cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of baseline removal methods for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of geological samples

Abstract This project examines the causes, effects, and optimization of continuum removal in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to produce the best possible prediction accuracy of elemental composition in geological samples. We compare prediction accuracy resulting from several different techniques for baseline removal, including asymmetric least squares (ALS), adaptive iteratively reweighted penalized least squares (Air-PLS), fully automatic baseline correction (FABC), continuous wavelet transformation, median filtering, polynomial fitting, the iterative thresholding Dietrich method, convex hull/rubber band techniques, and a newly-developed technique for Custom baseline removal (BLR). We assess the predictive performance of these methods using partial least-squares analysis for 13 elements of geological interest, expressed as the weight percentages of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , FeO, MgO, CaO, Na 2 O, K 2 O, and the parts per million concentrations of Ni, Cr, Zn, Mn, and Co. We find that previously published methods for baseline subtraction generally produce equivalent prediction accuracies for major elements. When those pre-existing methods are used, automated optimization of their adjustable parameters is always necessary to wring the best predictive accuracy out of a data set; ideally, it should be done for each individual variable. The new technique of Custom BLR produces significant improvements in prediction accuracy over existing methods across varying geological data sets, instruments, and varying analytical conditions. These results also demonstrate the dual objectives of the continuum removal problem: removing a smooth underlying signal to fit individual peaks (univariate analysis) versus using feature selection to select only those channels that contribute to best prediction accuracy for multivariate analyses. Overall, the current practice of using generalized, one-method-fits-all-spectra baseline removal results in poorer predictive performance for all methods. The extra steps needed to optimize baseline removal for each predicted variable and empower multivariate techniques with the best possible input data for optimal prediction accuracy are shown to be well worth the slight increase in necessary computations and complexity.
Mental health for youth: Applying an African-centered approach

Service delivery challenges persist for African American youth who are impacted by mental health conditions. Along with access, of primary concern is the absence of an Afrocentric perspective that ...
Effects of acidic peptide size and sequence on trivalent praseodymium adduction and electron transfer dissociation mass spectrometry

Using the lanthanide ion praseodymium, Pr(III), metallated ion formation and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) were studied for 25 biological and model acidic peptides. For chain lengths of seven or more residues, even highly acidic peptides that can be difficult to protonate by electrospray ionization will metallate and undergo abundant ETD fragmentation. Peptides composed of predominantly acidic residues form only the deprotonated ion, [M + Pr - H]2+ ; this ion yields near complete ETD sequence coverage for larger peptides. Peptides with a mixture of acidic and neutral residues generate [M + Pr]3+ , which cleaves between every residue for many peptides. Acidic peptides that contain at least one residue with a basic side chain also produce the protonated ion, [M + Pr + H]4+ ; this ion undergoes the most extensive sequence coverage by ETD. Primarily metallated and non-metallated c- and z-ions form for all peptides investigated. Metal adducted product ions are only present when at least half of the peptide sequence can be incorporated into the ion; this suggests that the metal ion simultaneously attaches to more than one acidic site. The only site consistently lacking dissociation is at the N-terminal side of a proline residue. Increasing peptide chain length generates more backbone cleavage for metal-peptide complexes with the same charge state. For acidic peptides with the same length, increasing the precursor ion charge state from 2+ to 3+ also leads to more cleavage. The results of this study indicate that highly acidic peptides can be sequenced by ETD of complexes formed with Pr(III). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Essential tremor and depression

Introduction Depression and neuropsychiatric disorders in individuals with essential tremor (ET) are not well characterized in the literature Methods We compared 104 ET subjects with 481 non-ET controls involved in the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders. An analysis of baseline depression scales and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) was done between the two groups. Comparisons were made additionally within the ET group based on tremor severity, duration of tremor and age of onset Results There were no significant differences among each of the scales between the ET and non-ET groups. There were no significant differences in the ET group above and below the median tremor duration. Additionally, no differences were found in the ET group based on objective measures of tremor severity, age of onset, or those with subjectively distressing tremor compared with those without Conclusion There were no significant differences in depressive symptoms between ET and non-ET groups. Furthermore, no correlation was found between depressive symptoms in ET groups based on tremor severity, duration, or age of onset. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Russia Plays the (Triangular) Sanctions Game

This chapter uses the triangular diplomacy framework to discuss how Russia has reacted to sanctions from the United States and European Union (EU), relying on statements issued through Russian state media. Although these sanctions have imposed economic costs, they have enabled Vladimir Putin to reinforce his public support. Sanctions act as a scapegoat for poor conditions. In doing so, Russia depicts sanctions from the United States and EU differently. Sanctions from the EU are described as more harmful to the EU, and are used in efforts to split commitment to sanction maintenance. Sanctions from the United States are portrayed as outright aggression designed to weaken Russia. As a result, the target is seen as an active player that can use sanctions for its own domestic and international benefit.
Label Fusion: A Pipeline for Generating Ground Truth Labels for Real RGBD Data of Cluttered Scenes

Deep neural network (DNN) architectures have been shown to outperform traditional pipelines for object segmentation and pose estimation using RGBD data, but the performance of these DNN pipelines is directly tied to how representative the training data is of the true data. Hence a key requirement for employing these methods in practice is to have a large set of labeled data for your specific robotic manipulation task, a requirement that is not generally satisfied by existing datasets. In this paper we develop a pipeline to rapidly generate high quality RGBD data with pixelwise labels and object poses. We use an RGBD camera to collect video of a scene from multiple viewpoints and leverage existing reconstruction techniques to produce a 3D dense reconstruction. We label the 3D reconstruction using a human assisted ICP-fitting of object meshes. By reprojecting the results of labeling the 3D scene we can produce labels for each RGBD image of the scene. This pipeline enabled us to collect over 1,000,000 labeled object instances in just a few days. We use this dataset to answer questions related to how much training data is required, and of what quality the data must be, to achieve high performance from a DNN architecture. Our dataset and annotation pipeline are available at labelfusion.csail.mit.edu.
TIPS and the VIX: Spillovers from Financial Panic to Breakeven Inflation in an Automated, Nonlinear Modeling Framework†

This paper examines the determinants of the breakeven inflation rate (BEI) on U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities. After controlling for several measures of liquidity, inflation expectations and inflation uncertainty; financial fear itself (proxied with the Volatility Index or VIX) remains a primary influence on BEI. To delve into the mechanism underlying this association, the VIX is decomposed, using intraday data, into conditional variance and the variance premium capturing risk aversion. Aside from the 2008 crisis, most of the effect emanated from the variance premium. Following the crisis, indicators of bank insolvency risk gain prominence as well. Lastly, an automated nonlinear model finds convex effects of variance, and diminishing returns to insolvency risk and liquidity.
Weight Status and Cigarette and Electronic Cigarette Use in Adolescents.

Introduction Research shows that adolescents who are overweight or obese may be at greater risk of cigarette smoking, and that this relationship may vary by gender. However, this relationship is understudied for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Given the high rate of adolescent obesity and the rise in e-cigarette use in adolescents, this relationship should be investigated. Methods Data are from the third wave (collected October 2015–January 2016) of the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance system. Students were in the seventh, ninth, and 11th grades (n=2,733) from five counties surrounding four major Texas metropolitan areas (Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas). Weighted logistic regression was used to determine if weight status (healthy weight, overweight, or obese) was correlated with ever and past 30–day cigarette or e-cigarette use, controlling for sociodemographics. Models were stratified by gender. Data analyses were conducted in March 2017. Results Compared with healthy-weight boys, obese boys had higher odds of past 30–day e-cigarette use (AOR=3.45, 95% CI=1.34, 8.33) and cigarette smoking (AOR=4.52, 95% CI=1.32, 15.51). There was no significant relationship between weight status and cigarette or e-cigarette use in girls. Conclusions This study supports that there is a positive relationship between weight status and past 30–day cigarette and e-cigarette use for boys, but that there is no association for girls.
Abstract 19820: The Threshold for Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Risk of Mortality or Cardiac Transplant in Cardiac Sarcoidosis is Higher Than Traditional Heart Failure Cohorts

Introduction: Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVD) occurs in progressive cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Due to the unpredictable course of CS, the degree of LVD required to substantially increase the risk of death or transplant remains incompletely understood. We sought to establish this threshold and hypothesized that a lesser degree of LVD in CS patients compared to other heart failure (HF) cohorts would be associated with increased risk of death or transplant. Methods: We identified consecutive patients with CS diagnosed per HRS guidelines or suspected isolated CS. LVEF was examined as a continuous variable and also in a priori defined groups of LVEF ≥ 40% and LVEF Results: In 110 patients with CS, LVEF Conclusion: Similar to other HF cohorts, decreased LV systolic function in CS is associated with an increased risk of transplant or death. This risk appears to manifest at a higher LVEF threshold (40.4%) than expected in other HF cohorts, highlighting the need for additional risk stratification beyond LVEF in CS patients.
Getting the message direct manipulation of host mRNA accumulation during gammaherpesvirus lytic infection

The Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily of herpesviruses comprises lymphotropic viruses, including the oncogenic human pathogens Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. During lytic infection, gammaherpesviruses manipulate host gene expression to optimize the cellular environment for viral replication and to evade the immune response. Additionally, although a lytically infected cell will itself be killed in the process of viral replication, lytic infection can contribute to pathogenesis by inducing the secretion of paracrine factors with functions in cell survival and proliferation, and angiogenesis. The mechanisms by which these viruses manipulate host gene expression are varied and target the accumulation of cellular mRNAs and their translation, signaling pathways, and protein stability. Here, we discuss how gammaherpesviral proteins directly influence host mRNA biogenesis and stability, either selectively or globally, in order to fine-tune the cellular environment to the advantage of the virus. Appreciation of the mechanisms by which these viruses interface with and adapt normal cellular processes continues to inform our understanding of gammaherpesviral biology and the regulation of mRNA accumulation and turnover in our own cells.
Clinical Biochemistry and Hematology

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the clinical biochemistry and hematology of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), and other rodents, including the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger), degu (Octodon degus), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), dormouse (Gliridae family), kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spp.), cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), and sand rat (Psammomys obesus). The chapter begins with a review of sample collection and preparation, and a description of commonly measured parameters and analytical techniques. The reference values, sources of variation, and unique characteristics are then presented for each species, as available. Many variables affect the parameters of clinical biochemistry and hematology including methods of sample collection and preparation, equipment, reagents, and methods of analysis, as well as the age, sex, breed, and environment of the animals being sampled. Values obtained from a clinical case are usually compared with reference values that are either produced in the same laboratory or in a similar group of animals, or cited in the literature. Optimal sites for blood collection vary between laboratory animals and are described in this chapter for each species for which information is available. Total blood volume of the rabbit is discussed in the Hematology section of the chapter. The rabbit is recognized as a valuable model for human disturbances in lipid metabolism, such as the metabolic syndrome and hypercholesterolemia leading to atherosclerosis. Hematology is the study of blood and blood-forming organs, including the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the blood, bone marrow, and immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems. Hematologic analysis is often used for the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases.
Remainder Wheels and Group Theory.

Lawrence Brenton (brenton@math.wayne.edu) was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Washington in Seattle, and the University of Bonn, Germany. He has served on the faculty of Wayne State University for 33 years, specializing in singularity theory in complex algebraic and analytic varieties. His teaching activities include directing the undergraduate research program for many years as well as mentoring graduate students in mathematics and mathematics education.
Note on a Paper By L. G. Sathe

While the results of Sathe's paper [J. Indian Math. Soc. 17 (1953), 63-141; 18 (1954), 27-81] are very beautiful and highly interesting, the way the author has proceeded in order to prove these results is a rather complicated and involved one, and this by necessity since a proof by induction after v starting from the case v = 1, presents overwhelming difficulties in keeping track of the estimates of the remainder terms in their dependence of the two parameters v and x.
Anatolian Wine in the Middle Bronze Age

The Assyrian merchant records from Kultepe near Kayseri contain the first textual references to the production and trade in wine in Central Anatolia. Predictably, those records are mainly of a commercial nature and provide information about quantity, containers, and price. Sometimes, they also mention geographical origin and give occasional hints to the consumption and production of wine. References are scarce. Only 33 texts out of ca. 12,500 mention wine (see Appendix 1). Fortunately, the limited textual evidence can be connected to a broader material record that includes an excavated corpus of ceramic and metal containers for the storage and mixing, sieving and serving of drink, as well as an extensive pictorial record of cultic libation and drink. A growing archaeobotanical record adds new data on the oenology of the period. This article examines all four sets of evidence dating to the first half of the Middle Bronze Age. It begins with an analysis of the written sources and proceeds to integrate the archaeobotanical record, physical artifacts, and pictorial representations. Ethnographic data is discussed as part of the final analysis to provide an interpretational framework for parts of the material.
Characterization of the wake of a submarine propeller via Large-Eddy simulation

Abstract Results of large-eddy simulations of a submarine propeller in open-water (isolated) configuration are presented for three load conditions. An immersed boundary approach is adopted to handle the rotating geometry of the propeller within a stationary cylindrical grid composed of about 840 million nodes. Direct comparisons with Particle Image Velocimetry experiments conducted in parallel demonstrate that the simulations reproduce the wake very accurately. In particular the wake dynamics are mainly dominated by tip and hub vortices. Strong structures are also shed in the near wake from the suction side of the propeller blades, correlating with local maxima of turbulent kinetic energy. However, they are not a long standing feature of the propeller wake. In contrast, helical structures originating form the root of the propeller blades are more persistent and their footprint is still visible few propeller diameters downstream. We verified that load conditions affect substantially both hub vortex and tip vortices. In a similar way, for increasing loads turbulent kinetic energy experiences a faster growth at the wake axis, populated by the hub vortex, compared to the outer radii, dominated by the tip vortices. Also, the evolution of turbulent kinetic energy at the outer edge of the wake is not monotonic, in contrast with that in the wake core, due to mutual interaction and associated shear between tip vortices and the wake of the following blades.
A Modified Two-Mode Phase-Field Crystal Model Applied to Face-Centered Cubic and Body-Centered Cubic Orderings

Abstract In this work, we present a modified two-mode phase-field crystal (PFC) model for nano-structural evolution of materials. The model is used to study both the face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) orderings, as well as the solid–liquid coexisting phenomenon. This two-mode PFC model incorporates three parameters in its formulation and damps out the dynamics of the system, except near the first two critical wavelengths. The material properties such as volume expansion and free energy change in melting, crystalline structure, solid density wave amplitudes, and elastic constants can be determined by this PFC model.
Evaluating interactive data systems

Interactive query interfaces have become a popular tool for ad hoc data analysis and exploration. Compared with traditional systems that are optimized for throughput or batched performance, these systems focus more on user-centric interactivity. This poses a new class of performance challenges to the backend, which are further exacerbated by the advent of new interaction modes (e.g., touch, gesture) and query interface paradigms (e.g., sliders, maps). There is, thus, a need to clearly articulate the evaluation space for interactive systems. In this paper, we extensively survey the literature to guide the development and evaluation of interactive data systems. We highlight unique characteristics of interactive workloads, discuss confounding factors when conducting user studies, and catalog popular metrics for evaluation. We further delineate certain behaviors not captured by these metrics and propose complementary ones to provide a complete picture of interactivity. We demonstrate how to analyze and employ user behavior for system enhancements through three case studies. Our survey and case studies motivate the need for behavior-driven evaluation and optimizations when building interactive interfaces.
Analysis of Commercial GaN HEMTs in Overcurrent Operation

Gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are an ideal option in applications of power electronics due to the wide-bandgap properties of the material. High electron mobility is gained through the device’s unique channel structure. This research investigates whether state-of-the-art GaN HEMT semiconductors are reliable in a long-term operation in high power switch-mode conditions. Information on overcurrent capability about GaN HEMTs is not well established, thus a demand to investigate the devices exists. The GaN HEMT GS66508P from GaN Systems, was tested in pulsed overcurrent operations to establish the performance and to observe any operational changes after the experiment. The device is rated at 650 V and 30 A continuous. The goal of this research is to see if the device characteristics change after overcurrent pulsing and to analyze the device degradation that occurs in higher energy density.
Psalter illustration and the rise of coronation imagery in medieval England

Single images of the coronation of historical rulers appeared in England, most famously in the thirteenth-century wall painting of Edward the Confessor in Henry III’s palace at Westminster. Earlier...
The SOD-2 protein is the single active SOD enzyme in C. elegans

ABSTRACT The nematode C. elegans has a contingent of five sod genes, one of the largest among aerobic organism. Earlier studies revealed each of the five sod genes is capable of making perfectly active SOD proteins in heterologous expressions systems therefore none appears to be a pseudogene. Yet deletion of the entire contingent of sod genes fails to impose any effect on the survival of C. elegans except these animals appear more sensitive to extraneously applied oxidative stress condition. We asked how many of the five sod genes are actually active in C. elegans through an in-gel SOD activity analysis. Here we provide evidence that out of the five genes only the mitochondrial SOD gene is active in C. elegans, albeit at a much lesser amount compared to D. melanogaster and E. coli. Mutant analysis further confirmed that among the mitochondrial forms, SOD-2 is the only naturally active SOD in C. elegans.
Influence of Radiographic Soft Tissue Findings on Clinical Entrapment in Patients With Orbital Fractures.

Introduction Radiographic assessment of facial fractures with computed tomography (CT) scanning has become standard of care. As imaging resolution has improved, findings such as herniation of extraocular muscles (EOM) have become a means of diagnosing conditions like orbital entrapment. However, the sensitivity and specificity of these findings has not been well-studied. We sought to evaluate the value of radiographic findings such as fat herniation, EOM contour irregularity, and EOM herniation in predicting orbital entrapment after orbital fracture. Secondary endpoints include diplopia, abnormal EOM motility, and the need for surgical fixation. Methods A single institution, retrospective review at a regional level 1 trauma center was conducted. Patients with orbital fractures were identified by International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes and CT reports were queried for the terms "herniation," "herniated," "entrapped," and "entrapment." Four hundred records were analyzed. Results Sixty-seven percent of radiology reports mentioned "entrapped" or "entrapment," while the incidence of clinical entrapment was 2.8%. The odds of entrapment, diplopia, and abnormal EOM motility were higher in those with EOM herniation; however, EOM herniation had a positive predictive value of 7.9% for clinical entrapment. Fat herniation alone and EOM contour irregularity had positive predictive values of 4.2% and 4.8%, respectively. Conclusions While the odds of entrapment appear higher in patients with EOM herniation, this imaging finding is not predictive of clinical entrapment. Fat herniation and EOM contour irregularity did not have higher odds of entrapment, nor were they predictive. Diagnosis of orbital entrapment should be based primarily on physical exam, with CT as an adjunct only. The assumption that radiographic findings indicate orbital emergencies may result in unnecessary interfacility transfers, subspecialist consultations, and emergency operative procedures.
Second Order Glauber Correlation of Gravitational Waves Using the LIGO Observatories as Hanbury Brown and Twiss Detectors

The second order Glauber correlation of a simplified gravitational wave is investigated, using parameters from the first signal detected by LIGO. This simplified model spans the inspiral, merger, and ringdown phases of a black hole merger and was created to have a continuous amplitude, so there is no discontinuity between the phases. This allows for a trivial extraction of the intensity, which is necessary for determining the correlation between detectors. The two LIGO observatories can be used as detectors in a Hanbury Brown and Twiss interferometer for gravitational waves; these observatories measure the amplitude of the wave, so these measurements were used as the basis of the simplified model. The signal detected by the observatories is transient and is not consistent with chaotic or steady electromagnetic waves and thus the second order Glauber correlation function was calculated to produce physically meaningful results. To find correlations that are consistent with applications to electromagnetic waves, weighting functions for both models were studied in the integral equations for the Glauber correlation functions. The relationship between the transient and chaotic signals of both waveforms and their respective correlation functions was also examined. The second order Glauber correlation functions are a measure of intensity interference between independent detectors and has proven to be useful in both optics and particle physics. It has also been used in theoretical studies of primordial gravitational waves. The correlations can be used to define the degrees of coherence of a field, characterize multi-particle processes and assist in image enhancement.
Impulsivity in cocaine users compared to matched controls: Effects of sex and preferred route of cocaine use.

Abstract Background Impulsivity has been identified as playing a role in cocaine use. The purpose of this study was to explore self-report measures of impulsivity in large groups of male and female cocaine users and matched controls and to determine if differences in impulsivity measures within a group of cocaine users related to self-reported money spent on cocaine and route of cocaine use. Methods Eight self-report impulsivity measures yielding 34 subscales were obtained in 230 cocaine users (180 M, 50 F) and a matched group of 119 healthy controls (89 M, 30 F). Correlational analysis of the questionnaires revealed 2 factors: Impulsive Action (Factor 1) consisting of many traditional impulsivity measures and Thrill-seeking (Factor 2) consisting of delay discounting, sensation and thrill seeking. Results Sex influenced within group comparisons. Impulsive Action scores did not vary as a function of sex within either group. But, male controls and male cocaine users had greater Thrill-seeking scores than females within the same group. Sex also influenced between group comparisons. Male cocaine users had greater Impulsive Action scores while female cocaine users had greater Thrill-seeking scores than their sex-matched controls. Among cocaine users, individuals who preferred insufflating (“snorting”) cocaine had greater Thrill-seeking scores and lower Impulsive Action scores than individuals who preferred smoking cocaine. Individuals who insufflate cocaine also spent less money on cocaine. Conclusions Greater Impulsive Action scores in males and Thrill-seeking scores in females were associated with cocaine use relative to controls.
Use of robots to encourage social engagement between older adults

Abstract We designed a robotic architecture system within a commercially available socially assistive robot to engage pairs of older adults in multimodal activities over 3 weeks for 6 sessions. The study took place in two assisted living facilities. Seven pairs (14 individuals) completed the experiment. Ages ranged from 70 to 90 years with a mean age of 83.0 (± 6.1). Most were women (79%). Three adults were screened as having normal cognition, 10 had mild cognitive impairment, and 1 adult self-reported a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. All sessions were video recorded and analyzed using Noldus Observer XT. Individuals demonstrated high levels of both human-human interaction and human-robot interaction, but the activity influenced the type of interaction. Engagement measures (visual, verbal, behavioral) also varied by type of activity. Future studies will focus on further development of activities that can engage older adults with varying levels of cognitive impairment and apathy.
Conservative management of pre-eclamptic and eclamptic patients: a re-evaluation.

Abstract A philosophy of conservatism in regard to termination of gestations complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension has been practiced at the University of Virginia Hospital for many years. The advent of improved methods to evaluate the intrauterine fetal status prompted retrospective review of 246 pre-eclamptic and 13 eclamptic patients managed during the antepartum period. Continuous magnesium sulfate infusion for periods up to 144 hours (265 grams) was the therapeutic measure used for prevention or control of convulsions. Average duration of predelivery hospitalization increased 8.7 days, and the incidence of neonates requiring intensive care increased 10.9 per cent with the use of tests to evaluate intrauterine fetal status. Frequency of spontaneous onset of labor and vaginal delivery decreased 18.6 per cent. The uncorrected perinatal mortality rate for all antepartum patients was 7.0 per cent. The mortality rate for infants of mothers with superimposed, severe or convulsive disease was significantly less in pregnancies in which tests of fetoplacental status were employed (8.2 per cent) compared to pregnancies in which they were not (15.2 per cent). The only maternal death was a 41-year-old patient with severe pre-eclampsia who suffered a corebral vascular accident on the fifth hospital day. These data reiterate the value of conservative management with meticulous individualized care.
HOW RACIAL ATTITUDES AND IDEOLOGY AFFECT POLITICAL RIGHTS FOR FELONS

This research examines the extent to which negative attitudes toward African Americans influence public reactions to restoring political rights to felons. We argue that race-neutral policies, such as felon disenfranchisement laws, are non-separable from racial considerations, as images of criminals and felons are typically associated with Blacks. Such attitudes produce collateral consequences for felons, hampering the restoration of their full political rights and, ultimately, their citizenship. Predispositions, such as racial attitudes and political ideology, provide both racial and nonracial justifications for supporting these laws, yet, there are no empirical accounts of their relational effects on opinion toward felons’ rights. Using nationally representative survey data, we find that racialized resentment and ideology exert the most influence on the reactions to policies seeking political rights for felons as well as beliefs about the value of doing so. Consistent with much of the literature on attitudes toward ameliorative racial policies, higher levels of racial resentment strongly predict lower support for felons’ political rights among both conservatives and liberals, yet, racial resentment is most influential among liberals. Conservatives exhibit the highest levels of racial resentment, but its impact is depressed more by agreement on both racial attitudes and opposition to political rights of felons.
Pitch-based carbons synthesized by using silica colloids and ordered mesoporous silica particles as templates

Pitch-based carbons with unimodal and bimodal distributions of mesopores were synthesized by using silica colloids and ordered mesoporous silica particles such as MCM-48, SBA-15 and SBA-16 as templates and mesophase pitch as carbon precursor. Bimodal distribution of mesopores in these carbons was created by employing a mixed template, which consisted of uniform silica colloids and particles of ordered mesoporous silica.
Extensions to the object-oriented paradigm

It is argued that present object-oriented (O-O) database management systems (DBMSs) have not gone far enough. Two important aspects of semantics are not captured in the Smalltalk-type O-O paradigm and the DBMSs that have been developed on the basis of this paradigm. The first aspect is the specification of knowledge rules which model constraints, expert knowledge, deductive rules, and trigger conditions that are applicable to objects. The second aspect is the specification of various types of associations that an object type can have with other object types. It is suggested that the O-O paradigm for future database or knowledge-base management systems should extend the concept of a class from that of object type to object class. Rule declaration, rule inheritance, and association types are discussed. >
Spatial Variability and Robust Interpolation of Seafloor Sediment Properties Using the SEABED Data Bases

Abstract : The US Geological Survey, in collaboration with Chris Jenkins of INSTAAR/Univ. Colorado, has recently released a large data base of seabed sedimentary properties in US coastal and shelfal waters. Dubbed "usSEABED," the data base is a compilation of available records of sedimentary data from seafloor samples, cores, and visual observations. This project is a collaborative effort with Jenkins. The long-term goals are to: (1) advance the understanding of the spatial variability of seabed properties as a function of geologic environment; (2) develop robust means of interpolation in the presence of uncertain data, (3) provide for the estimation of uncertainty in the interpolation at unsampled locations, and enable investigation of optimal survey design to minimize uncertainties; and (4) publish a computational/database structure capable of producing seafloor maps of wide geographic extent, for multidisciplinary use. As primary component of the study we examined the suitability of the aggregated usSEABED data collection for mapping and variability analysis. This project could provide a major advance in marine science, a set of reliable methods which transform point-site seabed data into griddings that will be useful across oceanographic disciplines, sediment transport, acoustics, habitat, wave-energy generation. Our work will result in a set of software tools that will be open source. These tools could be of importance to the Navy, particularly in dealing with areas with sparse data. In particular, an understanding of the relationship between environmental parameters, geologic setting and spatial variability could provide an ability to predict the amount and spatial scales of seabed variability using a parameterized semi-variogram model. This functionality provides a basis upon which to predict seabed parameters at unsampled locations, and to assess the uncertainty in that prediction.
Brownian Motion and Martingale Theory

The applications of the Ito integral in Sections VIII.12 to VIII.14 exhibit aspects of the intimate relation between Brownian motion and martingale theory. In the following we shall go from simple examples of this relation to an analysis by means of martingale theory of the composition of the basic functions of the potential theory for Laplace’s equation [the heat equation] with Brownian motion [space-time Brownian motion]. This will be effected by a direct method without the use of the Ito integral, but there will be a slight repetition of some of the most elementary topics in Chapter VIII.
EXPRESSION OF THE NEURAL AXON ADHESION MOLECULE L1 IN THE DEVELOPING AND ADULT RAT BRAIN

L1 is a developmentally regulated adhesion molecule that may play a role in some aspects of axonal guidance. With Northern blots we find peak expression of L1 RNA at postnatal day 1 (P1) in the developing rat brain. Western blots show a peak of protein on P15. The major form of L1 is 200 kDa, but lower molecular mass forms are found including 140 and 80 kDa, representing, respectively, the extracellular and intracellular regions of L1. All molecular mass forms of L1 change during development. Although expressed at lower levels than during development, L1 is found in all brain regions in the adult rat. Different regions of the brain show differential expression and regulation of L1 and its peptide fragments. For instance, the hypothalamus showed an enhanced L1-80/L1-200 ratio at P10 and P15 relative to that expressed by cerebellum and hippocampus. Cerebellar granule cells in culture showed strong L1-200 and almost no L1-60, -80, or -140, in contrast to the intact cerebellum at the same age, which showed weaker L1-200 and strong L1-60, -80, and -140. Control experiments indicated that the L1 proteolytic cleavage found in different developing brain regions occurred in vivo and was not a result of sample preparation. The amount of L1-200 in cultured granule cells was proportional to the measured length of the growing axon. Neuronal activity (increased with 25 mM K+, 100 microns N-methyl-D-aspartate, and 100 microns 4-aminopyridine) enhanced L1 transcription and translation. Together, these data suggest differential regulation of L1 expression and proteolytic cleavage specific for developmental ages and brain regions.
Processing to Fatigue Properties: Benefits of High Gradient Casting for Single Crystal Airfoils

The fatigue property benefit for higher thermal gradient processing of single crystal superalloys has been evaluated experimentally with two different solidification processing approaches. Low cycle fatigue (LCF) testing was performed at 538 o C (R = 0, f = 0.5 Hz) for a Rene N5 and Ta-modified Rene N5 alloy solidified with a conventional radiation cooled and higher thermal gradient liquid-metal cooled (LMC) casting process to produce coarse and finer-scaled dendritic structures, respectively. In all specimens tested, cracks initiated at individual pores or large interconnected pores located within the internal volume and near to the surface. Based on statistical analyses of pore size distributions, a model has been developed that predicts the maximum pore size as a function of solidification conditions and the effect of these pores on fatigue life. The model is used to assess the potential property benefits of high thermal gradient processing approaches for a range of cooling rates and component scale sizes
The Coffee House and the Ashram: Gandhi, Civil Society and Public Spheres

What role does civil society play in the transition to democracy? A central question especially during the 1990s, the term of ‘civil society’ has been used widely and extensively. Taking up the case of India, this chapter examines the associational forms created by Mahatma Gandhi, such as the Ashram, and discusses implications for collective action during India’s freedom struggle. It will be argued that the use of categories such as civil society and the public sphere (which developed under particular European spatial and temporal conditions) and simply transporting and transplanting them from one historical and social context to another can be misleading. Instead, a re-calibration is required in order to identify institutional variations and to grasp shifts in cultural meaning. Drawing upon Habermas, the European idea of civil society and public sphere is discussed and Gandhi’s variations are explored, leading to a number of observations on contrast and congruence.
ER22x: JusticeX: Spring 2013 Course Report

ER22x was offered as a HarvardX course in Spring 2013 on edX, a platform for massive open online courses (MOOCs). It was taught by Professor Michael Sandel. The report was prepared by researchers external to the course team, based on an examination of the courseware, analyses of data collected by the edX platform, and interviews with the course faculty and team members.
Social Sharing of Online Videos: Examining American Consumers’ Video Sharing Attitudes, Intent, and Behavior

The present study integrated the theory of planned behavior, technology acceptance model, and Palka et al.'s (2009) viral marketing model to examine U.S. consumers’ online video sharing attitudes, intent, and behavior. Two online surveys of 318 U.S. college students and 370 U.S. general consumers were conducted consecutively in April 2012 and May 2012 to strengthen the study's reliability and validity. Results show that perceived pleasure and cost served as important predictors of online video sharing attitudes among college students and general consumers. Their intent to share online videos was predicted by perceived pleasure and normative influences, attitudes, and social media use. The number of online videos they shared was determined by online video consumption, intenteh, normative influences, and social media use. Sharing of online videos is different from sharing other online content in that perceived utilities and behavioral control do not really matter. The findings carry important implications for academic researchers, online marketers, and video publishers.
Landing Technique and Performance in Youth Athletes After a Single Injury-Prevention Program Session

Context: Injury-prevention programs (IPPs) performed as season-long warm-ups improve injury rates, performance outcomes, and jump-landing technique. However, concerns regarding program adoption ex...
The Perfect Storm of Retirement Security: Fixing the Three-Legged Stool of Social Security, Pensions, and Personal Savings

This article provides a wide-angle view of the looming crisis in retirement security. The impending confluence of a burgeoning retiree cohort and a diminishing resource base threatens to wreck havoc with the financial well-being of the coming generation of retirees. This article first reviews the current status of retirement security in the United States and finds that all three legs of the retirement stool - Social Security, pensions, and private savings - are projected to fall short of contributing adequate resources for future retirees. The article then turns toward a discussion of the possible responses for averting this potential crisis. After exploring various alternatives and reviewing the principal changes wrought by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the article sets out a three-step reform plan that addresses each leg of the retirement stool. First, the article suggests that the Social Security system could be saved from insolvency through a mix of relatively small payroll tax hikes and benefit reductions, including a slight rise in the retirement age. Second, with defined contribution plans becoming the new pension norm, changes in setting account default options could encourage both greater plan participation and improved plan security. Third, the article recommends the adoption of a modest refundable tax credit designed to encourage low and middle-income earners to build their own supplemental next eggs.
Instructional Strategies for Minority Youth

(1993). Instructional Strategies for Minority Youth. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 67, No. 2, pp. 116-120.
HLA-B27 Homozygosity and Clinical Features of Ankylosing Spondylitis

HLA-B27, a primary disease susceptibility gene, has a strong association with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) [1, 2]. However, the disease can still develop in individuals who do not have the gene. The strength of association between HLA-B27 and AS varies among various ethnic and racial groups worldwide, with only 50% of African Americans with AS carrying the gene, compared with more than 90% of those of Northern European descent [2–4]. There is known clinical and genetic heterogeneity of AS, best exemplified by the differences between HLA-B27– positive and HLA-B27–negative patients. For example, HLA-B27–positive patients have significantly younger age at onset of AS and higher prevalence of uveitis and hip joint involvement [2, 5, 6]. It is also interesting that HLA-B27 homozygous individuals are at least three times more likely to get the disease than heterozygous individuals [7, 8].
Successful treatment of acute inferior vena cava and unilateral renal vein thrombosis by local infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator

Abstract Renal vein thrombosis can occur as a complication of nephrotic syndrome. We present the case of a young man with nephrotic syndrome caused by minimal change disease who developed acute inferior vena cava and left renal vein thrombosis. He was treated initially with intravenous heparin. Because of the persistence of severe left flank pain and gross hematuria, local infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was tried, with resolution of thrombi and subsidence of symptoms. Functional preservation of the involved kidney is good, as indicated by Tc-99m DMSA scan (involved kidney, 47.4%; uninvolved kidney, 52.6%). Anticoagulation is usually recommended as the treatment of choice in renal vein thrombosis. We believe that in cases with critical presentations, such as bilateral involvement, extension into inferior vena cava, acute renal failure, pulmonary embolism or severe flank pain, thrombolytic therapy should be considered as a second-line treatment if good response is not obtained with heparin. (Am J Kidney Dis 1998 Dec;32(6):1075-9)
Evaluating the reliability of prototype degradable systems

Abstract The technique introduced in this paper is a new technique for analyzing fault tolerant designs under considerable uncertainty, such as seen in unique or few-of-a-kind devices in poorly known environments or pre-prototype design analyses. This technique is able to provide useful information while maintaining the uncertainty inherent in the original specifications. The technique introduced here is a logical extension of the underlying concepts of fuzzy sets and Markov models. Although originally developed for robotic systems, the technique is more broadly applicable. This paper develops fuzzy Markov modeling and uses it to analyze a specific robot designed for hazardous waste removal and specific types of electronic systems.
Voltage and Calcium Dual Channel Optical Mapping of Cultured HL-1 Atrial Myocyte Monolayer

Optical mapping has proven to be a valuable technique to detect cardiac electrical activity on both intact ex vivo hearts and in cultured myocyte monolayers. HL-1 cells have been widely used as a 2-Dimensional cellular model for studying diverse aspects of cardiac physiology. However, it has been a great challenge to optically map calcium (Ca) transients and action potentials simultaneously from the same field of view in a cultured HL-1 atrial cell monolayer. This is because special handling and care is required to prepare healthy cells that can be electrically captured and optically mapped. Therefore, we have developed an optimal working protocol for dual channel optical mapping. In this manuscript, we have described in detail how to perform the dual channel optical mapping experiment. This protocol is a useful tool to enhance the understanding of action potential propagation and Ca kinetics in arrhythmia development.