cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strategies and Approaches to Marine Pollution Research

It is well documented that the marine environment is contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, synthetic organics and toxic metals. Many workers have reported the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons and other anthropogenic organics in most of the larger bodies of waters including the remote ocean regions (e.g., Giam et al., 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980; Atlas and Giam, 1981; Tanabe et al., 1983a) and in marine organisms from around the world (Giam et al., 1978 a, b; Tanabe et al., 1983b, Ballschmiter and Zell, 1980). Many of the earlier problems associated with analyses have been overcome (e.g. Giam et al., 1972, 1976c, 1977a). However, despite the large number of measurements, the difficult task of understanding the rates and processes controlling the transport, fate, and effects of pollutant compounds has progressed only very slowly. Research programs aimed at understanding these aspects of marine pollution are actively pursued.
Cooper: Task Colocation with Cooperative Games

Task colocation improves datacenter utilization but introduces resource contention for shared hardware. In this setting, a particular challenge is balancing performance and fairness. We present Cooper, a game-theoretic framework for task colocation that provides fairness while preserving performance. Cooper predicts users' colocation preferences and finds stable matches between them. Its colocations satisfy preferences and encourage strategic users to participate inshared systems. Given Cooper's colocations, users' performance penalties are strongly correlated to their contributions to contention, which is fair according to cooperative game theory. Moreover, its colocations perform within 5% of prior heuristics.
Academic productivity among fellowship associated adult total joint reconstruction surgeons

Abstract Background The Hirsch index (h-index) is a measure that evaluates both research volume and quality—taking into consideration both publications and citations of a single author. No prior work has evaluated academic productivity and contributions to the literature of adult total joint replacement surgeons. This study uses h-index to benchmark the academic impact and identify characteristics associated with productivity of faculty members at joint replacement fellowships. Methods Adult reconstruction fellowship programs were obtained via the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons website. Via the San Francisco match and program-specific websites, program characteristics (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approval, academic affiliation, region, number of fellows, fellow research requirement), associated faculty members, and faculty-specific characteristics (gender, academic title, formal fellowship training, years in practice) were obtained. H-index and total faculty publications served as primary outcome measures. Multivariable linear regression determined statistical significance. Results Sixty-six adult total joint reconstruction fellowship programs were identified: 30% were Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approved and 73% had an academic affiliation. At these institutions, 375 adult reconstruction surgeons were identified; 98.1% were men and 85.3% had formal arthroplasty fellowship training. Average number of publications per faculty member was 50.1 (standard deviation 76.8; range 0-588); mean h-index was 12.8 (standard deviation 13.8; range 0-67). Number of fellows, faculty academic title, years in practice, and formal fellowship training had a significant ( P Conclusions The statistical overview presented in this work can help total joint surgeons quantitatively benchmark their academic performance against that of their peers.
Self-Organizing Cortical Networks for Distributed Hypothesis Testing and Recognition Learning

Adaptive Resonance Theory, or ART, was introduced in 1976 [1.2] in order to analyse how brain networks can learn sensory and cognitive recognition codes in a stable fashion in response to arbitrary sequences of input patterns presented under real-time conditions. ART networks are at present the only computationally realized biological theory that analyses how fast, yet stable, real-time learning of recognition codes can be accomplished in response to an arbitrary stream of input patterns. Such a general-purpose learning ability is needed by any autonomous learning agent that hopes to learn successfully about unexpected events in an unpredictable environment. One cannot restrict the agent’s processing capability if one cannot predict the environment in which it must function. Other learning theories do not have one or more essential properties that are needed for autonomous learning under real-time conditions (Table 1).
Inequity by Design? Aligning High School Math Offerings and Public Flagship College Entrance Requirements

Many have called for improved alignment between high school graduation and college admission requirements. However, few have empirically examined the extent to which courses needed for college admi...
Clinical utility of self-disclosure for adults who stutter: Apologetic versus informative statements

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the present study was to explore the clinical utility of self-disclosure, particularly, whether disclosing in an informative manner would result in more positive observer ratings of the speaker who stutters than either disclosing in an apologetic manner or choosing not to self-disclose at all. Method Observers (N = 338) were randomly assigned to view one of six possible videos (i.e., adult male informative self-disclosure, adult male apologetic self-disclosure, adult male no self-disclosure, adult female informative self-disclosure, adult female apologetic self-disclosure, adult female no self-disclosure). Observers completed a survey assessing their perceptions of the speaker they viewed immediately after watching the video. Results Results suggest that self-disclosing in an informative manner leads to significantly more positive observer ratings than choosing not to self-disclose. In contrast, use of an apologetic statement, for the most part, does not yield significantly more positive ratings than choosing not to self-disclose. Conclusion Clinicians should recommend their clients self-disclose in an informative manner to facilitate more positive observer perceptions.
Intramolecular substitution uncages fluorogenic probes for detection of metallo-carbapenemase-expressing bacteria

This work reports a novel caging strategy for designing fluorogenic probes to detect the activity of β-lactamases. The caging strategy uses a thiophenyl linker connected to a fluorophore caged by a good leaving group—dinitrophenyl. The uncaging proceeds in two steps through the sulfa-releasing and subsequent intramolecular substitution. The length of the linker has been examined and optimized to maximize the rate of intramolecular reaction and thus the rate of fluorescence activation. Finally based on this strategy, we prepared a green fluorogenic probe CAT-7 and validated its selectivity for detecting metallo-carbapenemases (VIM-27, IMP-1, NDM-1) in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) lysates.
Archaea Were Trailblazers in Signaling Evolution: Protein Adaptation and Structural Fluidity as a Form of Intracellular Communication

Cell signaling pathways are complicated processes for all cells and need to be for messages to be relayed to the right place, especially in eukaryotic cells. While there are some well described pathways in Archaea and Bacteria, an overlooked possibility of a simple cell signaling pathway is the ability of extremophilic proteins to change their general structure and overall stability when environmental conditions change. Changes to a protein’s general structure, its ability to bind to and turnover a substrate and its flexibility provides a significant “signal” to other proteins in the cell that leads to downstream effects that could constitute a signal for the cell. By using protein structure, and changes it brings, as a sensor, a complex or elaborate communications system might be unnecessary. Appreciating these adaptations and how the cells respond to them would facilitate our ability to understand how extremophiles survive.
Allele-specific methylation in the FADS genomic region in DNA from human saliva, CD4+ cells, and total leukocytes

Genetic variants within the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster (human Chr11) are important regulators of long-chain (LC) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) biosynthesis in the liver and consequently have been associated with circulating LC-PUFA levels. More recently, epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, particularly within the FADS cluster, have been shown to affect LC-PUFA levels. Our lab previously demonstrated strong associations of allele-specific methylation (ASM) between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs174537 and CpG sites across the FADS region in human liver tissues. Given that epigenetic signatures are tissue-specific, we aimed to evaluate the methylation status and ASM associations between rs174537 and DNA methylation obtained from human saliva, CD4+ cells and total leukocytes derived from whole blood. The goals were to (1) determine if DNA methylation from these peripheral samples would display similar ASM trends as previously observed in human liver tissues and (2) evaluate the associations between DNA methylation and circulating LC-PUFAs. DNA methylation at six CpG sites spanning FADS1 and FADS2 promoter regions and a putative FADS enhancer region were determined in two Caucasian cohorts of healthy volunteers: leukocytes in cohort 1 (n = 89, median age = 43, 35% male) and saliva and CD4+ cells in cohort 2 (n = 32, median age = 41, 41% male). Significant ASM between rs174537 and DNA methylation at three CpG sites located in the FADS2 promoter region (i.e., chr11:61594865, chr11:61594876, chr11:61594907) and one CpG site in the putative enhancer region (chr11:61587979) were observed with leukocytes. In CD4+ cells, significant ASM was observed at CpG sites chr11:61594876 and chr11:61584894. Genotype at rs174537 was significantly associated with DNA methylation from leukocytes. Similar trends were observed with CD4+ cells, but not with saliva. DNA methylation from leukocytes and CD4+ cells also significantly correlated with circulating omega-6 LC-PUFAs. We observed significant ASM between rs174537 and DNA methylation at key regulatory regions in the FADS region from leukocyte and CD4+ cells. DNA methylation from leukocytes also correlated with circulating omega-6 LC-PUFAs. These results support the use of peripheral whole blood samples, with leukocytes showing the most promise for future nutrigenomic studies evaluating epigenetic modifications affecting LC-PUFA biosynthesis in humans.
The spot-insulated plate☆

Abstract The problem of determining temperatures on the surface of a flat plate that is both convectively cooled and insulated by a circular spot is presented. Cases of a uniform internal heat source and a constant-temperature surface heat source are considered. The results of a numerical solution show the increase of the temperature under the insulating spot as the Biot number hw k and the dimensionless spot radius are varied.
Social Security Knowledge

Knowledge is an important resource for citizens in a democracy, but it is often in short supply when it comes to aspects of public policy. This chapter explores what Americans know about Social Security, a large federal social insurance program in the United States. Statistical analyses reveal that individual characteristics are strongly related to knowledge about Social Security and knowing program facts predicts preferences toward reform options.
Sunken places and zones of non-being: Black life in white imaginaries

The second edition of Black Bodies, White Gazes: The Continuing Significance of Race in America convinces its readers, early on, that an inquiry into the experience of Blackness must include a gene...
Nature for whom? How type of beneficiary influences the effectiveness of conservation outreach messages

Abstract In recent years the conservation community has engaged in debate over value in nonhuman nature, especially as it relates to motivations for conservation. Many have expressed the assumption that more people are willing to support conservation when emphasis is placed on the human benefits of nonhuman nature, rather than the value of nonhuman nature for its own sake. To test this assumption, we designed an online survey investigating how the type of beneficiary (human, nonhuman, or both) depicted in outreach messages affects two metrics of support: attitudes toward the message and donations for a conservation organization. Each respondent viewed one message highlighting humans, nonhumans, or both as conservation beneficiaries. Predicting that the effect of beneficiary type would depend partially on individual differences, we also measured respondents' moral inclusivity, i.e., the values and beliefs they hold with regard to human and various nonhuman entities. Although beneficiary type did not affect attitudes, we report several key findings for donation. Compared to messages depicting only nonhuman beneficiaries, messages depicting only human beneficiaries were associated with lower likelihood of donation overall and, among less morally inclusive respondents, lower donation amounts. At the same time, messages depicting both human and nonhuman beneficiaries were not associated with more positive donation outcomes than messages depicting only nonhuman beneficiaries. Our results suggest that highlighting humans as conservation beneficiaries may not most effectively generate social support for conservation. Messages advocating the protection of nonhuman nature for its own sake may produce the most consistently positive donation outcomes.
Patterns and duration of primary and recurrent treatment in ovarian cancer patients with germline BRCA mutations.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to describe the patterns and duration of primary and recurrent treatment in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) harboring germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) mutations. A retrospective review of BRCA mutation carriers with advanced, high-grade OC diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 with at least 3 years of follow-up (or until death) was undertaken. Descriptive statistics were calculated and a Swimmer's Plot used to depict disease course. Forty BRCA mutation carriers (26 BRCA1, 14 BRCA2) were identified. Mean age was 54 (range 32–77). All had cytoreductive surgery and received platinum chemotherapy. Median platinum-free interval was 11.9 months (IQR 3.6–21.9). Among 28 patients who recurred, median number of treatment lines was 4 (IQR 3–6), with a median of 2 (IQR 2–3) platinum lines. On average, patients who recurred spent 32% (IQR 20–43%) of their time after diagnosis receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy and 54% (IQR 42–67%) of the time on some cancer-directed therapy, including maintenance. Median overall survival was 79.1 months from diagnosis and 25.4 months after first recurrence. In conclusion, beyond first-line therapy, there was treatment and outcome heterogeneity for BRCA-mutated OC. After OC diagnosis, patients spent close to half their life on treatment.
Management of Extracranial Blunt Cerebrovascular Injuries: Experience with an Aspirin-Based Approach.

Background Optimal management of patients with extracranial blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) remains controversial, with both anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy being recommended. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the management of BCVI. Methods Patients with BCVI were identified from the registry of a Level 1 trauma center between 2010 and 2017. Digital imaging and electronic medical records were reviewed for patient information including demographic characteristics, injury type, therapy, outcomes, and follow-up. Results Over the study period, 13,578 patients were admitted following blunt trauma, with 94 (0.7%) having confirmed BCVI (mean age, 42 years; 72% male). Mean Injury Severity Score and Glasgow Coma Score were 27 and 10, respectively. BCVI was identified in 130 vessels with Biffl grade I (38%) and grade II injury (29%) being most common. Twelve (13%) patients experienced an ischemic event, but only 3 events occurred after diagnosis. ASA was primary treatment for 56 (60%) patients. Thirty patients (32%) received no treatment; 21 patients died within 24 hours of primary injury. Only 4 patients had ASA contraindications. Four patients (7%) had ASA-related complications; there were 2 cases of intracranial hemorrhage progression and 2 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding. Follow-up vascular imaging at a mean of 36 days demonstrated stable or improved levels of BCVI in 94% of patients. Conclusions An ASA-based management strategy for BCVI was efficacious and relatively safe in this study. This approach may be the preferred treatment for BCVI, but confirmation is needed.
Research Study of Occupancy Grid map Mapping Method on Hector SLAM Technique

This research focuses on mapping at indoor environment where differential drive mobile robots are used as a vehicle. The unknown environment to robots is a problem in robotics, therefore the grid map occupancy method was used as mapping method in unknown environment, so that robots can represent the results of environmental mapping using LIDAR sensors to a 2D map. The experiment done by the mobile robot was equipped with a LIDAR sensor as a sensor for retrieving data around the robot where the robot was instructed to explore the corridor inside a building and do mapping in real time. After experiment done, this method successfully mapped the environment around the robot with an average mapping error 6.05 cm.
Highly uniform silicon field emitter arrays fabricated using a trilevel resist process

The authors report silicon field emitter arrays (FEAs) that were fabricated using a trilevel resist process and are highly uniform. The authors explored the current sensitivity of FEAs to tip radius variation using different tip radius distributions and show that reducing the tip radius dispersion is an effective alternative to increasing the resistance of a current limiter for achieving uniform emission current. In order to reduce the tip radius dispersion, the authors use a trilevel resist process to increase the uniformity of the array of dots used as the etching mask for forming the silicon tips. SEM images show that they were able to reduce the standard deviation of the dot diameter by 60% using a trilevel resist process instead of a single layer resist process. Device characterization showed that the FEAs have a very narrow range of slopes, b FN, extracted from the Fowler–Nordheim plot, indicating that the field emitters within the FEA are highly uniform.The authors report silicon field emitter arrays (FEAs) that were fabricated using a trilevel resist process and are highly uniform. The authors explored the current sensitivity of FEAs to tip radius variation using different tip radius distributions and show that reducing the tip radius dispersion is an effective alternative to increasing the resistance of a current limiter for achieving uniform emission current. In order to reduce the tip radius dispersion, the authors use a trilevel resist process to increase the uniformity of the array of dots used as the etching mask for forming the silicon tips. SEM images show that they were able to reduce the standard deviation of the dot diameter by 60% using a trilevel resist process instead of a single layer resist process. Device characterization showed that the FEAs have a very narrow range of slopes, b FN, extracted from the Fowler–Nordheim plot, indicating that the field emitters within the FEA are highly uniform.
ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN A YOUNG WOMAN: ROLE OF CARDIAC MRI IN ESTABLISHING THE DIAGNOSIS

Unremarkable coronary angiogram (CA) may not exclude ACS as spontaneous lesion revascularization, resolved coronary spams (CS) or spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can be missed. CMR can delineate etiology 39 year old postpartum woman with preeclampsia presented to ED with 1 day of
RDoC and Psychopathology among Youth: Misplaced Assumptions and an Agenda for Future Research

Now over 10 years old, the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) has gained impressive traction in the adult psychopathology literature, but enthusiasm among child and adolescent psychopathologists lags ...
The predictive validity of the progress assessment, a clinician administered instrument for use in measurement-based care for substance use disorders.

We tested the predictive validity of the Progress Assessment (PA), a brief counselor administered tool for use in measurement-based care for substance use disorders. The PA includes 5 items assessing relapse risk and 5 items assessing factors protective against relapse. Data were drawn from a completed study of continuing care for cocaine dependence (McKay et al., 2013) and includes 12 months of follow-up on158 participants (76% male) who received brief telephone or face-to-face sessions. Each session began with the administration of the PA, followed by cognitive-behavioral counseling tied to the results of the PA and anticipated risky situations. Outcome was assessed via urine toxicology every 3 months. As administered in an effectiveness trial, average PA risk and protective scales within each 3-month segment of the study predicted urine toxicology results at the end of that period, with higher risk scores and lower protective scores predicting greater rates of cocaine positive urine drug screens. PA scores did not predict dropout from continuing care participation. The 10-item PA shows promise as a pragmatic clinical tool for ongoing monitoring during continuing care for substance dependence.
Trust Nobody: How Voters React To Conspiracy Theories

With the advent of social media, conspiracy theories became integrated into salient political debates, yet the scope of their implications on citizens' political behavior remains unclear. Using an online experiment among US subjects, we show that conspiracy theories decrease voters' trust in political institutions, such as mainstream parties and courts, as well as information providers. Subjects were exposed to conspiracy theories that are completely unrelated to American domestic politics, which further underscores the danger of such narratives. Results, however, suggest that voters do not weigh unrelated conspiracies in their evaluation of politicians' performance. Overall, our findings illustrate that an informational environment permeated by conspiracy theories could impede the functioning of democracy by eroding trust in its institutions, but that voters' capacity to keep politicians accountable is resilient to unrelated information.
Electron spin relaxation of P1 centers in synthetic diamonds with potential as B1 standards for DNP enhanced NMR.

Abstract The microwave magnetic field, B 1 , in the non-resonant structures typically used for DNP-enhanced NMR is relatively small, so calibration via continuous wave (CW) power saturation requires a sample with longer spin lattice relaxation times than the samples used as CW standards in X-band cavities. HPHT diamonds have strong, easily observed EPR signals from P1 centers (nitrogen defects), and are indefinitely stable. This makes HPHT diamonds attractive as secondary standards for calibration of electron B 1 field strength in a variety of experimental arrangements. The concentrations of P1 centers is also typically in the 30–200 ppm range, or equivalently 10–60 mM, and therefore the EPR relaxation observed is relevant to DNP enhanced NMR employing free radical polarizing agents at similar concentrations. Pulsed and CW saturation relaxation measurements T 1 and T 2 are compared at X-band. Under CW conditions the relevant T 1 T 2 product of time constants in our samples at room temperature is found to be dominated by electron–electron spin diffusion, and the product is large enough that saturation will be possible with the B 1 of typical DNP systems. The similarity of T 1 and T 2 values obtained by pulse measurements at X-band and Q-band suggests that the X-band results can be extrapolated to the higher EPR frequencies used for DNP experiments. The electron spin dynamics observed here in HPHT diamond samples identify them as useful model systems to better delineate the interplay of electron spin relaxation, magic angle spinning, and inhomogeneous microwave irradiation as they affect DNP enhancement.
AML-044: LGALS1 Acts as a Pro-Survival Molecule in AML

Context Galectin 1 (LGALS1) participates in diverse survival pathways that support many pro-tumor molecules, especially those regulated by RAS. LGALS1 regulates hematopoietic cell differentiation, so it is not surprising that LGALS1 plays a role in many hematologic malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, LGALS1's role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is not well defined. Objective We previously found suppression of LGALS1 in AML cell lines sensitized cells to BCL2 inhibitor ABT-737. In this study, we examine the role of LGALS1 in AML. We used an in vivo murine OCI-AML3 xenograft model with control and LGALS1 shRNA cells to test if reduction of LGALS1 affects survival. Gene expression profiling using RNASeq was performed using control and LGALS1 shRNA of p53 WT OCI-AML3 and p53 null THP-1 cells. Patients Analysis of mRNA expression by RNA Seq in AML patients was performed on TCGA AML cohort from NEJM 2013 using cBioPortal. Results Mice with OCI-AML3 cells with LGALS1 shRNA survived significantly longer than control group. There was no difference in leukemia burden in blood but mice bearing OCI-AML3 cells with LGALS1 shRNA showed significant reduction of cells infiltrating the spleen. RNASeq data from THP-1 and OCI-AML3 control and LGALS1 shRNA transductants reveal distinct differences between the two cell lines in number of genes affected, pathways affected, expression of oncogenes, and in transcription factors involved. The p53 pathway is prominent in OCI-AML3 cells while focal adhesion kinase pathway is prominent in THP-1 cells. Of the few genes common to both cell lines, asparagine regulators were reduced. Asparaginase is a common therapy in ALL, so LGALS1 regulation of asparagine metabolism may be important in AML. Examination of LGALS1 mRNA in an AML patient population reveals elevated LGALS1 mRNA is associated with shorter disease-free survival and increased blasts in bone marrow. This data with the xenograft model data suggest LGALS1 may be important in the AML microenvironment. Conclusions Data presented here suggest LGALS1 plays important roles in diverse survival pathways, including p53 pathway, and LGALS1 regulates mobilization of leukemic cells from the leukemia niche. Therefore, a strategy targeting LGALS1 may benefit AML patients.
In vivo visualization of retinal hypoxia using organic phosphorescent nanoparticles in laser-induced retinal vein occlusion in living rabbits

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a common cause of vision impairment and blindness. In RVO, thrombosis in a retinal vein and reduction in blood flow leads to the development of retinal hypoxia. Retinal hypoxia stimulates vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) production, resulting in the formation of neovascularization and vision loss. Currently, non-invasive imaging modalities are not available to track and quantify the tissue-level hypoxia in living animals. In this study, a novel organic room-temperature phosphorescence nanoparticle (PNPs) was developed and characterized for identification of retinal hypoxia in real-time in living rabbits. The ability of PNPs for hypoxia imaging was examined in rabbits with laser-induced RVO models (n=3). The location of retinal hypoxia was imaged before and after the intravitreal administration of PNPs at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL and an injection dose of 50 µL. Phosphorescence imaging was acquired at different time points over 7 days alo
Porous Mixed Ionic Electronic Conductor Interlayers for Solid-State Batteries

Rechargeable solid-state batteries (SSBs) have emerged as the next-generation energy storage device based on lowered fire hazard and the potential of realizing advanced battery chemistries, such as alkali metal anodes. However, ceramic solid electrolytes (SEs) generally have limited capability in relieving mechanical stress and are not chemically stable against body-centered cubic alkali metals or their alloys with minor solute elements (β-phase). Swelling-then-retreating of β-phase often causes instabilities such as SE fracture and corrosion as well as the loss of electronic/ionic contact, which leads to high charge-transfer resistance, short-circuiting, etc. These challenges have called for the cooperation from other classes of materials and novel nanocomposite architectures in relieving stress and preserving essential contacts while minimizing detrimental disruptions. In this review, we summarize recent progress in addressing these issues by incorporating other classes of materials such as mixed ion-electron conductor (MIEC) porous interlayers and ion-electron insulator (IEI) binders, in addition to SE and metals (e.g., β-phase and current collectors) that are the traditional SSB components. In particular, we focus on providing theoretical interpretations on how open nanoporous MIEC interlayers manipulate β-phase deposition and stripping behavior and thereby suppress such instabilities, referring to the fundamental thermodynamics and kinetics governing the nucleation and growth of the β-phase. The review concludes by describing avenues for the future design of porous MIEC interlayers for SSBs.
Taking Away Excuses to Quit: The Role of Supports in Completion and Learning in Online Professional Development for Teachers

Online courses, particularly in the massive open online course (MOOC) format, have been lauded for their potential to democratize access to educational opportunities but criticized for their markedly low completion rates. Yet educators continue to enroll in online courses, including MOOCs, in high numbers. For teachers at under-resourced schools, free online courses may be the only professional development option. It thus remains important to understand whether online courses, in their various formats, can serve as vehicles to support teacher learning and whether this can happen on a large-scale. Extending prior research that explores the relationship between contextual factors, engagement, and learning in online settings, this mixed-method study examines outcomes in a MOOC designed for teachers of English learners (ELs). In particular, the study identifies and examines structural and social supports that were available to some course participants (release time, stipends, participating with colleagues, and having a facilitator who convened face-to-face meetings) and investigates whether these local conditions were significantly related to completion and learning. Findings indicate that participants who received more supports were significantly more likely to complete the course. While participants, on average, showed evidence of learning, participants receiving supports did not show evidence of learning more than other participants. This is potentially due to omitted variable bias because participants who completed the course without supports may differ from participants who completed the course with supports in important, unaccounted for ways. This study extends prior research about how learning environments impact online learning experiences and suggests that structural and social supports may be useful in facilitating MOOC completion.
Introduction to Game Theory

Game theory mathematically models strategic interaction among intelligent decision‐makers. It has wide applications in economics, sociology, psychology, political science, biology, and as we will introduce later in this book, cybersecurity. To facilitate the readers, we present the basics of game theory in this chapter. We will start by introducing two‐player zero‐sum normal‐form games, the basic class of games that involve two decision‐makers who will each make a single move at the same time, and get a payoff, with the two players' payoffs summing up to zero. We will then introduce the solution concepts in normal‐form games, including the most well‐known Nash equilibrium concept. We further introduce the extensive‐form games, which are more complicated and more expressive than normal‐form games. They explicitly represent the sequencing of players' moves and the information each player has about the other players' moves when they make a decision. We will then introduce Stackelberg games and Stackelberg security games, a subclass of games with wide applications in security domains. We will also introduce repeated games where the players repeatedly play the same game. Finally, we will add Bayesian games that depict the uncertainty in players' types and payoff and stochastic games that capture the dynamic transition from one game to another. These models and concepts will be used frequently in later chapters.
Maternal obesity causes fetal cardiac hypertrophy and alters adult offspring myocardial metabolism in mice

Obesity in pregnant women causes fetal cardiac dysfunction and increases offspring cardiovascular disease risk but its effect on myocardial metabolism is unknown. We hypothesised that maternal obesity alters fetal cardiac expression of metabolism-related genes and shifts offspring myocardial substrate preference from glucose towards lipids. Female mice were fed control or obesogenic diets before and during pregnancy. Fetal hearts were studied in late gestation (embryonic day, E18.5; term{approx}E21) and offspring were studied at 3, 6, 9 or 24 months postnatally. Maternal obesity increased heart weight and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor {gamma} (Pparg) expression in female and male fetuses and caused left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in the adult offspring. Cardiac dysfunction progressively worsened with age in female, not male, offspring of obese dams, compared to age-matched controls. In 6-month-old offspring, exposure to maternal obesity increased cardiac palmitoyl carnitine-supported mitochondrial respiration in males and reduced myocardial 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in females. Cardiac Pparg expression remained higher in adult offspring of obese than control dams and correlated with contractile and metabolic function. Maternal obesity did not affect cardiac palmitoyl carnitine respiration in females or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in males, or alter cardiac 3H-oleic acid uptake, pyruvate respiration, lipid content or fatty acid/glucose transporter abundance in offspring of either sex. The results support our hypothesis and show that maternal obesity affects offspring cardiac metabolism in a sex-dependent manner. Persistent upregulation of Pparg expression in response to overnutrition in utero may mechanistically underpin programmed cardiac impairments and contribute to cardiovascular disease risk in children of women with obesity.
Discrete Channels with a Past History

The practical operation of a channel is thought of as being continuous, with one word after another being sent. In fact, the reader has probably intuitively envisioned it as such, and nothing in the channels which we have so far explicitly studied is incompatible with this. Suppose, however, that a word is being sent after the channel has been in operation for some time. Then some channels may “remember” the past history of the channel, i. e., the words which were sent and received over it, and this memory of the past may affect the distribution of error for the word now being sent. In the next section of this chapter we will describe a reasonable model of a channel which has such a memory and is in continuous operation. Even without such a model the discussion of the present section will be completely intelligible ; its purpose is to explain the problems which arise for channels with memory for the past history and the restrictions which we shall impose. The reader impatient with such a discussion, or in no need of it, may prefer to proceed at once to the next section, and can do so without loss of logical continuity.
Adaptive and non-adaptive distribution functions for DSA

Distributed hill-climbing algorithms are a powerful, practical technique for solving large Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problems (DSCPs) such as distributed scheduling, resource allocation, and distributed optimization. Although incomplete, an ideal hill-climbing algorithm finds a solution that is very close to optimal while also minimizing the cost (i.e. the required bandwidth, processing cycles, etc.) of finding the solution. The Distributed Stochastic Algorithm (DSA) is a hill-climbing technique that works by having agents change their value with probability p when making that change will reduce the number of constraint violations. Traditionally, the value of p is constant, chosen by a developer at design time to be a value that works for the general case, meaning the algorithm does not change or learn over the time taken to find a solution. In this paper, we replace the constant value of p with different probability distribution functions in the context of solving graph-coloring problems to determine if DSA can be optimized when the probability values are agent-specific. We experiment with non-adaptive and adaptive distribution functions and evaluate our results based on the number of violations remaining in a solution and the total number of messages that were exchanged.
Axotomy Upregulates the Anterograde Transport and Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor by Sensory Neurons

In addition to the known retrograde transport of neurotrophins, it is now evident that endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is transported in the anterograde direction in peripheral and central neurons. We used a double-ligation procedure that distinguishes between anterograde and retrograde flow to quantify the anterograde transport of endogenous neurotrophins and neuropeptides in the peripheral nervous system before and after axotomy. BDNF accumulation proximal to the ligation (anterograde transport) was twice that distal to the ligation (retrograde direction). Anterograde transport of nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3 was not evident. Furthermore, BDNF anterograde transport increased 3.5-fold within 24 hr after sciatic nerve injury or dorsal rhizotomy. Anterograde transport of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide decreased after peripheral nerve lesion, demonstrating that there was no generalized increase in anterograde transport. To determine the source of the anterogradely transported BDNF, we performed in situ hybridization in a variety of tissues before and after axotomy. Expression of BDNF mRNA in proximal nerve segments did not change with treatment, showing that the increased accumulation of BDNF was not a result of increased local synthesis. BDNF mRNA and protein were expressed by dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons but not by motor neurons. BDNF mRNA expression was increased 1 d after nerve injury, and BDNF protein was also increased twofold to threefold, suggesting that sensory neurons are the major contributing source of the increased BDNF traffic in the sciatic nerve. Our results suggest that increased anterogradely transported BDNF plays a role in the early neuronal response to peripheral nerve injury at sites distal to the cell body.
Afro/Creole: Power, Opposition, and Play in the Caribbean

Afro/Creole: Power,. pposition, and Play in the Caribbean. Richard D. E. Burton. Idiaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1997.298 pp.
Intuitive visual teleoperation for UGVs using free-look augmented reality displays

For numerous real-world applications teleoperated unmanned guided vehicles (UGVs) can quite successfully assist a human in fulfilling her mission objectives. It is important for the specialists to get an overview of the site quickly and with as intuitive means as possible. Our approach to an intuitive human-machine interface for visually teleoperating UGVs makes use of a spherical camera in combination with the Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Display (HMD) Oculus Rift. The Oculus Rift is equipped with an inertial measurement unit to track the teleoperator's head orientation. With this orientation information, the current field of view is synthesized from the panoramic image coming from the spherical camera allowing a free look for the operator. In this paper, we present the hardware setup and the software system of our free-look HMD approach on our UGV. Our approach allows for multi-view, i.e., several operators can collaborate on a given task. What is more, we augment the spherical image with heading and orientation information of the robot as well as of other viewers. Our preliminary evaluation with a number of untrained user suggests that our free-look HMD offers an intuitive multi-view human-machine interface for teleoperating UGVs.
On the Logic of Classes as Many

The notion of a "class as many" was central to Bertrand Russell's early form of logicism in his 1903 Principles of Mathematics. There is no empty class in this sense, and the singleton of an urelement (or atom in our reconstruction) is identical with that urelement. Also, classes with more than one member are merely pluralities — or what are sometimes called "plural objects" — and cannot as such be themselves members of classes. Russell did not formally develop this notion of a class but used it only informally. In what follows, we give a formal, logical reconstruction of the logic of classes as many as pluralities (or plural objects) within a fragment of the framework of conceptual realism. We also take groups to be classes as many with two or more members and show how groups provide a semantics for plural quantifier phrases.
Providing Uniform Dynamic Access to Numerical Software

One source of powerful computational software today is numerical libraries. While these libraries are often freely distributed in various software repositories, they are frequently difficult to use, especially for an unexperienced user.
Enhancing nurse practitioner understanding of urachal anomalies.

Purpose: To provide nurse practitioners an understanding of urachal anomalies, their presentations, and treatment options. Data sources: Scientific literature, including articles that address the pathogenesis, presentation, complications, diagnosis, and treatment of acquired and congenital urachal anomalies. Conclusion: Urachal disorders occur in 1 of 5000 persons. Complications from these disorders are even rarer. Early recognition of these anomalies can reduce the incidence of more serious complications such as secondary infections, sepsis, abscess formation, recurrent cystitis, and neoplasms. Implications for practice: Nurse practitioners will encounter patients with stable and acute complications from urachal anomalies. Awareness of these anomalies can expedite diagnosis, treatment, and referral therefore improving patient outcomes.
A context-specific electronic design and prototyping course [sensing and notification wearable computing platform]

This paper describes a context-specific electronic design and prototyping approach in an innovative project course at Carnegie Mellon. We built a sensing and notification wearable computing platform, called eWatch, for context-aware computing. eWatch senses user activities and provides them with urgent notifications. An accelerometer and microphone provide inputs to a model of user interruptibility levels. A vibration motor for tactile feedback and two ultra bright LEDs for visual feedback provide user notification through different vibration patterns and colors. User studies identified appropriate notification schemes for mobile and office settings. Bluetooth communication connects the eWatch to a PDA or desktop computer for sensor data analysis and notification.
Barrett's esophagus: Cell cycle abnormalities in advancing stages of neoplastic progression

Abstract Background: Abnormal proliferation in Barrett's esophagus may predispose to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma, but previous studies have not determined the specific cell cycle abnormalities that were associated with neoplastic progression. Methods: Ki67/DNA content multiparameter flow cytometry and DNA content flow cytometry were used to investigate G 0 , G 1 , and S phase fractions in advancing stages of neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus. Results: In control biopsy specimens from gastric mucosa, G 1 , S phase, and total Ki67-positive proliferative fractions were low, suggesting that cells were predominantly in G 0 . Ki67-positive G 1 fractions were increased in Barrett's metaplasia. More advanced stages of neoplastic progression were characterized by a subset of biopsy specimens that had aneuploid cell populations, increased S phase fractions, or both. Conclusions: The development of increased G 1 fractions is an early event in Barrett's metaplasia. Increased S phase fractions occur in a subset of specimens typically at more advanced stages of neoplastic progression and often in association with the development of aneuploidy. Neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus is associated with at least three types of cell cycle abnormalities: (1) mobilization from G 0 into G 1 ; (2) loss of control of the G 1 /S phase transition; and (3) accumulation in G 2 .
The multi-dimensional quality of task requirements for dextrous robot hand control

The authors identify four important task requirements for dextrous robot hand control. These requirements are stability, manipulability, torquability, and radial rotatability. High-level task descriptions, supplied by the user, are refined into detailed task descriptions that can be used to drive a robot hand. A knowledge-based approach for refining a reasonable set of tasks is used to infer values for a set of task attributes, which trigger several heuristics. Those heuristics are applied using a set of metaheuristics to determine good grasp postures and poses for the task. How to use this multidimensional grasping quality in grasp mode selection and performance evaluation is shown in an industrial assembly domain. >
Anxiety Management Training—The Basic Technique

Anxiety Management Training is an anxiety self-control procedure that is highly specific in identifying steps for each session, along with integration of the homework assignments. AMT is also highly specific in being designed to be directly appropriate for treating anxiety states or conditions associated with stress or anxiety. For these reasons, AMT is an especially valuable therapy technique not only for the practicing clinician, but also for the researcher interested in being able to replicate studies. A major advantage of the exactness of the steps in AMT is the clarity it brings to the practicing therapist who is interested in learning the AMT procedures. Unlike some therapies which identify theoretical intentions and describe the treatment procedures in more general principles, AMT offers a very systematic and concrete set of instructions, along with theory and principles. Such clarity of principles also permits the researcher to design research studies that test AMT hypotheses and the AMT method itself in a standardized way. One problem with less well-defined therapy techniques is the difficulty in knowing whether the therapist or researchers are actually conducting a session in a manner intended by the major proponents of the technique.
The Paired Cervico-Cephalic Air Sacs and their Role in the Vocalizations of Songbirds

The avian neck contains a coelomic cavity within which the esophagus and trachea are anchored by mesenteries (Cozic et al. 2014). In order to evaluate the role of the neck in the resonance (filteri...
LXII.—Descriptions and records of bees.—XLIV

(1912). LXII.—Descriptions and records of bees.—XLIV. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 9, No. 53, pp. 554-568.