study this question further. We give, in the form of bounds on the period $m$, some sufficient conditions for an eventually periodic set to be a minimal additive complement; in particular we show that "all eventually periodic sets are eventually minimal additive complements". Moreover, we generalize this to a framework in which "patterns" of points are projected down to $\mathbb Z$, and we show that all sets which arise this way are eventually minimal additive complements. We also introduce a formalism of formal power series, which serves purely as a bookkeeper in writing down proofs. Through our work we are able to answer a question of Burcroff and Luntzlara in a large class of cases.
Sublattice magnetization driven anomalous Hall resistance of FeCoGd amorphous films

Measurements of magnetization [M(H, T)] and anomalous Hall resistance [Rxy(H, T)] are performed over a broad range of magnetic field (H) and temperatures (T) on sputter deposited 10 nm thick films of (FeCo)1−xGdx. The Gd content (x) in the films was changed by varying the Gd source power from 20 W to 50 W, in steps of 5 W. The saturation magnetization (Ms) of these films at 300 K shows a distinct minimum for the source power of 40 W. Measurements of M(H) for the 40 W sample at several temperatures establish full compensation of the antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic sublattices of Gd and FeCo at Tcomp = 270 K ± 10 K. The approach to compensation is characterized by the emergence of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and a diverging coercive field. The Rxy (H) of this sample, as well as of those prepared at 30 W and 50 W, scales with M(H) at T > Tcomp and T < Tcomp. However, this scaling fails in the vicinity of Tcomp where the Rxy undergoes a sign reversal. Our analysis of these data in the framework of the existing models for Rxy(H, T) in ferrimagnets suggests that the role of spin disorder and its topological contribution to Rxy may be necessary to account for the observed behavior. A precise identification of Tcomp is also important to stabilize technologically useful non-trivial spin textures and PMA in these systems.
Quantum Integer Programming (QuIP) 47-779: Lecture Notes.

This lecture series on Quantum Integer Programming (QuIP) -- created by Professor Sridhar Tayur, David E. Bernal, and Dr. Davide Venturelli, a collaboration between CMU and USRA, with the support from Amazon Braket during Fall 2020 -- is intended for students and researchers interested in Integer Programming and the potential of near term quantum and quantum-inspired computing in solving optimization problems. Originally created for Tepper School of Business course 47-779 (at CMU), these were also used for the course ID5840 (at IIT-Madras, by Professors Anil Prabhakar and Prabha Mandayam) whose students (listed at the beginning of each lecture) were scribes. Dr. Vikesh Siddhu, post-doc in CMU Quantum Computing Group, assisted during the lectures, student projects, and with proof-reading this scribe. Through these lectures one will learn to formulate a problem and map it to a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem, understand various mapping and techniques like the Ising model, Graver Augmented Multiseed Algorithm (GAMA), Simulated or Quantum Annealing and QAOA, and ideas on how to solve these Integer problems using these quantum and classical methods.
Impact of the VA opioid safety initiative on pain management for cancer patients.

102Background: Limited research exists on how risk reduction policies in response to the opioid epidemic have impacted pain management among cancer patients. This study investigated the impact of t...
Functional Mitral Regurgitation Outcome and Grading in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Abstract Objectives This study aims to define excess-mortality linked to functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) quantified in routine-practice. Background Appraisal of FMR in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is challenging because risks of excess mortality remain uncertain and guidelines diverge. Methods Cases of HFrEF (ejection-fraction Results In the FMR cohort (age: 70 ± 11 years, ejection fraction: 36 ± 10%, effective regurgitant orifice area [EROA]: 0.09 ± 0.13 cm2), EROA distribution was skewed towards low-values (≥0.40 cm2 in only 8% vs 38% for the DMR cohort; P Conclusions In HFrEF, FMR is skewed towards smaller EROA. Nevertheless, when measured in routine practice, EROA is the strongest independent FMR determinant of survival after diagnosis. Excess mortality increases exponentially above the threshold of 0.10 cm2, with a much steeper slope than in DMR, for any EROA increment. An expanded EROA-based stratification, superior to existing grading schemes in determining survival, should allow guideline harmonization.
Exploring self-consistency of the equations of axion electrodynamics in Weyl semimetals

Recent works have provided evidence that an axial anomaly can arise in Weyl semimetals. If this is the case, then the electromagnetic response of Weyl semimetals should be governed by the equations of axion electrodynamics. These equations capture both the chiral magnetic and anomalous Hall effects in the limit of linear response, while at higher orders their solutions can provide detectable electromagnetic signatures of the anomaly. In this work, we consider three versions of axion electrodynamics that have been proposed in the Weyl semimetal literature. These versions differ in the form of the chiral magnetic term and in whether or not the axion is treated as a dynamical field. In each case, we look for solutions to these equations for simple sample geometries subject to applied external fields. We find that in the case of a linear chiral magnetic term generated by a nondynamical axion, self-consistent solutions can generally be obtained. In this case, the magnetic field inside of the Weyl semimetal can be magnified significantly, providing a testable signature for experiments. Self-consistent solutions can also be obtained for dynamical axions, but only in cases where the chiral magnetic term vanishes identically. Finally, for a nonlinear form of the chiral magnetic term frequently considered in the literature, we find that there are no self-consistent solutions aside from a few special cases.
Disagreement between Hedge Funds and Other Institutional Investors and the Cross-Section of Expected Stock Returns

We find that strong disagreements between hedge funds and other institutions in their common stock trades are twice as likely as agreements. The overall success of hedge funds’ trades is confined to disagreement stocks. While hedge funds are on average positive feedback traders, albeit weaker than other institutions, they are neither positive nor negative feedback traders for stocks heavily sold by other institutions. Hedge funds also depend less on earnings news. Our findings highlight the importance of disagreement in studying the performance of institutional investors’ trades and are consistent with the notion that skilled investors rely less on public information.
From the Great Inclusion to the Great Expulsion

The world is increasingly on the move, especially from the global south to the global north, being ineluctably transformed in the process. We live in a world with a declining proportion of rich (and older) people and a growing proportion of poor (and young) people; in which migration pressures will continue to mount as a result of global inequalities and intractable conflicts; and in which the more developed countries are at a crucial demographic and labor force crossroads. But so is the fear of the foreigner—the xenophobia of what has been called a “society of contempt” (“la sociedad del menosprecio”)—which has been rising in tandem with all forms of international migrations, exacerbated by a global economic crisis, terrorist attacks, war, and refugee flows. An iconic feature of the American experience has been the remarkable capacity of that self-professed “Nation of Immigrants” to absorb, like a giant global sponge, tens of millions of newcomers from all classes, cultures and countries. This phenomenal accomplishment, however, has historically coexisted with a seamier side of the process of nation building and design. Indeed, much of American history can be seen as a dialectic of processes of inclusion and exclusion, and in extreme cases of expulsions and forced removals. The United States today is about to embark on an uncertain era… potentially one of the most tragic and shameful in the history of “Immigrant America.” The current moment harkens back to the Know Nothings of the mid-19th century and their virulent anti-Catholicism; the later nativist movements against Southern and Eastern Europeans, culminating in restrictionist and racist laws; the anti-German hysteria of WWI; and exclusions ranging from the forced removal of indigenous populations, to the Chinese Expulsion Act of 1882, the Asiatic Barred Zone of 1917, the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, and the "repatriation" (forced removals) during the 1930s of a million Mexican Americans (over half of whom were U.S. citizens), representing an estimated one third of the total Mexican American population in the U.S. at the time. Today’s "Deportation Nation" has been forged by the militarization of the border; the passage of draconian federal laws in 1996 that greatly expanded the categories of deportable offenses; a formidable and well-funded machinery for immigrant detention and deportation; the shutdown of any meaningful federal reform legislation, including the "DREAM Act;" and the proliferation of hundreds of state and local laws and ordinances seeking to control immigration at the local level despite constitutional mandates to the contrary. History may not repeat itself, but it echoes.
Anatomy of the Dorsal Root Ganglion

All neurons’ cell bodies are a part of a ganglion. Whether motor or sensory, the cell bodies of multiple neurons conglomerate to form ganglia throughout the human nervous system. The cell bodies of sensory nerves originating from the spinal cord may be located in dorsal root ganglia. For each spinal nerve level, there exists a pair of dorsal root ganglia containing the cell bodies of the neurons responsible for the respective dermatome. Thus, it comes as no surprise when pathological conditions impair the ganglion, an ipsilateral distribution symptomology may be noted. Within this chapter, we cover the individual dorsal root ganglion layers and the neuropathology that may afflict them.
An Agent Based Approach to Perform Damage Assessment and Recovery Efficiently after a Cyber Attack to Ensure E-government Database Security

Databases that contain critical information become prime targets for attacks. E-Government sites often contain data that must remain available to its users with as little interruption as possible. In case an intrusion into such a system is detected, quick damage assessment and recovery of data is vital for maintaining system functionality. Conventional log based damage assessment methods require that the log of an affected database must be scanned from the occurrence of the attacking transaction to the end of the log. Hence, these methods result in slow recovery time since they have to unnecessarily process large volume of data, a lot of which may be unaffected by the attack. In this paper, we have provided a model that can expedite the damage assessment and recovery process by using minimal log access. Our approach uses multiple agents to perform damage assessment and recovery processes in parallel and, as a result, minimizes system down time.
Dendritic microprocesses and neural activity: implications for neural network modeling

The author shows how considerations at the basic neuronal level, involving neural-dendritic coupling, have a substantial influence on habituation and other neurophysiological processes. Traditional neural network models assume that neural interactions can be modeled in terms of axonal connections with different strengths. In contrast, there is considerable biological evidence to support the realization that brain processes such as perception are represented not so much by the activity of individual neurons as they are by patterns of polarization across ensembles of synaptic and post-synaptic interactions. At synapses, cooperativity of processes, even among spatially separated events, occurs. By incorporating models of dendritic field polarizations into neural network systems, a richer set of possibilities is created. >
A qualitative study of non-affiliated, non-scientist institutional review board members.

In addition to outlining criteria for the approval of human subjects research, federal regulations provide guidance regarding local institutional review board (IRB) membership. IRBs are mandated to include “at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas” and “at least one member who is not otherwise affiliated with the institution.” Often a single individual serves both of these roles simultaneously. Although there have been calls for increased representation of lay community members on IRBs, little is known regarding their experiences or their perceptions of human subject protections and the IRB process. Using an ethnographic interview approach, this study seeks to gain a perspective from non-affiliated, non-scientist (NA/NS) IRB members about the process in which they participate. Findings suggest a need for clarification regarding whom NA/NS IRB members represent. They also suggest that NA/NS IRB members’ experiences could be improved by an increased show of respect from the IRB ...
Blinders, phenotype, and fashionable genetic analysis: A critical examination of the current state of epilepsy genetic studies

Although it is accepted that idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) is strongly, if not exclusively, influenced by genetic factors, there is little consensus on what those genetic influences may be, except for one point of agreement: epilepsy is a "channelopathy." This point of agreement has continued despite the failure of studies investigating channel genes to demonstrate the primacy of their influence on IGE expression. The belief is sufficiently entrenched that the more important issues involving phenotype definition, data collection, methods of analysis, and the interpretation of results have become subordinate to it. The goal of this article is to spark discussion of where the study of epilepsy genetics has been and where it is going, suggesting we may never get there if we continue on the current road. We use the long history of psychiatric genetic studies as a mirror and starting point to illustrate that only when we expand our outlook on how to study the genetics of the epilepsies, consider other mechanisms that could lead to epilepsy susceptibility, and, especially, focus on the critical problem of phenotype definition, will the major influences on common epilepsy begin to be understood.
A Simulation-Based Study of a Triple Modular Redundant System Using DEFEND

The design and evaluation of highly reliable computer systems is a complex issue. Designers mainly develop such systems based on prior knowledge and experience and occasionally from analytical evaluations of simplified designs. The focus of this paper is a dependability study of a Triple Modular Redundant (TMR) processing core of a fault-tolerant system using a general purpose simulation based reliability and performability analysis tool called DEPEND. The system is simulated and studied by injecting correlated errors and errors with various latencies. Results show that correlated errors with no latency cause enormous degradation to the system MTBF. However, errors typically have latencies and when error latency is taken into account the reduction in the MTBF is not as pronounced. The impact of repair time on system reliability is also investigated because it is a window of vulnerability in systems designed to tolerate single faults. Results show that reducing the repair time improves system reliability as long as there are no correlated errors. Scrubbing, used to detect and correct latent errors in memory, is analyzed and found to be extremely effective at eliminating errors with large latencies. Correlated errors are found to undermine the benefits of scrubbing and reducing repair time. Even with as little as 2% latent correlated errors, reducing the repair time by a factor of 60 or scrubbing every hour does little to improve the system reliability.
Security Protocols: Principles and Calculi

This paper is a basic introduction to some of the main themes in the design and analysis of security protocols. It includes a brief explanation of the principles of protocol design and of a formalism for protocol analysis. It is intended as a written counterpart to a tutorial given at the 2006 International School on Foundations of Security Analysis and Design.
The Shifting Foundations of Public Opinion about Gay Rights

This study tests two explanations for the recent increase in support among the American public for gay rights policies. One possibility is that shifts in the aggregate levels of predispositions such as egalitarianism, moral traditionalism, feelings toward gays and lesbians, partisanship, and ideology produced changes in policy opinions. Another possibility is that shifts in the underlying structure of opinion—that is, shifts in the how citizens used these predispositions to think about the issue—produced changes in support for gay rights. An analysis of data from the 1992, 1996, and 2000 National Election Studies showed that both types of shifts explained why Americans became increasingly favorable toward gay rights policies over this span.
Longitudinal Postschool Outcomes of Youth with Disabilities: Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study:

This article describes findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study (NLTS) of Special Education Students regarding trends in the employment, wages, postsecondary education, and residential independence of youth with disabilities in their first 5 years after high school. Data from the NLTS indicated strong gains in all four outcome areas over time. In all areas, however, youth with disabilities continued to lag behind their peers in the general population. Several differences between youth in certain disability categories were found regarding employment, postsecondary education, and movement toward independence over time. Longitudinal outcomes also differed widely by gender, ethnicity, and high school completion status.
A small college response to the mathematics recommendations of curriculum 2001

Recent curricula recommendations by the ACM/IEEE Curriculum 2001 [3] have focused new attention to the role of mathematics in computer science programs. The challenge presented to small colleges is to address these recommendations while working with the limited resources typical of our institutions. In this paper we describe recent efforts to update our mathematics requirements for our computer science major and the ripple effect that lead to changes both in our discrete mathematics course offerings and in the course requirements for our mathematical and computational degree programs.
Sharp bounds for domain perturbations of Dirichlet Laplacians defined on smooth domains

We obtain sharp quantitative bounds which describe how an eigenspace of the Dirichlet Laplacian defined on a smooth domain changes when the smooth domain is replaced by a slightly smaller domain.
Purinergic receptor activation evokes neurotrophic factor neuropeptide Y release from neonatal mouse olfactory epithelial slices.

One premise regarding the mechanism of injury-evoked neuroregeneration is that injured cells induce the release of neurotrophic factors to trigger neurogenesis. Extracellular purine nucleotides exert multiple neurotrophic actions in the central nervous system mediated via activation of purinergic receptors. However, whether purinergics have a neurotrophic role in the olfactory neuroepithelium has not been investigated. Thus, we monitored the ATP-induced release of neuropeptide Y (NPY), a neuropeptide that increases neuroproliferation in the olfactory epithelium. To visualize NPY release, slices of olfactory epithelium from neonatal mice were cultured on nitrocellulose paper. Immunoassays of the nitrocellulose demonstrated NPY immunoreactivity in regions corresponding to the olfactory epithelium of the nasal cavity. One hr exposure to exogenous ATP (100, 500 µM) significantly increased the number of olfactory epithelium slices that released NPY from 25±6% to 60±7% or 71±10% (p=0.001). The purinergic receptor antagonists pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS; 25 µM) and suramin (100 µM) significantly reduced the number of olfactory epithelium slices exhibiting ATP-evoked NPY release to 18±11% (p=0.004), indicating that NPY release is mediated by activation of purinergic receptors. Released NPY was quantified by enzyme and radioimmunoassays. Exogenous ATP or UTP significantly increased the amount of NPY released. Collectively, this study demonstrates that purinergic receptor activation mediates the release of neurotrophic factor NPY in the olfactory epithelium and provides pharmacological targets to promote regeneration of damaged olfactory epithelium.
Identification of Explosives from Porous Materials: Applications Using Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Gas Chromatography

High performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography techniques are well documented and widely used for the detection of trace explosives from organic solvents. These techniques were modified to identify and quantify explosives extracted from various materials taken from people who had recently handled explosives. Documented techniques were modified to specifically detect and quantify trace levels of the military explosives, RDX, TNT, and PETN from denim, colored flannel, vinyl, and canvas extracted in methanol and filtered using no additional sample cleanup of the sample extract prior to analysis. The filtered methanol extracts were injected directly into several different column types and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography using ultraviolet detection and/or gas chromatography using electron capture detection. This paper describes general screening methods that were used to determine the presence of explosives (RDX, TNT, and PETN) in unknown samples of denim, colored flannel, vinyl and canvas in addition to techniques that have been optimized for quantification of each explosive from the substrate extracts.
Syphilis and adolescent females: The increased incidence in an urban clinic

Abstract For the third consecutive year, the incidence of syphilis has substantially increased in Connecticut. We observed how this statewide increase was reflected in patients seen in our outpatient adolescent clinic. All patients presenting to the outpatient adolescent clinic of a major urban medical center had serologic evaluation for syphilis whenever indicated, in addition to routine annual testing. From June 1982 to May 1988, only one case of syphilis (an adolescent female) was diagnosed. However, in the two years from June 1988 to May 1990, 14 cases of syphilis (12 adolescent females, two adolescent males) were diagnosed. Of the female patients, seven of them had secondary syphilis, three had early latent syphilis of less than 1 year's duration, and two had early latent syphilis of greater than 1 year's duration. Their average age was 18.6 years. Seven patients were black, four were Hispanic and one was white. Nine of the 12 had a history of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Five patients admitted to illicit drug use and one to prostitution. Of these 12 patients, nine were tested for the human immunodeficiency virus and the results were negative. We observed an alarming increase in the incidence of syphilis in our adolescent female patients.
An Organizational Dilemma: The Case of Transracial Adoptions

This article presents an overview and analysis of the complex organizational, racial, economic, and power issues associated with transracial adoptions whereby black children are placed in the homes...
Surface properties of Ni(OH)2 and NiO. III. Microporosity and irreversible water adsorption of NiO prepared by thermal decomposition of Ni(OH)2

Abstract The microporosity of nickel oxide (NiO) and its parent nickelous hydroxide Ni(OH2) are measured by comparison to reference isotherms. The parent Ni(OH)2 is concluded to be nonmicroporous but its thermal decomposition product NiO is 70% microporous. Exposure of freshly prepared NiO to water vapor results in irreversibly sorbed water and a subsequent decrease in micropore volume of about 29%, without appreciable change in external, nonmicroporous area. The various adsorption techniques of micropore analysis, n, t, and αs are discussed.
Cost Affordable Developments in Titanium Technology and Applications

Titanium is the “wonder” metal, which makes sense as the material of choice for a wide variety of applications. However, because of its relatively high price- a result of extraction and processing costs- it is used basically only when it is the only choice; with the caveat that titanium has a bright “image” which can lead to use even when the economics are unfavorable. The major thrust in the area of titanium technology has been aimed at achieving cost reduction rather than developing alloys with enhanced properties. This paper will overview the potential areas which are amenable to cost reduction and present some applications of titanium and it’s alloys.
Characterization of Carbon-Containing Aerosolized Drugs Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Aerosolized drug delivery methods have increasingly become popular for pharmaceutical applications. This is mainly due to their ease of application and the more recent advancements incorporating nano-sized generation of particles that find deeper penetration routes and more efficient administration of the drug to specific target organs. Their effectiveness heavily relies on the uniformity of the chemical composition of these aerosolized drugs. Thus, it calls for a real-time on-line analytical tool that can accurately characterize the chemical constituents of the drug powder particles generated to ensure a stringent quality control. We present laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the first time as an efficient analytical tool to carry out on-line quantitative chemical characterization of aerosolized drugs. We used three different carbon based aerosolized drugs, namely L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate sesquimagnesium salt hydrate (C6H9Mg1.5O9P·xH2O), Iron(II) L-ascorbate (C12H14FeO12), and DL-pantothenic acid hemicalcium salt (C9H16NO50.5Ca) for our quantitative LIBS studies here. Our results show that LIBS can effectively estimate the quantitative ratios of carbon to various trace elements for each of these drugs, thereby enabling on-line unique characterization of individual aerosolized drugs. The quantitative LIBS technique predicted the [C]/[Mg], [C]/[Fe], and [C]/[Ca] ratios as 4.02 ± 0.76, 12.42 ± 2.36, and 18.47 ± 4.39 for each of the above aerosolized drugs, respectively. Within error limits, we find these ratios in good agreement with the respective stoichiometric values of 4, 12, and 18 corresponding to the drugs above. Thus, the work demonstrated the utility and validity of LIBS in accurate on-line identification of drug powders during real-time manufacturing processes.
Influence of conformation and intramolecular hydrogen bonding on the acyl glucuronidation and biliary excretion of acetylenic bis-dipyrrinones related to bilirubin.

Glucuronidation and transporter-mediated efflux into bile are important in the elimination of xeno- and endobiotics, including the natural biladienone pigment bilirubin. The mechanisms of these processes and the structural factors that dictate whether cholephilic compounds are excreted directly in bile or require prior glucuronidation are poorly understood. To investigate effects of molecular shape and intramolecular hydrogen bonding on the interplay between direct excretion and glucuronidation in the liver, we studied a series of novel synthetic exploded and homologated bilirubin analogues. These include dicarboxylic mono- and diacetylenic tetrapyrroles with linear shapes that are unable to adopt the folded ridge−tile conformations that are crucially important in bilirubin metabolism. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding was varied by adjusting the alkyl chain lengths of the pendent carboxyl groups, and preferred conformations were predicted by molecular dynamics calculations. Metabolism studies were done in ...
Beyond Cost and Performance, a Value -Centric Framework and Pareto Optimization for Communication Satellites *

Investments in space systems are substantial, indivi sible and irreversible, characteristics of high -risk investments. Traditional approaches to system design, acquisition, and risk mitigation are derived from a cost -centric mindset, and as such, they incorporate little information about the value of the spa cecraft to its stakeholder s. These traditional approaches are appropriate in stable environments. However, the current technical, and economic conditions are distinctly uncertain and rapidly changing. Consequently , the se traditional approaches have to be r evisited and adapted to the current context. We propose that in uncertain environments, decision -making with respect to design and acquisition choices should be value -based. We develop a value -centric framework, analytical tools, and an illustrative numeri cal example for communication satellites. Our two proposed metrics for decision -making are the system’s expected value and value uncertainty. Expected value is calculated as the expected NPV of the satellite. The cash inflow is calculated as a function of the satellite loading, its transponder pricing, and market demand. The cash outflows are the various cost s for owning and operating the satellite . Value uncertainty emerges due to un certainties in the various cash flow streams, in particular because of mark et conditions. We propagate market uncertainty through Monte Carlo simulation, and translate it into value uncertainty for the satellite . The end result is a portfolio of Pareto -optimal satellite design alternatives. By using value and value uncertainty as decision metrics in the down -selection process, decision -makers draw more information about the system in its environment, and in making value -based design and acquisition choices, they ultimately make more informed and better choices.