cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partial map classifiers and partial cartesian closed categories

Abstract In this paper we consider two conceptually different categorical approaches to partiality namely partial map classifiers ( pmcs ) with total maps, and partial cartesian closed categories ( pcccs ) pC with partial maps, showing how these approaches are intimately related. While a topos setting generally provides a richer setting for defining possible pmcs and classes of partial maps, conditions are derived that determine when pmcs and partial maps can in fact restrict to pC . In this way semantic constructs can be interpreted consistently from both approaches. Various examples involving domains and cpos are examined as is the connection to Kleisli categories. Finally, it is observed that a general categorical framework involving monads arises naturally in this context.
Incentive compatible strategies for general Stackelberg games with incomplete information

We study Stackelberg games with incomplete information in a general setting. In particular, we deduce the follower's reaction function, a set-valued function of the leader's action choice and a parameter specifying the follower's payoff type (a parameter about which the leader has only incomplete information), and using a generalized version of Komlos' Theorem due to Balder (1987), we show the existence of an expected payoff maximizing, incentive compatible strategy for the leader given the follower's reaction function.
Particle Simulation of Ultrafast Closing Switch at Sub-Atmospheric Pressures

Previous research at Texas Tech University has been conducted on the physics governing highly over-voltaged gas breakdown resulting from ultrafast applied voltage pulses with risetimes less than 200 ps and durations less than 400 ps. Experimental results have shown that the breakdown characteristics of such events significantly differ from those observed in standard gas breakdown and a complete understanding of the physics behind ultrafast discharges is far from being clear. As a companion to experimental work, a numerical model is an attractive means of discerning more about the underlying physics behind such events. In this paper, a relativistic, Particle in cell model utilizing Monte-Carlo calculations is discussed as a way to directly simulate the experimental conditions, with similar geometry, background gas, and pulse characteristics. Diagnostic output from the simulation includes space-charge development over time, field and particle energy distributions, and particle number growth rates and spatial distributions. An overview of the structure and formulation behind the simulation code is given followed by a comparison of output data to experimental results. Specific points of interest for comparison include formative and statistical delay times, examination of inhomogeneous ionization regions in the discharge, and the behavior of high-energy particles in the runaway state.
A high-resolution microchip optomechanical accelerometer

The monitoring of acceleration is essential for a variety of applications ranging from inertial navigation to consumer electronics. Typical accelerometer operation involves the sensitive displacement measurement of a flexibly mounted test mass, which can be realized using capacitive, piezo-electric, tunnel-current or optical methods. Although optical detection provides superior displacement resolution, resilience to electromagnetic interference and long-range readout, current optical accelerometers either do not allow for chip-scale integration or utilize relatively bulky test mass sensors of low bandwidth. Here, we demonstrate an optomechanical accelerometer that makes use of ultrasensitive displacement readout using a photonic-crystal nanocavity monolithically integrated with a nanotethered test mass of high mechanical Q-factor This device achieves an acceleration resolution of 10 µg Hz^(−1/2) with submilliwatt optical power, bandwidth greater than 20 kHz and a dynamic range of greater than 40 dB. Moreover, the nanogram test masses used here allow for strong optomechanical backaction, setting the stage for a new class of motional sensors.
Frequency of purchase and associated costs of assistive technology for Washington State Medicaid program enrollees with spina bifida by age.

Abstract Background Assistive technology (AT) is one strategy to mitigate or eliminate barriers to independence for individuals with disabilities, including those with spina bifida (SB). However, little is known about current use and costs of AT for people with SB, including the cost burden to medical insurance payees. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate frequency of AT purchases and their associated costs for individuals with SB covered by the Washington State Medicaid program. Additionally, we sought to compare Medicaid reimbursement for AT to the overall Medicaid reimbursement for all medical care for these individuals. Methods Data included all electronic claims and eligibility records of persons covered by the Medicaid program over a 4-year period (2001-2004) who had at least one service with a coded diagnosis of SB. Procedure codes were reviewed and grouped into the following AT categories: manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, wheelchair cushions and seats, wheelchair accessories and repairs, wheelchair rental, ambulatory aids, orthotic and prosthetic devices, positioning aids, bathroom equipment, beds and bed accessories, and communication and hearing aids. Age group analyses were conducted after dividing patients into 3 age groups (0-15, 16-25, and 26+). Further subgroup analyses were done for individuals with dual or capitated medical coverage compared with those who had fee-for-service Medicaid-only coverage. Results A total of 984 individuals with at least one diagnosis of SB during the 4-year study period were identified. On average, approximately one third of individuals made claims for some type of AT per year; the majority of these AT claims (87%) were for mobility-related AT. Average annual Medicaid cost of AT was $494 per enrollee and AT accounted for 3.3% of all Medicaid costs for these individuals. AT-related costs were highest for those aged 0-15 years and lowest for those aged 16-25 years. Persons with only fee-for-service Medicaid coverage had more than twice the annualized Medicaid AT-related expenditures compared to those with additional coverage or who were covered under a Medicaid capitation plan. Conclusions Medicaid reimbursement for AT, as classified in this study, is a relatively low percentage of overall medical costs for individuals with SB. Because of the small percentage of non-mobility-related AT paid for in this study, we believe there may be a substantial unmet need for AT in this population and/or that individuals with SB may have significant AT-related out-of-pocket expenses. Given its large potential impact and relatively low cost burden to Medicaid, AT is a “good buy” and coverage for AT should be expanded.
Polymerized ragweed antigen E: IV. The analysis of the stability of molecular size and antigenic reactivity of the polymer

Abstract Ragweed antigen E polymerised by treatment with glutaraldchyde offers a potentially improved method for immunotherapy of human IgE-mediated pollinosis because studies have demonstrated that the polymer retains antigenic reactivity but has decreased ability to release histamine when these functions are compared on a weight basis. The potential clinical usefulness of the polymer is dependent both on stability of the polymer and on retention of antigenic reactivity. The method used for the analysis of the stability of the polymer under conditions of storage was the comparison of gel filtration fractionation profiles. No depolymerization was demonstrated during storage conditions for 2 mo, and only minimal evidence of additional polymerisation (less than 8%) or depolymerization (less than 7%) was observed after 6 mo of storage. There was no difference in the per cent of polymerised antigen E precipitated by rabbit antiserum after storage as compared with control samples.
Localized authentication for wireless LAN inter-networking roaming

Authentication is an essential premise for deploying wireless LAN inter-network roaming in the real world. The technical challenge lies in the fact that a visited network does not initially have the authentication credentials of a roaming user. Existing solutions require that authentication is performed via three-party communications: user to visited network to home network. In this paper, a new concept that mutual authentication between a visited network and a roaming user can be performed locally without the contact with user's home network is proposed. This new protocol not only satisfies the roaming authentication requirements, but also has efficiency in terms of authentication time delay.
Mechanisms through which bradykinin promotes glomerular injury in diabetes

In diabetes, mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix expansion are critical components in the development of glomerulosclerosis. We reported that diabetes alters the activity of the k...
Estimating Atmospheric Boundary Layer Depth Using COSMIC Radio Occultation Data

This study presents an algorithm for estimating atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) depth from Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) data. The algorithm is applied to the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) RO data and validated using highresolution radiosonde data from the island of St. Helena (16.08S, 5.78W), tropical (308S‐308N) radiosondes collocated with RO, and EuropeanCentre for Medium-Range WeatherForecasts (ECMWF) high-resolution global analyses. Spatial and temporal variations of the ABL depth obtained from COSMIC RO data for a 1-yr period over tropical and subtropical oceans are analyzed. The results demonstrate the capability of RO data to resolve geographical and seasonal variations of ABL height. The spatial patterns of the variations are consistent with those derived from ECMWF global analysis. However, the ABL heights derived from ECMWF global analysis, on average, are negatively biased against those estimated from COSMIC GPS RO data. These results indicate that GPS RO data can provide useful information on ABL height, which is an important parameter for weather and climate studies.
Variation of the Workspace of Cable-Driven Two-Link Planar Manipulators due to Cable Attachment Points

The design of cable-driven robots is complicated by the fact that cables can only apply force in one direction using tension, requiring a minimum of n+1 cables to fully constrain an n-DOF mechanism. Underconstrained systems with fewer than n+1 cables are not able to resist an arbitrary force, but may still be operational within a subset of their reachable workspace depending on the design of the mechanism. This paper focuses on an underconstrained two-link planar manipulator controlled using two cables. The equations of motion are presented and the system is numerically analyzed to determine the joint-angles and end-effector positions which can be achieved under quasi-static equilibrium with positive cable tensions. The positive tension workspace of the mechanism is shown to be governed by a collection of discrete constraint curves, which are presented and analyzed. The effects of changing cable configuration on the positive tension workspace are explored, and the cable configurations which result in the largest manipulator reachable workspace and dexterity are identified.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Human anatomical science and illustration: The origin of two inseparable disciplines

From the early wall paintings of ancient Egyptians to the recent advent of computer graphics, medical illustrators have employed a variety of techniques and materials to enrich the art of medicine. Over the centuries, medical illustrators have captured the variety of physical findings observed in the clinical, surgical, or postmortem settings and transferred them to a permanent medium. Specifically, the study of human anatomy has enjoyed a historically popular courtship with medical artistry since 1543, when Andreas Vesalius published his now legendary work entitled De Humani Corporis Fabrica. However, the development and subsequent advancement of human anatomical illustration are indebted to individuals whose lifetimes span several centuries prior to Vesalius. The scientific achievements in anatomy manifest not only an advancement of knowledge, but also are a reflection of cultural, political, and religious beliefs. With respect to the development of human anatomic illustration, three elements were essential: the recognition of anatomy as a distinct branch of medical science, the acceptance of human dissection as a scientific method to advance understanding of anatomical structure, and the advancement in printing such that illustrations could be included alongside descriptive text. This brief study will examine these milestones while highlighting the origin of anatomical illustration in its historical context and its relationship to the development of human anatomy as a recognized medical science.
Model-less inversion-based iterative control for output tracking: Piezo actuator example

In this article, we propose a model-less inversion- based iterative control (MIIC) approach for high-speed output tracking in repetitive applications such as the lateral scanning during atomic force microscope (AFM) imaging. The MIIC algorithm extends the inversion-based iterative control (IIC) technique and the enhanced inversion-based iterative control (EIIC) technique. The main contribution of this article is the development of the MIIC algorithm to eliminate the modeling process while further enhancing the output tracking performance. We explicitly consider the disturbance and/or measurement noise effect in the convergence analysis of the MIIC algorithm. It is shown that convergence can be reached in one iteration step if the noise/disturbance effect is negligible; Or, the input error can be quantified by the disturbance/noise to signal ratio (NSR, relative to the desired trajectory). The MIIC is applied to a piezo scanner on an atomic force microscope, and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the MIIC technique.
Franklin Roosevelt and the Modern Presidency

The political foundations of the modern presidency were laid during the New Deal years. Franklin Roosevelt was the New Deal president. The relationship between these two facts is a matter of some consequence. On it hinges our understanding of presidential leadership and modern American government generally, not to mention the political significance of Roosevelt himself.
Locality-aware data replication in the Last-Level Cache

Next generation multicores will process massive data with varying degree of locality. Harnessing on-chip data locality to optimize the utilization of cache and network resources is of fundamental importance. We propose a locality-aware selective data replication protocol for the last-level cache (LLC). Our goal is to lower memory access latency and energy by replicating only high locality cache lines in the LLC slice of the requesting core, while simultaneously keeping the off-chip miss rate low. Our approach relies on low overhead yet highly accurate in-hardware run-time classification of data locality at the cache line granularity, and only allows replication for cache lines with high reuse. Furthermore, our classifier captures the LLC pressure at the existing replica locations and adapts its replication decision accordingly. The locality tracking mechanism is decoupled from the sharer tracking structures that cause scalability concerns in traditional coherence protocols. Moreover, the complexity of our protocol is low since no additional coherence states are created. On a set of parallel benchmarks, our protocol reduces the overall energy by 16%, 14%, 13% and 21% and the completion time by 4%, 9%, 6% and 13% when compared to the previously proposed Victim Replication, Adaptive Selective Replication, Reactive-NUCA and Static-NUCA LLC management schemes.
Carbon isotope fractionation between diet, breath CO2, and bioapatite in different mammals

The carbon isotope fractionation between tooth enamel bioapatite, breath CO2, and diet was measured for voles, rabbits, pigs, and cattle on controlled diets. The measured fractionation (expressed as isotope enrichment 3*) between enamel and diet was 11.5 G 0.3&, 12.8 G 0.7&, 13.3G 0.3&, and 14.6 G 0.3& for these respective species. There is a 1:1 correlation between 3*ediet and 3* enamelediet (r 2 Z 0.94, p ! 0.01), whereas our data do not resolve significant inter-species differences in 3* enamelebreath. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that inter-species differences in 3*ediet are primarily a result of differences in digestive physiology, rather than differences in the magnitude of fractionation between mineral and body fluid. 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Introduction: Common ground for a unified approach

This issue comprises four papers on educational personnel and school evaluation. The papers were developed as part of the work of CREATE's Cross-Cutting Theory Project over a series of meetings in the fall and winter of 1993-94. earlier versions were first presented at a special invitational symposium in New Orleans on April 5, 1994, during the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association; the symposium was organized to gain feedback from leading evaluation specialists on our progress toward developing a unified model of educational personnel and school evaluation.
When can a news organization lead public opinion? ∗ Ideology versus market forces in decisions to make news

Do news organizations purposefullylead the public to support a particularideological agenda? When debating thisquestion, many analysts draw conclusionsfrom weak empirical evidence. We introducea model that clarifies how a newsorganization's internal structure combineswith market forces to affect when it canlead public opinion. We identify conditionsunder which liberal reporters orpolitically-driven media magnates canachieve ideological goals. We alsoilluminate important barriers that preventmany would-be public opinion leaders fromever satisfying these conditions. We showthat internal structure and market forcesare critical determinants of any newsorganization's power over public opinion.
Pediatric Pituitary Adenomas: Germline Genetic Defects

In childhood and adolescence pituitary tumors occur infrequently and are rarely malignant. However, these tumors may result in significant morbidity due to the essential role of the pituitary in the maintenance of homeostasis and the regulation of growth and puberty. Approxi­mately 2–6 % of surgically treated pituitary tumors occur in children and are primarily of two types, craniophayrngiomas and adenomas. The majority of pituitary tumors are sporadic; however, in children these tumors may be part of a genetic condition predisposing to pituitary and other tumors. The investigation of pituitary tumors in the context of genetic syndromes, such as MEN-1, Carney complex, familial isolated pituitary adenoma, and McCune Albright syndrome, has advanced our knowledge of the molecular basis of pituitary tumors.
Public Health 3.0: Time for an Upgrade.

The authors reflect on public health in the U.S. and the need to upgrade it. They state the U.S. ranks 27th in the world in life expectancy despite spending almost three trillion dollars annually in health care, while life expectancy for the poor is declining. They describe what they call Public Health 1.0 and 2.0, and mention how the Affordable Care Act improved health care access for everyone and catalyzed the move toward value-based payments. They reflect on components for Public Health 3.0
A Human Factors Evaluation: The Explosive Ordnance Disposal / Automated Information Retrieval and Expert System (EOD/AIRES)

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Automated Information Retrieval & Expert System (EOD/AIRES) is a combination of state-of-the art computer hardware and software, developed by the U.S. Army Electronics Technology & Devices Laboratory (ETDL) to assist EOD teams in identifying and rendering safe unexploded ordnance. This study examines the identification time and error rate of using the EOD/AIRES versus using the current method, the TM-60 series manuals. Identification time was significantly reduced using the EOD/AIRES for less-experienced, U.S. Army EOD soldiers. Error rates decreased with the EOD/AIRES, but not by statistically significant amounts. The qualitative results clearly show a preference for the EOD/AIRES.
Political clientelism in Thai provinces A novel empirical test

This article tests hypotheses of the clientelist theory of political participation using both individual level cross sectional survey data and aggregate level data from all 76 provinces in Thailand...
Risk factors for hypertension in elderly diabetes mellitus patients and their follow-up

Objective To study the incidence of and risk factors for hypertension in elderly diabetes mellitus(DM) patients and their follow-up.Methods A total of 26 074 retired workers of Kailuan Group Limited Company undergoing health check were divided into DM group(n=3658) and non-DM group(n=22 416).The incidence of and risk factors for hypertension and target organ damage in elderly DM patients were analyzed.The patients were followed up for 5 years during which the myocardial infarction,cerebral stroke and cardiovascular death events in DM patients,and the acumulative incidence of hypertension and its risk factors in patients without hypertension were recorded.Results The incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in DM group than in non-DM group(70.5% vs 60.2%,P0.01).Smoking,snore,obesity,hypertriglyceridemia,high LDL-C level were the risk factors for hypertension in elderly DM patients(P0.05,P0.01).The patients were followed up for 5 years during which the incidence of cerebral stroke was significantly higher in elderly DM patients with hypertension than in those without hypertension(6.4% vs 4.6%,P0.05).The 5-year acumulative incidence of hypertension was 40.1% in elderly DM patients without hypertension.Conclusion The incidence of hypertension increases significantly in elderly patients with DM usually complicated by myocardial infarction,cerebral stroke and renal dysfunction,especially cerebral stroke.
The Rising of Spirulina Industrialization and Sustainable Use of Saline Lakes in Ordos Plateau Area

The present situation and background of the development of Spirulina in Ordos plateau area has been reviewed.The development directions and advantages of Spirulina for the locality are also present in the paper.These have much high significance for proper utilization of the saline lakes resources and the sustainable development of Spirulina industry.
Proof Without Words: Sums of Triangular Numbers

(2005). Proof Without Words: Sums of Triangular Numbers. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 78, No. 3, pp. 231-231.
Political Cartoon Framing of the NSA Snooping Scandal

This chapter’s analysis of political cartoon representations about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) domestic spying tactics finds that no single group or individual—not the NSA, Edward Snowden, or the Obama administration—was safe from cartoonists’ critiques. The NSA was targeted for its intrusive “Big-Brother” like practices, the Obama administration was critiqued for its reaction to leaks about NSA practices, and even US citizens were lampooned for not being aware of or concerned about violations of their privacy.
Understanding the Development of Free E-Commerce/E-Business Software: A Resource-Based View1

Abstract This study seeks to identify and characterize the array of social and technical resources needed to support the development of open source software supporting E-Commerce (EC) or E-Business (EB) capabilities. This entails a case study within a virtual organization that has undertaken an organizational initiative to develop, deploy, and support free/open source software systems for EC or EB services, like those supporting Enterprise Resource Planning. The objective this study is to identify and characterize the resource-based software product development capabilities that lie at the center of the initiative, rather than the software itself, or the effectiveness of its operation in a business enterprise. By learning what these resources are, and how they are arrayed into product development capabilities, we can provide the knowledge needed to understand what resources are required to realize the potential of Free EC and EB software applications. In addition, the resource-based view draws attentions to those resources and capabilities that provide potential competitive advantages and disadvantages of the organization in focus.
Upregulation of μ3A Drives Homeostatic Plasticity by Rerouting AMPAR into the Recycling Endosomal Pathway

Synaptic scaling is a form of homeostatic plasticity driven by transcription-dependent changes in AMPA-type glutamate receptor (AMPAR) trafficking. To uncover the pathways involved, we performed a cell-type-specific screen for transcripts persistently altered during scaling, which identified the μ subunit (μ3A) of the adaptor protein complex AP-3A. Synaptic scaling increased μ3A (but not other AP-3 subunits) in pyramidal neurons and redistributed dendritic μ3A and AMPAR to recycling endosomes (REs). Knockdown of μ3A prevented synaptic scaling and this redistribution, while overexpression (OE) of full-length μ3A or a truncated μ3A that cannot interact with the AP-3A complex was sufficient to drive AMPAR to REs. Finally, OE of μ3A acted synergistically with GRIP1 to recruit AMPAR to the dendritic membrane. These data suggest that excess μ3A acts independently of the AP-3A complex to reroute AMPAR to RE, generating a reservoir of receptors essential for the regulated recruitment to the synaptic membrane during scaling up.
The Ideal Strength of Solids

There is an upper limit to the mechanical strength of any material under any particular test conditions. This limit is known as the ideal strength. The present paper attempts to define the ideal strength as closely as is presently possible. To this end, a brief account is first given of some of the highest strengths recorded experimentally. Then follows a short account of the published theoretical calculations of the ideal strength. Finally, the theoretical and experimental values are compared, and it is shown that in several instances these differ by less than a factor 2x.
Molecular Testing in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Abstract Advances in defining the mutational landscape of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) over the past decade have revolutionized the molecular diagnosis of these entities. Several methods have been developed for molecular analysis of MPN-related mutations, each with different analytical and diagnostic sensitivities. Molecular testing has become standard of care for the diagnostic workup of any suspected MPN, with JAK2 V617F being the most useful first test for polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). Well-established second-order tests include: JAK2 exon 12 mutation analysis (suspected PV) and CALR and MPL mutation screening (suspected PMF or ET). This chapter reviews clinical and technical aspects of molecular testing in MPN, with focus on the most commonly mutated genes involved in these disorders. An overview of the molecular pathogenesis of MPN and emerging testing approaches is also provided.
Xunzi on Moral Psychology

Among early Chinese thinkers, Xunzi offers some of the most detailed and extensive discussions of moral psychology. While much of that material appears in his remarks about people’s xing 性 (“nature”) and wei 偽 (“deliberate effort”), several other passages that do not explicitly invoke those notions are also relevant to understanding his views on moral psychology. In this chapter I focus primarily on those other passages, since Xunzi’s conceptions of xing and wei are treated extensively elsewhere in this book. In particular, I first discuss his understanding of qing 情 (“dispositions”) and yu 欲 (“desires”). The second section then analyzes Xunzi’s view of ke (“approval”), which plays an important role in his explanation of moral behavior. I review some of the controversies in the English-language scholarship about the relations between yu and ke in Xunzi’s picture of moral motivation, and I defend an interpretation on which Xunzi takes yu and ke to be independent and potentially conflicting sources of motivation that must be harmonized in order for a person to achieve sagehood. The chapter ends with a consideration of how the demand for such harmonization derives from Xunzi’s views about virtue, and notes some questions raised by his position.
Internet use among parents of asthmatic children in Morocco

Asthma is the most frequent chronic disease among children. Therapeutic education is an important area in the treatment of asthma. Internet is a non-neglectable source of information for parents about this chronic disease. The aim: of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the use of internet by parents in Morocco and to demonstrate its impact on asthma control. Methods: This is a transversal study based on a survey of parents of asthmatic children who have been hospitalized in the Pneumology service or have been seen in consultation at the Children9s Hospital of Rabat. The children who were newly diagnosed with asthma were excluded from this study. Results: A group of 100 parents were involved in the survey.Only 25% of them used internet to get information about asthma. The mean age of children was 6 years old and age limits ranging from 2 to 18 years old. The most researched words were asthma (65%), diqa [asthma in Moroccan Arabic] (19%), and hassasyat sadr [chest sensitivity; also used to refer to asthma] (19%). 100% of the research concerned the radical treatment of asthma, 34% of it dealt with the treatment of the attack, 25% with the definition of asthma, 16% with the long-term treatment and 16% looks for the causes of asthma. The websites consulted were Google (96%) and Youtube (4%). A percentage of 60% of the parents use internet because of the lack of information transmitted by doctors. Conclusion: Since internet has proven to be as a crucial source of information for parents of asthmatic children, we suggest in this study to integrate it in the education of parents by directing them to good websites or creating others that are specifically geared towards providing information about asthma.
Nonstoichiometry and Doping in the Sintering of Oxides

Doping and nonstoichiometry influence sintering through their effects on volume, grain-boundary, and surface diffusion, as well as through their effects on grain growth. Carefully executed sintering experiments can determine the mechanisms of sintering and the diffusion coefficients of the species that has the lowest net mobility, taking into account both volume and grain-boundary diffusion. However, the volume diffusion coefficient appropriate for sintering may be different from the bulk value since the transport during sintering takes place in a narrow regional parallel to the grain boundaries. A space charge is likely to influence transport in this region. Results for initial- and intermediate-stage sintering of CoO may be explainable in terms of near-surface diffusion.
Pigmented purpuric dermatosis: a striking but benign cutaneous entity

A child presented with a 6-month history of an asymptomatic, progressive rash. The rash started on her right lower calf and spread to her dorsal foot and superior thigh. Physical exam demonstrated brown-to-orange purpuric macules on her right lower extremity (figure 1). Laboratory tests including complete blood count (CBC) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were unremarkable. Skin biopsy revealed a superficial lymphocytic infiltrate and extravasated erythrocytes, consistent with pigmented purpuric dermatosis …
Mechanism of chimeric vaccine stimulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase biosynthesis in human dendritic cells is independent of TGF-β signaling

Cholera toxin B subunit fusion to autoantigens such as proinsulin (CTB-INS) down regulate dendritic cell (DC) activation and stimulate synthesis of DC immunosuppressive cytokines. Recent studies of CTB-INS induction of immune tolerance in human DCs indicate that increased biosynthesis of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) may play an important role in CTB-INS vaccine suppression of DC activation. Studies in murine models suggest a role for transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in the stimulation of IDO1 biosynthesis, for the induction of tolerance in DCs. Here, we investigated the contribution of TGF-β superfamily proteins to CTB-INS induction of IDO1 biosynthesis in human monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs). We show that CTB-INS upregulates the level of TGF-β1, activin-A and the TGF-β activator, integrin αvβ8 in human DCs. However, inhibition of endogenous TGF-β, activin-A or addition of biologically active TGF-β1, and activin-A, did not inhibit or stimulate IDO1 biosynthesis in human DCs treated with CTB-INS. While inhibition with the kinase inhibitor, RepSox, blocked SMAD2/3 phosphorylation and diminished IDO1 biosynthesis in a concentration dependent manner. Specific blocking of the TGF-β type 1 kinase receptor with SB-431542 did not arrest IDO1 biosynthesis, suggesting the involvement of a different kinase pathway other than TGF-β type 1 receptor kinase in CTB-INS induction of IDO1 in human moDCs. Together, our experimental findings identify additional immunoregulatory proteins induced by the CTB-INS fusion protein, suggesting CTB-INS may utilize multiple mechanisms in the induction of tolerance in human moDCs.
S195. ELECTRORETINOGRAPHIC INDICES OF PHOTORECEPTOR, BIPOLAR, AND GANGLION CELL FUNCTIONING DIFFERENTIATE PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA FROM THOSE WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION AND HEALTHY CONTROLS

AbstractBackgroundThe retina is part of the CNS and provides a window into brain structure and function that has been useful in examining schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.MethodsIn this ongoing study, we are using flash electroretinography (fERG) to compare retinal cell functioning in schizophrenia (n = 25) and major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 18, to date), both relative to psychiatrically healthy controls (n = 25). Data were averaged over both eyes and collected under both light- and dark-adapted conditions. The primary variables of interest were a-wave activity (reflecting photoreceptor response), b-wave activity (reflecting primarily bipolar cell activity), and photopic negative response (PhNR; reflecting ganglion cell activity).ResultsOn light-adapted (photopic) tests, schizophrenia patients demonstrated significantly weaker cone and bipolar cell responses than the MDD and healthy control groups (ds = .76 to 1.25). On dark-adapted (scotopic) tests, all groups demonstrated a linear increase in photoreceptor and bipolar cell response with increases in stimulus intensity, but the rate of response gain per unit of intensity increase was significantly weaker for schizophrenia patients than for the other groups (ds = .84 to 1.11). Significant group differences were also found in PhNR amplitude, with the schizophrenia group demonstrating a weaker PhNR (measured at 72 ms post-stimulus presentation) as compared to the healthy control group (d = .50). In the MDD group, the minimum PhNR amplitude occurred significantly earlier than in either of the other two groups (ds =.80 to .92).DiscussionThese data confirm abnormal retinal cell functioning in schizophrenia patients receiving treatment. Our finding of normal retinal waveform amplitudes in MDD is consistent with a prior report of normalized fERG amplitudes after antidepressant treatment (Fornaro et al., 2011, J Affective Disorders), but inconsistent with another report showing abnormal values in treated MDD patients (Hebert et al., 2017, Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry). Our finding of enhanced PhNR implicit time in MDD is consistent, however, with evidence of enhanced amplitudes in untreated MDD patients in Fornaro et al. (2011). Further studies, using a range of fERG parameter values, are necessary to determine trait and state effects on retinal function in MDD, and which of these effects may overlap or contrast with what is observed in schizophrenia.
Inferring surface currents within submerged, vegetated deltaic islands and wetlands from multi-pass airborne SAR

Abstract Water flow patterns across coastal and deltaic wetlands affect biogeochemical cycling, denitrification, organic carbon burial, and coastal landscape evolution. Our understanding of such patterns across these important landscapes is incomplete, however, because of the inherent difficulty of conducting spatially and temporally dense ground- or boat-based surveys in shallow, vegetated terrain. We conducted an airborne L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) acquisition campaign on Wax Lake Delta, Louisiana, USA, in May 2015, to investigate whether water velocities and flow patterns over kilometer scales can be determined from remote sensing. Thirteen SAR flight lines over the delta region were acquired in 3 h with six different flight directions, concurrently with a small boat campaign. We show that SAR azimuth displacement due to Doppler shift can be used to estimate the surface water flow relative to the static and submerged vegetation interspersed on delta islands, using a simple Bragg wave scattering model and accounting for the Bragg wave's free velocity and wind drift. At Wax Lake Delta, we find that ~0.40 m/s water velocities within the main deltaic channels slow to 0.1–0.2 m/s as flow spreads laterally across, and converges within, the vegetated islands, coinciding with shallow (
Towards understanding the molecular ecology of phytoplankton photosynthesis.

Many of the basic questions related to the magnitude, control, and interspecific variation of phytoplankton productivity confronting aquatic ecologists during the last decade of the twentieth century are virtually identical to those posed in the first three decades (Mills 1989). For example, determining which factor limits community production, let alone the growth rates of the component species, is a time-honoured endeavour (Johnstone 1911; Harvey 1926; Riley 1965; Ryther 1969; Eppley 1980; Barber 1992; Joint 1995). The contemporary discussions about the importance of nutrient fluxes, trace metals, light, temperature and grazers in regulating the abundance and distribution of primary production, phytoplankton biomass and individual species are incarnations of historical debates dating to the inception of aquatic science (Cooper 1935; Harvey 1957; Banse 1992; Martin 1992). That these issues remain, for the most part, unresolved, bespeaks profoundly of our inability to quantitatively relate ecophysiological responses to population genetics and vice versa. The general problem may be rephrased as a search for a way of predicting the ecological manifestation of the evolutionary concept of “fitness”. Even given knowledge of all the genomes of all the organisms in the world, this Gordian knot cannot be cut by reductionist experimentation (Gillespie 1991), yet that approach is so ingrained in our training as scientists that virtually no other is explored.
Young Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Breast-Conserving Therapy: Role of BRCA1 and BRCA2

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. In 2005, approximately 211,000 American women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 40,000 died from the disease. 11,000 of these diagnoses were made in women under the age of 40 (American Cancer Society). BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes that are involved in multiple cellular processes including DNA repair and transcriptional regulation in response to DNA damage, chromosomal stability and cellcycle regulation (Kiyotsugu and Yoshio, 2004). Unlike classical tumor suppressor genes; however, mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are almost never seen in sporadic breast cancers.
Beyond the statistic: exploring the process of early marriage decision-making using qualitative findings from Ethiopia and India

Early marriage of girls (marriage < 18 years) is a pervasive abuse of rights that compromises maternal and child health. The common conceptualization of this practice as an outcome undermines the nuanced and sometimes protracted decision-making process of whom and when to marry. This paper uses qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with females aged 13–23 years who participated in child marriage prevention programs and either married early or cancelled/postponed early marriage, and their key marital decision-makers in Oromia, Ethiopia (n = 105) and Jharkhand, India (n = 100). Social norms and the loss of a parent were stressors sustaining early marriage across contexts. Participants described three stages of early marriage: initiation, negotiation and final decision-making. Girls were infrequently involved in the initiation of early marriage proposals, though their decision-making autonomy was greater in groom-initiated proposals. The negotiation phase was most open to extra-familial influences such as early marriage prevention program staff and teachers. Across settings, fathers were the most important final decision-makers. The breadth and number of individual and social influences involved in marital decision-making in these settings means that effective early marriage prevention efforts must involve girls, families and communities. While underlying norms need to be addressed, programs should also engage and enable the choice, voice and agency of girls. Empowerment was important in this sample, but generally required additional social resources and support to have impact. Girls with greater social vulnerability, such as those without a male caretaker, had more compromised voice, choice and agency with regards to early marriage. Understanding early marriage decision-making as a process, rather than an endpoint, will better equip programs and policies that aim to eliminate early marriage to address the underlying norms that perpetuate this practice, and is an important lens through which to support the health and human rights of women and girls globally.
Glia-immune interactions post-ischemic stroke and potential therapies

Although the primary responsibility of the immune system has for over a century been perceived as the protector of the host against infection in the peripheral organs, we now know the immune system...
The Response Rate Test: Nonresponse Bias and the Future of Survey Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice

There is a disciplinary assumption in our field that surveys with low response rates produce biased estimates, which leads to the use of simple rules for judging the quality of survey data. Surveys with “low” response rates fail this “response rate test” and become difficult to publish. Most of our research methods texts list these rules: e.g., “A response rate below 60% is a disaster, and even a 70% response rate is not much more than minimally acceptable”. Editors embrace this view, and often reject out of hand any study failing to reach this conventional standard. We argue that our field’s use of response rate rules in evaluating scholarship is based more on disciplinary custom than on survey science. In this paper, we describe the long-term downward trend in response rates and address confusion about nonresponse bias and its relation to response rates. Using Groves and Peytcheva’s (2008) meta-analytic data, we present evidence about the magnitude of the estimate- and study-level relationships between response rates and two different measures of nonresponse bias in univariate estimates. We then discuss several consequences of using the “response rate test” to judge data quality.
STRANGE RETURNS - CONCOMITANT PARTIAL ANOMALOUS PULMONARY VENOUS RETURN AND MISSING PULMONARY ARTERY: ROOT CAUSE FOR PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION?

MRI is useful when underlying congenital disease is a suspected culprit for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A 56 yo woman with history of pediatric ASD/VSD repair presented with one year of dyspnea on exertion. She desaturated to 87% during a 6 minute walk test (6MWT=293m). Echo revealed
Measuring Business Dynamics in Kosovo: Cross-Country Comparison and Analysis

The focus of analysis is on the pattern of firm dynamics among incumbent, newborn and exiting firms, and on the survival probabilities of firms that operate in less developed economic settings. Specific emphasis is put on tracking cohorts of newly born enterprises during a five-year period, that is, tracking firms that entered in market during 2010–2015. The findings for the Kosovo economy are compared to the findings for five comparator countries. Specific attention is paid to investigating the association between countries’ institutional characteristics and firm creation and survival over time.
Factors Associated with Student Performance in Managerial Accounting: An Empirical Study at a New England Public University

The grade the student intends to earn in the course, and intentions to take the CPA exam attend graduate school do not seem to motivate students to improve performance in the managerial accounting course. The number of work hours, job type, and course load do not seem to have any negative effect on student performance. Students seem to make remarkably accurate evaluation of their reading and listening abilities and to some extent their math abilities. However, students having poor performance overestimated their writing abilities. Lastly, GPA and financial accounting grade were strong predictors of student performance in managerial accounting.
Pak2 kinase promotes cellular senescence and organismal aging.

Cellular senescence defines an irreversible cell growth arrest state linked to loss of tissue function and aging in mammals. This transition from proliferation to senescence is typically characterized by increased expression of the cell-cycle inhibitor p16INK4a and formation of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF). SAHF formation depends on HIRA-mediated nucleosome assembly of histone H3.3, which is regulated by the serine/threonine protein kinase Pak2. However, it is unknown if Pak2 contributes to cellular senescence. Here, we show that depletion of Pak2 delayed oncogene-induced senescence in IMR90 human fibroblasts and oxidative stress–induced senescence of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), whereas overexpression of Pak2 accelerated senescence of IMR90 cells. Importantly, depletion of Pak2 in BubR1 progeroid mice attenuated the onset of aging-associated phenotypes and extended life span. Pak2 is required for expression of genes involved in cellular senescence and regulated the deposition of newly synthesized H3.3 onto chromatin in senescent cells. Together, our results demonstrate that Pak2 is an important regulator of cellular senescence and organismal aging, in part through the regulation of gene expression and H3.3 nucleosome assembly.