cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contracting and Work Dynamics in Collaborative Projects

Unlike manufacturing processes, knowledge-intensive projects are often iterative, stochastic, and collaborative. In this paper, we study how contractual arrangements affect the work dynamics between a vendor and a client in finite-deadline collaborative projects. We consider a project that has been disambiguated and needs to be executed. We show that the client and the vendor should both exert high effort when the project is near completion, i.e., either when the project has reached a high state or when there is limited time left until the deadline. Otherwise, only one of them needs to exert high effort. When efforts are not contractible, i.e., with double moral hazard, the dynamics of collaboration depend on the contractual arrangement: Reward-sharing contracts yield suboptimal output and give rise to free-riding; fixed-fee completion bonuses make the vendor exert high effort only when the project has reached a high state; and with time-and-materials contracts, the vendor attempts to either shirk work or creep the project scope. Despite these shortcomings, our analysis reveals that simple contracts may perform well, but that they must be judiciously chosen based on the project characteristics.
Synthetic Biomaterials for Spinal Applications

The goal of this chapter is to provide introductory material in the rapidly growing area of biomaterials used in the spine. A spinal device may be composed of one or many materials. The chapter discusses the properties of materials. The mechanical properties of materials is necessary for a discussion of materials and their interactions with biological tissues. The most common way to determine mechanical properties is to pull a specimen apart and measure the force and deformation. This chapter illustrates that there are a number of material properties that can be determined from these measurements. Materials are also tested according to other standards, by crushing them in compression or in flexion. This chapter concludes that, as new materials and applications are developed the mechanical properties and biological effects will have to be evaluated using the methods described.
A FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THE VISCOELASTIC INTERACTION BETWEEN THE NUCLEUS PULPOSUS AND ANNULUS FIBROSIS WITHIN THE HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL JOINT

ABSTRACT An understanding of the mechanical properties and behavior of the intervertebral disc is critical to several current areas of research. Among these are the study of the effects of extreme gravitational forces on the air crews of high performance aircraft, the related problem of spinal injuries due to aircraft ejection and the study of disc degeneration. This study was undertaken in order to construct a realistic analytical model of the intervertebral joint using the finite element approach. Experiments have shown that healthy intervertebral joints exhibit creep when subjected to axial load. A previous study of this time dependent behavior employed a simplified visco-elastic model of the disc which neglected its inhomogeneity. Though the homogeneous model successfully simulated the externally observed response of its joint, it could not adequately portray the internal response of the disc, especially the interaction of the annulus fibrosis and the nucleus pulposus. The focus of this investigation is the behavior and interaction of the nucleus and annulus under loading, noting in particular, the role of the annulus as a restraining mechanism on the nucleus. An axisymmetric finite element model is employed which incorporates a linear visco-elastic constitutive relation for the annulus and nucleus based upon a three-parameter Kelvin solid. The visco-elastic constants are found by matching one dimensional axial experimental data with this two dimensional model. The nucleus, which is composed of a series of concentric lamellae of collagen fibers, has been modelled as a 12 ply structure of orthotropic material. The cortical bone, trabecular bone, and the bony end plate are assumed to be isotropic and linearly elastic. Results indicate that the orthotropic material properties of the annulus have a significant impact upon its time dependent behavior and should be included when modelling the joint.
Symptomatic differences between the sexes in rural Mexico.

This paper addresses the problem of the differential presentation of illness by women and men in two Spiritualist temples and a physician's office situated in rural Mexico. Women's morbidity raises the broader anthropological questions of the interplay between symptomatic expression and women's unequal status in the social structure, their cognitive evaluation of specific life experiences, cultural etiological explanations and Western models of dysphoria. Symptoms presented by patients in different health care delivery sites are compared and case vignettes of patients' illnesses and attributions are presented to demonstrate the ways in which culturally constructed illness attributions and illness expressions comprise a somatic grammar for the articulation of experiential distress. The sick population is compared with a control group of healthy women to highlight the socio-cultural and psychosocial variables that promote illness in women from the same sociocultural strata of rural Mexico. Collective understandings of the role of life events and emotional expression in illness attributions legitimize somatization as a coping style under adverse existential conditions.
Learning from database performance benchmarks

This paper illustrates an approach to incorporate performance benchmarks in a database course to introduce students to scalable test data and query performance. The realistic TPC-H benchmark enterprise forms the basis of class exercises and homework assignments that reinforce SQL query reading and writing skills. The integration of the benchmark supports the fundamental learning objectives of the course and exposes students to additional concepts used in industry.
Measuring the areal density of nanomaterials by electron energy-loss spectroscopy

Thickness measurements of nanomaterials are usually performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques such as convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) patterns analysis and the log-ratio method based on electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) spectrum. However, it is challenging to obtain both the thickness and elemental information, especially in non-crystalline materials or for very thin samples. In this work, we establish a series of procedures to calculate the areal density of the material by directly measuring the inelastic scattering probability in a thin sample. Core-loss EELS are fit with a quantitative model to extract atomic areal density. Knowledge of one of the parameters (volume density or sample thickness) allows a measurement of the other. The absolute error between the known thicknesses and those measured was less than 4% using two-dimensional materials with a well-defined thickness as test samples, which is much better than the log-ratio method for very thin samples. One promising advantage of this method is the thickness/areal density determination in mixed phase/element systems. We use Ag-Co bimetallic triangles and black rutile as examples to calculate the thickness map in mixture systems in different cases. We also demonstrate this technique can be applied to measure the argon gas density in spherical cavities. This allows a temperature vs pressure curve to be obtained and illustrates the unique capability of this technique.
Investigating a chimeric anti-mouse PDGFRα antibody as a radiosensitizer in primary mouse sarcomas.

Abstract Background Olaratumab (LY3012207/IMC-3G3/Lartruvo™) is a fully human monoclonal antibody specific for platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα). Phase Ib/II trial results of olaratumab plus doxorubicin in adult patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) supported accelerated FDA approval of this regimen. Radiation therapy (RT) is frequently used for high-risk localized STS. However, olaratumab has not been tested with concurrent RT. Here, we evaluate the chimeric anti-mouse PDGFRα antibody 1E10Fc as a radiosensitizer in a primary mouse model of STS. Methods Primary STS were initiated in mice. When tumors reached 70 mm3, mice were allocated into treatment groups: 1) isotype, 2) 1E10Fc, 3) isotype + RT, 4) 1E10Fc + RT. 1E10Fc or isotype was given biweekly. RT (25 Gy delivered in 5 daily 5 Gy fractions) was initiated on Day 0 with first drug treatment. Tumors were measured 3× per week. Upon reaching 900 mm3, tumors and lungs were harvested. A two-way ANOVA was performed to compare tumor growth delay. Primary tumors were stained for CD31 and PDGFRα and lungs were assessed for micrometastases. A Chi-square test was performed to compare the development of micrometastases in the lungs after treatment with 1E10Fc or isotype. Findings RT significantly delayed time to tumor quintupling compared to no RT (p Interpretation 1E10Fc did not act as a radiosensitizer in this primary STS model. Funding This study was funded by a research agreement from Eli Lilly and Company.
Multiple stable isotopes identify sediment organic matter as the primary nutritional source to American brook lamprey larvae along a stream gradient

Multiple stable isotope ratios (δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S) of American brook lamprey (Lethenteron appendix) ammocoetes and their potential sources were measured along a stream gradient. Isotopic ra...
Age and breed differences in thyroid hormones, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding proteins in female horses.

A survey with horses was conducted to determine whether plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine (T 3 ), thyroxine (T 4 ), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) change as horses grow, mature sexually, and age. Jugular blood was sampled from Standardbred fillies and mares at ages 0, 1, 7, and 14 d, at 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 9 mo, and at 5 to 8 and 16 to 22 yr (n = 5 to 18). In a second survey, we measured the same variables in eight breeds of horses with markedly different adult body sizes, from Miniatures to Friesians. Plasma T 3 , T 4 , and IGF-I were determined by radioimmunoassays validated for horses, and IGFBP were estimated from radioligand assay following separation of the IGFBP by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Plasma T 3 decreased (P .20). In agreement with data for other species, our data suggest that IGF-I and IGFBP modulate growth in horses. Although there were impressive interbreed differences in circulating concentrations of T 3 , T 4 , IGF-I, and IGFBP, these were not related to differences in adult body size.
Metformin Alters Locomotor and Cognitive Function and Brain Metabolism in Normoglycemic Mice

Metformin is currently the most effective treatment for type-2 diabetes. The beneficial actions of metformin have been found even beyond diabetes management and it has been considered as one of the most promising drugs that could potentially slow down aging. Surprisingly, the effect of metformin on brain function and metabolism has been less explored given that brain almost exclusively uses glucose as substrate for energy metabolism. We determined the effect of metformin on locomotor and cognitive function in normoglycemic mice. Metformin enhanced locomotor and balance performance, while induced anxiolytic effect and impaired cognitive function upon chronic treatment. We conducted in vitro assays and metabolomics analysis in mice to evaluate metformin's action on the brain metabolism. Metformin decreased ATP level and activated AMPK pathway in mouse hippocampus. Metformin inhibited oxidative phosphorylation and elevated glycolysis by inhibiting mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPDH) in vitro at therapeutic doses. In summary, our study demonstrated that chronic metformin treatment affects brain bioenergetics with compound effects on locomotor and cognitive brain function in non-diabetic mice.
Neuromodulation for Voiding Dysfunction

Neuromodulatory techniques used in the treatment of voiding dysfunction include peripheral tibial nerve stimulation and sacral neuromodulation, which are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as third-line therapies for overactive bladder. This chapter details the indications, patient evaluation, surgical techniques, outcomes, and adverse effects of peripheral tibial nerve stimulation and sacral neuromodulation.
Improved inference for fixed-effects meta-analysis of 2 × 2 tables.

Meta-analysis of 2 × 2 tables is common and useful in research topics including analysis of adverse events and survey research data. Fixed-effects inference typically centers on measures of association such as the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistic or Woolf's estimator, but relies on assuming exact homogeneity across studies, which is often unrealistic. By showing that estimators of several widely-used methods have meaningful estimands even in the presence of heterogeneity, we derive improved confidence intervals for them under heterogeneity. These improvements over current methods are illustrated by simulation, and we also study which factors affect the coverage levels. We find that our confidence intervals provide coverage closer to the nominal level when heterogeneity is present, in both small and large-sample settings. The conventional confidence intervals derived under homogeneity are often conservative, though anti-conservative inferences occur in some scenarios. We also apply the proposed methods to a meta-analysis of 19 randomized clinical trials on the effect of sclerotherapy in preventing first bleeding for patients with cirrhosis and esophagogastric varices. Our methods provide a more interpretable approach to meta-analyzing binary data and more accuracy in characterizing the uncertainty of the estimators.
Sleep Problems and Trajectories of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.

Sleep problems are prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and are associated with the expression of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). Children (n = 57) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 38) or developmental delay (DD, n = 19) participated in multiple assessments of intellectual ability, ASD symptoms, and RRBs (3 timepoints for ASD, 2 for DD). Sleep problems assessed at age 4 via parent report were associated with trajectories of higher-order RRBs (sameness/ritualistic/compulsive behaviors) from age 2–6 in the ASD group, and from age 2–4 in the DD group, even after controlling for intellectual ability, social-affective symptoms, and anxiety. Trajectories of stereotyped/restricted behaviors were unrelated to sleep problems. Sleep problems were associated with trajectories of higher-order (but not lower-order) RRBs in a transdiagnostic sample.
Triage of Acute Ischemic Stroke in Confirmed COVID-19: Large Vessel Occlusion Associated With Coronavirus Infection

The outbreak of COVID-19 has posed a significant challenge to global healthcare. Acute stroke care requires rapid bedside attendance, imaging, and intervention. However, for acute stroke patients who have a diagnosis of or are under investigation for COVID-19, the concern for nosocomial transmission moderates operational procedures for acute stroke care. We present our experience with an in-hospital stroke code called on a COVID-19-positive patient with a left middle cerebral artery syndrome and the challenges faced for timely examination, imaging, and decision to intervene. The outlook for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitates the development of protocols to sustain timely and effective acute stroke care while mitigating healthcare-associated transmission.
TO COMPARE THE EFFECT OF FORWARD CYCLING VERSUS BACKWARD CYCLING ON PAIN FUNCTION AND RANGE OF MOTION IN SUBJECTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS – AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.

Background: Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease. The major symptom of Knee Osteoarthritis Are Pain Decreased Range of Motion and Functional impairment. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of backward cycling and forward cycling in subject with Knee Osteoarthritis. The traditional protocol for treating knee osteoarthritis shows inability to treat the pain, function and range of motion at primary level of treatment. This can eradicate the drawback of generalized protocol. Method: The subject assessed thoroughly would be divided in three group. Group A would be given Conventional Treatment and Forward Cycling. Group B would be given Conventional Treatment and Backward Cycling. Group C would be given only Conventional Treatment. Treatment Duration for all three groups would be for 4 weeks. Then improvement would be evaluated in pain, Function and ROM by taking Post data. Then Pre-and Post data would be compared for final Conclusion. Conclusion: According to the present study the alternative hypothesis is accepted and null hypothesis is rejected. Which suggest that backward cycling proves to manage the symptoms efficiently than forward cycling and single handed conventional protocols.
Longitudinal ComBat: A Method for Harmonizing Longitudinal Multi-scanner Imaging Data

While aggregation of neuroimaging datasets from multiple sites and scanners can yield increased statistical power, it also presents challenges due to systematic scanner effects. This unwanted technical variability can introduce noise and bias into estimation of biological variability of interest. We propose a method for harmonizing longitudinal multi-scanner imaging data based on ComBat, a method originally developed for genomics and later adapted to cross-sectional neuroimaging data. Using longitudinal cortical thickness measurements from 663 participants in the Alzheimer9s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study, we demonstrate the presence of additive and multiplicative scanner effects in various brain regions. We compare estimates of the association between diagnosis and change in cortical thickness over time using three versions of the ADNI data: unharmonized data, data harmonized using cross-sectional ComBat, and data harmonized using longitudinal ComBat. In simulation studies, we show that longitudinal ComBat is more powerful for detecting longitudinal change than cross-sectional ComBat and controls the type I error rate better than unharmonized data with scanner included as a covariate. The proposed method would be useful for other types of longitudinal data requiring harmonization, such as genomic data, or neuroimaging studies of neurodevelopment, psychiatric disorders, or other neurological diseases.
Ser professor: as experiências humanizadoras proporcionadas pelo Estágio Supervisionado I

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo principal relatar as experiencias vividas durante o cumprimento da Regencia do Estagio Supervisionado I, do curso de Letras – Portugues do Instituto Federal do Espirito Santo – Campus Venda Nova do Imigrante. No estagio, foram acompanhadas turmas de sextos e oitavos anos da Escola Estadual de Ensino Fundamental “Domingos Perim”; todavia, para a Regencia, optou-se pelos oitavos anos. A partir disso, Consciencia Negra foi o tema escolhido a ser trabalhado. O periodo de Regencia durou o total de 5 aulas, divididas entre teoria, pesquisa, producao e apresentacao do produto final. Preliminarmente, pode-se perceber a demasiada importância dessa disciplina para a formacao de professores, uma vez que tem-se o contato com o meio educacional, fato que auxilia na preparacao do futuro profissional da educacao e, sobretudo, na uniao entre a teoria, aprendida em sala de aula, e a pratica, aprendida pelo convivio social.
Predicting fetal and neonatal demise after fetoscopy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome using recursive partitioning.

OBJECTIVE: Donor demise after laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is well-characterized, but recipient demise is not, nor is neonatal death. This study aims to characterize factors associated with recipient death, donor death, and dual twin death after laser, both before and after birth. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of monochorionic twin pairs who underwent laser ablation for TTTS. Risk factors for fetal and neonatal death of both twins were identified using univariable analysis and recursive partitioning, a novel statistical method to quantify contributions of each factor to outcomes. RESULTS: In 413 twin pairs, death of both twins occurred in 9.2% (38/413), donor death in 12.1% (50/413), and recipient death in 2.4% (10/413). Recursive partitioning showed that gestational age at delivery predicts dual twin death (below 23.7 weeks, likely [p < 0.001], above 28.3 weeks, unlikely [p = 0.004]). Abnormal umbilical artery Doppler and weight discordance predict donor demise (p < 0.001 and p = 0.033, respectively). Cervical length under 16 mm predicts neonatal death of both twins (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Parents can gain individualized information about the survival of each fetus based on variables available from preoperative and delivery variables. Short cervix and premature delivery cause significant mortality in TTTS.
New Yorkite: A 4-,8-Connected Tetragonal Structural Pattern in Space Group P4/Mmm

This paper describes the crystal structure of a novel, hypothetical 4-,8- connected tetragonal structural pattern with the ternary stoichiometry ABC. The novel pattern lies in space group P4/mmm, number 123. The structure-type contains novel 8-connected anti-cube centered vertices, along with ordinary 8-connected cube centered vertices and 4-connected square planar vertices. It could be representative of a ternary bimetallic fluoride. Possible bimetallic fluoride models for the structure-type include MReF and MTaF, where M is an alkaline earth metal. The New Yorkite structure-type is particularly unusual in that it is strain-free.
Agriculture-based community engagement in rural libraries:

Community engagement in rural libraries receives little focus and is an overlooked area of research. In this article, we report exemplars of agriculture-based community engagement in rural and Sout...
Private Security Companies in Kenya and the Impact of Chinese Actors

This paper examines the development and impact of Chinese Private Security Companies (PSCs) in Kenya. Adopting a qualitative methodology approach, the study begins with an extensive literature review, followed by the findings from a month of fieldwork conducted in Nairobi, Kenya. The first part of the paper illustrates how the private security market is booming, thanks to the increase in global supply and demand. Then, the analysis turns to the legal, policy, governance, and oversight issues that private security contracting raises in both China and Kenya. Summarizing the field interviews with different stakeholders, we review three case studies to evaluate whether current business models used by Chinese PSCs are sustainable, and to what extent Chinese actors have penetrated the local market. We conclude that, as compared with the unprecedented pace of growth of China’s investment in Africa, Chinese engagement in overseas security protection is far behind other sectors. We find that the failure to hold a larger market share is due to fierce competition among PSCs and Chinese investors’ ignorance about security needs. While Western PSCs’ sophisticated security solutions have squeezed Chinese PSCs out of the competition, Chinese investors’ (both state-owned and private-owned) lack of awareness has meant that their security budgets dry up very quickly. In addition to their trade and investment presence in Africa, Chinese policymakers should develop a more integral regulatory framework emphasizing guaranteed systemic security management and emergency response processes.
Association between blood carboxyhemoglobin level and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in extremely low birthweight infants

Carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) can be endogenously formed in the presence of oxidative stress and may be elevated in inflammatory lung disease. There is lack of evidence of its relationship with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants. The objective of the study is to evaluate the relationship between blood CO-Hb levels in the first 14 days of life (DOL) in ELBW infants and the development of BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). This is a retrospective cohort study of 58 ELBW infants born at LAC-USC Medical Center between June 2015 and and June 2019 who survived to 36 weeks PMA. CO-Hb values were collected daily from DOL 1 to DOL 14. BPD definition using the recent 2019 NICHD criteria was used. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the association between blood CO-Hb levels and BPD. Receiver operator curve was used to evaluate the ability of the median fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) level used at DOL 11–14 in discriminating absent to mild BPD versus moderate to severe BPD. 58 ELBW infants were included in the study. 24 (41%) were diagnosed with moderate to severe BPD, while 34 (59%) were diagnosed with no to mild BPD. Severity of BPD was fairly discriminated by FiO2 at DOL 11–14, but not with CO-Hb levels at any point within the first 14 DOL. The role and mechanism of CO-Hb production in this population need to be further studied.
Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Perioperative Spine: Preoperative Opioid Evaluation.

Background Opioid use disorders in the United States have rapidly increased, yet little is known about the relationship between preoperative opioid duration and dose and patient outcomes after spine surgery. Likewise, the utility of preoperative opioid weaning is poorly understood. Objective The purpose of this evidence-based clinical practice guideline is to determine if duration and dose of preoperative opioids or preoperative opioid weaning is associated with patient-reported outcomes or adverse events after elective spine surgery for degenerative conditions. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed using the National Library of Medicine/PubMed database and Embase for studies relevant to opioid use among adult patients undergoing spine surgery. Clinical studies evaluating preoperative duration, dose, and opioid weaning and outcomes were selected for review. Results A total of 41 of 845 studies met the inclusion criteria and none were Level I evidence. The use of any opioids before surgery was associated with longer postoperative opioid use, and longer duration of opioid use was associated with worse outcomes, such as higher complications, longer length of stay, higher costs, and increased utilization of resources. There is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of opioid weaning on postoperative opioid use, improving outcome, or reducing adverse events after spine surgery. Conclusion This evidence-based clinical guideline provides Grade B recommendations that preoperative opioid use and longer duration of preoperative opioid use are associated with chronic postoperative opioid use and worse outcome after spine surgery. Insufficient evidence supports the efficacy of an opioid wean before spine surgery (Grade I).The full guidelines can be accessed at https://www.cns.org/guidelines/browse-guidelines-detail/1-preoperative-opioid-evaluation.
Ankfn1 vestibular defects in zebrafish require mutations in both ancestral and derived paralogs.

How and to what degree gene duplication events create regulatory innovation, redundancy, or neofunctionalization remain important questions in animal evolution and comparative genetics. Ankfn1 genes are single copy in most invertebrates, partially duplicated in jawed vertebrates, and only the derived copy retained in most mammals. Null mutations in the single mouse homolog have vestibular and neurological abnormalities. Null mutation of the single Drosophila homolog is typically lethal with severe sensorimotor deficits in rare survivors. The functions and potential redundancy of paralogs in species with two copies is not known. Here we define a vestibular role for Ankfn1 homologs in zebrafish based on simultaneous disruption of each locus. Zebrafish with both paralogs disrupted showed vestibular defects and early lethality from swim bladder inflation failure. One intact copy at either locus was sufficient to prevent major phenotypes. Our results show that vertebrate Ankfn1 genes are required for vestibular-related functions, with at least partial redundancy between ancestral and derived paralogs.
Tumor-induced myeloid-derived suppressor cell function is independent of IFN-γ and IL-4Rα

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are present in most cancer patients and experimental animals where they exert a profound immune suppression and are a significant obstacle to immunotherapy. IFN-γ and IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) have been implicated as essential molecules for MDSC development and immunosuppressive function. If IFN-γ and IL-4Rα are critical regulators of MDSCs, then they are potential targets for preventing MDSC accumulation or inhibiting MDSC function. Because data supporting a role for IFN-γ and IL-4Rα are not definitive, we have examined MDSCs induced in IFN-γ-deficient, IFN-γR-deficient, and IL-4Rα-deficient mice carrying three C57BL/6-derived (B16 melanoma, MC38 colon carcinoma, and 3LL lung adenocarcinoma), and three BALB/c-derived (4T1 and TS/A mammary carcinomas, and CT26 colon carcinoma) tumors. We report that although MDSCs express functional IFN-γR and IL-4Rα, and have the potential to signal through the STAT1 and STAT6 pathways, respectively, neither IFN-γ nor IL-4Rα impacts the phenotype, accumulation, or T-cell suppressive potency of MDSCs, although IFN-γ and IL-4Rα modestly alter MDSC-macrophage IL-10 crosstalk. Therefore, neither IFN-γ nor IL-4Rα is a key regulator of MDSCs and targeting these molecules is unlikely to significantly alter MDSC accumulation or function.
SCTP: a proposed standard for robust Internet data transport

The stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) is an evolving general purpose Internet transport protocol designed to bridge the gap between TCP and UDP. SCTP evolved from a telephony signaling protocol for IP networks and is now a proposed standard with the Internet Engineering Task Force. Like TCP, SCTP provides a reliable, full-duplex connection and mechanisms to control network congestion. However, SCTP expands transport layer possibilities beyond TCP and UDP, offering new delivery options that are particularly desirable for telephony signaling and multimedia applications.
Ecological indicators of native rhizobia in tropical soils.

The relationship between environment and abundance of rhizobia was described by determining the populations of root nodule bacteria at 14 diverse sites on the island of Maui. Mean annual rainfall at the sites ranged from 320 to 1,875 mm, elevation from 37 to 1,650 m, and soil pH from 4.6 to 7.9. Four different soil orders were represented in this study: inceptisols, mollisols, ultisols, and an oxisol. The rhizobial populations were determined by plant infection counts of five legumes (Trifolium repens, Medicago sativa, Vicia sativa, Leucaena leucocephala, and Macroptilium atropurpureum). Populations varied from 1.1 to 4.8 log10 cells per g of soil. The most frequently occurring rhizobia were Bradyrhizobium spp., which were present at 13 of 14 sites with a maximum of 4.8 log10 cells per g of soil. Rhizobium trifolii and R. leguminosarum occurred only at higher elevations. The presence of a particular Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium sp. was correlated with the occurrence of its appropriate host legume. Total rhizobial populations were significantly correlated with mean annual rainfall, legume cover and shoot biomass, soil temperature, soil pH, and phosphorus retention. Regression models are presented which describe the relationship of legume hosts, soil climate, and soil fertility on native rhizobial populations.
Off-diagonal hyperfine interaction between the 6p{sub 1/2} and 6p{sub 3/2} levels in {sup 133}Cs

The off-diagonal hyperfine interaction between the 6p{sub 1/2} and 6p{sub 3/2} states in {sup 133}Cs is evaluated in third-order MBPT giving 37.3 and 48.3 Hz, respectively, for second-order energies of the 6p{sub 3/2} F=3 and F=4 levels. This result is a factor of 10 smaller than one obtained from an uncorrelated first-order Dirac-Hartree-Fock calculation and used in the analysis of a recent high-precision ({<=}2 kHz) measurement of the 6p{sub 3/2} hyperfine structure [Gerginov et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 72301 (2003)]. The factor of 10 difference has negligible effect on the conclusions of the recent experiment but will become important for experiments carried out at a precision of better than 1 kHz.
Parametric linear programming and cluster analysis

Abstract In the cluster analysis problem one seeks to partition a finite set of objects into disjoint groups (or clusters) such that each group contains relatively similar objects and, relatively dissimilar objects are placed in different groups. For certain classes of the problem or, under certain assumptions, the partitioning exercise can be formulated as a sequence of linear programs (LPs), each with a parametric objective function. Such LPs can be solved using the parametric linear programming procedure developed by Gass and Saaty [(Gass, S., Saaty, T. (1955), Naval Research Logistics Quarterly 2, 39–45)]. In this paper, a parametric linear programming model for solving cluster analysis problems is presented. We show how this model can be used to find optimal solutions for certain variations of the clustering problem or, in other cases, for an approximation of the general clustering problem.
Assessing resilience in a regional road-based transportation network

Resilience deals with the response of the system in the face of shock and its ability to continue to provide the expected service delivery levels. In the transportation infrastructure, system shocks due to man-made and natural causes occur frequently and result in substantial economic losses; it is therefore crucial to enhance the resilience of this infrastructure. Improving the resilience of systems creates a need for developing metrics that measure the current resilience of the system and provides a benchmark for evaluating different strategies for improving resilience. In this paper, we propose a framework for assessing the resilience of a regional road network. The methodology introduced in this paper is the Networked Infrastructure Resilience Assessment (NIRA) framework, which allows decision-makers to assess the resilience of networked infrastructures from a multi-metric perspective. The resilience metrics measure the impact of disruptions on the system performance measures. The three identified met...
Exciton-related electroluminescence from monolayer MoS2

We studied the microscopic origin of the electroluminescence from monolayer MoS2 fabricated on a heavily p-type doped silicon substrate. Auger recombination of the exciton-exciton annihilation of bound exciton emission is observed.
Issues in state funding for bilingual education

This essay focuses on the incentives and disincentives for local school districts created by state bilingual education funding policies. The programmatic and management concerns important to assessing the effects of funding formulas include: (1) student eligibility for bilingual education, (2) the minimum number of eligible students in a school building or school district for which the state mandates programs, (3) appropriateness of the educational program, (4) student transition into regular classrooms, (5) instructional unit size, (6) record keeping requirements, and (7) program and fiscal planning effects. Through efforts to efficiently and equitably utilize scarce resources, account for their use, and control costs, however, policy makers necessarily confront many unresolved research questions and policy issues. The relationship between funding and bilingual education controversies centering around measuring language proficiency, establishing entrance and exit criteria, and determining effective instructional strategies are reviewed.
Operation of a conducting PRIZ

Abstract The construction and operation of a PRIZ spatial light modulator is reported using semi-transparent electrodes and no insulating layers. Qualitative observations of the dynamic properties of such conducting devices are found to be similar to those reported in the Soviet literature with several exceptions. The devices demonstrated dynamic detection, memory, and oscillatory instability as well as the typical directional filtering and dc suppression of the standard PRIZ which uses insulating layers. This is the first report of a non-Soviet built device of this type.
The use of channel arrays for high-accuracy angle definition in electron spectroscopy: experiment and theory

Abstract The use of close-packed channel arrays of fixed length-to-diameter ratios for high-accuracy angle definition of approximately 1.0° in angle-resolved electron spectroscopy is considered. Experimental angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron data was obtained using three channel arrays: two stainless-steel tube arrays with ± 1.5° and ± 3.0° resolution and a glass micro-channel plate with ± 1.4° resolution. Considerable additional fine structure is seen in both valence- and core-level data obtained with high angular resolution. These channel arrays are not found to distort spectral features or backgrounds, although the relative intensities of very low energy secondaries are reduced. Absolute core- and valence-intensities are found to be reduced by factors of ~ 1 20 – 1 50 compared to standard operation of the spectrometer. Model calculations of the performance of such arrays have been performed to yield both the overall luminosity, or integrated solid angle-area product, and the average deflection angle passed by the array. These calculations are compared with experimental data on relative intensities and found to be in good agreement, provided that additional losses in the lens and analyzer for trajectories at greater deflection angles are properly accounted for. In general, the experimental loss of intensity with a channel array is found to be significantly less than predicted theoretically with the neglect of these additional losses. The deflection angles in such arrays are found to be peaked off the array axis by an amount equal to ca. 0.43–0.47 times the maximum deflection angle; this value also represents the average deflection angle. General results for use in determining the performance of any channel array as to both luminosity and average deflection angle are also presented.
Elevated platelet-derived growth factor production by aortic grafts implanted on a long-term basis in a canine model

Abstract An endothelial cell lining in a prosthetic vascular graft has been shown to decrease graft thrombogenicity. However, previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that grafts seeded with endothelial cells produced platelet-derived growth factor, a potent smooth muscle cell mitogen that may promote intimal hyperplasia. This study was undertaken to assess temporal changes in platelet-derived growth factor production by grafts seeded with endothelial cells and unseeded grafts and adjacent arteries. Adult beagles underwent placement of 20 to 22 cm long, 8 mm inner diameter, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene thoracoabdominal aortic grafts that were either seeded with autologous jugular vein endothelial cells or were unseeded controls. Grafts and adjacent arteries were removed at times up to 2 years after implantation. The tissue was studied in organ culture and platelet-derived growth factor production was measured after 72 hours with use of a radioreceptor assay. Platelet-derived growth factor production by endothelialized grafts increased significantly over the period studied, especially at the anastomoses, whereas that by arterial segments did not change significantly. The increase in platelet-derived growth factor production was greater in the distal than the proximal anastomotic segment suggesting a possible explanation for the clinical finding of more severe intimal hyperplasia at the distal anastomosis. (J Vasc Surg 1992;15:806–16.)
A Numerical Scheme and an Error Analysis for a Class of Fractional Optimal Control Problems

There has been a growing interest in recent years in the area of Fractional Optimal Control (FOC). In this paper, we present a formulation for a class of FOC problems, in which a performance index is defined as an integral of a quadratic function of the state and the control variables, and a dynamic constraint is defined as a Fractional Differential Equation (FDE) linear in both the state and the control variables. The fractional derivative is defined in the Caputo sense. In this formulation, the FOC problem is reduced to a Fractional Variational Problem (FVP), and the necessary differential equations for the problems are obtained using the recently developed theories for FVPs. For the numerical solutions of the problems, a direct approach is taken in which the solutions are approximated using a truncated Fractional Power Series (FPS). An error analysis is also performed. It is demonstrated that the solution converges from above in the sense that the value of the approximate performance index is always higher than the optimum performance index. An expression for the error in the performance index is also given. The application of a FPS and an optimality criterion reduces the FOC to a set of linear algebraic equations which are solved using a linear solver. It is demonstrated numerically that the solution converges as the number of terms in the series increases, and the approximate solution approaches to the analytical solution as the order of the fractional derivative approaches to an integer order derivative. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the Formulation.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Selective pancreatic enzyme secretion due to a new peptide called chymodenin

Chymodenin, a peptide newly isolated from porcine duodenum, elicited a rapid threefold increase in secretion of chymotrypsinogen while increasing secrelion of total protein by only, about 40 percent; lipase secretion was unaffected. The pancreas appears able, under chymodenin stimulation, to rapidly alter the transport of an individual enzyme as opposed to producing en masse secretion of enzyme.
Overview of both second and third order nlo from theoretical and experimental points of view

The molecular design features required to achieve large second- and third-order nonlinear optical efforts will be reviewed. Key experimental and theoretical findings about consequences of substituting donors and acceptor on conjugated p-electron systems on the structural, electronic and optical properties will be described as they pertain to chromophores for electro-optical applications and two-photon absorption
Adenylate Energy Pool and Energy Charge in Maturing Rape Seeds

A study of energy state and chemical composition of pod walls and seeds of maturing rape (Brassica napus L.) was conducted on two varieties, Victor and Gorczanski. Total adenosine phosphates, ATP, and adenylate energy charge increased with increasing cell number and cellular synthesis during the early stages, remained high at maximum dry weight accumulation and maximum substrate influx time, and decreased with ripening. A temporal control of energy supply and ATP concentration is evident in developing tissues with determined functions; whereas the association of a high energy charge and active cellular biosynthesis occurs only in tissues with a stabilized cell number.
Analysis of the relationships that body composition and muscular strength have with oxygen cost of walking in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: To investigate whether body composition and lower extremity strength relate to oxygen cost of walking in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to evaluate the relative contributions of these measures to explain variation in oxygen cost seen in this population. Methods: A total of 116 children with spastic diplegic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I–III, aged 8–18 participated. Strength, body composition (body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat) and oxygen cost were recorded. Pearson correlations assessed relationships between variables of body composition and strength to oxygen cost. Forward stepwise linear regression analyzed variance explained by strength and body composition measures. Oxygen data were analyzed by weight status classifications using one-way analysis of variance with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Total strength (r = 0.27) and total extensor strength (r = 0.27) had fair inverse relationships with oxygen cost. Total extensor strength explained 7.5% (r 2 = 0.075, beta = 0.274, p < 0.01) of the variance in oxygen cost. Body composition did not explain significant variance in oxygen cost, however significant differences were found in oxygen consumption (p = 0.003) and walking velocity (p = 0.042) based on BMI weight classifications. Conclusions: For ambulatory children with CP, oxygen cost during walking can be partially explained by total extensor strength and not body composition. However, those categorized as obese may adjust to a slower walking speed to keep their oxygen cost sustainable, which may further affect their ability to keep up with typically developing peers and possibly lead to greater fatigue.
Re-conceptualizing the past: Historical data in vocational interest research

Abstract Noteworthy progress has been made in the development of statistical models for evaluating the structure of vocational interests over the past three decades. It is proposed that historically significant interest datasets, when combined with modern structural methods of data analysis, provide an opportunity to re-examine the underlying assumptions of J.L. Holland’s [Holland, J. L. (1959). A theory of vocational choice. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 6, 35–45; Holland, J. L. (1997). Making vocational choices (3rd ed.). Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources] RIASEC model. To illustrate this potential, data obtained from J. P. Guilford’s study of interest structure were re-analyzed using modern circumplex and hierarchical clustering techniques to evaluate Holland’s and I. Gati’s [Gati, I. (1979). A hierarchical model for the structure of interests. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 15 , 90–106; Gati, I. (1991). The structure of vocational interests. Psychological Bulletin, 109, 309–324] interest structures. Obtained results indicate that a circumplex model can be used to effectively represent the structure underlying Guilford’s interest measures. However, hierarchical clustering results suggest that Holland’s RIASEC types may not be the most effective categories for grouping specific interest measures into broader interest areas. The current findings provide support for the continued investigation of alternatives to Holland’s interest categories using modern measures of basic interests.
Processing of cues for stop consonant voicing by young hearing-impaired listeners.

To assess whether young hearing-impaired listeners are as sensitive as normal-hearing children to the cues for stop consonant voicing, we presented stimuli from along VOT continua to young normal-h...
Needed Changes in the Farmers Home Administration Lending Programs

The Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) is the federal government's means of providing credit and related services to agricultural producers, rural nonfarm residents, and rural communities that lack access to private sector financing. In recent years FmHA has attracted growing attention as some of its programs have grown sharply, widened in scope, and responded significantly to farmers' financial problems. The basic concerns involve the proper role of public credit for agricultural borrowers, the role of credit in agricultural policy, and the general management and control of federal credit programs. This paper evaluates the recent performance and future directions of FmHA credit from three distinct, yet related, vantage points: (a) FmHA as a lending institution for agriculture, (b) credit and agricultural policy, and (c) the management and control of federal credit programs (Barry). The evaluation is a long-term one, although the current agricultural recession makes near-term credit responses highly relevant. The following sections review FmHA's mission and scope and then consider these vantage points.