cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Second-Class Citizens, First-Class Scientists: Using Sociocultural Perspectives to Highlight the Successes and Challenges of African American Scientists During the Jim Crow Era

The National Science Education Standards and the Benchmarks for Science Literacy emphasize the need to focus science, technology, and society (STS) as a part of science instruction. Thus, science teacher educators have a sound and rationalized basis for pursuing societal matters in science education. Within these societal matters rests the need to explicate the roles of African American scientists in the development and successes of the United States. This chapter will attempt to highlight the best of what we know about science teaching and learning, sociocultural theory (SCT), and Black scientists, who succeeded during the Jim Crow period in the United States, to create a knowledge base for secondary science teacher educators and candidates. Aspects of Critical Race Theory (CRT) will be used to connect our exploration of Black scientists to the science education we hope to share with future science teachers. Several activities and strategies are offered as starting points for expanding and enhancing the dialogue.
VTC4 Is a Bifunctional Enzyme That Affects Myoinositol and Ascorbate Biosynthesis in Plants

Myoinositol synthesis and catabolism are crucial in many multiceullar eukaryotes for the production of phosphatidylinositol signaling molecules, glycerophosphoinositide membrane anchors, cell wall pectic noncellulosic polysaccharides, and several other molecules including ascorbate. Myoinositol monophosphatase (IMP) is a major enzyme required for the synthesis of myoinositol and the breakdown of myoinositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate, a potent second messenger involved in many biological activities. It has been shown that the VTC4 enzyme from kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) has similarity to IMP and can hydrolyze l-galactose 1-phosphate (l-Gal 1-P), suggesting that this enzyme may be bifunctional and linked with two potential pathways of plant ascorbate synthesis. We describe here the kinetic comparison of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) recombinant VTC4 with d-myoinositol 3-phosphate (d-Ins 3-P) and l-Gal 1-P. Purified VTC4 has only a small difference in the Vmax/Km for l-Gal 1-P as compared with d-Ins 3-P and can utilize other related substrates. Inhibition by either Ca2+ or Li+, known to disrupt cell signaling, was the same with both l-Gal 1-P and d-Ins 3-P. To determine whether the VTC4 gene impacts myoinositol synthesis in Arabidopsis, we isolated T-DNA knockout lines of VTC4 that exhibit small perturbations in abscisic acid, salt, and cold responses. Analysis of metabolite levels in vtc4 mutants showed that less myoinositol and ascorbate accumulate in these mutants. Therefore, VTC4 is a bifunctional enzyme that impacts both myoinositol and ascorbate synthesis pathways.
Phosphorylation of the flagellar regulatory protein FlrC is necessary for Vibrio cholerae motility and enhanced colonization

The human pathogen Vibrio cholerae specifically expresses virulence factors within the host, including cholera toxin (CT) and the toxin co-regulated pilus (TCP), which allow it to colonize the intestine and cause disease. V. cholerae is a highly motile organism by virtue of a polar flagellum, and motility has been inferred to be an important aspect of virulence, yet the exact role of motility in pathogenesis has remained undefined. The two-component regulatory system FlrB/FlrC is required for polar flagellar synthesis; FlrC is a sigma54-dependent transcriptional activator. We demonstrate that the transcriptional activity of FlrC affects both motility and colonization of V. cholerae. In a purified in vitro reaction, FlrB transfers phosphate to the wild-type FlrC protein, but not to a mutant form in which the aspartate residue at amino acid position 54 has been changed to alanine (D54A), consistent with this being the site of phosphorylation of FlrC. The wild-type FlrC protein, but not the D54A protein, activates sigma54-dependent transcription in a heterologous system, demonstrating that phospho-FlrC is the transcriptionally active form. A V. cholerae strain containing a chromosomal flrCD54A allele did not synthesize a flagellum and had no detectable levels of transcription of the critical sigma54-dependent flagellin gene flaA. The V. cholerae flrCD54A mutant strain was also defective in its ability to colonize the infant mouse small intestine, approximately 50-fold worse than an isogenic wild-type strain. Another mutation of FlrC (methionine 114 to isoleucine; M114I) confers constitutive transcriptional activity in the absence of phosphorylation, but a V. cholerae flrCM114I mutant strain, although flagellated and motile, was also defective in its ability to colonize. The strains carrying D54A or M114I mutant FlrC proteins expressed normal levels of CT and TCP under in vitro inducing conditions. Our results show that FlrC 'locked' into either an inactive (D54A) or an active (M114I) state results in colonization defects, thereby demonstrating a requirement for modulation of FlrC activity during V. cholerae pathogenesis. Thus, the sigma54-dependent transcriptional activity of the flagellar regulatory protein FlrC contributes not only to motility, but also to colonization of V. cholerae.
Exoelectrogenic biofilm as a template for sustainable formation of a catalytic mesoporous structure.

Mesoporous structures can increase catalytic activity by maximizing the ratio of surface area to volume, but current synthesis techniques utilize expensive polymers and toxic chemicals. A Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilm was used as a sustainable template to form mesoporous Pd structures while eliminating the need for synthetic chemicals. The bulk of the biofilm material was removed by thermal treatments after nanoparticle formation, producing a catalytic Pd mesoporous (pore size 9.7 ± 0.1 nm) structure attached to the graphite electrode with a 1.5-2 µm thick backbone composed of nanoparticles (∼200 nm). A control electrode electrochemically plated with Pd in the absence of a biofilm exhibited a variable planar Pd base (∼0.5-3 µm thick) with sporadic Pd extrusions (∼2 µm across, 1-5 µm tall) from the surface. The biotemplated mesoporous structure produced 15-20% higher stable current densities during H2 oxidation tests than the electrochemically plated control electrode, even though 30% less Pd was present in the biotemplated catalyst. These results indicate that electroactive biofilms can be used as a sustainable base material to produce nanoporous structures without the need for synthetic polymers. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 2349-2354. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Patterns of relatedness and parentage in an asocial, polyandrous striped hyena population

We investigated patterns of relatedness and reproduction in a population of striped hyenas in which individuals are behaviourally solitary but form polyandrous spatial groups consisting of one adult female and multiple adult males. Group-mate males were often close relatives, but were unrelated or distantly related in some cases, indicating that male coalitions are not strictly a result of philopatry or dispersal with cohorts of relatives. Most male–female pairs within spatial groups were unrelated or only distantly related. Considering patterns of relatedness between groups, relatedness was significantly higher among adult males living in non-neighbouring ranges than among neighbouring males. Mean relatedness among male–female dyads was highest for group-mates, but relatedness among non-neighbouring males and females was also significantly higher than among dyads of opposite-sex neighbours. Female–female relatedness also increased significantly with increasing geographic separation. These unusual and unexpected patterns may reflect selection to settle in a nonadjacent manner to reduce inbreeding and/or competition among relatives for resources (both sexes), or mates (males). Finally, resident males fathered the majority of the resident female’s cubs, but extra-group paternity was likely in 31% of the cases examined, and multiple paternity was likely in half of the sampled litters.
Deletion of 1–43 amino acids in cardiac myosin essential light chain blunts length dependency of Ca2+ sensitivity and cross-bridge detachment kinetics

The role of cardiac myosin essential light chain (ELC) in the sarcomere length (SL) dependency of myofilament contractility is unknown. Therefore, mechanical and dynamic contractile properties were...
Expansion of Woody Plants in Tallgrass Prairie: A Fifteen-year Study of Fire and Fire-grazing Interactions

Abstract Temporal changes in the abundance of trees and a common shrub, Cornus drummondii, were quantified for 15 y (1981–1996) in seven tallgrass prairie watersheds in Northeast Kansas. Woody plant responses to different fire frequencies and grazing were assessed with a data set that included >9000 individuals. Although 15 tree species were included in this data set, only four (Juniperus virginiana, Celtis occidentalis, Gleditsia triacanthos and Ulmus americana) were sufficiently abundant for detailed analysis. Over the 15 y study tree density increased by two- to 10-fold, except in watersheds burned annually where woody plants remained almost completely absent throughout the study. Although increased woody plant abundance was expected in watersheds protected from fire, tree and shrub density also increased substantially in watersheds burned only once in 4 y. An intermediate fire frequency (burned every 3–5 y) actually increased the abundance of C. drummondii relative to a low fire frequency (burned only...
Ambrosia Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Species Attacking Chestnut and Captured in Ethanol-Baited Traps in Middle Tennessee

Abstract Ambrosia beetles can be important pests of nursery production. The beetles are difficult to control with insecticides, requiring that pesticides be closely timed before tree attack, applied repeatedly, or have long residual activity. The goal of this project was to improve management decisions for ambrosia beetle control in nurseries. This study used ethanol-baited traps, field observations of tree attacks, and emergence cages over beetle galleries to determine the following: (1) composition of ambrosia beetle fauna in middle Tennessee, (2) species responsible for attacks on chestnut (Castanea mollissima Blume), a susceptible tree species, (3) timing of tree attacks and progeny emergence, and (4) the relationship between tree attacks, progeny emergence, and beetle collections in ethanol-baited traps. Ambrosia beetles were surveyed using ethanol-baited Lindgren traps at the Tennessee State University Nursery Crop Research Station in McMinnville, TN, and at two commercial nurseries near Dibrell and...
Multiscale Analysis of the 7 December 1998 Great Salt Lake–Effect Snowstorm

Abstract The large-scale and mesoscale structure of the Great Salt Lake–effect snowstorm of 7 December 1998 is examined using radar analyses, high-density surface observations, conventional meteorological data, and a simulation by the Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research fifth generation Mesoscale Model (MM5). Environmental conditions during the event were characterized by a lake–700-hPa temperature difference of up to 22.5°C, a lake–land temperature difference as large as 10°C, and conditionally unstable low-level lapse rates. The primary snowband of the event formed along a land-breeze front near the west shoreline of the Great Salt Lake. The snowband then migrated eastward and merged with a weaker snowband as the land-breeze front moved eastward, offshore flow developed from the eastern shoreline, and low-level convergence developed near the midlake axis. Snowfall accumulations reached 36 cm and were heaviest in a narrow, 10-km-wide band that extended downstream from t...
Swapping Amnesty for Peace: Was There a Duty to Prosecute International Crimes in Haiti?

By examining the political realities of the Haiti situation and the applicable provisions of treaty and customary law, this Article seeks to assess whether the Haitian amnesty did indeed achieve "a proper mix." To this end, the Article begins with a description of the abuses reportedly committed by Haiti's military regime and the international community's attempts to restore the democratically-elected government to power. Next, it explores the policy arguments for and against amnesty as applied to the Haitian situation and analyzes the scope of both the Haitian amnesty law and President Aristide's amnesty decree. This section is followed by a detailed analysis of the relevant international instruments and customary law that potentially limit a government's prerogative to issue an amnesty. While the Article's main focus is the international law applicable to the Haitian situation, this inquiry has far-reaching implications beyond Haiti's shores, which are explored in the conclusion.
Cardiolipin antigen in the Kline test for syphilis. IV. Effect of rate of rotation of antigen-serum mixture.

B ASIC to development of a standardized serodiagnostic test for syphilis is precise specification of all important variables. The rate of rotation of the antigen-serum mix&e in the Kline test has been observed to be such a factor. Kline1 specified “hand rotation” on a flat surface in a three-fourths inch circle at 180 times per minute. Alternatively, the use of the Boerner type rotator set at 180 r.p.m. has been suggested.2 Kline stated, “Machine rotation must be set by comparison of results with those of standard hand rotation.“l No data, however, have been reported on the range of readings obtained by different methods of rotation. In the present study, three different types of mechanical rotators operating at different rotations per minute were compared. Significant differences in results of the Kline test were observed.
Signal denoising via quadratic semi-infinite programming

This paper describes an approach to signal denoising based on semi-infinite programming. This method offers some advantages over traditional discrete-time filtering, including sharper transition bands between passband and stopband, zero phase response, and uniform signal power in the stopband that can be made arbitrarily low. We also describe a method for notch filtering that uses quadratic programming with linear equality constraints. Both techniques are demonstrated to outperform conventional methods based on LTI filtering.
“The Rock of Transfer”: A Synthesis of Ethics in Higher Education through the Lens of the United States Military Academies

With unconventional modern-day warfare and the pervasiveness of social media comes an unprecedented operational environment of highly publicized ethical dilemmas for young military officers. The United States service academies are in the unique position of educating their undergraduate students in the traditional four-year academic construct as well as in ethical decision-making within strict values- and rules-based cultures. Further complicating this charge is the posturing of students as both scholars and contracted employees of the Department of Defense, liable to the American taxpayer. Using the construct of ethical education at the United States military academies, this paper makes the case for why ethics matter in higher education, and will explore a variety of models by which they may be taught, to include pre-scripting (Gentile, 2010), ethical triangulation (Baker, 2012), and Theme Centered Interaction (Wortel & Bosch, 2011), among others.
Two-dimensional nanofluidics

The remarkable electronic properties of graphene and related two-dimensional (2D) materials result from the confinement of electrons within the material. Similarly, the interstitial space between 2D materials can enable the 2D confinement of ions and electrolytes and alter their transport. Many different 2D sheets can be obtained by exfoliation of natural layered materials ( 1 ), and an exfoliation-reconstruction strategy can convert powders of layered materials into continuous, robust bulk forms in which lamellar nanochannels occupy a substantial volume fraction (up to several tens of percent). Nanofluidics, which enables the manipulation of confined ions and electrolytes, has applications in electrochemical energy conversion and storage, biosensing, and water purification.
INDUCTION OF TOLERANCE TO SKIN GRAFTS IN MICE WITH DISRUPTED LIVER AND KIDNEY CELLS.

SummaryAcquired immunological tolerance has been established in adult C57Bl/1 female mice to male skin grafts by injection of disrupted cellular material prepared from male liver and kidney as well as from spleen.
Flaxseed secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and enterolactone down-regulated epigenetic modification associated gene expression in murine adipocytes

Abstract This study was conducted to determine flaxseed secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and its metabolite (enterolactone, EL) effects on DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), histone deacetylase (HDAC), and methyl-CpG-binding domain protein (MBD) expression in reactive oxygen species treated murine adipocytes. SDG or EL treated adipocytes (1 × 107) were treated with hydroxyl or superoxide radical, and then total RNA was extracted and purified using an RNeasy Mini kit. DNMTs, HDACs, and MBD2 expression by real-time quantitative PCR was measured. The fold change in expression of the DNMTs, HDACs, and MBD2 was calculated using 2-ΔΔCT method. The results showed that flaxseed SDG and enterolactone downregulate DNMTs, HDACs, and MBD2 expression. How DNMTs, HDACs, and MBD2 expression was down-regulated by flaxseed SDG and enterolactone is unknown and needs further study.
Molecular Orientational Distribution at Interfaces Using Second Harmonic Generation

We present a novel method for obtaining the orientational distribution of molecules at the air/water interface by using a circularly polarized pump pulse that is incident normal to the interface to excite interfacial molecules to their excited electronic states. The second harmonic generation intensities of two linearly polarization combinations (45� -in/ S-out and P-in/P-out) were measured. The ratio of their intensities measured before and after the pump pulse was then used to obtain the mean orientational angle and the orientational distribution utilizing a Gaussian distribution. The mean orientational angle and the orientational distribution of the organic dye molecule, coumarin 314, at the air/water interface were found to be 55 ( 2� with respect to the surface normal and a full width at half-maximum of 16 ( 3� .
Peak Experiences: Latent Dimensionalities in Consumption Behavior

Although psychologists have described self-actualization (Maslow) as a spiritual rather than a materialistic state, there is evidence to suggest that some material possessions can lead to a "partial" form of actualization or peaking in some mode or style of living. Since this can lead to the modification of existing appeals or contribute to the development of more effective promotional programs (promotional synergies between products), a study was undertaken to investigate the phenomenon.
Informing priorities for coaching education: Perspectives from youth sport leaders:

Central to the ability of successfully facilitating sport participation toward positive developmental outcomes is the youth sport leader. Youth sport leaders are responsible for addressing the many stressors and risk factors that youth encounter in both sport and life. However, a majority of youth sport leaders do not receive coaching education or training, especially in regard to youth development. The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the various factors, which affect youth sport leaders, their team, and the community in which they coach. The four key areas of team building/teamwork, parental influence/involvement, sportsmanship, and teaching life skills emerged. By better understanding the issues within youth sport, researchers will be more aware of the most relevant issues to guide future research and to inform the development of coaching education. Moreover, youth sport leaders will be better equipped and prepared to maximize youth development through sport participation.
Rheological Properties of PFPE Lubricants at Elevated Temperatures

During the intermittent contact between the head and the disk of the hard disk drive (HDD), the perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant experiences shear/elongation deformation. Therefore, the molecular rheology of PFPE becomes critically important in designing optimal lubricants that control the friction and wear. In this paper, we examine, for the first time, the rheological responses of nanoblended PFPEs, including storage and loss moduli ( $G'$ and $G''$ ), by monitoring the time-dependent stress–strain relationship via nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. We observed that the nonfunctional PFPEs (Fomblin $Z$ -type) exhibit liquid-like behavior, while agglomeration behavior was observed for the functional PFPEs (Fomblin Zdol-type). In addition, strong endgroup couplings due to functional endgroup weaken as the temperature increases. For binary blended PFPEs, we also observed similar phenomena, which strongly depends on the blend ratio and imposed condition (e.g., temperature and oscillatory frequency). We established a finger print analysis via $G'\!$ – $\,G''$ plots for different blend ratios and temperatures. By analyzing the blended PFPE relaxation processes, our results provide the optimal parameters for lubricant selection criteria to enhance the HDD performance.
Association of oral contraceptive use and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 polymorphism on the risk of stroke in women

Objective To explore the association of oral contraceptive(OC) exposure, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) gen polymorphism and their joint effects on the risk of stroke in Chinese women. Methods The genotyping of PAI-1 was detected by Tagman and polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Results OC users had a 1.31-fold(OR=1.31, 95%CI=1.01-1.71) risk of stroke compared with the non-users. Compared with the 4G allele, rs1799889 5G allele conferred a protective effect against ischemic stroke(OR=0.35, 95% CI=0.18-0.67). Furthermore, compared with the non-users with wild-type genotypes, OC users with rs1799889 4G5G/5G5 G genotype had a decreased risk of ischemic stroke(OR=0.53, 95%CI=0.34-0.83). Conclusions There is an obvious increase risk of stroke among the Chinese women who take OC. PAI-1 gene polymorphism have association with the pathogenesis of stroke. The study also suggests there is a combined effects of PAI-1 gene polymorphism and OC use on stroke risk in Chinese women.
Thermo-resistive disruptions and the tokamak density limit

The physical mechanism behind the tokamak density limit scaling is described in terms of a non-linear theory of tearing mode growth in cylindrical geometry coupled to a model for thermal transport in the island. Important new physics features of the model include: (1) island asymmetry due to finite island width in cylindrical geometry, (2) a model of radiation based on local coronal equilibrium including impurity radiation, (3) current perturbations due the perturbed resistivity, and (4) numerical solution of the cylindrical eigenfunctions and Δ′. The semi-analytic cylindrical model is then solved for a wide range of current profiles, magnetic field values, and plasma currents using reasonable assumptions for impurity densities and the Greenwald limit [M. Greenwald et al., Nucl. Fusion 28, 2199 (1988)] is reproduced. The limit is shown to be only weakly dependent on variations in the assumed parameters.
Effect of oral dextran sulfate on the mouse intestinal tract.

Oral dextran sulfate is associated with adverse intestinal effects, including severe diarrhea, in some AIDS patients. We therefore investigated the intestinal flora and the intestinal histology of mice given drinking water supplemented with 8 mg/ml of dextran sulfate. There were no noticeable alterations in the major groups of intestinal bacteria in mice given oral dextran sulfate for 7 days. Likewise, there was no abnormal pathology in the ilea or colons of mice treated for 7 days with oral dextran sulfate. However, after 21 and 38 days, there was a noticeable overgrowth of facultative gram-negative bacilli in the colonic and cecal flora of dextran sulfate-treated mice. This overgrowth appeared to be due to bacterial species in the family Enterobacteriaceae, primarily Escherichia coli. Bacterial overgrowth was accompanied by mild histological alterations in the intestinal mucosa, i.e., blunting of ileal villi and colonic crypts, with mild epithelial cell dysplasia. Thus, oral dextran sulfate was associated with quantitative changes in the mouse intestinal flora, as well as histological changes in the intestinal mucosa.
“I understand why people need to ease their emotions”: Exploring mindfulness and emotions in a conceptual physics classroom of an elementary teacher education program

In this manuscript we bring to focus student perceptions of salience (or lack of thereof) of emotions in the undergraduate conceptual physics course (in the teacher education program) and their relevance to teaching and learning. Our analysis of student responses to the Mindfulness in Education Heuristic constitutes a feedback loop affording the teacher reflection over his instructional practices. Hence, we ponder pedagogical tools employed by the class instructor (second author) that students identify as evoking emotional responses (both positive and negative). Furthermore, we highlight this teacher’s dispositions and his value system (axiology) that appear to bring to balance his passion for science (understood in a traditional Western way as a canon-based epistemology) and his approach to teaching that is driven by compassion towards his students many of whom perceive physics as challenging. We argue that adopting mindful disposition affords engaging in practices that assist in regulating emotions and attention that mediate learning of canonical science content. Likewise, we maintain that the instructor and his mindfulness-driven practices become a model to be replicated in his students’ future careers. In such context, mindfulness may be perceived as part of what is referred to as a hidden curriculum. It is our position, however, that the science classroom is a site where wellness-promoting practices (such as mindfulness) should receive an overt attention by becoming science content to be learned and practiced by all citizens throughout everyday life thus contributing to its improved quality. In recognizing that such position may be challenging to adopt by science educators, we present the way the second author has been grappling with reframing his thinking around teaching science. We encourage educators to utilize heuristic methodology towards reflecting on and informing their practice and as one way of exposing their students to social constructs such as mindfulness.
A Numerical Comparison of Barrier and Modified Barrier Methods for Large-Scale Bound-Constrained Optimization

When a classical barrier method is applied to the solution of a nonlinear programming problem with inequality constraints, the Hessian matrix of the barrier function becomes increasingly ill-conditioned as the solution is approached. As a result, it may be desirable to consider alternative numerical algorithms. We compare the performance of two methods motivated by barrier functions. The first is a stabilized form of the classical barrier method, where a numerically stable approximation to the Newton direction is used when the barrier parameter is small. The second is a modified barrier method where a barrier function is applied to a shifted form of the problem, and the resulting barrier terms are scaled by estimates of the optimal Lagrange multipliers. The condition number of the Hessian matrix of the resulting modified barrier function remains bounded as the solution to the constrained optimization problem is approached. Both of these techniques can be used in the context of a truncated- Newton method, and hence can be applied to large problems, as well as on parallel computers. In this paper, both techniques are applied to problems with bound constraints and we compare their practical behavior.
Antisense Suppression of Lectin Genes Causes a Plethora of Developmental Abnormalities in Alfalfa

Gain-of-function experiments with transgenic plants expressing the seed lectin gene suggest a role for seed lectin in nodulation (Diaz et al., 1989; Hirsch et al., 1995; van Rhijn et al., submitted). Loss-of-function experiments were also deemed a potential way to test the involvement of seed lectins in the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis. Alfalfa appears to have three genes that potentially encode seed lectins; they have been designated Mslec1, Mslec2, and Mslec3 (Brill et al., 1995; L.M. Brill, A.M. Hirsch, unpublished; W.M. Karlowski, A.M. Hirsch, unpublished). So far, we have cloned and sequenced two of the three alfalfa seed lectin genes. We constructed transgenic alfalfa plants that express an antisense-Mslec1 transgene fragment (Mslec1 As plants) and also antisense-Mslec2 transgene fragment (Mslec2 As-plants). Some of the developmental and symbiotic responses of the antisense plants are described in this report.
Challenges in predicting disease state with apache spark

Advances in the Big Data platform Open Source software and affordability of commodity hardware have made it possible to implement scalable application Assuming that Predictive Analytic technology has reached level of maturity we attempted to implement Disease State Analytics within Apache Spark Hadoop platform Disease State Analytics designed to predict current state of a patient disease diagnosis based up on the laboratory test results Major purpose of this study is to evaluate current state of the art of Machine Learning technology and discuss various challenges faced Reference materials researched from Apache website various books explains hypothetical scenario under academic background while real life situations could be totally different Most of the authors begin Machine Learning with clean delimited numeric data set and mostly assume fixed number of features Majority of them ignores the relational nature of data as well as underlying data quality and complexity This makes proposed solution so rigid that it is impractical to deploy it in real life Thus we attempt to develop and implement flexible solution with all bells and whistles such as data quality transformation consistent feature translation smarter predictive models with dedicated functionality While domesticating machine with human interaction to improve decision we faces various technological challenges and tried to find workaround to make path Ultimately we expect that Apache Spark technology should evolve by overcoming these challenges nbsp
Predicting suicides after outpatient mental health visits in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS)

The 2013 US Veterans Administration/Department of Defense Clinical Practice Guidelines (VA/DoD CPG) require comprehensive suicide risk assessments for VA/DoD patients with mental disorders but provide minimal guidance on how to carry out these assessments. Given that clinician-based assessments are not known to be strong predictors of suicide, we investigated whether a precision medicine model using administrative data after outpatient mental health specialty visits could be developed to predict suicides among outpatients. We focused on male nondeployed Regular US Army soldiers because they account for the vast majority of such suicides. Four machine learning classifiers (naive Bayes, random forests, support vector regression and elastic net penalized regression) were explored. Of the Army suicides in 2004-2009, 41.5% occurred among 12.0% of soldiers seen as outpatient by mental health specialists, with risk especially high within 26 weeks of visits. An elastic net classifier with 10-14 predictors optimized sensitivity (45.6% of suicide deaths occurring after the 15% of visits with highest predicted risk). Good model stability was found for a model using 2004-2007 data to predict 2008-2009 suicides, although stability decreased in a model using 2008-2009 data to predict 2010-2012 suicides. The 5% of visits with highest risk included only 0.1% of soldiers (1047.1 suicides/100 000 person-years in the 5 weeks after the visit). This is a high enough concentration of risk to have implications for targeting preventive interventions. An even better model might be developed in the future by including the enriched information on clinician-evaluated suicide risk mandated by the VA/DoD CPG to be recorded.
Associations between feeding practices and maternal and child weight among mothers who do and do not correctly identify their child's weight status.

Objective This study aimed to explore factors associated with accuracy of maternal weight perception and determine if maternal feeding practices are associated with weight status. Methods Overweight/obese mothers reported demographics and perception of their child's weight and completed a modified preschooler feeding questionnaire. Mother's and child's height and weight were measured. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between demographic factors and accuracy. Correlations between the preschooler feeding questionnaire scales and mom's body mass index (BMI) and child's BMI-percentile were explored for the total sample and accurate and underestimating moms. Results Among mothers whose child was overweight or obese, only 20% of mothers correctly identified the child as overweight. Forty percent of moms were underestimaters. There was a positive correlation between concern the child was overweight/overeating and the child's BMI-percentile among underestimating moms; in the total sample (r = 0.32, p < .001) and accurate moms (r = 0.52, p < .001). In underestimaters only, there was a negative relationship between child BMI-percentile and pressure to eat (r = -0.30, p < .001) and concern about child underweight (r = -0.47, p < .001). Conclusions This study identified different associations between child weight and mother's feeding practices in mothers accurately and inaccurately perceiving her child's weight. Intervention studies should explore targeting education on feeding practices based on these perceptions.
3-D printing solar photovoltaic racking in developing world

The purpose of this paper is to provide a technical and economic evaluation of the value of the RepRap as an entry-level 3-D printer in the developing world and provide a cost effective solar photovoltaic (PV) racking solution to better serve the developing world and aid in the acceleration of their economic and socioeconomic growth. A customizable open-source PV racking concept is designed, prototyped for three types of modules, constructed into systems, and outdoor tested under extreme conditions for one year. An economic analysis is provided along with a technical evaluation of the system, which found the proposed racking system can be successfully printed with RepRap 3-D printers and saves between 85% and 92% from commercially available alternatives depending on the plastic used for printing. In addition, the plastic parts proved able to withstand some of the harshest outdoor conditions and due to the free and open-source nature of the designs, it allows the system to be adapted to custom applications in any region in the world more easily than any commercial alternatives. The results indicate that the 3-D printable X-wire solar photovoltiac racking system has the potential to aid in the acceleration of solar deployment in the developing world by providing a low cost PV racking solution.
Visualizing Feedback: Using Graphical Cues to Promote Self-Regulated Learning.

We examined whether the addition of graphical cues on a concept map could promote self-regulated learning with online materials. College-aged students were provided with concept map visualizations to guide revisions of a scientific essay. These visualizations varied in their use of two graphical cues: color-coded nodes that indicated error types and size-scaled nodes that indicated the importance of domain ideas. Metacognitive strategies were assessed using students’ self-reported visualization use and essay changes. Learning was assessed via true/false items, short answer questions, and self-generated concept maps. Results indicated that colorcoding promoted better revision strategies, and both graphical cues supported deeper understanding of domain content compared to a typical concept map display. Implications are discussed for visual display designs that provide meaningful feedback during online learning.
What kind of world do we want to help make with our theories

In response to Demetis and Lee's proposal that Information Systems needs to adopt system science in order to live up to the identity implied by its name and in order to develop better theory, this commentary seeks to answer two questions: What kind of reality does systems science produce? And, given that technological advances have moved the IS research agenda beyond the organizational realm, how likely is it that systems science will help generate better IS theory? Drawing on a relational ontology, reflections on these two questions are offered. Research theories and methods are performative; they do not only represent reality, but also produce it.Systems theory creates a world populated by stable entities that interact with each other without altering the interdependent entities.In contrast to substantialist theories like systems science, relational ontologies treat practices (rather than entities) as primary.Relational theories are more likely to advance theorizing of contemporary IS phenomena characterized by sociomaterial entanglements.
The aCORN Backscatter-Suppressed Beta Spectrometer.

Abstract Backscatter of electrons from a beta detector, with incomplete energy deposition, can lead to undesirable effects in many types of experiments. We present and discuss the design and operation of a backscatter-suppressed beta spectrometer that was developed as part of a program to measure the electron–antineutrino correlation coefficient in neutron beta decay (aCORN). An array of backscatter veto detectors surrounds a plastic scintillator beta energy detector. The spectrometer contains an axial magnetic field gradient, so electrons are efficiently admitted but have a low probability for escaping back through the entrance after backscattering. The design, construction, calibration, and performance of the spectrometer are discussed.
In Vivo Characterization of an AHR-Dependent Long Noncoding RNA Required for Proper Sox9b Expression

Xenobiotic activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) prevents the proper formation of craniofacial cartilage and the heart in developing zebrafish. Downstream molecular targets responsible for AHR-dependent adverse effects remain largely unknown; however, in zebrafish sox9b has been identified as one of the most-reduced transcripts in several target organs and is hypothesized to have a causal role in TCDD-induced toxicity. The reduction of sox9b expression in TCDD-exposed zebrafish embryos has been shown to contribute to heart and jaw malformation phenotypes. The mechanisms by which AHR2 (functional ortholog of mammalian AHR) activation leads to reduced sox9b expression levels and subsequent target organ toxicity are unknown. We have identified a novel long noncoding RNA (slincR) that is upregulated by strong AHR ligands and is located adjacent to the sox9b gene. We hypothesize that slincR is regulated by AHR2 and transcriptionally represses sox9b. The slincR transcript functions as an RNA macromolecule, and slincR expression is AHR2 dependent. Antisense knockdown of slincR results in an increase in sox9b expression during both normal development and AHR2 activation, which suggests relief in repression. During development, slincR was expressed in tissues with sox9 essential functions, including the jaw/snout region, otic vesicle, eye, and brain. Reducing the levels of slincR resulted in altered neurologic and/or locomotor behavioral responses. Our results place slincR as an intermediate between AHR2 activation and the reduction of sox9b mRNA in the AHR2 signaling pathway.
Free radical theory of aging: History

Aging is the accumulation of changes responsible for the sequential alterations that accompany advancing age and the associated progressive increases in the chance of disease and death. These changes can be attributed to disease, environment, and the inborn aging process.
From research to operations based on contributions from Werner Alpers

Early in the development of any field of inquiry, new and interesting phenomena are uncovered and appreciated. These may be of general scientific interest, but is it often many years before these initial observations mature to the point that they can be employed for practical applications. Dr. Werner Alpers is one of those unique individuals whose long productive career spans the evolution from research to operational applications. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, we discuss the contributions of Dr. Alpers in the context of the recent implementation of operational products based on his work and the work of others. These applications are particularly important in the field of remote sensing of the ocean from space by synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
Modeling the formation and composition of secondary organic aerosol from diesel exhaust using parameterized and semi-explicit chemistry and thermodynamic models

Abstract. Laboratory-based studies have shown that combustion sources emit volatile organic compounds that can be photooxidized in the atmosphere to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA). In some cases, this SOA can exceed direct emissions of primary organic aerosol (POA). Jathar et al. (2017a) recently reported on experiments that used an oxidation flow reactor (OFR) to measure the photochemical production of SOA from a diesel engine operated at two different engine loads (idle, load), two fuel types (diesel, biodiesel), and two aftertreatment configurations (with and without an oxidation catalyst and particle filter). In this work, we used two different SOA models, the Volatility Basis Set (VBS) model and the Statistical Oxidation Model (SOM), to simulate the formation and composition of SOA for those experiments. Leveraging recent laboratory-based parameterizations, both frameworks accounted for a semi-volatile and reactive POA; SOA production from semi-volatile, intermediate-volatility, and volatile organic compounds (SVOC, IVOC and VOC); NOx-dependent parameterizations; multigenerational gas-phase chemistry; and kinetic gas–particle partitioning. Both frameworks demonstrated that for model predictions of SOA mass to agree with measurements across all engine load–fuel–aftertreatment combinations, it was necessary to model the kinetically limited gas–particle partitioning in OFRs and account for SOA formation from IVOCs, which were on average found to account for 70 % of the model-predicted SOA. Accounting for IVOCs, however, resulted in an average underprediction of 28 % for OA atomic O : C ratios. Model predictions of the gas-phase organic compounds (resolved in carbon and oxygen space) from the SOM compared favorably to gas-phase measurements from a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS), substantiating the semi-explicit chemistry captured by the SOM. Model–measurement comparisons were improved on using SOA parameterizations corrected for vapor wall loss. As OFRs are increasingly used to study SOA formation and evolution in laboratory and field environments, models such as those developed in this work can be used to interpret the OFR data.
Using Distance-sampling to Estimate Density of White-tailed Deer in Forested, Mountainous Landscapes in Virginia

Abstract Although Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer, hereafter, Deer) are abundant on private lands throughout much of the western Virginia mountain region, populations are comparatively low on publicly owned lands in this area. Concerns voiced by sportsmen regarding declining numbers of Deer on public lands in western Virginia prompted research to estimate the population density in selected areas within this region. From January 2012 through April 2013, we used ground-based transect sampling with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) techniques in a distance-sampling framework to estimate seasonal Deer density in mountainous western Virginia. We included habitat variables and abiotic factors thought to influence detection and ranked models using AICc model selection in the program DISTANCE. We observed 430 groups of Deer (mean group size = 2.9) during 5 sampling sessions conducted along 562.5 km traveled in Bath County, versus 102 groups (mean group size = 2.6) along 643.6 km in Rockingham County. Wind...
A Framework for Computer-Aided Design of Educational Domain Models

Many educational applications, from tutoring to problem generation, are built on a formal model of the operational knowledge for a given domain. These domain models consist of rewrite rules that experts apply to solve problems in the domain; e.g., factoring, \(ax + bx \rightarrow (a+b)x\), is one such rule for K-12 algebra. Domain models currently take hundreds of hours to create, and they differ widely in how well they meet educational objectives such as maximizing problem-solving efficiency. Rapid, objective-driven creation of domain models is a key challenge in the development of personalized educational tools.
Notch Signaling in Lung Cancer Initiation and Development

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), or tumorigenic cancer cells, are termed as a small proportion of tumor cells that are responsible for cancer differentiation, initiation, development and drug resistance. Accumulating evidence has shown a wide range of cancers, such as lung cancer, is initiated from CSCs. Understanding the tumorigenic mechanisms of CSCs is one of the most pressing problems in modern biology. The Notch signaling pathway is characterized as one of the three core stem cell signaling pathways and plays an instrumental role in activating mutations and amplifications in lung cancer. In this chapter, we will briefly review the experimental model and clinical progress in lung cancer stem cell research and discuss the therapeutically potential target of Notch signaling in lung cancer stem cell research.
The Paradox of Depth Perception

This chapter discusses the role of motion in depth perception by examining the origins of the ideas that underlie the current body of knowledge and theory in this area. The popular analogy between the eye and the camera has heavily influenced modern thinking about visual perception. The idea that perception begins with a flat, stationary image is implicit in much of the research and theory in this area. The view that the perception of motion in depth is at least as primary a perceptual experience as the perception of static flatness is a relatively new one. Partially for this reason and partially because of the greater technical difficulty of research in that area, research on motion in depth perception is also relatively new. Much of the research on depth perception currently reported is presented in terms of cues to depth. The homunculus idea is reflected in the tendency to regard the discovery of the sources of information required for accurate perception as the total problem of the perceptual researcher. It is as if a homunculus, once given the necessary information, can be counted on to make the appropriate judgments. The problem of considering the manner in which the information is processed has not been given adequate attention. Perceptual processes exist that operate on incoming information, leading to accurate perceptions of the external world. These processes are inappropriate to certain stimulus conditions leading to what have been called illusions.
Correction to: Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize: Focusing on Parenting Supports Depressed Parents' Involvement in Home Visiting Services.

The article “Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize: Focusing on Parenting Supports Depressed Parents’ Involvement in Home Visiting Services”, written by Lorraine M. McKelvey, Shalese Fitzgerald, Nicola A. Conners Edge and Leanne Whiteside‑Mansell, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 28 May 2018 without open access