cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Marshall-Stickler phenotype associated with von Willebrand disease

We report on 6 individuals from three different kindreds with Marshall-Stickler (MS) phenotype, with characteristic orofacial abnormalities, arthropathy, deafness, and eye findings, all of whom were discovered to have a mild bleeding diathesis and coagulation-study findings consistent with mild von Willebrand disease (vWD). MS syndrome has been linked in some cases to the type II procollagen gene (COL2A1) on chromosome 12q, and to the collagen XI gene (COL11A2) on chromosome 6. The von Willebrand factor (vWF) is encoded by a 180-Kb gene located on the short arm of chromosome 12. This is the first reported association of these two disorders.
Altered glucose transporter mRNA abundance in a rat model of endotoxic shock.

Abstract To better understand molecular mechanisms of glucose transport in shock, we studied glucose transporter isoform mRNA abundance after injection of S. enteritidis endotoxin (40mg/kg) or saline. Six to 8 hours after injection, endotoxin-treated animals compared to controls became hypoglycemic (44±6 vs. 111±4 mg/dl) and lactacidemic (5.9±0.5 vs. 1.3±0.1). At such times, tissue RNA was isolated and hybridized to Riboprobes for GLUT1 (erythrocyte), GLUT2 (liver), and GLUT4 (muscle/fat) glucose transporter isoforms and expressed as percent of control. GLUT1 mRNA abundance was increased in fat (660%, p
Cell Growth Modulates Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression in Fetal Pulmonary Artery Endothelium |[bull]| 1833

Nitric oxide (NO), produced by the endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is a critical mediator of pulmonary vascular structure and function in the developing lung, causing vasodilation and the inhibition of vascular smooth muscle growth. We have previously shown that pulmonary eNOS gene expression is developmentally regulated during late fetal and early postnatal life, suggesting the eNOS gene expression may be modulated by the state of pulmonary artery endothelial cell (PAEC) growth. We therefore studied the specific effects of cell growth on eNOS expression in cultured ovine fetal PAEC. To examine the effects of cell growth modified by two independent approaches, experiments were performed in cells at varying confluence, and in control cells versus cells stimulated with 20% ovine serum for 24-48 h. Cell proliferation was assessed by examining the incorporation of the thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) into replicating DNA during thymidilate synthetase inhibition with 5-flouro-2′-deoxyuridine. BrdU-positive nuclei were identified by immunocytochemistry with a specific monoclonal antibody. eNOS expression was evaluated by determinations of cell lysate NOS enzymatic activity, which is a highly sensitive measure of changes in enzyme abundance. Compared to 100% confluent cells, cell proliferation was greater at 50% confluence (3.5±0.6% vs. 9.4±0.8% BrdU-positive nuclei, respectively). Greater cell proliferation was associated with attenuated NOS activity, which was 11.9±2.4 vs. 2.3±0.1 pmol/mg prot/min at 100% vs. 50% confluence, respectively. With serum stimulation, cell proliferation increased from 2.8±0.3% to 5.9±0.4% BrdU-positive nuclei. Paralleling the findings with varying confluence, NOS activity was attenuated in the more rapidly-proliferating cells, falling from 2.0±0.3 to 0.5±0.1 pmol/mg prot/min with serum stimulation. These findings contrast with those in systemic endothelium, which exhibit enhanced eNOS expression with greater cell growth. Thus, eNOS expression is markedly attenuated with the activation of cell growth in fetal PAEC. We postulate that eNOS downregulation in rapidly-growing PAEC may facilitate concomitant smooth muscle replication, thereby coordinating the growth of the two cell types during vascularization of the developing lung.
Publish, not Perish: Supporting Graduate Students as Aspiring Authors

BACKGROUND Students pursuing advanced degrees are increasingly expected to contribute to their discipline’s scholarly discourse during their tenure in graduate school. However, they are often unsure of how or where to begin the publishing process, and do not always feel comfortable asking for help from their faculty advisors or fellow students. Scholars, including librarians, have attempted to address these concerns by developing tools and services to meet the needs of future faculty. In recent years, university presses and research libraries have recognized their shared mission in furthering scholarship, with libraries themselves offering publishing education and expertise. PROJECT OVERVIEW During the 2012-2013 academic year, subject librarians and publishing professionals at the University of Michigan Library crafted a program to address students’ questions and concerns about the publishing lifecycle. This ongoing initiative includes a multi-semester workshop series developed in concert with faculty from departments throughout campus, as well as a supplementary online toolkit that takes into account the rapidly evolving nature of scholarly communication. LESSONS LEARNED Major takeaways from this program include: the value of student assessment in shaping publishing workshops; awareness of the discrepancies of registration numbers and actual attendance, highlighting the potential for enhanced promotion techniques; the importance of university press and faculty insight; and the benefits of collaboration among librarians, publishing professionals, and faculty members. NEXT STEPS Future iterations of this program will incorporate in-depth assessment of each program, a more interactive learning environment, and better scheduling and promotion of the workshop series.
Polling Politics, Media, and Election Campaigns

, Vol.69, no.5, Special Issue, 2005. The bedrock of representative democracy is the ability of voters to hold elected officials accountable. Polls can play an important role in democratic accountability by identifying the greatest concerns of voters that candidates should address and the policies that voters most want candidates to support. Polling can also contribute to democratic responsiveness between elections by helping incumbents to anticipate what voters expect. Dr. George Gallup, Sr., was among the most optimistic about the contributions of scientific polling to creating and sustaining a responsive democracy (Gallup and Rae 1940). Scientific survey research, it was hoped, would establish the consent of the governed. This optimistic portrayal of the contribution of polling to election campaigns and democratic government has faced a steady barrage of criticism. Polls are blamed because elected officials overuse them. Responsible leadership, it is charged, should rely on independent judgment instead of following the public’s preferences as divined in polling. This line of criticism reflects the doubts of Walter Lippmann (1955), Joseph Schumpeter (1950), and others about the basic competence of the public to possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and wisdom to identify their interests and the country’s. Many of these critics forcefully argue for limiting the influence of ordinary Americans in order to expand the sway of experts and experienced statesmen who have the wisdom, knowledge, and training to guide the ship of state through an increasingly complex and threatening world. Critics of the competency of citizens have been joined more recently by searing attacks on the methodology of modern scientific polling. Polling, it is charged, is incapable of providing accurate measures of voters’ choices because of a series of intractable hurdles (from low response rates, to the growing use of cell phones, to an underrepresentation of younger voters). Flawed methods open the door to subjective, partisan bias, which enables pollsters to cook their data to favor their preferred candidates. In short, polling is blamed for harming American public life on two fronts—polls encourage elected officials to abandon their responsibility for independent leadership, and they distribute flawed and biased information that fuels partisan fires. This special issue of
Quantitative Cyber Risk Reduction Estimation Methodology for a Small SCADA Control System

We propose a new methodology for obtaining a quantitative measurement of the risk reduction achieved when a control system is modified with the intent to improve cyber security defense against external attackers. The proposed methodology employs a directed graph called a compromise graph, where the nodes represent stages of a potential attack and the edges represent the expected time-to-compromise for differing attacker skill levels. Time-to-compromise is modeled as a function of known vulnerabilities and attacker skill level. The methodology was used to calculate risk reduction estimates for a specific SCADA system and for a specific set of control system security remedial actions. Despite an 86% reduction in the total number of vulnerabilities, the estimated time-to-compromise was increased only by about 3 to 30% depending on target and attacker skill level.
Functional Implications of Age Differences in Motor System Connectivity

Older adults show less lateralized task-related brain activity than young adults. One potential mechanism of this increased activation is that age-related degeneration of the corpus callosum (CC) may alter the balance of inhibition between the two hemispheres. To determine whether age differences in interhemispheric connectivity affect functional brain activity in older adults, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess resting functional connectivity and functional activation during a simple motor task. We found that older adults had smaller CC area compared to young adults. Older adults exhibited greater recruitment of ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1), which was associated with longer reaction times. Additionally, recruitment of ipsilateral M1 in older adults was correlated with reduced resting interhemispheric connectivity and a larger CC. We suggest that reduced interhemispheric connectivity reflects a loss of the ability to inhibit the non-dominant hemisphere during motor task performance for older adults, which has a negative impact on performance.
Focal adhesion kinase facilitates platelet-derived growth factor-BB-stimulated ERK2 activation required for chemotaxis migration of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract The focal adhesion (FAK) non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) links both extracellular matrix/integrin and growth factor stimulation to intracellular signals promoting cell migration. Here we show that both transient and stable overexpression of the FAK C-terminal domain termed FRNK (FAK-relatednon-kinase) inhibits serum and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration in wound healing and in vitro Boyden Chamber chemotaxis assays, respectively. Expression of FRNK, but not a point mutant of FRNK (FRNK L1034S), disrupted the formation of a complex containing both FAK and the activated PDGF-β receptor and resulted in reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous FAK at the Tyr-397 binding site for Src family PTKs. As demonstrated using FAK-deficient and FAK-reconstituted fibroblasts, FAK positively contributed to PDGF-BB-stimulated ERK2/MAP kinase activity, and in SMCs, ERK2/MAP kinase activity was required for PDGF-BB-stimulated chemotaxis. Stable expression of FRNK but not FRNK L1034S expression in SMCs lowered the extent and duration of stimulated ERK2/MAP kinase activation at low but not at high PDGF-BB concentrations. Importantly, stable expression of FRNK in SMCs did not affect SMC morphology or proliferation in culture. Because the increased migration of vascular SMCs in response to extracellular matrix proteins and growth factors contributes to neointima formation, our results show that FAK inhibition by FRNK expression may provide a novel approach to regulate abnormal vascular SMC migration in vivo.
Current Ripple Effect on $n$ -Value

We systematically studied the effect of current ripple on the determination of n-value, which is the index of the shape of the electric field-current (E-I) curve. Commercial Nb3 S n wires were measured with controlled amounts of ac ripple. Substitution- box, superconductor simulator circuits were also measured. A battery-powered current supply was used to provide the dc with ripple currents. The ripple frequencies were 60,120, and 360 Hz, to represent common electrical power harmonics in high-current power supplies. A previous study focused on the effect of ripple on the determination of dc critical current (Ic); the current study focuses on how ripple changes the n-value and shows that ripple has a larger effect on n-value than on Ic. We examined models and measurements on simulators to reproduce and explain the effects observed in measurements on superconductors. Current ripple and spikes may be sources of differences in n-values measured at different laboratories.
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and α 2 adrenergic receptors mediate heroin withdrawal-potentiated startle in rats

Anxiety is one of the early symptoms of opioid withdrawal and contributes to continued drug use and relapse. The acoustic startle response (ASR) is a component of anxiety that has been shown to increase during opioid withdrawal in both humans and animals. We investigated the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and norepinephrine (NE), two key mediators of the brain stress system, on acute heroin withdrawal-potentiated ASR. Rats injected with heroin (2 mg/kg s.c.) displayed an increased ASR when tested 4 h after heroin treatment. A similar increase in ASR was found in rats 10–20 h into withdrawal from extended access (12 h) to i.v. heroin self-administration, a model that captures several aspects of heroin addiction in humans. Both the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine (10 μg/kg s.c.) and CRF1 receptor antagonist N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-(4-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-7-amine (MPZP; 20 mg/kg s.c.) blocked heroin withdrawal-potentiated startle. To investigate the relationship between CRF1 and α2 adrenergic receptors in the potentiation of the ASR, we tested the effect of MPZP on yohimbine (1.25 mg/kg s.c.)-potentiated startle and clonidine on CRF (2 μg i.c.v.)potentiated startle. Clonidine blocked CRF-potentiated startle, whereas MPZP partially attenuated but did not reverse yohimbine-potentiated startle, suggesting that CRF may drive NE release to potentiate startle. These results suggest that CRF1 and α2 receptors play an important role in the heightened anxiety-like behaviour observed during acute withdrawal from heroin, possibly via CRF inducing the release of NE in stress-related brain regions.
Restoration of sinus rhythm by the Maze procedure halts progression of tricuspid regurgitation after mitral surgery.

Background Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery, and atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause progression of TR. This study examined the hypothesis that correction of AF with the Maze procedure can prevent the late progression of TR after mitral valve surgery. Methods We compared severity of TR in 33 patients (January 1, 1993, to January 1, 2003) who underwent concomitant Maze procedure plus mitral valve surgery and converted to normal sinus rhythm postoperatively with case-matched control patients who underwent mitral valve surgery alone and remained in AF postoperative. Matched variables were age, sex, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular ejection fraction, and hypertension. Preoperative TR grade was similar between groups (Maze 2.2 ± 0.8 versus no-Maze 2.3 ± 0.8, p = 0.67). Patients with permanent transvenous pacemakers, organic tricuspid valve disease, and prior tricuspid valve surgery were excluded from this comparison. Results Before hospital dismissal, average TR grade improved to 1.9 ± 0.9 in both groups; TR improved in 42% of patients in the Maze group and 36% of patients with preoperative AF and no Maze. At last follow-up, average TR grade remained stable at 1.9 ± 0.9 in the Maze group ( p = 0.078 versus preoperative) with TR progression in only 9% of patients (3 of 33). In contrast, TR grade worsened to 2.7 ± 0.9 in the no-Maze group ( p = 0.04 versus preoperative, p p Conclusions Continued AF after mitral valve surgery can predispose a patient to progression of TR, and this progression is prevented in patients having successful concomitant Maze procedure.
Physical and Functional Interactions between Escherichia coli MutY Glycosylase and Mismatch Repair Protein MutS

Escherichia coli MutY and MutS increase replication fidelity by removing adenines that were misincorporated opposite 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-deoxyguanines (8-oxoG), G, or C. MutY DNA glycosylase removes adenines from these mismatches through a short-patch base excision repair pathway and thus prevents G:C-to-T:A and A:T-to-G:C mutations. MutS binds to the mismatches and initiates the long-patch mismatch repair on daughter DNA strands. We have previously reported that the human MutY homolog (hMYH) physically and functionally interacts with the human MutS homolog, hMutSalpha (Y. Gu et al., J. Biol. Chem. 277:11135-11142, 2002). Here, we show that a similar relationship between MutY and MutS exists in E. coli. The interaction of MutY and MutS involves the Fe-S domain of MutY and the ATPase domain of MutS. MutS, in eightfold molar excess over MutY, can enhance the binding activity of MutY with an A/8-oxoG mismatch by eightfold. The MutY expression level and activity in mutS mutant strains are sixfold and twofold greater, respectively, than those for the wild-type cells. The frequency of A:T-to-G:C mutations is reduced by two- to threefold in a mutS mutY mutant compared to a mutS mutant. Our results suggest that MutY base excision repair and mismatch repair defend against the mutagenic effect of 8-oxoG lesions in a cooperative manner.
TURBULENT TRANSITION AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANCE: RELATING POLICY OUTCOMES TO STRATEGIC ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES

Much of the literature on public policy with its institutional and legislative emphases conveys the view that organizational effectiveness is primarily dependent on actors external to the agency. That is, laws prescribe programs and operating procedures; overlapping jurisdictions restrict innovative behavior; and the politics o f fund budgeting encourage complacency and incrementalism. This article proposes an alternative set of propositions explaining policy outcomes and agency performance as a function of internal administrative considerations. The propositions are empirically evaluated using data from Pacific Coast port authorities during the “container revolution” and environmental movement. The results suggest that variance in strategic performance can be attributed to (1) perceptions about intergovernmental relations and performance gap, (2) an agency micro-structure for strategic planning and policy analysis, and (3) a set of intervening administrative variables.
Design and testing of a controllable miniature jumping robot

Mobile sensors with jumping ability provide several advantages compared with the traditional wheeled sensors such as ability to move in rugged terrain. A controllable jumping robot for this purpose is described in this paper. The robot has dimension about 9.5cm×9cm×3cm and weighs 54.1 grams. It can perform the jumping process continuously. This paper focuses on the mechanisms to achieve such a continuous jumping ability, including the jumping mechanism, energy store and release mechanism, and self-righting mechanism. Detail implementation and experimental results are also given in this paper. It is shown that with a 75° takeoff angle, the robot can jump about 20cm in height.
Deactivation of fused silica capillary columns with polymethylhydrosiloxanes

In this work, an investigation of new organosilicon hydride reagents with phenyl functional groups for deactivation and surface modification of fused silica capillary columns is described. Different reagents were tested for their ability to deactivate the fused silica surface, and actual critical surface tension measurements were made using the capillary rise method. The deactivation procedure required lower optimum temperatures than conventional methods. Deactivated capillaries and coated capillary columns were prepared and tested for reproducibility, efficiency, and surface inertness towards basic and acidic compounds at the low nanogram level.
Why does Escherichia coli recycle its cell wall peptides

This review discusses the phenomenon of recycling of cell wall peptides. It is a major, though non-essential, pathway of the cell and is required for induction of beta-lactamase. Consequently, the recycling pathway is viewed as a possible signalling vehicle, informing the cell of the condition of the murein sacculus, an essential structure existing outside the cell itself. As the study of this phenomenon is in its infancy, several speculations are offered for a possible regulatory function.
Ideologies of Diversity and Inequality: Predicting Collective Action in Groups Varying in Ethnicity and Immigrant Status

Ideological positions regarding social diversity and status inequality are examined as predictors of people's willingness to engage in collective action. Using social dominance theory and social identity theory, we hypothesized that the relationships between ideology, ethnic identification, and orientation toward collective action will vary depending on the position of one's group. Comparisons were made between four U.S. groups: White natives, White immigrants, Black/Latino natives, and Black/Latino immigrants. Groups differed in their endorsement of social diversity and social inequality, as well as in their orientation toward collective action and their ethnic group identification. For all groups, ethnic identity mediated the link between ideology and collective action, but the valence and magnitude of paths differed as a function of ethnicity and immigrant status. Social diversity was more critical for U.S. immigrants (White and Black/Latino); social inequality accounted for more variance in native-born U.S. groups (although in opposite directions for the two groups).
Multi-robot system based on model of wolf hunting behavior to emulate wolf and elk interactions

Wolves are one of the most successful large predators on earth. Their success is made apparent by their presence in most northern ecosystems. They owe much of this success to their generalized hunting behavior which allows them to quickly and effectively adjust to different species of prey. The success of this hunting behavior for wolves is the inspiration for a project to bestow this behavior onto a system of robots with the hopes that they might utilize the apparent strengths of the behavior to achieve their own success.
On the Teaching of Cross-Cultural Psychology:

Challenges and opportunities confront cross-cultural researchers who would inject a global perspective into undergraduate curricula. Changing student populations, revived interest in moral issues, the sociobiology renaissance, and enhanced resources for disseminating the products of cross-cultural psychology combine to place the field potentially at the heart of the undergraduate teaching enterprise.
Global Arrays Parallel Programming Toolkit

The two predominant classes of programming models for parallel computing are distributed memory and shared memory. Both shared memory and distributed memory models have advantages and shortcomings. Shared memory model is much easier to use but it ignores data locality/placement. Given the hierarchical nature of the memory subsystems in modern computers this characteristic can have a negative impact on performance and scalability. Careful code restructuring to increase data reuse and replacing fine grain load/stores with block access to shared data can address the problem and yield performance for shared memory that is competitive with message-passing. However, this performance comes at the cost of compromising the ease of use that the shared memory model advertises. Distributed memory models, such as message-passing or one-sided communication, offer performance and scalability but they are difficult to program. The Global Arrays toolkit attempts to offer the best features of both models. It implements a shared-memory programming model in which data locality is managed by the programmer. This management is achieved by calls to functions that transfer data between a global address space (a distributed array) and local storage. In this respect, the GA model has similarities to the distributed shared-memory models that provide an explicitmore » acquire/release protocol. However, the GA model acknowledges that remote data is slower to access than local data and allows data locality to be specified by the programmer and hence managed. GA is related to the global address space languages such as UPC, Titanium, and, to a lesser extent, Co-Array Fortran. In addition, by providing a set of data-parallel operations, GA is also related to data-parallel languages such as HPF, ZPL, and Data Parallel C. However, the Global Array programming model is implemented as a library that works with most languages used for technical computing and does not rely on compiler technology for achieving parallel efficiency. It also supports a combination of task- and data-parallelism and is available as an extension of the message passing (MPI) model. The GA model exposes to the programmer the hierarchical memory of modern high-performance computer systems, and by recognizing the communication overhead for remote data transfer, it promotes data reuse and locality of reference. Virtually all the scalable architectures possess non-uniform memory access characteristics that reflect their multi-level memory hierarchies. These hierarchies typically comprise processor registers, multiple levels of cache, local memory, and remote memory. Over time, both the number of levels and the cost (in processor cycles) of accessing deeper levels has been increasing. It is important for any scalable programming model to address memory hierarchy since it is critical to the efficient execution of scalable applications.« less
Integrazione scholastica: on not having all of the answers – a response to Anastasiou, Kauffman and Di Nuovo

Because of its long commitment to inclusive/integrated education, Italy leads the world in educating the largest percentage of its students with disabilities in general education classes. It also boasts the fewest special classes and schools. Inclusion in Italy is based on a principle that disability is not a problem, but rather a positive force in the classroom. Focused on developing the competencies of each student, inclusion/integration shares a belief in the capacity for growth of all learners and an assumption that non-disabled and disabled peers, even those with the most significant learning needs, learn in mutually reinforcing and reciprocal ways. Integrazione scolastica is not, therefore, simply a moral or ethical project but has led to increased achievement for learners with and without disabilities. Yet, despite progressive laws and policies and a 30-year history of inclusive education, there remains a need to be hypervigilant to pressures to revert back to the status quo of segregated education...
The Hyponatremia of Neonatal Urinary Ascites: Clinical Observations, Experimental Confirmation and Proposed Mechanism

AbstractA case of neonatal urinary ascites with severe hyponatremia is reported. Critical review of the literature on neonatal urinary ascites, which included determination of serum electrolytes, revealed a 70% incidence of hyponatremia. In an attempt to explain the mechanism of the hyponatremia, urinary ascites was produced in rats by creation of either a unilateral (uretero-peritoneal) or bilateral (vesicoperitoneal) shunt. Hyponatremia did not occur in the unilateral group but it was profound in the bilateral group. At 48 hours postoperatively renin was unchanged in the unilateral group but it was significantly elevated in the bilateral group. Aldosterone was elevated in the unilateral group and markedly elevated in the bilateral group. Urine entering the peritoneal cavity equilibrates with plasma. The proposed mechanism of hyponatremia in the bilateral group is autodialysis with intraperitoneal urine containing progressively lower sodium concentration secondary to increased renin and aldosterone.
Strength of Welded Aluminum Columns

In welding of heat-treated or cold-worked aluminum alloys, strength of material near welds is lower than strength in rest of structure; investigations to determine effect of these varying mechanical properties on column strength; of columns with longitudinal welds can be computed by same techniques used in determining effect of residual stresses on column strength; columns with transverse welds can be analyzed as stepped columns.
Three-Dimensional Imaging in Medicine:A Response to a Critique by Surgeons

In a recent article in this Journal (Vol. 20: 1) two surgeons gave a critique in which they discussed the relative merits and disadvantages of three-dimensional presentation based on CT scan data. While most of their critique is unarguable, there are some aspects of it which are overstated and possibly misleading. This is a response of a computer scientist, which attempts to present the somewhat different perception of one who is involved in the development of the three-dimensional imaging methodology in medicine.
Probit-Based Pedestrian Gap Acceptance Model for Midblock Crossing Locations

Pedestrian gap acceptance has not been explored to the same degree as vehicle gap acceptance. Although the two are similar in concept, there are a variety of pedestrian characteristics and caveats in the interaction between the pedestrian and vehicle modes that require separate pedestrian gap acceptance models. The objective of this research was to analyze empirical observations collected at 27 sites in Alabama, Florida, and North Carolina and to develop pedestrian gap acceptance models at midblock crossings. Goodness-of-fit tests showed that a probit-based, single-lane gap acceptance model, drawn from a noncontrolled pedestrian crossing data set, yielded the best results (max-rescaled R2 = .69). This model involved only two parameters: the size of the gap length in seconds and a binary variable that distinguished between gaps and lag events (first-arriving vehicle, without a prior lead vehicle, to open the gap). An increase in gap length was associated with an increased probability that a pedestrian woul...
Empowerment in veterinary clinics: the role of trust in delegation

ABSTRACTSeveral authors have suggested that trust is important to empowerment. This research develops the theoretical relationship between empowerment and trust. Trust, defined as a willingness to be vulnerable, was found to contribute to managers’ taking greater risks in their relationships with their employees through increased delegation of authority. Results show strong support that trust for an employee is a function of the employee’s perceived ability, benevolence, and integrity, as well as the manager’s propensity to trust.
Study on Fatigue Property of New Type Hot-rolled Nano Precipitation Strengthening Ultra-high Strength Automobile Strip

By high cycle fatigue test on MTS-810 material testing system,the fatigue property of new developed hot-rolled Nb and Ti microalloying 700 MPa grade carriage strip and 780 MPa grade crossbeam strip are studied,and the effects of grain size,second phase(precipitation and inclusion),high/low angle grain boundaries and carbide on fatigue property are investigated.The result indicate that,when the load ratio R of –1 and cycle base number of 107,the conditions fatigue strength of 700 MPa grade carriage strip and 780 MPa grade crossbeam strip are 438 MPa and 443 MPa,respectively.The fatigue strength ratio of 700 MPa grade carriage strip and 780 MPa grade crossbeam strip are 0.61 and 0.57,respectively,which higher than general steel.Fatigue crack source of experimental steel are persistent slip bands(PSB) and coarse precipitation or inclusion.When the size of precipitation is small,the critical fracture stress of crack instability propagation is higher,so nano scale precipitation very hard to become fatigue crack source.When the size of second phase is nearly,contrast to rounded closed angle coarse precipitation or inclusion,the quadrate precipitation or inclusion are easily to generate stress concentration and become to fatigue crack source.The reasons of experimental steels having excellent anti-fatigue performance are ultra fine grain size,nanometer precipitation and granular or short bar carbides.
Eye-Gaze With Predictive Link Following Improves Accessibility as a Mouse Pointing Interface

We propose a target-aware pointing approach to address one predominant problem in using eye-controlled mouse replacement software: the lack of high-precision movement. Our approach is based on Predictive Link Following, which alleviates the difficulties with link selection when using mouse replacement interfaces by predicting which link should be clicked based on the proximity of the cursor to the link. For cursor control via eye movement, an eye tracking algorithm was implemented using the Tobii EyeX device to detect and translate gaze location to screen coordinates. We conducted an experement comparing eye-gaze controlled mouse pointing with and without the Predictive Link following approach. Our results demonstrate increased accuracy of our system compared to just using eye-controlled mouse pointing.
Machine learning identification of diabetic retinopathy from fundus images

Diabetic retinopathy may potentially lead to blindness without early detection and treatment. In this research, an approach to automate the identification of the presence of diabetic retinopathy from color fundus images of the retina has been proposed. Classification of an input fundus image into one of the three classes, healthy/normal, Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) has been achieved. Blood vessel segmentation from the input image is achieved by Gaussian filtering. An adaptive, input — driven approach is considered for the mask generation and thresholding is accomplished using local entropy. The processed image obtained is characterized by second order textural feature, contrast, in four different orientations- 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° and structural features namely, fractal dimension and lacunarity. The research incorporates a three layered artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machines (SVM) to classify the retinal images. The efficiency of the proposed approach has been evaluated on a set of 106 images from the DRIVE and DIARETB1 databases. The experimental results indicate that this method can produce a 97.2% and 98.1% classification accuracy using ANN and SVM respectively invariant of rotation, translation and scaling in input retinal images as opposed to a fixed mask based on the matched filter method.
Traditional Cultures Editorial: Mobility and Innovation in Traditional Coastal Cultures

It may come as a surprise to know that before the modern era, the past weighed much less heavily on the present than it does today. Traditionalism , a mindset that pays obeisance to the past, is in fact more characteristic of our own times than earlier coastal cultures. The kind of nostalgia associated with modernity prevents us from confronting coastal problems with the pragmatism characteristic of our ancestors (Gillis in Nostalgia by the sea, 26:27–31, 2010, [1]). What is striking is just how flexible and innovative they were.
Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in Human Leukemias and Hematopoietic Cells.

Abstract COX-2 has been implicated in the development of many epithelial cancers, as well as in tumor angiogenesis. COX-2 inhibitors have been shown to have anti-tumor activity in experimental cancer. Little information exists, however, on the expression or role of COX-2 in hematologic malignancies. We have use a variety of immunochemical assays to document expression of COX-2 in human and murine leukemias and hematopoietic cells. The factor-dependent murine cell lines FDCP1 and 32D expressed COX-2 when growing continuously in the presence of IL-3; expression declined markedly when growth factor was removed. FDCP1 cells constitutively expressing bcl-2, pim-1, or bcr-abl had markedly elevated levels of COX-2, and continued to express this enzyme even after removal of growth factor. To assess COX-2 expression in human hematopoietic cells we developed a flow cytometry assay using a FITC-labelled anti-COX-2 MoAb (Cayman). Cells were washed once in serum-free medium, fixed briefly in 1% paraformaldehyde, permeabilized with PBS/0.2% Triton X100, then stained with antibody. Negative control samples were processed similarly but stained with antibody that had been preincubated with immunizing peptide. Specific COX-2 staining was interpreted as the difference between the histograms from blocked versus unblocked anti-COX-2 antibody, as determined by Kolmogorov-Smirnoff analysis. In buffy coat preparations from normal donors, we found constitutive expression of COX-2 in lymphocytes (both B-cells and T-cells). In contrast little or no COX-2 was detected in unstimulated neutrophils or monocytes. In human acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cell lines we found COX-2 expression to be universal and easily detected. In several cell lines we confirmed the results of our flow cytometry assay with immunoblotting. We further examined 25 cryopreserved samples of human acute leukemia blasts obtained from peripheral blood. COX-2 expression was variable, but universal. Levels generally were less than those seen in immortalized cell lines, and did not correlate with blasts morphology (AML, ALL, APL, AMoL, CML-BT). To determine if COX-2 inhibitors could play a role in the treatment of acute leukemias, we performed cytotoxicity assays using the COX-2 specific inhibitors, celecoxib and NS398. Survival and growth of human AML cell lines were inhibited by both agents. These data demonstrate that 1) a variety of oncogenes can induce expression of COX-2 in hematopoietic cells, 2) clinical human acute leukemias uniformly express COX-2 in circulating blasts, and 3) COX-2 inhibitors are cytotoxic for human leukemia cells. Combination therapies for acute leukemias may evaluate the incorporation of COX-2 inhibitors for added cytotoxic effects or angiogenesis inhibition.
Pulmonary Stenosis: Valvular

Balloon valvotomy recommended for asymptomatic patients with domed pulmonary valve and peak instantaneous Doppler gradient >60 mmHg or mean Doppler gradient >40 mmHg (in association with less than moderate PV regurgitation)
Daytime Sleepiness Increases With Age in Early Adolescence: A Sleep Restriction Dose-Response Study.

Author(s): Campbell, Ian G; Burright, Christopher S; Kraus, Amanda M; Grimm, Kevin J; Feinberg, Irwin | Abstract: Study objectivesDaytime sleepiness increases across adolescence. This increase is commonly attributed to insufficient sleep durations resulting from increasingly limited time in bed. We tested the effects of 3 sleep schedules on daytime sleepiness and whether these effects changed with age in early adolescence.MethodsIn 77 children ranging in age from 9.9 to 14 years, objective (multiple sleep latency test [MSLT]) and subjective (Karolinska sleepiness scale [KSS]) sleepiness was measured following 4 consecutive nights of either 7, 8.5, or 10 hours in bed. All participants completed all 3 sleep schedules. The order in which they completed the schedules was not randomized but was accounted for in all statistical analyses.ResultsTime in bed restriction decreased sleep duration and increased objective and subjective daytime sleepiness. Although the sleep durations did not change with age, the likelihood of falling asleep during the MSLT increased with age. Nevertheless, sleep restriction produced a greater increase in MSLT-measured sleepiness in younger participants. Subjective sleepiness measured with the KSS increased with shorter sleep duration, but this effect did not change with age.ConclusionsIncreasing objective daytime sleepiness in early adolescence cannot simply be attributed to reduced sleep due to restricted sleep schedules. We propose that some of the increased daytime sleepiness of adolescents is a consequence of adolescent brain reorganization driven by synaptic pruning which decreases the intensity of waking brain activity.
The Most Common Feedback Themes in Communication Skills Training in an Internal Medicine Residency Program: Lessons from the Resident Audio-Recording Project

ABSTRACTIndividualized structured feedback is an integral part of a resident’s learning in communication skills. However, it is not clear what feedback residents receive for their communication skills development in real patient care. We will identify the most common feedback topics given to residents regarding communication skills during Internal Medicine residency training. We analyzed Resident Audio-recording Project feedback data from 2008 to 2013 by using a content analysis approach. Using open coding and an iterative categorization process, we identified 15 emerging themes for both positive and negative feedback. The most recurrent feedback topics were Patient education, Thoroughness, Organization, Questioning strategy, and Management. The residents were guided to improve their communication skills regarding Patient education, Thoroughness, Management, and Holistic exploration of patient’s problem. Thoroughness and Communication intelligibility were newly identified themes that were rarely discussed...
Student Politics and Protest: International Perspectives: Brooks, R. (Ed). Abingdon, Oxon, UK, and New York, NY: Routledge, 2017.

In the study of student politics and protests, an array of books delve into specific protests and situations, expound on particular movements, or seek to explain tactics or responses. Student Polit...
Accuracy consideration by DRP schemes for DNS and LES of compressible flow computations

Abstract Several dispersion relation-preserving (DRP) spatially central discretizations are considered as the base scheme in the framework of the Yee & Sjogreen low dissipative nonlinear filter approach. In addition, the nonlinear filter of Yee & Sjogreen with shock-capturing and long time integration capabilities is used to replace the standard DRP linear filter for both smooth flows and flows containing discontinuities. DRP schemes for computational aeroacoustics (CAA) focus on dispersion error consideration for long time linear wave propagation rather than the formal order of accuracy of the scheme. The resulting DRP schemes usually have wider grid stencils and increased CPU operations count compared with standard central schemes of the same formal order of accuracy. For discontinuous initial data and long time wave propagation of smooth acoustic waves, various space and time DRP linear filter are needed. For acoustic waves interacting with shocks and turbulence induced noise, DRP schemes with linear filters alone usually are not capable of simulating such flows. The investigation presented in this paper is focused on the possible gain in efficiency and accuracy by spatial DRP schemes over standard central schemes having the same grid stencil width for general direct numerical simulations (DNS) and large eddy simulations (LES) of compressible flows. Representative test cases for both smooth flows and problems containing discontinuities for 3D DNS of compressible gas dynamics are included.
An Efficient Scheme for Onboard Reduction of Moored χpod Data

AbstractA scheme for significantly reducing data sampled on turbulence devices (χpods) deployed on remote oceanographic moorings is proposed. Each χpod is equipped with a pitot-static tube, two fast-response thermistors, a three-axis linear accelerometer, and a compass. In preprocessing, voltage means, variances, and amplitude of the subrange (inertial-convective subrange of the turbulence) of the voltage spectrum representing the temperature gradient are computed. Postprocessing converts voltages to engineering units, in particular mean flow speed (and velocity), temperature, temperature gradient, and the rate of destruction of the temperature variance χ from which other turbulence quantities, such as heat flux, are derived. On 10-min averages, this scheme reduces the data by a factor of roughly 24 000 with a small (5%) low bias compared to complete estimates using inertial-convective subrange scaling of calibrated temperature gradient spectra.
The CT-Defined Hyperdense Arterial Sign as a Marker for Acute Intracerebral Large Vessel Occlusion

Background and Purpose To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the hyperdense artery sign (HAS) on thin-slice non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), combined with brief clinical history, as an indicator for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the setting of acute ischemic stroke. Methods Ninety-nine LVO and 102 non-LVO acute ischemic stroke patients were retrospectively identified from a prospective database at a single institution. After reviewing each patient's neurologic presentation based on his or her initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and neurologic evaluation, all thin (1 mm) and thick (5 mm) NCCT scans were reviewed for the HAS. Analysis of sensitivity and specificity was conducted to determine the utility of the HAS sign as a reliable marker for LVO in acute ischemic stroke patients. Results Of the 99 LVO stroke patients, 66 HASs were identified on NCCT. Of the 102 non-LVO patients, 18 false-positive HASs were identified. The sensitivity and specificity of the HAS, respectively, was 67% and 82%. By anatomic distribution, the sensitivity of identifying basilar artery occlusions was 75%, and the sensitivity of identifying middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 branch occlusions was 76%. Among patients with an NIHSS > 10, the sensitivity was 79%; whereas sensitivity was 50% if NIHSS was ≤ 10. Conclusions The HAS on thin-slice NCCT has a reasonably high sensitivity and specificity for identifying LVO in acute ischemic stroke patients presenting with an NIHSS > 10 and suspected MCA M1 or basilar artery occlusion.
Acute Benign Vertebral Compression Fracture

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone typically due to a bacterial infection. In adults, it usually results from contiguous spread, often from a diabetic ulcer. PET/MR imaging offers benefits of obtaining high sensitivity for the presence of infection by PET and with the high soft tissue contrast on MRI, exact localization of the infection site, and nearby soft tissue involvement.
Use of Infrared Spectroscopy for the On-Line Multicomponent Analysis and Control of Bioprocesses

Current strategies for the control of bioprocesses are based on the use of material balances to indirectly estimate the status of the culture. Until recently, direct measurements of substrate and product concentrations, other than that of gaseous components, has been hampered by the lack of sensors suitable for use in a sterile environment. However, infrared spectroscopy has been shown to be useful in the quantitation of β-lactam production in the Penicillium fermentation, pyruvate utilization in the E. coli process, and simultaneous glucose uptake and ethanol formation in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae process. This technique potentially offers the unique advantage of allowing for resolution of multiple components in the reaction mixture. Its general utility as a “bioreactor sensor” will be determined by the sensitivity and stability of the instrumental analysis, the speed and accuracy of the mathematical techniques for resolution of the spectra, and the implementation of a satisfactory sampling system. This paper will address these problems and their resolution for the on-line analysis with and use of the IR spectrophotometer in the closed-loop control of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae process.