cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Operational information content sum capacity

This paper considers Quality-of-Information (QoI) aware resource allocation policies for multiuser networks. QoI is a recently introduced composite metric which is impacted by a number of attributes of information communicated from the source(s) to the destination(s), and as such differs from traditional quality-of-service metrics considered to date. The focus of this work is defining the Operational Information Content Sum Capacity (OICC-S) of a network, achieved by the set of information attributes supported that maximize sum quality of the network. This quality is defined as a function of the information attributes provided by the source input, as well as the channel induced attributes that impact the QoI delivered to the destination(s). Optimum rate allocation to maximize the output sum quality of information and achieve OICC-S of the network for various settings is provided, and demonstrated to differ from the solution that provides maximum throughput, making QoI-awareness necessary in resource allocation. Insights arising from the analysis are provided, along with those from practical scenarios.
Sterically hindered C(alpha, alpha)-disubstituted alpha-amino acids: synthesis from alpha-nitroacetate and incorporation into peptides.

The preparation of sterically hindered and polyfunctional Cα,α-disubstituted α-amino acids (ααAAs) via alkylation of ethyl nitroacetate and transformation into derivatives ready for incorporation into peptides are described. Treatment of ethyl nitroacetate with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIEA) in the presence of a catalytic amount of tetraalkylammonium salt, followed by the addition of an activated alkyl halide or Michael acceptor, gives the doubly C-alkylated product in good to excellent yields. Selective nitro reduction with Zn in acetic acid or hydrogen over Raney Ni gives the corresponding amino ester that, upon saponification, can be protected with the fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group. The first synthesis of an orthogonally protected, tetrafunctional Cα,α-disubstituted analogue of aspartic acid, 2,2-bis(tert-butylcarboxymethyl)glycine (Bcmg), is described. Also, the sterically demanding Cα,α-dibenzylglycine (Dbg) has been incorporated into a peptide using solid-phase synthesis. It was found th...
Adaptive High-Order Finite-Difference Method for Nonlinear Wave Problems

We discuss a scheme for the numerical solution of one-dimensional initial value problems exhibiting strongly localized solutions or finite-time singularities. To accurately and efficiently model such phenomena we present a full space-time adaptive scheme, based on a variable order spatial finite-difference scheme and a 4th order temporal integration with adaptively chosen time step. A wavelet analysis is utilized at regular intervals to adaptively select the order and the grid in accordance with the local behavior of the solution. Through several examples, taken from gasdynamics and nonlinear optics, we illustrate the performance of the scheme, the use of which results in several orders of magnitude reduction in the required degrees of freedom to solve a problem to a particular fidelity.
Scheduling of uniform multidimensional systems under resource constraints

Multidimensional (MD) systems are widely used to model scientific applications such as image processing, geophysical signal processing, and fluid dynamics. Such systems, usually, contain repetitive groups of operations represented by nested loops. The optimization of such loops, considering processing resource constraints, is required in order to improve their computational time. Most of the existing static scheduling mechanisms, used in the high-level synthesis of very large scale integration (VLSI) architectures, do not consider the parallelism inherent to the multidimensional characteristics of the problem. This paper explores the basic properties of MD loop pipelining and presents two novel techniques, multidimensional rotation scheduling and push-up scheduling, able to achieve the shortest possible schedule length. These new techniques transform a multidimensional data flow graph representing the problem, while assigning the loop operations to a schedule table. The multidimensional rotation scheduling is an iterative "heuristic" method, depending upon user input, while the push-up scheduling algorithm is able to compute the new schedule in polynomial time. The optimal resulting schedule length and the efficiency of the algorithms are demonstrated by a series of practical experiments.
N‐(tert‐Butoxycarbonyloxy)‐5‐norbornene‐endo‐2,3‐dicarboximide

[154006-63-0] or [64205-15-8] C14H17NO5 (MW 279.29) InChI = 1S/C14H17NO5/c1-14(2,3)19-13(18)20-15-11(16)9-7-4-5-8(6-7)10(9)12(15)17/h4-5,7-10H,6H2,1-3H3/t7-,8+,9-,10+ InChIKey = SMTQMXCDEUEZRS-YNFQOJQRSA-N (reagent for tert-butoxycarbonyl [Boc] protection of amines, selective for unhindered amines) Alternative Names: (N-hydroxy-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxyl-imido)-tert-butyl-carbonate, N-(t-butoxycarbonyloxy)-5-norbornene-endo-2,3-dicarboximide, tert-butyl-2,4-dioxo-3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-yl carbonate, Boc-ONb, NtBND. Physical Data: mp 121-122 °C. Solubility: soluble in methanol, ethanol, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, and mixed solvent systems involving water. Physical Appearance: white crystalline solid. Preparative Methods: see Refs 1 and 2. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: air stable at room temperature.
Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in hyperresponsiveness.

Abstract Cyclic-AMP has been shown to cause a hyperresponse in blood pressure change in conjunction with norepinephrine in the anesthetized rat system. Recent experiments show that the antagonist to angiotensin II, Sar 1 -Thr 8 angiotensin II, abolishes the hyperresponse produced by c-AMP. This is interpreted to mean that the added response caused by c-AMP is mediated through angiotensin II. When the antagonist is removed, the hyperresponse is observed to return. The experiments with cyclic-GMP indicate that the hyperresponse seen with c-AMP is not only absent, but a constant decrease in response to norepinephrine is observed as long as c-GMP is present. The decrease in blood pressure change in the presence of c-GMP suggests that the 10 −5 M c-GMP causes a relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. These two cyclic nucleotides seem to produce their effects by two completely different mechanisms.
An efficient key management scheme in hierarchical sensor networks

Recent advances in micro-electro-mechanical systems technology, wireless communications and digital electronics have enabled the development of sensor networks, in which a large number of sensor nodes collaborate to monitor certain environment. Many applications are dependent on the security of sensor networks, and have serious consequences if the network is compromised or disrupted. In sensor networks, plaintext is encrypted by keys before it is sent to the destination. Therefore key management is essential to any secure communication. Depending on the application, sensor networks can be very different so as the key management protocols. In this paper, we study the key management scheme for sensor networks with hierarchical structures such as the situation in the military or some government organizations. Analysis is conducted to show the effectiveness of the scheme by taking advantage of the topology. So far to our knowledge, no other paper has discussed the key management scheme in a hierarchical sensor network
SUPPLY CHAIN CAPITAL: THE IMPACT OF STRUCTURAL AND RELATIONAL LINKAGES ON FIRM EXECUTION AND INNOVATION

Firms invest millions of dollars annually in developing their supply chains, with the broad goal of increasing their own performance. However, despite the significant resources deployed for supply chain development, the extent to which initiating, maintaining, and managing supply chain relationships contributes to firm success remains unclear. The current article provides conceptual development supporting the valuation of firm-to-firm supply chain connections from the perspective of the focal firm. Based on the social network and economics literatures, the article introduces the concept of supply chain capital, which comprises the value of both the structural configuration and relationship content of the firm's supply chain network. Following theoretical development, a non-exhaustive set of propositions are constructed illustrating multiple ways that supply chain capital can be accrued and exploited for firm-level benefit. Managerial recommendations for investment in supply chain capital are included, as are future directions for research in the area of supply chain networks.
Closed-form expressions for determining approximate PMC boundaries around an aperture in a metal cavity wall

Modern electronic systems may use mixed RF/digital technologies to achieve various functionalities, which leads to various intra-system interference problems including the RF interference from noisy digital circuits to sensitive RF receivers, especially when the overall system is contained in a metal enclosure. A fast method based on a cavity formulation can be used to estimate the internal noise coupling mechanisms inside the enclosure. This method assumes that only the TMz0 mode exists inside the enclosure, i.e., the electric field along the z-direction is constant. The cavity formulation fails in the region adjacent to an aperture in an enclosure wall, since the aperture introduces higher order modes. The developed closed-form expressions compute the Ez-field variation along the z-direction. Thus, they can be used to estimate the breakpoint where the cavity method is no longer effective.
Answers to unasked questions: writing in the margins.

This qualitative study is a secondary analysis of comments spontaneously provided by participants in a quantitative survey. Narrative comments were written by 25% (n = 205) of the adults with multiple sclerosis who responded to the survey. Forms of unsolicited written comments included responses to questions written in the margins of the questionnaires and narratives on blank booklet pages. The purpose of this study was to apprehend what participants were telling us, particularly in the responses that they had written in the margins. Qualitative methods were used to identify and explore major categories in the participants' comments. Those who wrote unsolicited comments perceived their economic resources as less adequate, were experiencing greater family and social demands related to their illness, and were more likely to live in a nonmetropolitan county than other respondents. Secondary analysis of this rich qualitative data enhances the depth of our understanding of the person's experience with chronic illness. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 22:512–522, 1999
Measuring Trends in Leisure: The Allocation of Time Over Five Decades

In this paper, we use five decades of time-use surveys to document trends in the allocation of time. We find that a dramatic increase in leisure time lies behind the relatively stable number of market hours worked (per working-age adult) between 1965 and 2003. Specifically, we show that leisure for men increased by 6-8 hours per week (driven by a decline in market work hours) and for women by 4-8 hours per week (driven by a decline in home production work hours). This increase in leisure corresponds to roughly an additional 5 to 10 weeks of vacation per year, assuming a 40-hour work week. Alternatively, the "consumption equivalent" of the increase in leisure is valued at 8 to 9 percent of total 2003 U.S. consumption expenditures. We also find that leisure increased during the last 40 years for a number of sub-samples of the population, with less-educated adults experiencing the largest increases. Lastly, we document a growing "inequality" in leisure that is the mirror image of the growing inequality of wages and expenditures, making welfare calculation based solely on the latter series incomplete.
The use of simulation for productivity estimation based on multiple regression analysis

Productivity estimation has been fundamental subject investigated in academia and industry. There are two common methods for estimation of productivity: (1) deterministic and (2) simulation methods. The deterministic method does not reflect actual conditions, such as randomness of work duration, whereas simulation method can overcome this limitation. However, the user without a background in simulation may struggle with implementation due to the difficulty of modeling. The presented productivity estimation model in this research was created using multiple regression analysis with data generated by WebCYCLONE. The model representing the mathematical relations between conditions and productivity allows planners or site personnel to estimate productivity by simply entering input data reflecting actual site conditions. In academia, the research methodology utilized in this research provides a framework for the user to establish other application models for estimating or evaluating the performances of new technologies.
Abstract 3854: Gamma-linolenic Acid (GLA) sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and continues to be a disease with few options for treatment. Current therapeutic regimens for pancreatic cancer often include the nucleoside analog gemcitabine (GEM), but while it has been in use for many years, the overall five year survival rate continues to be about 5%. New therapies are urgently needed to treat this disease. The nutritional supplement gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is a poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) of the n-6 PUFA family, and has garnered attention for its cytotoxic effects against tumor cell lines while not affecting normal cells. In this study we look at the effect GLA has on Panc-1 cells and its ability to increase the sensitivity of these cells to treatment with GEM. Through the use of cell viability assays, immunofluorescence, 3-D growth assays, and western blotting, our results show that GLA alone will inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in Panc-1 cells. When GLA is combined with GEM, the results are synergistically enhanced. In addition, our results show that GLA may act through disruption of lipid rafts in the cellular membrane and may activate the extrinsic apoptotic pathway causing cell death. These results suggest that the nutritional supplement GLA could be used in combination with GEM to increase the therapeutic effectiveness of GEM while treating pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3854. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3854
Scandals, audits, and fictions: Linking climate change to Mexican forests

Over the past 10 years, Mexican officials and scientists have promoted the project of protecting Mexican forests in order to mitigate climate change, forests acting to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This article compares existing policies around mass reforestation and markets for environmental services, and their relationships to a policy in construction - Reduced Emissions through Degradation and Deforestation. Mass reforestation policies collapsed in the face of politicized audits and stories about corruption; markets for environmental services continued with little criticism, stabilized in part by the charisma of Reduced Emissions through Degradation and Deforestation policies. I explain the collapse of mass reforestation policies as being due to failed knowledge performances by officials and scientists; such failures are assessed by more or less skeptical publics who expect specific ways of performing credible public knowledge. Areas of nonknowledge can be tamed as calculable uncertainty, or alternatively transformed into ontological indeterminacy, scandals, and stories of corruption. Areas of nonknowledge are not pathological: they may support, as well as undermine, climate science, the authority of institutions, or the credibility of carbon accounts.
Teaching Business Associations with Group Oral Midterms: Benefits and Drawbacks

I focus in this Article on a particular way to assess student learning in a Business Associations course. Those of us involved in legal education for the past few years know that “assessment” has been a buzzword...or a bugaboo...or both. The American Bar Association (ABA) has focused law schools on assessment (institutional and pedagogical), and that focus is not, in my view, misplaced. Until relatively recently, much of student assessment in law school doctrinal courses was rote behavior, seemingly driven by heuristics and resulting in something constituting (or at least resembling) information cascades or other herding behaviors.In the fall of 2011, I began offering an oral midterm examination to students in my Business Associations course as an additional assessment tool. This Article explains why I started (and have continued) down that path, how I designed that examination, and what I have learned by using this assessment method for three years. Although some (probably most) will not want to do in their Business Associations courses exactly what I have done in mine (as to the midterm examination or any other aspects of the course described in this Article), I am providing this information to give readers ideas for, or courage to make positive changes in, their own teaching (for a course on business associations or anything else).
Expansions for Integrals Relative to Invariant Measures Determined by Contractive Affine Maps

We discuss expansions for integrals to invariant measures of certain stationary Markov chains determined by contractive affine maps. In the homogeneous case, Appell polynomials generated by the Fourier transform of the invariant measure determines the expansion. Some facts about the spectral radius of a stationary subdivision operator and the Lipshitz class of refinable functions are also included.
A nuclear suppressor overcomes defects in the synthesis of the chloroplast psbD gene product caused by mutations in two distinct nuclear genes of Chlamydomonas

Mutations in two distinct nuclear genes, called NAC 1 and AC-115, of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cause a specific and dramatic reduction in the synthesis of the chloroplast-encoded D2 polypeptide of Photosystem II. The psbD transcript which encodes the D2 protein is present in the mutant strains, but protein pulse-labeling and immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that the synthesis of the D2 protein does not occur normally in these cells. These phenotypes are suppressed by an extragenic nuclear suppressor isolated from a pseudorevertant of a nac 1 mutant. This suppressor is neither allele- nor gene-specific in its suppression and is able to overcome the effects of two different mutations in the NAC 1 gene, as well as a mutation in AC-115. The suppressor seems to be specific in its ability to remedy blocks in psbD mRNA translation in the chloroplast. It is not able to restore the translation of another chloroplas-encoded rRNA which is blocked by another nuclear mutation. The suppressor may identify a new nuclear gene specifically involved in the synthesis of the D2 protein in the chloroplast.
NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T! FALSE DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM IN COMPLEX CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal condition that can be readily diagnosed by ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scans or Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA). However, there can be interpretative pitfalls, especially in patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD). As more patients
Maximisation of the erectile response in the investigation of impotence.

The aim of this study was to assess whether redosing with a combination of intracavernosal (IC) vasoactive agents could produce a complete erectile response, thereby providing a reliable and reproducible method of dynamic investigation of erectile dysfunction. Forty-one impotent men were redosed with a combination intracavernosal agents until a constant penile rigidity was achieved. They were then shown audiovisual sexual stimulation (VES) by means of a videotape. The erectile responses were monitored continuously by RigiScan (Dacomed). Results: Despite a constant rigidity with intracavernous injection (ICI), 16 men (39%) still had an improved response with VES that was clinically detectable. Conclusion: Dynamic investigation of erectile dysfunction with a combination and redosing of IC agents may still lead to an incomplete erectile response. This may potentially lead to patients being incorrectly labelled and confirms the limitations of follow-up studies using dynamic tests of erectile function.
Hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, and bromsulfo-phthalein retention in rabbits injected intravenously with bacterial endotoxins

Endotoxin derived from Serratia marcescens (Shear's polysaccharide) or Eschrichia coli was injected intravenously into rabbits. A transitory rise in plasma free fatty acids (FFA) occurred from 1 to 3 hr after the injection; the bromsulfophthalein excretion (BSP) test was abnormal from 2 to 24 hr after the injection. In 24 hr there was a 4- to 9-fold increase in the average plasma triglyceride concentration, with a 2- to 3-fold rise in the average serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels. The plasma FFA concentration rose again after a second injection ; serum triglycerides remained elevated or increased still further. Fatty livers were found in 25% of animals given two doses of Shear's polysaccharide and in all animals given two doses of E. coli endotoxin. No direct correlation could be established between the serum lipid levels and the extent and distribution of intravascular thrombosis and necrosis in the lungs, liver, and spleen, or the production of the generalized Shwartzman phenomenon in the kidney. However, there appeared to be a direct correlation between the elevated serum triglyceride levels and the mortality rates of the animals.
UNICEF against the tsunami

The southeast Asian tsunami that caused massive death and destruction in December 2004 was met by an extraordinary outpouring of international generosity. Recovery work was initially slowed by a variety of problems including poor administrative organization, lack of coordination between partners, and legal impediments. However, it is now largely completed. UNICEF worked hard to ensure that available funds were used to "build back better".
The “pHunger Games”: Manuscript Review to Assess Graduating Chemistry Majors

Numerous options exist to assess student performance using standardized, multiple-choice exams at the course and department levels. This paper describes the development and implementation of an alternative department-level assessment for graduating chemistry majors. The assessment detailed here evaluates students’ ability to transfer chemical knowledge from their classes to a real life application, namely the review of a scientific paper. Working in groups of three with full access to reference materials, students review a paper intentionally doctored by the faculty to contain a variety of errors. Student groups identify and correct mistakes in a paper with content spanning numerous chemistry subdisciplines. To motivate student effort, a prize is awarded to the group submitting the most thorough review. The data collected from the “pHunger Games” will inform curricular reform and innovation throughout the department.
Expressing Ideology Without a Voice, or Obfuscation and the Enlightenment

The consumer culture produced by the Industrial Revolution obfuscates diversity in the archaeological record. Mass-manufactured goods might be read as mass-manufactured culture. It is important for historical archaeologists to attempt to decode the complexities of consumption. Using a feminist approach, I examine one archaeologically visible way in which muted groups simultaneously embrace and resist the tenets of a dominant ideology. I compare ceramic assemblages from four nineteenth/twentieth-century sites in Annapolis, Maryland, two mid-nineteenth-century assemblages from New York City, and some additional selected examples from North America.
Bees, Barley, Bēowulf and Beyla

A primary aim of this study is its attempt to uncover a prehistoric layer of cereal grain (barley) mythology and ritual that may have backgrounded the Beowulf -poem. Toward this end, the poem and the mythological figures of Byggvir, Beyla, Scef ‘sheaf’ and Scyld ‘shield’ are interpreted in terms of a conceivable ritual context. Moreover, cereal deities, their ritualized veneration and the possible associations between them are referenced to the scourge of ergotism that once threatened much of Europe. The scope of Beowulf as not only an heroic epic but as also a cultural repository is thereby amplified.
Modeling of Multi-Stream Heat Exchangers with Phase Changes for Cryogenic Applications

Abstract A new equation-oriented process model for multi-stream heat exchangers (MHEX) is presented with a special emphasis on phase changes. The model internally uses the pinch concept to ensure the minimum driving force criteria. Streams capable of phase change are split into sub-streams corresponding to each of the phases. A novel disjunctive representation is proposed which identifies the phases traversed by a stream during heat exchange and assigns appropriate heat loads and temperatures for heat integration. Model is suitable for optimization studies particularly when the phases of the streams at the entry and exit of the MHEX are not known a priori. The capability of the model is illustrated using a case study on liquefaction of natural gas.
The overselling of globalization

Globalization was oversold. Politicians and some economists wrongly argued for trade agreements on the basis of job creation. The gains to GDP or growth were overestimated, and the costs, including adverse distributional effects, were underestimated. There have been important political consequences of this overselling, including the undermining of confidence in the elites that advocated globalization. The failures of globalization and the misguided backlash against it contain many lessons: about the importance of science and learning in society, the importance of the shared acceptance of facts, the dangerous consequences of deliberately misinforming the public, and the folly of ignoring the distributional consequences of economic forces just because they may lead to growth. The new protectionism advocated by the administration of Donald Trump will only worsen the plight of those already hurt by globalization. What is needed is a comprehensive system of social protection. After cataloguing the failures of globalization and explaining how they led to our current political mire, this paper outlines a set of policies that could put the economy and our politics back on a better path.
Plant Abiotic Stress: Salt

Salinity is an abiotic stress that affects the plant’s ability to grow, develop, and achieve its full genetic potential. Plants vary in their tolerance to salt, as does an individual plant at different developmental stages. Although this article focuses on the salinity effects and plant responses of glycophytes (the vast majority of crop plants) at the cellular to the whole plant level, it discusses halophytes (salt-loving plants) comparatively in relation to the mechanisms of salt tolerance. The article concludes by discussing salt stress in relation to other abiotic and biotic stresses, as under field conditions, it is likely that the plant will need to endure multiple stresses simultaneously.
Antje Boetius: Exploring the Living Infinite

Antje Boetius is a microbiological oceanographer hailing from Frankfurt, Germany, and working at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology as a professor of geomicrobiology. Boetius’s work on anaerobic methanotrophs has helped break open some of environmental microbiology’s big questions. This chapter is a personal reflection from Jeffrey Marlow on Dr. Boetius’s life and career, with commentary from Antje herself as well as numerous friends and colleagues.
Toward effective CSR communication in controversial industry sectors

ABSTRACTThis study is aimed to unveil the effects of philanthropic corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs on consumers’ perceptions toward CSR communication from corporations in ‘issue-ridd...
Meta-Perceptions of Others’ Attitudes Toward Bisexual Men and Women Among a Nationally Representative Probability Sample

Researchers posit that negative attitudes, prejudice, and discrimination (i.e., binegativity) from heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals may contribute to health disparities among bisexual individuals relative to heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals. Recent studies have focused on gay, lesbian, and heterosexual people’s (e.g., “others”) attitudes toward bisexual people. No studies have investigated how bisexual individuals perceive others’ attitudes toward bisexual people, which are generally known as “meta-perceptions.” As part of the 2015 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, we collected data from a nationally representative probability sample of 2999 adults, including from a subsample of 33 men and 61 women self-identified as bisexual. The Bisexualities: Indiana Attitudes Scale–bisexual (BIAS-b), a modified 5-item scale assessing bisexual people’s perceptions of others’ attitudes toward bisexual individuals, was included and was followed by an open-ended text box question. Quantitative scale data were analyzed using descriptive and gamma regression methods. Two coders thematically analyzed the open-ended text box data. The internal consistency of the BIAS-b was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.85). An exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor solution. Participants responded to statements regarding others’ attitudes toward them as bisexual people, including the domains of confusion, HIV/STD risk, incapability of monogamy, promiscuity, and instability (“just a phase”). Participants’ text box descriptions largely aligned with these five domains, with the exception of HIV/STD risk. Additionally, some participants reported others’ positive perceptions of them as bisexual individuals. In sum, we observed a range of meta-perceptions, primarily neutral to negative, but also including some relatively positive. These results show the need for interventions to promote acceptance of bisexual individuals among heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals.
Humanitarian Efforts for Improving Air Quality Using Solar Power

Indoor air pollution is a major health issue worldwide, responsible for 4.3 million deaths per year, predominantly in developing nations and rural areas. In these areas, families often cook indoors using wood, leaves, manure, and any other locally-available biomass. Cleaner burning cookstoves are occasionally used, but in many rural locations they have experienced a low acceptance rate. The Breeze Project was created to explore alternative means to ameliorate the risk of indoor air pollution through solar-powered ventilation systems. This paper provides the intermediate results of this ongoing project as well as generalized lessons learned over the course of three separate trips to our partner community in Uganda. Our approach is characterized by first understanding the problem first-hand by traveling to a specific community, interfacing with community leaders and residents, and collecting qualitative and quantitative observations. Subsequently, we design a solution that identifies the perceived needs of the community, remotely gather as much prior feedback as possible from community leaders, and conduct a second deployment of a small number of units. This serves as a proof of concept, and qualitative and quantitative observations can inform the researchers of whether the units both create meaningful change and are well-received by the residents. This deployment may also yield unexpected risks and opportunities relevant to subsequent efforts. We follow this trip with a second phase of design revision and prototype fabrication, this time creating enough units to constitute a larger pilot. The third pilot deployment should be focused on gathering feedback on any design modifications, ideally observing any available devices from the second deployment, and beginning to think of how a successful solution could be manufactured locally or regionally. In this paper we will demonstrate some of the specific decisions we made during and prior to these deployments in order to maximize their positive impact and the potential for the project's success in the future.
Pushing the limits for the highest critical currents in superconductors.

The word “superconductor” (SC) evokes the best-known and most-impressive characteristic of these materials, namely their capability to transport electrical current without dissipation. Zero resistance, though, is not the most fundamental property of an SC and by no means has a trivial explanation. The defining phenomenon in an SC is the Meissner effect, which dictates that, in the presence of a low external magnetic field ( H ), the field inside the SC is zero (1). The Meissner effect implies that if H is high enough the SC phase will be destroyed, i.e., there is a critical field. At intermediate fields, a broad variety of SCs, called “type II,” let most of the field penetrate in the form of “vortices,” while most of the material remains superconducting. This trick allows the critical field to reach dramatically higher values, making these materials technologically useful (1, 2). But there is one problem: In a homogeneous SC, electric currents move the vortices, producing dissipation (resistance R ≠ 0). This technologically detrimental motion can be precluded by the presence of material disorder, which produces “pinning centers” that trap the vortices, as long as the current density does not exceed a critical value, J c (1⇓–3). For five decades, the art and science of improving vortex pinning in SCs has progressed through educated guesses, theoretical modeling, and resource-intensive experimental optimization. Recently, enabled by more powerful computational capabilities and inspired by the “materials by design” new paradigm, an effort to advance toward a systematic “critical-currents-by-design” approach has been underway (4). In PNAS, Sadovskyy et al. (5) continue moving on that path but incorporate a radically different strategy. Starting from a “seed” pinning landscape, they apply a genetic algorithm to allow it to evolve toward a configuration with optimum J c. By informing the engineering … [↵][1]1Email: lcivale{at}lanl.gov. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Mental Retardation and Learning Disabilities

Since intelligence tests were designed originally to diagnose mental retardation (see Chapter 1), it is eminently appropriate that this group be discussed first. Mental retardation (MR) has been recognized by societies for some time-at least since the Roman Empire. It has been said that Roman parents often threw their children with mental retardation into the Tiber River in order to not have to care for them, and Spartans killed or abandoned mentally retarded individuals. It was not until the Middle Ages that some societies began to care for these individuals’ needs (Weiss & Weisz, 1986). Given such potential dire consequences, one cannot help but wonder about the accuracy of the diagnoses that were made in those days!
Options for low-global-warming-potential and natural refrigerants part I: Constrains of the shape of the P–T and T–S saturation phase boundaries.

Abstract Current research focus is migrating toward low-global-warming-potential (GWP) and natural refrigerants to address the human impact on climate change. In this paper, we examine 13 refrigerants from the perspective of the characteristic shape of their respective temperature–entropy (T–S) and the logarithm of the pressure versus inverse absolute temperature (log P vs. T–1) saturated phase boundary. Such analyses explain why certain refrigerants possess a re-entrant characteristic while others do not. The re-entrant region is due to skewness of the saturation boundary. The cause of skewness is investigated for its importance in heat pump performance, design, and configuration. Re-entrant behavior contributes to premature mechanical wear of compressor components. Knowledge of the properties of the phase boundary on either side of the critical point, is useful for a better perspective on discriminating refrigerants, as hydrochlorofluorocarbons are phased out and replacement refrigerants must be found. We conclude by identifying a candidate low-GWP refrigerant for heat pumps. In Part II, we evaluate all 13 refrigerants in thermodynamic cycles based on exergy analysis to identify sources of irreversibility, the root cause of systemic inefficiency.
Massage Chair Sessions: Favorable Effects on Ambulatory Cancer Center Nurses' Perceived Level of Stress, Blood Pressure, and Heart Rate.

Background High stress levels over time can contribute to compassion fatigue and burnout and negatively affect individual health and well-being. Objectives A pre-/post-test initiative was implemented to determine the effects of massage chair sessions on ambulatory cancer center nurses (RNs and advanced practice providers) based on their perceived stress, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). Methods A mechanical massage chair was available for 20-minute sessions in a secure room, and nurses self-recorded perceived stress using a visual analog scale, as well as BP and HR using a wrist cuff device. Descriptive statistics and paired t tests were used to assess nurse characteristics and differences before and after massage chair sessions. Findings Nurses participated in 200 massage chair sessions during a six-month period. Significant reductions were noted in perceived stress, systolic and diastolic BP, and HR. These data indicate that providing a relaxing room with chair massage has favorable effects on nurses' perceived stress, BP, and HR.
AggChecker: a fact-checking system for text summaries of relational data sets

We demonstrate AggChecker, a novel tool for verifying textual summaries of relational data sets. The system automatically verifies natural language claims about numerical aggregates against the underlying raw data. The system incorporates a combination of natural language processing, information retrieval, machine learning, and efficient query processing strategies. Each claim is translated into a semantically equivalent SQL query and evaluated against the database. Our primary goal is analogous to that of a spell-checker: to identify erroneous claims and provide guidance in correcting them. In this demonstration, we show that our system enables users to verify text summaries much more efficiently than a standard SQL interface.
Employer or Big Brother? Data Analytics and Incursions into Workers’ Personal Lives

The role of data and predictive analytics in the U.S. workplace is growing exponentially. Data can be collected on employees’ off-duty behaviors, hobbies, consumer preferences and physical and emotional health and then used to make employment decisions. This chapter examines employers’ new data-based incursions into their employee’s personal lives, the impact of these data analytics programs on the divide between work and non-work spheres and the detrimental effect this technology may have on the financial, legal and health-related well-being of employers and workers.
Moral Deference, Moral Assertion, and Pragmatics

In this paper, I offer a novel defense of moderate pessimism about moral deference, i.e., the view that we have pro tanto reason to avoid moral deference. I argue that moral deference fails to give us the epistemic credentials to satisfy plausible norms of moral assertion. I then argue that moral assertions made solely on the basis of deferential moral beliefs violate a plausible epistemic and moral norm against withholding information that one knows, has evidence, or ought to believe will importantly affect another person’s deliberation. Finally, I argue that not only does moral deference fail to put the audience in a good epistemic position it also puts the audience in a bad epistemic and moral position. First, there is a tight connection between outright believing something and being disposed to assert it and so deferential moral beliefs often motivate people to assert something that they don’t have the epistemic credentials to properly assertion. Second, there will often be moral reasons to make assertions—even based on deferential moral beliefs. These assertions, while all-things-considered permissible, will be epistemic impermissible and involve violating a moral norm.
Characteristics and Price Increases Among Sole-Source, Off-Patent Drugs in the United States, 2008 to 2018.

Importance Some sole-source, off-patent drugs in the United States have undergone substantial price hikes in recent years. Despite increased attention by lawmakers, there are limited data to guide policy. Objectives To describe key attributes of sole-source, off-patent, off-exclusivity drugs; to characterize the prevalence of price increases; and to identify attributes associated with price increases. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, 300 sole-source, off-patent, off-exclusivity drug products met inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018. Attributes were identified from multiple sources, and yearly wholesale acquisition cost prices were determined from First Databank. Main Outcomes and Measures The association of drug attributes with the following 2 price change thresholds was measured after adjusting for inflation: 25% or more price increase in a calendar year (wholesale acquisition cost) and 50% or more price increase in a calendar year. The rate of annual price increase over time was also measured. Results Of the 300 drug products and 2242 observations analyzed, the overall inflation-adjusted mean increase in drug prices was 8.8% (95% CI, 7.8%-9.8%) per year. Ninety-five drugs (31.7%) increased by 25% or more during any calendar year, and 66 drugs (22.0%) increased by 50% or more during any calendar year. An initial price of less than $2 per unit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.36; 95% CI, 1.69-3.29), antineoplastic and immunomodulatory class (aOR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.31-5.65), dermatologic class (aOR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.80-4.84), oral route (aOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.45-2.79), and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before 1990 (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.14-2.03) were attributes of drugs that were more likely to be associated with a 25% or more price increase in a calendar year after adjusting for by initial price. Similarly, an initial price of less than $2 per unit (aOR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.76-4.09), antineoplastic and immunomodulatory class (aOR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.54-6.12), oral route of administration (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.11-2.60), and FDA approval before 1990 (aOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.40-2.94) were attributes of drugs that were more likely to be associated with a 50% or more price increase in a calendar year after adjusting for by initial price. Price increases of 25% or more were most common in 2014, and price increases of 50% or more were most common in 2013. Conclusions and Relevance Price increases among sole-source, off-patent drugs are common, and policy interest in this practice is warranted. These findings should inform state drug pricing legislation.
Impact of Weight Status on the Cardiopulmonary Fitness Outcome of a School-Based Physical Activity Program.

Background The effectiveness of school-based physical activity interventions for improving cardiopulmonary fitness (CPF) of overweight and obese children is not well established. In this study, we evaluated whether overweight and obese children had similar changes in body mass index (BMI) and CPF as normal weight children after participating in a program for one academic year. Methods Using purposive sampling at the school level, we selected 16 program and 7 control schools in a large metropolitan area in the Southeast during the 2015-2016 academic year. In these schools, 3396 fourth-graders participated with parental consent. Of these, 2332 (68.7%) participated in BMI measures and 1780 (52.4%) in Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) measures for CPF at two time points. Results Students of all weight statuses pre-program did not show changes in BMI after program implementation. All students showed statistically significant improvements in the PACER test at follow-up, regardless of their participation in the program. However, overweight and obese children showed less improvement in CPF level than their normal weight classmates, regardless of their participation in the program. Conclusion Special attention for improving engagements of overweight and obese children may be needed to achieve improvements in their CPF level similar to that of normal weight students.
Testing the waters: Syndemic gastrointestinal distress in Lambaréné, Gabon, 1926-1932.

Abstract This paper argues that a cluster of pathogens, hazardous labor conditions, and environmental constraints rendered chronic gastrointestinal distress fatal for African laborers living near Lambarene, Gabon during the 1920s. Application of syndemic theory and epidemiological methods on patient records at Hospital Schweitzer, the central hospital of the region, explain how a seemingly simple diagnosis of chronic gastrointestinal distress belied a complex web of worsening biological and social outcomes for laborers in the tropical forests of central Gabon. An analysis of the syndemic suffering of GI patients reveals how the dysentery pathogen became tied to the peaks and valleys of the colonial economy, and in particular, the colonial extraction of tropical hardwoods. These processes culminated in the summer of 1929 when the highest number of timber exports coincided with the deadliest months of dysentery outbreak for the patient population at Hospital Schweitzer. This case study proposes syndemics as an effective theoretical framework to research historical precedents of the entanglement of people, pathogens, and illness.
ETF Heartbeat Trades, Tax Efficiencies, and Clienteles: The Role of Taxes in the Flow Migration from Active Mutual Funds to ETFs

We study the use of “heartbeat trades” by ETFs in explaining their superior tax efficiency. By relying on the in-kind-redemption exemption rule, authorized participants help ETFs avoid distributing realized capital gains and reduce their tax overhang. In recent years, ETFs end up with 0.92% lower tax burden per year than active mutual funds, partly due to heartbeat trades. Challenged by ETFs’ tax efficiencies, mutual funds exhibit higher flow-tax sensitivity than flow-fee sensitivity. Active mutual funds with relatively higher tax burdens had more outflows from tax-sensitive investors at the same time when ETFs with similar investment styles experienced stronger inflows. Using holdings data of institutions with high-net-worth clients, we find that investment advisors with tax-sensitive investors allocate four times more assets to ETFs than other institutions, representing an important driver behind the overall surge in ETF flows, especially after the increase of capital gains tax rate in 2013. We conclude that the migration of flows from active mutual funds to ETFs is driven primarily by tax considerations.
Self as Brand and Brand as Self: A 2x2 Dimension Conceptual Model of Self-Branding in the Digital Economy

Research about self-branding is mainly drawn from two areas: marketing research and cultural studies. Although they use the same terms—self-branding or personal branding—they sometimes refer to dif...