cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Desenvolvendo uma teoria repertório - colaboração, raça e género tal como aplicada à política em CTEM

Este artigo apresenta a teoria “repertorio colaboracao, raca e genero” (adiante designada como RCRG) problematizando como a tomada de consciencia sobre a importância da raca e do genero influencia os comportamentos de colaboracao e a escolha dos membros das equipas em ciencia, tecnologia, engenharia e matematica (CTEM). Estamos particularmente interessados na aplicacao do RCRG no contexto do ensino superior em CTEM, espaco tradicionalmente entendido como lugar privilegiado para iniciativas relacionadas com a diversidade. Utilizando omodelo de capital cientifico, tecnico e humano (CCTH) como ponto de partida, elaboramosa teoria do RCRG, tendo em conta tres variaveis essenciais: as normas de colaboracao entrecientistas; a dinâmica de intercâmbio social e o desenvolvimento e utilizacao de sensibilizacaorelativa a raca e a genero. Apesar da existencia de muitas teorias que explicam o papel da raca edo genero na obtencao de resultados educacionais, profissionais e sociais, poucas tem em contaos aspetos unicos da cultura e das instituicoes de CTEM, particularmente no que respeita aosmodos de produzir ciencia com base na colaboracao e no trabalho em equipa - dois elementoscruciais para a producao de conhecimento em CTEM. Afirmamos que uma teoria especifica quetenha em consideracao o contexto das CTEM pode desencadear mais esforcos estrategicos paraalcancar uma diversidade mais significativa, promover a produtividade em CTEM e potenciar ovalor publico da ciencia.
Evolution of Bordetellae from Environmental Microbes to Human Respiratory Pathogens: Amoebae as a Missing Link.

The genus Bordetella comprises several bacterial species that colonize the respiratory tract of mammals. It includes B. pertussis the causative agent of Whooping Cough that only naturally infects humans. In contrast, the closely related species B. bronchiseptica colonizes a broad range of animals as well as immunocompromised humans. Recent metagenomic studies have identified known and novel bordetellae isolated from different environmental sources, providing a new perspective on their natural history. Using phylogenetic analysis, we have shown that human and animal pathogenic bordetellae have most likely evolved from ancestors that originated from soil and water. Our recent study found that B. bronchiseptica can evade amoebic predation and utilize Dictyostelium discoideum as an expansion and transmission vector suggests that the evolutionary pressure to evade the amoebic predator enabled the rise of bordetellae as respiratory pathogens. Interactions with amoeba may represent the starting point for bacterial adaptation to eukaryotic cells. However, as bacteria evolve and adapt to a novel host, they can become specialized and restricted to a specific host. B. pertussis is known to colonize and cause infection only in humans, and this specialization to a closed human-to-human lifecycle has involved genome reduction and the loss of ability to utilize amoeba as environmental reservoir. The discoveries from studying the interaction of Bordetella species with amoeba will elicit a better understanding of the evolutionary history of this and other important human pathogens.
Media Coverage of Human Rights in the USA and UK: The Violations Still Will Not Be Televised (or Published)

This article analyzes American television and American and British print news coverage of human rights using a combination of manual and machine coding. The data reveal that television and print news cover very few human rights stories, that these stories are mostly international and not domestic, that even when human rights are covered, they are not covered in detail, and that human rights issues are more likely to be covered when they are not framed as human rights. This suggests that human rights is simply not a frame that journalists employ and provides support for government-leading-media theories of newsworthiness.
Episodic Life Stress and the Development of Overgeneral Autobiographical Memory to Positive Cues in Youth

Overgeneral autobiographical memory (OGM) has been established as a risk factor for depression in both youth and adults, but questions remain as to how OGM develops. Although theorists have proposed that the experience of stressful life events may contribute to the development of OGM, no studies have examined the impact of negative life events on prospective changes in OGM. The goal of the current study was to address this gap in the literature. Participants included 251 mothers and their biological children (aged 8-14 years old at the initial assessment). Using a multi-wave prospective design with assessments every 6 months for 2 years, we found that episodic life stress predicted prospective decreases in youths' autobiographical memory specificity to positive, but not negative, cues. This study supports theories proposing that negative life events may contribute to the development of OGM, but suggest that, in youth, the impact of life stress on OGM may be specific to positive rather than negative memories.
Redefining Opportunity for the Library Employee with Autism: A Model of Positive Behavioral Support for Library Management

This article explores the 90% unemployment rate for job-seeking individuals with high-functioning autism, by presenting a theoretical model of positive behavioral support (PBS) adapted from the wor...
An Assessment of the Regional Impacts of Post-2020 CAP Budgetary Cuts on Production Structures and Agricultural Incomes in the EU

The European Commission (EC) will publish its post-2020 Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) for the European Union (EU) before summer 2018. The EC sees the status quo as no option for the EU. In designing the new MFF, coherence and complementarity between the different programmes and instruments will be strengthened, and flexibility would be factored in to respond to the new challenges and unexpected developments. In consequence, the funding of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is expected to decrease and have a lower share in the overall EU spending after 2020. This paper assesses the regional impacts of a hypothetical 30% and 15% cut in the EU CAP budget, supplemented by a BREXIT scenario (the United Kingdom (UK) being a net budgetary contributor), on both agricultural production structures and incomes in the EU. To this end, projections by the Common Agricultural Policy Regional Impact Analysis (CAPRI) simulation model were prepared, and shifts in agricultural production and changes in income distribution were briefly evaluated.
Dietary Influence on Body Fluid Acid-Base and Volume Balance: The Deleterious “Norm” Furthers and Cloaks Subclinical Pathophysiology

The popular modern diet, characterized by an excess of animal protein and salt but insufficient in fruits, vegetables and water, is a poor fit for human physiological and homeostatic regulatory systems. Sustained net acid and sodium retention, coupled with an insufficient intake of cardiovascular protective potassium-rich foods and hydration in the modern diet can give rise to debilitating chronic organ dysfunction and ultimately, mortality. This holds true, especially in our aging population who are already facing inevitable decline in organ functional reserve. Importantly, in most cases, despite the mismatch and adverse effects to multiple organ systems, plasma electrolyte and acid-base parameters can, on the surface, be maintained within a “normal” reference range, primarily by activating (often maximally activating) compensatory homeostatic mechanisms. These diet-induced effects can thus be clinically silent for decades. Embodied in the chronic corrective homeostatic processes, however, are real risks for multiorgan damage. According to the Dietary Guideline Advisory Committee (DGAC), half of American adults have one or more chronic diseases that are preventable with dietary modification. Here, homeostasis of body fluid acid-base, sodium, potassium and water is examined. Our current dietary habits and their required regulatory adaptation, maladaptation and relevant physiology and pathophysiology are discussed. A framework of dietary modifications to avoid a propensity for maladaptation and thus lowers the risks of common modern diseases (primary prevention) and minimizes the risk of chronic and age-related disease progression (secondary prevention) is emphasized. Although there are other variables at play, a key to restoring the all-important dietary potassium to sodium ratio is greater consumption of vegetables/fruits and adopting salt temperance. Dietary and nutritional optimization is an under-emphasized area of health care that has an enormous potential to temper the epidemics of prevalent chronic diseases in modern society and improve population health.
Mathematics for Blind People

The ability of a blind student to pursue careers in mathematics, engineering, science or technology are severely limited by the students ability to manipulate complex mathematical equations. While there are exceptions to the rule, it has been difficult or impossible for blind members of our society to enter these career domains. The current STS deals with this problem from a broad perspective focusing on what are the best and worst practices in the area of presenting equations to blind math students.
A central limit theorem for independent summands with infinite variances

A central limit theorem for independent summands having variances tending to infinity at a certain rate is obtained. This result is extended to the cases where the sample size is random and where the random variables are vector-valued.
Adapting social surveys to depopulating neighborhoods

Abstract Survey research is an essential method for understanding if and how landscape interventions provide socio-ecological benefits in residential areas. However, depopulating areas present challenges to methodological conventions for household surveys. We describe the innovative modified approach we used to survey a Detroit neighborhood with high residential vacancy and ongoing depopulation. We conducted household surveys (n = 164) to assess baseline health information, perceptions of neighborhood characteristics, and design preferences related to alternative green infrastructure interventions. Specifically, we describe the iterative decision-making process we used to determine our area frame, identify and contact households, and monitor survey response – a process that led us to a census-based approach. This entailed ongoing assessment of household vacancy in our study neighborhood, using secondary data from multiple sources, tracking household visits during survey administration, and soliciting ongoing input from survey administrators. The iterative process we developed may be informative to others conducting household surveys in depopulating neighborhoods.
Adaptive Management for Ecosystem Services at the Wildland-Urban Interface

Managing the wildland-urban interface (WUI) is a widely-recognized land use problem plagued by a fractured geography of land parcels, management jurisdictions, and governance mandates and objectives. People who work in this field have suggested a variety of approaches to managing this interface, from informal governance to contracting to insurance. To date, however, none of these scholars have fully embraced the dynamism, uncertainty, and complexity of the WUI — that is, its status as a complex adaptive system. In focusing almost exclusively on the management of this interface to control wildfire, this scholarship largely ignores the factor that rampant wildfire is itself the product of incursions into important ecosystem services on both sides of the interface. In many cases, people tend to expand out towards the wildland not just for economics (cheaper housing) but also because of a suite of ecosystem services that are readily accessible at the interface, including aesthetics, a cleaner environment, and recreational opportunities. As the wildfire problem amply demonstrates, these settlers then become upset when other aspects of ecosystem function invade their lives, but those invasions include not just wildfire disasters but also more pernicious problems such as diseases, allergens, and wildlife. As such, development at the WUI can create a multifaceted desire to control several "undesirable" aspects of ecosystem function while simultaneously promoting the ecosystem services that residents desire, complicating land use management on both sides of a line that is itself often moving or transforming into a transition or buffer zone. To focus solely on wildfire, in other words, may oversimplify an increasingly complex management problem with significant policy implications. While we cannot and will not attempt to resolve all of these policy issues in this article, we do propose that adaptive management may provide a mechanism for dealing with the complexity of managing changing ecosystem functions and services at the WUI, even when — and perhaps especially because — the private lands and wildlands are usually subject to different land use regimes. We begin with an overview of adaptive management, then discuss the hard but common case of fractured landscape management. We then explore the potential for adaptive management to help negotiate this fractured landscape in a changing world, starting with the classic issue of wildfire management but also suggesting possible expansions.
First in Human Experience with Direct Sodium Removal Using a Zero Sodium Peritoneal Solution

Introduction There is interest in developing alternative therapies to loop diuretics for decongestion heart failure (HF). One approach is peritoneal dialysis (PD). However, PD requires large intraperitoneal volumes and delivers limited sodium removal due to the high concentration of sodium in standard PD solutions. Previously, we have demonstrated in normal and HF animal models that Direct Sodium Removal (DSR) with a sodium-free peritoneal solution is highly effective in removing large quantities of sodium and water, with low volumes of DSR solution. Hypothesis DSR will be safe, well tolerated, and result in substantially greater sodium removal than standard PD solution. Methods 10 patients underwent randomization and crossover to DSR solution (sodium free 10% dextrose) or standard PD solution (Dianeal 4.25% dextrose, Baxter), each separated by 1 week. One liter of either DSR solution or standard PD solution was infused into the peritoneum and left to dwell for 2 hours, with crossover to the alternate solution one week later. Vital signs, blood, and peritoneal fluid were obtained serially throughout the protocol. The primary endpoint was safety/tolerability defined as completion of the 2-hour dwell without significant discomfort or AE. The secondary efficacy endpoint was the difference in sodium removal between DSR solution and standard PD solution (NCT03801226; IND141103). Results DSR solution was well-tolerated and did not cause significant discomfort or adverse events. Individual safety parameters such as change in blood pressure, plasma potassium, bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium were similar between solutions (p>0.35 for all). There was a borderline significant 1 mmol/L decrease in serum sodium from baseline to 2 hours in the DSR group (p=0.05) but this resolved by 60 minutes after draining the solution (p=0.34). Plasma glucose increased with both DSR and standard PD solution (p Conclusion DSR was safe and well-tolerated in human subjects. Sodium removal with DSR is substantial and dramatically greater than what is achievable with standard PD solutions. Additional research evaluating the use of DSR as a method to prevent and treat hypervolemia in HF is warranted.
Government Dietary Guidelines: Uncertain Science Leads to Questionable Public Health Policy

The US Department of Agriculture has issued dietary recommendations for more than a century, and during that period the health, longevity, and nutritional status of Americans improved markedly. Before the release of the first Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) in 1980, the recommendations were based on rigorous science and simply offered general information on choosing foods and beverages to prevent deficiencies and maintain health. Yet with each subsequent version, the DGA became increasingly complex, prescriptive, and nutrient-focused (as opposed to food-based) despite an ever-increasing uncertainty and lack of credibility in the supporting evidence. This review examines the historical record of the development of the DGA and demonstrates that current recommendations were based on biased, implausible anecdotal evidence and that rigorous contrary research and the diversity of expert opinions on diethealth relationships were ignored. It concludes with an examination of the unintended negative public health consequences of founding policy on uncertain science.
Measuring the effect of environmental stress on inbreeding depression alone obscures the relative importance of inbreeding–stress interactions on overall fitness in Callosobruchus maculatus

Environmental stress can have a profound effect on inbreeding depression. Quantifying this effect is of particular importance in threatened populations, which are often simultaneously subject to both inbreeding and environmental stress. But while the prevalence of inbreeding-stress interactions is well known, the importance and broader applicability of such interactions in conservation are not clearly understood. We used seed beetles, Callosobruchus maculatus, as a model system to quantify how environmental stressors (here host quality and temperature stress) interact with inbreeding as measured by changes in the magnitude of inbreeding depression, δ, as well as the relative importance of inbreeding-stress interactions to overall fitness. We found that while both environmental stressors caused substantial inbreeding-stress interactions as measured by change in δ, the relative importance of these interactions to overall survival was modest. This suggests that assessing inbreeding-stress interactions within the framework of δ alone may give an inaccurate representation of the relevance of interactions to population persistence. Furthermore, we found that the effect of environmental stress on fitness, but not inbreeding depression, varied strongly among populations. These results suggest that the outcomes of inbreeding-stress interactions are not easily generalized, an important consideration in conservation settings.
A flow virometry process proposed for detection of SARS-CoV-2 and large-scale screening of COVID-19 cases

The viral pneumonia COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread rapidly over 210 countries and declared as pandemic by WHO WHO has emphasized on the scale-up of testing capacity, followed by isolation of infected individuals, and contact tracing, as the 'backbone' of managing the pandemic Globally, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in patients is done by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and blood antibody-based testing Here, a flow cytometry-based high-throughput screening system is proposed for testing of COVID-19 cases where the virus particle binds to specific primary antibodies and the resultant virus-antibody complex then binds to fluorescent-tagged secondary antibodies The fluorescence signal could be measured in a flow channel for qualitative detection of virus in the test sample
Understanding the synergies of deep learning and data fusion of multispectral and panchromatic high resolution commercial satellite imagery for automated ice-wedge polygon detection

Abstract The utility of sheer volumes of very high spatial resolution (VHSR) commercial imagery in mapping the Arctic region is new and actively evolving. Commercial satellite sensors typically record image data in low-resolution multispectral (MS) and high-resolution panchromatic (PAN) mode. Spatial resolution is needed to accurately describe feature shapes and textural patterns, such as ice-wedge polygons (IWPs) that are rapidly transforming surface features due to degrading permafrost, while spectral resolution allows capturing of land-use and land-cover types. Data fusion, the process of combining PAN and MS images with complementary characteristics often serves as an integral component of remote sensing mapping workflows. The fusion process generates spectral and spatial artifacts that may affect the classification accuracies of subsequent automated image analysis algorithms, such as deep learning (DL) convolutional neural nets (CNN). We employed a detailed multidimensional assessment to understand the performances of an array of eight application-oriented data fusion algorithms when applied to VHSR image scenes for DLCNN-based mapping of ice-wedge polygons. Our findings revealed the scene dependency of data fusion algorithms and emphasized the need for careful selection of the proper algorithm. Results suggested that the fusion algorithms that preserve spatial character of original PAN imagery favor the DLCNN model performances. The choice of fusion approach needs to be considered of equal importance to the required training dataset for successful applications using DLCNN on VHRS imagery in order to enable an accurate mapping effort of permafrost thaw across the Arctic region.
Advances in neurochemical measurements: A review of biomarkers and devices for the development of closed-loop deep brain stimulation systems

Neurochemical recording techniques have expanded our understanding of the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, as well as the mechanisms of action of treatment modalities like deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS is used to treat diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Tourette syndrome, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, among others. Although DBS is effective at alleviating symptoms related to these diseases and improving the quality of life of these patients, the mechanism of action of DBS is currently not fully understood. A leading hypothesis is that DBS modulates the electrical field potential by modifying neuronal firing frequencies to non-pathological rates thus providing therapeutic relief. To address this gap in knowledge, recent advances in electrochemical sensing techniques have given insight into the importance of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and adenosine, in disease pathophysiology. These studies have also highlighted their potential use in tandem with electrophysiology to serve as biomarkers in disease diagnosis and progression monitoring, as well as characterize response to treatment. Here, we provide an overview of disease-relevant neurotransmitters and their roles and implications as biomarkers, as well as innovations to the biosensors used to record these biomarkers. Furthermore, we discuss currently available neurochemical and electrophysiological recording devices, and discuss their viability to be implemented into the development of a closed-loop DBS system.
Moving beyond static snapshots: Protein dynamics and the Protein Data Bank.

Proteins are the molecular machines of living systems. Their dynamics are an intrinsic part of their evolutionary selection in carrying out their biological functions. Although more difficult to observe than a static, average structure, we are beginning to observe these dynamics and form sound mechanistic connections between structure, dynamics and function. This progress is highlighted in case studies from myoglobin and adenylate kinase to the ribosome and molecular motors where these molecules are being probed with a multitude of techniques across many timescales. New approaches to time-resolved crystallography are allowing simple 'movies' to be taken of proteins in action and new methods of mapping the variations in cryo-electron microscopy are emerging to reveal a more complete description of life's machines. The results of these new methods are aided in their dissemination by continual improvements in curation and distribution by the Protein Data Bank and their partners around the world.
Anti-peptidylarginine deiminase-4 antibodies at mucosal sites can activate peptidylarginine deiminase-4 enzyme activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Background Mucosal sites are hypothesized to play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since serum anti-peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD)4 antibodies, including a subset that cross-react with PAD3 (PAD3/4), are specific for RA and associate with severe disease, we sought to examine whether anti-PAD4 and anti-PAD3/4 antibodies were present in the lung and oral mucosa of subjects with RA and "at-risk" for RA. Methods We included 37 RA, 25 healthy control, and 46 subjects "at-risk" for RA based on familial RA and/or serum anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positivity. Paired serum, sputum, and saliva were evaluated for anti-PAD4 and anti-PAD3/4 using immunoprecipitation and ACPA using ELISA. Immunoglobulins (Ig) were purified from representative samples, and their effect on citrullination of histone H3 by recombinant human PAD4 was measured by anti-citH3 immunoblot. Results Anti-PAD4 antibodies were detected in the serum of 6/37 (16.2%), sputum of 3/37 (8.1%), and saliva of 3/33 (9.1%) RA subjects and in the serum and sputum of 1/46 (2.2%) at-risk subjects. None of the healthy controls had anti-PAD4 antibodies at any site. Serum, sputum, and salivary anti-PAD4 antibodies were more prevalent in RA subjects with RA duration >2 years. Purified antibodies from representative anti-PAD4-positive and anti-PAD3/4-positive sputum were primarily of the IgA isotype and able to increase PAD4 enzymatic activity. Conclusions Anti-PAD4 antibodies are present in the sputum and saliva of a portion of RA patients and are infrequent in at-risk subjects. Importantly, the ability of anti-PAD4, and particularly anti-PAD3/4, antibodies in the sputum to enhance PAD4 enzymatic activity suggests that anti-PAD4 may play an active role in the RA lung.
Racial Injustice and Meaning Well: A Challenge for Bioethics.

“Ignorance,” Jim Hudson, the art dealer, declares shortly before the climactic scene in the 2017 film, Get Out. “They mean well, but they have no idea what real people will go through” (Peele 2017)...
Thalidomide and thalidomide analogues for induction of remission in Crohn's disease

Background Crohn's disease is a chronic relapsing condition of the alimentary tract with a high morbidity secondary to bowel inflammation. High levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have been associated with the development of intestinal inflammation in Crohn's disease.Thalidomide, has been demonstrated to have anti TNF-α properties in experimental and clinical studies. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of thalidomide and its analogue lenalidomide for induction of remission in Crohn's disease. Search methods The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) Issue 3, 2008, PUBMED (1966 to August 2008), EMBASE (1984 to August 2008) and the Cochrane IBD/FBD Specialised Trial Register were searched. Manufacturers of thalidomide and leaders in the field were also contacted to identify any unpublished trials. Study references were also searched for additional trials. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared thalidomide or lenalidomide against placebo or any other intervention for induction of remission in Crohn's disease were eligible for inclusion. Data collection and analysis Data extraction and assessment of methodological quality of included studies were independently performed by two authors. The main outcome measure was clinical remission. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for dichotomous outcomes. Main results No published RCTs on thalidomide for induction of remission in Crohn's disease were found. One RCT in paediatric patients is in progress. One RCT using lenalidomide (n = 89) met the inclusion criteria and was included in the review. Three parallel groups of patients on 25 mg of lenalidomide daily (n = 23) , 5 mg of lenalidomide daily (n = 33) or placebo (n = 28) were studied. The clinical remission rate in both treatment groups was not significantly different from that in the placebo group; 25 mg lenalidomide versus placebo (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.05 to 1.54), 5 mg lenalidomide versus placebo (OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.42 to 4.05). There were no statistically significant differences in clinical response. Authors' conclusions The results of one well designed study using lenalidomide did not show any statistically significant benefit over placebo. The use of thalidomide or lenalidomide for induction of remission in Crohn's disease is not recommended until data from a definitive study are available.
The Cervantes Project: Steps to a Customizable and Interlinked On-Line Electronic Variorum Edition Supporting Scholarship

The Cervantes Project, housed under the auspices of the Center for the Study of Digital Libraries at Texas A&M University, aims to provide a comprehensive on-line research and reference site on the life and works of the author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616). This activity is a joint collaboration among researchers in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Texas A&M University. This paper outlines the work being conducted by the project, focusing on the creation of an Electronic Variorum Edition of Cervantes' Don Quixote.
Performance monitoring by sub-carrier multiplexing in optical label switching network

This paper proposes a new optical layer performance monitoring method based on the correlation between the payload and the sub-carrier label bit-error-rates (BERs). Experiment results show that the payload BER can be estimated by the sub-carrier label BER.
Cognitive Schemas, Adversity, and Interpersonal Functioning: An Exploratory Study within Undergraduate Women

Healthy relationships are an important indicator of adjustment for survivors of psychological adversity. However, experiences of adversity and stress symptoms can impair the quality of relationships. This study explores the underlying cognitive mechanisms that contribute to intimacy and conflict styles in close relationships. Global maladaptive schemas (GMS) and relational health schemas were used in this investigation of 109 undergraduate women. Participants reported a range of adverse experiences and stress symptoms. The findings indicated that relational health schemas were positively associated with integrating and compromising conflict styles, which blend concern for self and close friends in conflict situations. Higher GMS were associated with withdrawal conflict style. Findings also indicated that perceptions of intimacy were predicted by low stress symptoms.
InP-based microelectronics pilot line for commercial and military applications

High performance microwave and millimeter-wave InP-based high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) and heterostructure bipolar transistor (HBT) ICs are being developed by Hughes Research Laboratories for future commercial and military communication and radar systems. The status of InP-based device and IC technology relative to competing silicon- and GaAs-based technologies is reviewed. Technology insertion issues, such as performance, cost, and manufacturability, are discussed based on the Hughes InP-based microelectronics prototype line. The potential market for the technology is reviewed. >
The Role of Task Adhesion in Limiting Specialization along the Medical Care Continuum

Increasing specialization has become a dominant feature of modern medicine. We develop a model of specialization when vertical restraints prevent transfers between physicians but task adhesion makes payment for one task contingent on carrying out another. We show how the probability of transitioning between tasks and relative payments for adjacent tasks determine the division of labor in the presence of task adhesion, and why skill complementarities may not be necessary to inhibit specialization. These results imply that a regulator who sets prices without considering the disincentives to specialize inherent in the demand complementarities described here may fail to maximize welfare.
SIMULATION MODEL FOR TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION COSTS

A computer-based Tunnel Cost Model has been developed. The model includes three submodels: a geologic submodel, a construction submodel, and a tunnel simulator. The geologic model uses the available geologic information expressed in terms of subjective probabilities to generate the likelihood of occurrence of various geologic conditions at defined locations in the tunnel. The construction submodel simulates cycles of construction operations under the various possible geologic conditions to assess the impact of these operations on time and cost. The tunnel simulator brings together the information produced by the two other submodels to simulate cycles of construction operations in many possible geologic profiles. Results of these simulations are time/cost distributions reflecting the uncertainty inherent in the estimate. An example problem of a 12,000-ft tunnel in shale/limestone geology is presented. Results indicate a range of total direct cost of –7,500,000-–10,500,000, and a time of 210 days to 305 days. These ranges provide a quantitative indication of the uncertainty inherent in a final tunnel time and cost estimate.
Integration of Process Systems Engineering and Business Decision Making Tools: Financial Risk Management and Other Emerging Procedures

Economics has always been part of engineering. So talking about its integration in our discipline seems rather odd. Moreover, many companies, especially those dealing with risky projects, employ advanced financial tools in their decision making. For example, the oil industry is relatively more sophisticated than other industries in their supply chain management tools and the associated finances. However, these are not widespread tools that all engineers employ and certainly not tools that are used in education or in academic papers. Indeed, only certain aspects of the tools that economists and financiers use, namely a few profitability measures, are fully integrated into our education and engineering academic circles. This has started to change in recent years, but many tools are still completely out of sight for mainstream chemical engineers. This is not a review article, so not all the work that has been published on the matter will be cited or discussed. Rather, the intention is to discuss some of the more relevant and pressing issues and provide some direction for future work. It is also an article that is written targeting engineers as the audience.
In Brief: NASA mission to measure Moon's gravity

NASA has selected a new mission to measure the Moon's gravity field in unprecedented detail, according to the agency's associate administrator for science, Alan Stern. The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL), which is part of NASA's Discovery Program series of scientist-led, solar system exploration missions, is scheduled to launch in 2011 following the agency's 2008 launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Scientists plan to use gravity field information from GRAIL's two spacecraft to X ray the Moon from crust to core to reveal subsurface structures and, indirectly, the Moon's thermal history. A camera aboard each spacecraft will allow the public to see observations from the satellites. GRAIL “offers to bring innovative Earth studies techniques to the Moon as a precursor to their possible later use at Mars and other planets,” Stern said. For more information, visit the Web site: http://discovery.nasa.gov/.
Current status and future projections for EUV lithography

Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL) at a 13nm wavelength is an extendable technology that will support IC manufacturing down to the 22nm node without using resolution enhancement techniques. Commercial tool throughput is specified to be greater than (80) 300mm wafers/hour for the 45nm node and beyond. Today, EUVL is entering the competitive commercialization process aimed at introduction of steppers and support technologies for the 45nm node in 2007. There are a number of key business and technical issues that will need to be resolved to meet this targeted introduction. In this talk we will identify key technical risks and compare the current technical capabilities to the commercial requirements. Considerable work is required in several areas. Of course, the final decision on any next generation lithography depends on the cost of ownership (CoO) of the technology and a willingness of suppliers and users to make investments in a timely manner. While these business and economic issues are not the topic of this talk, the technical issues discussed strongly impact the CoO and, in turn, the willingness of suppliers and users to make the required commitments.
Secretion of a soluble colonization factor by the TCP type 4 pilus biogenesis pathway in Vibrio cholerae

Summary Colonization of the human small intestine by Vibrio cholerae requires the type 4 toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP). Genes encoding the structure and biogenesis functions of TCP are organized within an operon located on the Vibrio Pathogenicity Island (VPI). In an effort to elucidate the functions of proteins involved in TCP biogenesis, in frame deletions of all of the genes within the tcp operon coding for putative pilus biogenesis proteins have been constructed and the resulting mutants characterized with respect to the assembly and function of TCP. As a result of this analysis, we have identified the product of one of these genes, tcpF, as a novel secreted colonization factor. Chromosomal deletion of tcpF yields a mutant that retains in vitro phenotypes associated with the assembly of functional TCP yet is severely attenuated for colonization of the infant mouse intestine. Furthermore, we have determined that the mechanism by which TcpF is translocated across the bacterial outer membrane requires the TCP biogenesis machinery and is independent of the type II extracellular protein secretion (EPS) system. These results suggest a dual role for the TCP biogenesis apparatus in V. cholerae pathogenesis and a novel mechanism of intestinal colonization mediated by a soluble factor.
Radio emission from flows.

Many emission line stars are radio sources including early type stars such as ζ Pup and P Cyg, peculiar objects such as MWC 349 (a possible proto-planetary system) and V1016 Cyg, nebular variables such as T Tau, and at least one late M giant. These “radio stars” are characterized by (1) a rising spectrum with spectral index α = 0.6 to 1.1, (2) positional coincidence between star and radio source, and (3) no rapid (less than 107 sec) time variability. These characteristics are in contrast with the non-thermal spectrum and rapid variability of Algol type “radio stars” and the radio emission associated with x-ray sources. The radio component of the spectrum of emission line stars originates in the substantial mass loss flows which are a feature of their outer atmospheres and which, when ionized by stellar radiation, radiate by free-free electron thermal bremsstrahlung. These circumstellar H II regions are, in general, detectable with present radio-telescopes if the characteristic size of the optically thick region of the flow is greater than about 10−7 of the distance to the star.
Help-seeking mothers and their children

Forty-three mothers sought help with management of childhood behaviors. Presenting complaints in half or more of the families included stubbornness, talking back to parents, disobedience and other traits indicative of parent-child interaction difficulties. Pretreatment behavioral observations revealed that mothers shared common characteristics of being low in positive warmth and high in negative and oppositional responses. The children were observed to share common traits of little independent play, frequent frustration, and either ignored their mothers or were verbally and physically oppositional. Behavioral counselling and monitored rehearsal served to reverse many of the behaviors. Almost all mothers reported reduction in problem behaviors. Mothers varied widely in attributing usefulness to different program components.
On a Quantitative Scale for Lewis Acidity and Recent Progress in Polynitrogen Chemistry

Abstract A quantitative scale for Lewis acidities based on fluoride ion affinities is discussed. It uses pF − values which represent the fluoride ion affinities in kcal/mol divided by 10. These values were obtained for 106 Lewis acids in a self-consistent manner using ab initio calculations at the MP2/PDZ level of theory. In the area of polynitrogen chemistry, the synthesis and characterization of the novel N 5 + cation from N 2 F + and HN 3 is described.
A risk calculator predicting postoperative adverse events in neonates undergoing major abdominal or thoracic surgery.

Abstract Purpose This study sought to demonstrate the feasibility of a risk calculator for neonates undergoing major abdominal or thoracic surgery with good discriminative ability. Methods The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (ACS-NSQIP-P) 2011–12 data were queried for neonates who underwent major abdominal or thoracic surgery. The outcome of interest was the occurrence of any adverse event, including mortality, within 30-days postoperatively. The preoperative clinical characteristics significantly associated with any adverse event were used to build a multivariate model. The model's discriminative ability was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The model was split-set validated with 2013 data. Results A total of 2967 neonates undergoing major abdominal or thoracic surgery were identified. The overall rate of adverse events was 23.3%. Sixteen variables were found to be associated with adverse events. Four variables increased the odds of adverse events at least two-fold: dirty or infected wound class [odds ratio (OR)=2.1] dialysis (OR=3.8), hepatobiliary disease (OR=2.1), and inotropic agent use (OR=2.6). The AUROC=0.79 for development data and 0.77 on split-set validation. Conclusion Preoperatively estimating the probability of postoperative adverse events in neonates undergoing major abdominal or thoracic surgery with good discrimination is feasible.
Overview of space qualified solid state lasers development at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has been engaging in Earth and planetary science instruments development for many years. With stunning topographic details of the Mars surface to Earth's surface maps and ice sheets dynamics of recent years, NASA GSFC has provided vast amount of scientific data products that gave detailed insights into Earth's and planetary sciences. In this paper we will review the past and present of space-qualified laser programs at GSFC and offer insights into future laser based science instrumentations.
Enhancing and Adapting Treatment Foster Care: Lessons Learned in Trying to Change Practice

Evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for children with severe behavioral and emotional problems have received a great deal of attention in children’s mental health. Therapeutic foster care (TFC), a residential intervention for youth with emotional or behavioral problems, is one of the few community-based programs that is considered to be evidence-based. However, as for most treatment approaches, the vast majority of existing programs do not deliver the evidence-based version. In an attempt to fill this gap and improve practice across a wide range of TFC agencies, we developed an enhanced model of TFC based on input from both practice and research. It includes elements associated with improved outcomes for youth in “usual care” TFC agencies as well as key elements from Chamberlain’s evidence-based model. The current manuscript describes this “hybrid” intervention—Together Facing the Challenge—and discusses key issues in implementation. We describe the sample and settings, highlight key implementation strategies, and provide “lessons learned” to help guide others who may wish to change practice in existing agencies.
Pictures and Words: Spanish and English Vocabulary in Classrooms.

The current study evaluated the relation between Spanish and English vocabulary. Whereas previously reported correlations have revealed strong differences among types of vocabulary measures used and the ages of the students tested, no prior study had used a multilevel model to control for classroom-level differences, The current study used multiple measures of vocabulary-picture vocabulary and narrative production tasks-in multilevel models of 1,300 Spanish-speaking students in 247 kindergarten and 1st-grade classrooms in English immersion and bilingual transitional programs. The current results highlight the need to separate classroom effects from student effects, since for vocabulary measures, student-level correlations were strongly biased toward zero when classroom-level correlations were opposite in direction from student-level correlations. Most important, the current results support a strong distinction between types of vocabulary measure (e.g., picture vs. narrative) and suggest sizable influence of instruction for questions of bilingual performance.
TCEC: Temperature and Energy-Constrained Scheduling in Real-Time Multitasking Systems

The ongoing scaling of semiconductor technology is causing severe increase of on-chip power density and temperature in microprocessors. This urgently requires both power and thermal management during system design. In this paper, we propose a model checking-based technique using extended timed automata to solve the processor frequency assignment problem in a temperature and energy-constrained multitasking system. We also develop a polynomial time-approximation algorithm to address the state-space explosion problem caused by symbolic model checker. Our approximation scheme is guaranteed to not generate any false-positive answer, while it may return false-negative answer in rare cases. Our method is universally applicable since it is independent of any system and task characteristics. Experimental results demonstrate the usefulness of our approach.
Gravitational-Wave Extraction from an Inspiraling Configuration of Merging Black Holes

We present new techniques for evolving binary black hole systems which allow the accurate determination of gravitational waveforms directly from the wave zone region of the numerical simulations. Rather than excising the black hole interiors, our approach follows the "puncture" treatment of black holes, but utilizing a new gauge condition which allows the black holes to move successfully through the computational domain. We apply these techniques to an inspiraling binary, modeling the radiation generated during the final plunge and ringdown. We demonstrate convergence of the waveforms and and good conservation of mass-energy, with just over 3% of the system s mass converted to gravitational radiation.
Multiobjective optimization in structural design with uncertain parameters and stochastic processes

The application of multiobjective optimization techniques to structural design problems involving uncertain parameters and random processes is studied. The design of a cantilever beam with a tip mass subjected to a stochastic base excitation is considered for illustration. Several of the problem parameters are assumed to be random variables and the structural mass, fatigue damage, and negative of natural frequency of vibration are considered for minimization. The solution of this three-criteria design problem is found by using global criterion, utility function, game theory, goal programming, goal attainment, bounded objective function, and lexicographic methods. It is observed that the game theory approach is superior in finding a better optimum solution, assuming the proper balance of the various objective functions. The procedures used in the present investigation are expected to be useful in the design of general dynamic systems involving uncertain parameters, stochastic process, and multiple objectives.