cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiobjective flow control in delay constrained telecommunication networks

Abstract The multiobjective flow control problem is addressed through a Pareto optimality approach. The performance objective of each individual class is the maximization of throughput under a delay constraint and users share the network on a processor sharing basis. The formulation of the problem leads to a multiobjective problem which is solved via a transformation that leads to a multicriteria linear program. The solution method is outlined by a thorough study of a simple example. Pareto optimal solutions are compared on the basis of fairness given different configurations and traffic characteristics.
Hypothalamic transplantation repair of reproductive defects in hypogonadal mice

The defect of the hypogonadal mouse, resulting in infantile reproductive organs and severely reduced gonadotropin levels, is due to a truncation of the gene encoding for preprogonadotropinreleasing hormone. The hypogonadal mouse bearing a graft containing normal gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons may show testicular development, seminal vesicle growth, and increased gonadotropin production in males. Normalization of gonadotropin levels in females is frequently associated with the capacity for a reflex ovulation followed by pregnancy and bearing of live young. All of these phenomena are dependent on the outgrowth of gonadotropin-releasing hormone axons from the graft to the host median eminence and the hypophysial portal capillaries.
The B̃2Σ+-X̃2Σ+ transition of CaOD

The B2Σ+-X2Σ+ transition of CaOD near 5550 A was studied using dye laser excitation spectroscopy. The 000-000 band was rotationally analyzed and r0 structures were established for both states. For the B2Σ+ state the following bond lengths were found: rCaO = 1.9697 A and rOH = 0.9179 A, while for the X2Σ+ state rCaO = 1.9849 A and rOH = 0.9207 A.
Integrated analysis of the performance of pile-supported bridges under scoured conditions

Abstract Evaluation of scour effects on bridge performance helps predict the safety of bridges under critical scoured conditions, and as a result, may help prevent unnecessary losses. However, very few studies have been conducted on scour evaluation involving an integrated analysis of interactions between water, soils, pile foundations, and bridge structures. In this study, integrated analyses were conducted based on the following procedure: (1) nonlinear soil-structure interactions were considered for foundation analyses; (2) superstructure analyses were conducted by considering a bridge model under design flood conditions; and (3) integration of foundation and superstructure analyses was achieved based on iterative calculations of the stiffness matrices between the two models. The integrated analysis technique described in this paper enables bridge engineers to model the substructure and superstructure elements separately using software well-suited for the respective analyses, and to link the separate results using an iterative approach, forming a complete integrated analysis. Kansas Bridge 45 was selected as a case study to evaluate scour performance using the developed integrated analysis technique. Results show that scour increased lateral deflections of pile caps in an exponential manner. Greater lateral load was supported by the abutments as scour proceeded, while the resistance of pile foundations to lateral loads decreased at interior piers. Scour resulted in higher shear force and bending moment exerting on the pile foundation, and consequently increased the possibility of the failure of piles.
Detecting Curved Underground Tunnels using Partial Radon Transforms

The Radon transform (RT) is known to be effective in detecting lines in noisy images, but it is not capable of detecting curves unless the curve parametrization is given. In this paper, partial Radon transforms (PRT) are investigated as a tool to detect curved features such as underground tunnels in ground penetrating radar (GPR) images. The algorithm applies the Radon transform to small batches of the total image and updates the tunnel position parameters as new batches are used. Missing data, as well as finding the ends of tunnels can be handled with the proposed algorithm. Performance analysis is given for various signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and batch sizes. The effect of the curvature level on the performance is also analyzed.
Comments on a proposed standard wind hazard environment and its use in real-time aircraft simulations

A set of mean-wind profiles and associated turbulence models have been proposed by the FAA as a standard wind hazard environment to be used in piloted training and research simulators. The 'wind hazard package' is described along with a 'strawman' method of implementation into the real-time simulation of NASA's Terminal Configured Vehicle (TCV). Simulation results of both piloted and automatic landings have raised questions about the validity of the wind hazard environment, and the use of a lumped parameter quasi-steady flow aerodynamic model in this environment. Areas of discussion will include turbulence models, span and area averaging filters, gust penetration effects, and the need for the addition of terms in the moment equations to represent unsteady flow characteristics.
Dynamics of change in local physician supply: An ecological perspective

Abstract The purpose of this study is to employ an ecological framework to identify factors that have an impact on change in local physician supply within the USA. A particular specialty type of patient care physicians in a local market is defined as a physician population. Four physician populations are identified: generalists, medical specialists, surgical specialists, and hospital-based specialists. Based on population ecology theory, the proposed framework explains the growth of a particular physician population by four mechanisms: the intrinsic properties of this physician population; the local market's carrying capacity, which is determined by three environmental dimensions (munificence, concentration, diversity); competition within the same physician population; and interdependence between different physician populations. Data at the level of Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) were compiled from the US Area Resources File, the American Hospital Association Annual Surveys of Hospitals, the American Medical Association Census of Medical Groups, the InterStudy National HMO Census, and the US County Business Patterns. Changes in the number and percentage of physicians in a particular specialty population from 1985 to 1994 were regressed, respectively, on 1985–94 changes in the explanatory variables as well as their levels in 1985. The results indicate that the population ecology framework is useful in explaining dynamics of change in the local physician workforce. Variables measuring the three environmental dimensions were found to have significant, and in some cases, differential effects on change in the size of different specialty populations. For example, both hospital consolidation and managed care penetration showed significant positive effects on growth of the generalist population but suppressing effects on growth of the specialist population. The percentage of physicians in a particular specialty population in 1985 was negatively related to change in the size of that specialty population between 1985 and 1994, suggesting the existence of competition. Overall, the findings of this study facilitate a better understanding of the complexity of physician workforce supply.
Experimental Diabetes Upregulates the Expression of Uretereral Endothelin Receptors

We investigated the binding characteristics of endothelin (ET) receptors in the ureters of rats with experimentally induced diabetes and diuresis. Receptor binding experiments demonstrated an upregulation in the expression of [125I]ET-1 binding sites in the diabetic rat ureter but not in the diuretic rat ureter. ET-1, ET-3, IRL 1620, and BQ 610 inhibited [125I]ET-binding to the rat ureter consistent with the predominance of ETA receptors in these tissues. The subtype specificity of ET receptors in ureteral tissues was confirmed with inhibition data obtained from cloned human ETA and ETB receptors.
Migration, Virulence, and the Geographic Mosaic of Adaptation by Parasites

abstract: The geographic mosaic theory of coevolution is predicated on structured populations of interacting species where gene flow and the force of selection can vary among populations, leading to a mosaic of traits in space. Here, I briefly review some recent studies of adaptation by a sterilizing parasite to structured populations of a freshwater snail. The results show geographic structure as expected under the geographic mosaic model. I then consider the effects of virulence and migration on local adaptation by parasites using a computer simulation. The results suggest that high virulence and low migration contribute to the strength of local adaptation by parasites. Highly virulent parasites showed adaptation to local hosts for migration rates of up to 10% of the population per generation. In addition, because of the dynamic nature of host‐parasite coevolution, the magnitude of local adaptation fluctuates over time. During some points in the cycle, parasites may be no more effective at infecting ind...
Analysis of a strip-grating twist reflector

We present a rigorous analysis of scattering from a twist reflector composed of a strip grating placed on a dielectric slab and backed by a conducting metallic sheet. The obliquely incident, arbitrarily polarized plane wave is decomposed into fast- and slow-polarized modes, and a complete and accurate solution of the total diffracted fields is derived. The solution procedure used is an extension of our solution procedure developed for the analysis of scattering from a strip grating. We calculate the optimum height w, in order for the fast- and slow-polarized diffracted fields to be in phase, for various angles of incidence and different periods of the strip grating. With air as the dielectric between the strip grating and the ground plane, it is shown that a strip-grating twist polarizer behaves similarly to the corrugated-surface twist polarizer.
Conceptual approach to the ultimate low AC loss YBCO Superconductor

Wide tapes of YBCO coated conductors make minimization of ac loss very difficult. Subdivision of the tape into narrow filaments does not provide complete transposition when twisted and current sharing is not equalized due to inductance differences. For ac power applications operating near 400 Hz for military aircraft power systems, equal inductance filaments and short twist pitch are very important to loss minimization. A fully transposed YBCO tape that approximates a Rutherford cable has been conceived to minimize ac loss at high frequency. Retention of optimal texture of YBCO in edge turnaround regions and filament crossovers in the Rutherford tape is essential.
Can procalcitonin differentiate infection from systemic inflammatory reaction in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Anne Keogh, Eugene Kotlyar, Emily Granger and Phillip Spratt in the care of these patients and for allowing the study to be performed. C.S.H. has received research funding and travel support unrelated to the current project from HeartWare, Inc. None of the other authors has a financial relationship with a commercial entity that has an interest in the subject of the presented manuscript or other conflicts of interest to disclose.
Reverse-Time Chaos from a Randomly Driven Filter

A linear filter driven by a random signal is shown to generate a waveform that is chaotic under time reversal. That is, the waveform exhibits determinism and a positive Lyapunov exponent when viewed backward in time. The filter is realized in a passive electronic circuit, and the resulting waveform exhibits a Lorenz-like butterfly structure. This method for generating chaotic waveforms may be useful for a number of potential applications, including spread-spectrum communication and ultra-wideband (UWB) radar. The filter also demonstrates that chaos may be connected to physical theories beyond those described by deterministic nonlinear dynamical systems
Renderings of Digital Art

This essay identifies the current qualifier of choice, “new media,” by explaining how this term is used to describe digital art in various forms. Establishing a historical context, the author highlights the pioneer exhibitions and artists who began working with new technology and digital art as early as the late 1960s and early 1970s. The article proceeds to articulate the shapes and forms of digital art, recognizing its broad range of artistic practice: music, interactive installation, installation with network components, software art, and purely Internet-based art. The author examines the themes and narratives specific to her selection of artwork, specifically interactive digital installations and net art. By addressing these forms, the author illustrates the hybrid nature of this medium and the future of this art practice.
Diurnal and nocturnal pollination of Silene alba (Caryophyllaceae)

Flowers that are open for >12 h may be visited by both diurnal and nocturnal pollinators. I compared the effectiveness (measured as seed production and pollen movement distance) of diurnal and nocturnal pollinators of Silene alba, a species whose flowers open in evening but close by midmorning the following day. By bagging flowers either during evening hours or during daylight hours or both day and night, I compared seed production caused by diurnal and nocturnal pollinators. Flowers exposed only to nocturnal visitors (mostly sphingid and noctuid moths) produced significantly more seeds than flowers exposed only to diurnal visitors (bees, flies, and wasps). Fluorescent dye applied to anthers moved significantly further and to more stigmas at night than during the day. In both measures of pollination effectiveness, nocturnal-visiting moths are better pollinators of S. alba than are the diurnal-visiting bees, flies, and wasps. These data support the hypothesis that floral phenology is an adaptation to expose flowers to the most effective pollinators.
Dual roles for ubiquitination in the processing of sperm organelles after fertilization

The process of fertilization involves a cell fusion event between the sperm and oocyte. Although sperm contain mitochondria when they fuse with the oocyte, paternal mitochondrial genomes do not persist in offspring and, thus, mitochondrial inheritance is maternal in most animals. Recent evidence suggests that paternal mitochondria may be eliminated via autophagy after fertilization. In C. elegans, sperm-specific organelles called membraneous organelles (MO) cluster together with paternal mitochondria immediately after fertilization. These MOs but not the mitochondria become polyubiquitinated and associated with proteasomes. The current model for the elimination of paternal mitochondria in C. elegans is that ubiquitination of the MOs induces the formation of autophagosomes which also capture the mitochondria and cause their degradation. Sperm-derived mitochondria and MOs show a sharp decrease in number during the time between sperm-oocyte fusion and the onset of mitosis. During this time, paternal mitochondria remain closely clustered with the MOs. Two types of polyubiquitin chains are observed on the MOs: K48-linked ubiquitin chains which are known to lead to proteasomal degradation and K63-linked ubiquitin chains which have been linked to autophagy. K48-linked ubiquitin chains and proteasomes show up on MOs very soon after sperm-oocyte fusion. These are present on MOs for only a short period of time. Maternal proteasomes localize to MOs and sperm proteasomes localize to structures that are at the periphery of the MO cluster suggesting that these two proteasome populations may have different roles in degrading paternal material. K63-linked ubiquitin chains appear on MOs early and remain throughout the first several cell divisions. Since there are two different types of polyubiquitin chains associated with sperm organelles and their timing differs, it suggests that ubiquitin has two or more roles in the processing of sperm components after fertilization. The K63 chains potentially provide a signal for autophagy of paternal organelles, whereas the K48 chains and proteasomes may be involved in degradation of specific proteins.
Analysis of segment statistics for semantic classification of natural images

A major challenge facing content-based image retrieval is bridging the gap between low-level image primitives and highlevel semantics. We have proposed a new approach for semantic image classication that utilizes the adaptive perceptual color-texture segmentation algorithm by Chen et al., which segments natural scenes into perceptually uniform regions. The color composition and spatial texture features of the regions are used as medium level descriptors, based on which the segments are classied into semantic categories. The segment features consist of spatial texture orientation information and color composition in terms of a limited number of spatially adapted dominant colors. The feature selection and the performance of the classication algorithms are based on the segment statistics. We investigate the dependence of the segment statistics on the segmentation algorithm. For this, we compare the statistics of the segment features obtained using the Chen et al. algorithm to those that correspond to human segmentations, and show that they are remarkably similar. We also show that when human segmentations are used instead of the automatically detected segments, the performance of the semantic classication approach remains approximately the same.
Experimental Evaluation of a Newly Developed Flat Plate Integrated Solar Collector System

AbstractBecause of the up-front costs of add-on solar collection systems, the cost-effectiveness of solar energy is still in doubt. Building integrated solar thermal systems may improve the cost-effectiveness of add-on collection systems given their ability to expand to cover the entire area of a roof at a reasonable cost. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed flat plate integrated solar collector system. The developed collector system consists of a low-temperature flat plate collector integrated within a concrete building envelope. To evaluate this system, a full-scale test prototype of the solar collector was constructed and instrumented with thermocouples. Measurements were conducted over a 7-month period in which the solar collector was evaluated over different climatic conditions. On the basis of the results of the experimental program, it was determined that the solar collector provided an efficiency ranging from 49–75% in the range of ambient temperature...
Some Observations on the Techniques for Predicting the Oscillations of Freely-Floating Hulls in a Seaway

The problem is stated as follows: Given a seaway defined by its variance spectrum and a hull whose dynamical properties are nonlinear and frequency dependent, what techniques are available for finding statistical expression for the oscillatory motions in each of the six degrees of freedom. The nonlinearities appearing in the hydrodynamic coefficients are either the consequence of changes in hull geometry resulting from the oscillatory displacements from the mean position, or they are the manifestation of the nonlinear phenomenon of viscous damping. It is brought out that, although numerical solution can be obtained in the time domain, no generally applicable nonnumerical technique for solving nonlinear differential equation either deterministic or stochastic is in hand, and that one is forced to have recourse to approximative techniques. Some available such techniques are discussed as to their usefulness in solving the second order set of stochastic differential equations expressing hull response in a random seaway.
Impact of Marketing Strategies on Campus Recreational Sports Departments

The purpose of this study was to examine the need for marketing efforts and a marketing plan within the campus recreation profession. Participants consisted of 218 campus recreation administrators ...
Observations and Numerical Simulations of Inertia–Gravity Waves and Shearing Instabilities in the Vicinity of a Jet Stream

The characteristics and dynamics of inertia‐gravity waves generated in the vicinity of an intense jet stream/ upper-level frontal system on 18 February 2001 are investigated using observations from the NOAA GulfstreamIV research aircraft and numerical simulations. Aircraft dropsonde observations and numerical simulations elucidate the detailed mesoscale structure of this system, including its associated inertia‐gravity waves and clearair turbulence. Results from a multiply nested numerical model show inertia‐gravity wave development above the developing jet/front system. These inertia‐gravity waves propagate through the highly sheared flow above the jet stream, perturb the background wind shear and stability, and create bands of reduced and increased Richardson numbers. These bands of reduced Richardson numbers are regions of likely Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability and a possible source of the clear-air turbulence that was observed.
Immune regulation in schistosomiasis japonica

In schistosomiasis caused by the blood fluke, Schistosoma japonicum, the major lesion responsible for clinical disease is the granuloma formed in the liver as an immune response to the eggs deposited there. In this review Abram Stavitsky discusses the most recent evidence for the mechanisms involved in the formation and spontaneous regression of the granulomas and presents a working hypothesis to guide future research.
Hydromagnetic turbulence. II. An elementary theory

In this paper an elementary theory of hydromagnetic turbulence is developed along the lines of Heisenberg's theory of ordinary turbulence. The basic physical idea underlying this theory is to conceive the transformation of the kinetic energy at a particular wave number into kinetic energy and magnetic energy at higher wave numbers, and similarly, the transformation of the magnetic energy at a given wave number into kinetic energy and magnetic energy of higher wave numbers, as a cascade process which can be visualized in terms of suitably defined coefficients of eddy viscosity and eddy resistivity. The resulting equations for the cascade process have been solved under stationary conditions in the limiting case of zero viscosity and infinite electrical conductivity. It is shown that in this limiting case there exist two distinct modes of turbulence; these have been distinguished as the velocity mode and the magnetic mode respectively. In both modes equipartition between the two forms of energy prevail among the largest eddies present (i.e. as k$\rightarrow $0); and the spectrum of both the kinetic energy and the magnetic energy have a Kolmogoroff behaviour for k$\rightarrow $0. The two modes differ in their behaviour for k$\rightarrow $$\infty $. In the velocity mode the ratio of the magnetic energy to the kinetic energy tends to zero among the smallest eddies present (i.e. as k$\rightarrow $$\infty $), while in the magnetic mode the same ratio tends to about 2$\cdot $6 as k$\rightarrow $$\infty $. The bearing of these results on the possible character of the interstellar magnetic fields is briefly discussed.
The corticotropin-releasing factor receptor: a novel target for the treatment of depression and anxiety-related disorders

The treatment of mood disorders has been the subject of intense study for more than half a century and has resulted in the discovery and availability of a number of compounds that have seen tremendous success in the management of major depression and anxiety-related disorders. In spite of this success, these drugs have not provided a complete therapeutic solution for all patients and this has revitalised the need for a greater understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and targets involved in these disorders. Elucidation of these novel targets will enable the development of a better class of compounds which could benefit a greater majority of the patient population and be devoid of the current side effect liabilities. Towards that end, this review examines, in detail, the prospect of one such target, the corticotropin-releasing factor system, as having an enhanced therapeutic profile with the potential of a broader range of efficacy with reduced side effect liabilities.
Effects of Single and Multiple Energy Shots on Blood Pressure and Electrocardiographic Parameters

We assessed the effects of single and multiple caffeinated energy shots on hemodynamic and electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters. This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study in otherwise healthy volunteers (n = 26) where a caffeinated energy shot or matching placebo was ingested. The study drink was consumed twice daily for 7 days during each phase, with a 7-day washout period in between. The primary end points of interest were systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, and QT and QTc intervals. All parameters were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 5 hours on the first and seventh day of each phase. Systolic BP after a single energy shot consumption was significantly higher than placebo at 3 and 5 hours (p = 0.050 and p = 0.038, respectively). Similarly, diastolic BP after a single energy shot consumption was significantly higher at 1 and 5 hours (p = 0.019 and p = 0.043, respectively). The systolic and diastolic BP elevations were not significant after consistent consumption (all p values ≥ 0.079). None of the ECG parameters were significantly affected (all p values ≥ 0.108) compared with placebo. In conclusion, a single shot of a caffeinated energy drink significantly raised systolic and diastolic BPs. However, these elevations were not sustained with chronic consumption. ECG parameters were not altered.
Robustness of Finite State Automata

The classical robust control deals with systems which can be approximated by finite order linear time-invariant (LTI) models, uses integral constraints, such as induced gain bounds, to assess robustness with respect to the error of such approximation, and employs H-Infinity optimization to design robust linear controllers. In this paper1, a parallel approach is developed, in which finite state stochastic automata play the role of LTI models. Analogs of the Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov Lemma, the S-procedure losslessness theorem, and H-Infinity design are derived.
Infused IGF-I/IGFBP-3 complex causes glomerular localization of IGF-I in the rat kidney

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) increases renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and proximal tubule reabsorption of phosphate in humans and rodents. The biological effects of IGF...
Patient and Provider Preferences for Colorectal Cancer Screening: How Does CT Colonography Compare to Other Modalities?

OBJECTIVES Patient and provider preferences toward CT colonography (CTC) remain unclear. The primary goals of this study were 1) to investigate patient preferences for one of the currently recommended CRC screening modalities and 2) to evaluate provider preferences before and after review of updated guidelines. METHODS Cross-sectional survey of ambulatory-care patients and providers in the primary care setting. Providers were surveyed before and after reviewing the 2008 guidelines by the American Cancer Society, US Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer and the American College of Radiology. RESULTS Of 100 patients surveyed, 59% preferred colonoscopy, 17% fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), 14% stool DNA (sDNA) testing, and 10% CTC (P <0.001). The majority of those whose first choice was a stool-based test chose the alternate stool-based test as their second choice over CTC or colonoscopy (P<0.0001). Patients who preferred colonoscopy chose accuracy (76%) and frequency of testing (10%) as the most important test features, whereas patients who preferred a stool-based test chose discomfort (52%) and complications (23%). Of 170 providers surveyed, 96% chose colonoscopy, 2% FOBT, and 1% FOBT with flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) (p < 0.0001). No providers chose CTC or sDNA as their preferred option before reviewing guidelines, and 89% kept their preference after review of guidelines. As a default option for patients who declined colonoscopy, 44% of providers chose FOBT, 12% FOBT+FS, 4% CTC, and 37% deferred to patient preference before review of guidelines. Of the 33% of providers who changed their preference after review of guidelines, 46% recommended CTC. Accuracy was the most influential reason for provider test choice. CONCLUSIONS Patients and providers prefer colonoscopy for CRC screening. Revised guidelines endorsing the use of CTC are unlikely to change provider preferences but may influence choice of default strategies for patients who decline colonoscopy.
Aziridines as Potentiators of Juvenile Hormone Activity in Tests on the Yellow Mealworm and the Large Milk weed Bug

Several aziridine analogues of juvenile hormone mimics were prepared and applied topically to pupae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor L., and the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas). Coapplications were made with a mixture of isomers of one of the Platysamia cecropia (L.) juvenile hormones. The aziridines synergized the hormonal activity of the mixture. The effect was maximal at a 2:1 ratio of synergist to hormone mixture.
Macromolecular crowding and confinement in cells exposed to hypertonicity

The nonideal properties of solutions containing high concentrations of macromolecules can result in enormous increases in the activity of the individual macromolecules. It has been proposed that mo...
Ethanol raises prostacyclin in vivo and in vitro

Moderate doses of ethanol were shown to induce a significant rise in prostacyclin (PGI2) concentration in cultures of endothelial cells derived from umbilical veins. Administration of 32 g of ethanol to six volunteers elevated plasma levels of PGI2 in parallel with those of blood alcohol. Although not specific for ethanol, this alcohol induced the largest change in PGI2. Withdrawal of the stimulant alcohol caused prompt reduction of the elevated prostacyclin to baseline values. The activity of ethanol appears to be due to a direct stimulation of cyclooxygenase. The release of [14C]arachidonic acid from prelabeled endothelial cells was decreased by ethanol. PGE2 production was also enhanced by exposure of endothelial cells to ethanol. The physiologic significance of these alcohol-induced changes in PGI2 levels remains to be established.
Hippocampal and motor fronto-cortical neuroligin1 is increased in an animal model of depression

Neuroligins (NLGNs) regulate synaptic excitability, neuronal signaling and sleep. We hypothesize that alteration of NLGNs is involved in the pathology of depression and tested the hypothesis in a model of depression using Wistar Kyoto (WKy) rat and its control, the Wistar (Wis) rat. We first evaluated behavioral deficits using the forced swim test and then characterized alterations of NLGN1 and NLGN2 with RT-PCR and Western Blotting in the prefrontal cortex, motor frontal cortex and hippocampus. Compared with controls of Wis rats, (1) the WKy rats had significantly shorter swim time and longer immobile time; (2) NLGN1 mRNA levels was higher in the motor frontal cortex and hippocampus in the WKy model; (3) NLGN1 protein was significantly higher in the motor frontal cortex, the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus in the WKy model; (4) NLGN2 mRNA was significantly higher in the motor frontal cortex but significantly lower in the hippocampus in the WKy model. We concluded that NLGN1 gene and protein expression is higher in the motor frontal cortex, hippocampus and in the prefrontal cortex in the WKy rats suggesting that alterations of NLGN1 is involved in the pathology of depression but need to be further evaluated in human.
Knowledge Sharing and Learning in Organizations: Role of Incentives and Information Systems

Knowledge sharing and learning play a fundamental role in the success of knowledge management (KM). While information technologies facilitate learning and sharing of knowledge in organizations, incentive systems help to align organizational and individual goals. Applying a modeling framework that captures the characteristics of both information systems and incentives in a team-based organization, we demonstrate that an output allocation rule linear in output, and sharing-learning incentive rewards linear in the amounts being shared and learned can be optimally designed. Broad conditions for implementing such incentive systems are derived. The incentives facilitate desirable KM goals such as knowledge sharing (learning) alignment and full-knowledge transfer. Deriving an optimal level of knowledge management systems (KMS), we determine a threshold level required to achieve complete-knowledge enablement to facilitate high performance teams. We explore how investment in information technologies impacts incent...
Abstract C47: microRNA expression profiling in normal breast epithelium of BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers as prevention targets

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small, noncoding RNAs with important regulatory roles in tissue development, differentiation, proliferation, and when deregulated tumor formation. The goal of this study was to characterize the miRNA profile of normal breast tissue from carriers of either BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, with and without a prior history of cancer, for biomarker discovery for future prevention studies in high risk patient populations. Methods: MicroRNA profiling was conducted using a panel of breast candidate miRNAs and normal ‘non-cancerous’ tissue biopsy from 15 BRCA1 mutation carriers, 15 BRCA2 mutation carriers and 15 BRCA screened mutation negative subjects from high risk families. Results: While small differences were observed for any individual miRNA between groups, the most striking observation was the presence of a clear BRCA1 miRNA signature that was distinct from that in BRCA2 subjects or in the high-risk, non-mutation carriers. The BRCA1 pattern was present in normal appearing tissue biopsy independent of previous history of cancer, treatment for cancer, age, menopausal status or oophorectomy. BRCA2 carriers and high risk, mutation negative subjects showed an overall shared miRNA expression pattern. MicroRNA species that distinguished the groups included differences in the expressed levels of let-7a, let-7b, miR-125b, miR-145, miR-15b and members of the miR-181 family. Ongoing efforts include pathway modeling to gain insight on novel targets for prevention along with RT-PCR confirmation of differentiating microRNA species as well the potential downstream targets for example of miR-181b target genes including HOXA7, HOXA9, HOXA11 and PBX3. Conclusion: The presence of a distinctive miRNA profile in normal appearing tissue of BRCA1 mutation carriers suggest a major role of BRCA1 mutation status on the normal tissue not previously reported. If corroborated, miRNA profiling studies of normal breast tissue may prove useful in both risk assessment as well as providing insight on deregulated pathways for pharmacologic intervention for risk reduction in the BRCA carrier population. Citation Format: Sandhya Pruthi, Julie Buckmeier, Christina Preese, Vera J. Suman, Rachel M. Hurley, Patricia Thompson. microRNA expression profiling in normal breast epithelium of BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers as prevention targets. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr C47.
Cell-Derived Microparticle (C-MP) Profiles in Lymphoproliferative Disorders: Association of Elevated Red Cell Microparticles (RMP) with Thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoproliferative diseases embrace a variety of disorders including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), lymphomas and multiple myeloma (MM). The incidence of thrombosis varies in these disorders. C-MP are microvesicles released upon activation or apoptosis from endothelial cells (EMP), platelets (PMP), leukocytes (LMP) and red cells (RMP), and are believed to play a role as mediators of inflammation, hemostasis and thrombosis. METHODS: Forty-two patients with lymphoproliferative diseases were enrolled (24M/ 18F; mean age 67.5yr). These included 18 CLL (11M/7F; mean 69.2yr), 11 lymphomas (7M/4F; mean 65.3yr) and 13 MM (6M/7F; mean 67.1yr). History of thrombosis during the course of the lymphoproliferative disease was obtained. C-MP were measured by flow cytometry. LMP were identified by anti-CD45, PMP by anti-CD41, RMP by anti-glycophorin and EMP by CD31+ / CD41−. C-MP were compared between the three groups, and between patients with thrombosis (TB) and without (NTB). RESULTS: (1) History of thrombosis was most prevalent in MM (29%), followed by lymphomas (18%) and none of the CLL. (2) When C-MP were compared among CLL vs. lymphomas, and CLL vs. MM groups, mean levels of EMP, PMP showed no significant differences. However, RMP were higher in lymphomas than CLL (1193 vs. 746, p=0.03), and were markedly higher in MM than CLL (1623 vs. 746, p=0.009). LMP were also higher in CLL vs. MM (1,495 vs. 1,086, p = 0.02). No significant difference was seen in MP when comparing CLL vs. MM. (3) When c omparing C-MP between TB vs. NTB groups, RMP were nearly 3-fold higher in TB (mean values 2423 vs. 900; p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: History of thrombosis was most prevalent in MM, followed by lymphomas, least in CLL. Our data from this limited patient population is consistent with the literature. PMP and EMP were similar in CLL, lymphomas and MM. However, RMP were higher in lymphomas and MM. Conversely, LMP were higher in CLL than in MM probably due to higher white count. Levels of RMP and EMP were associated strongly with thrombosis, being higher in TB. RMP are enriched in procoagulant phospholipids. We reported elevated RMP as a risk factor for thrombosis in myeloproliferative disorders [Fontana et al, ASH Abst #1483, 2006] and prevent bleeding in thrombocytopenia [Fontana et al, ASH Abst #1087, 2006]. These findings suggest that RMP play a role in the pathogenesis of thrombosis in lympho- and myelo-prolifertive disorders. However, the mechanism of their generation and the exact nature of their likely role remains to be elucidated.
Machine-Learning Aided Peer Prediction

Information Elicitation without Verification (IEWV) is a classic problem where a principal wants to truthfully elicit high-quality answers of some tasks from strategic agents despite that she cannot evaluate the quality of agents' contributions. The established solution to this problem is a class of peer prediction mechanisms, where each agent is rewarded based on how his answers compare with those of his peer agents. These peer prediction mechanisms are designed by exploring the stochastic correlation of agents' answers. The prior distribution of agents' true answers is often assumed to be known to the principal or at least to the agents. In this paper, we consider the problem of IEWV for heterogeneous binary signal tasks, where the answer distributions for different tasks are different and unknown a priori. A concrete setting is eliciting labels for training data. Here, data points are represented by their feature vectors x's and the principal wants to obtain corresponding binary labels y's from strategic agents. We design peer prediction mechanisms that leverage not only the stochastic correlation of agents' labels for the same feature vector x but also the (learned) correlation between feature vectors x's and the ground-truth labels y's. In our mechanism, each agent is rewarded by how his answer compares with a reference answer generated by a classification algorithm specialized for dealing with noisy data. Every agent truthfully reporting and exerting high effort form a Bayesian Nash Equilibrium. Some benefits of this approach include: (1) we do not need to always re-assign each task to multiple workers to obtain redundant answers. (2) A class of surrogate loss functions for binary classification can help us design new reward functions for peer prediction. (3) Symmetric uninformative reporting strategy (pure or mixed) is not an equilibrium strategy. (4) The principal does not need to know the joint distribution of workers' information a priori. We hope this work can point to a new and promising direction of information elicitation via more intelligent algorithms.
Improving Nursing Students' Comfort Dealing With Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract Many nurses will encounter victims of intimate partner violence during their career. The purpose of this article is to discuss the use of a simulated experience using standardized patients to provide prelicensure nursing students with an opportunity to assess for intimate partner violence. Through this simulated experience, students identify victims of intimate partner violence and implement appropriate interventions in a safe learning environment.
INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTORS AND IMMUNITY: AN OVERVIEW

The immune and neuroendocrine systems are now known to be linked in an active and bidirectional communication network. One of the most frequently advanced arguments for the existence of this network has been the demonstration of a molecular basis for this circuitry; i.e. the existence of common signal molecules and their receptors in both systems.1,2 Our laboratory has been investigating the effects of growth hormone and other members of the somatolactogenic family on the immune system. In this area of investigation there is a variety of clinical and experimental data which provide dramatic and direct evidence of neuroendocrine-immune interactions. Genetically hypopituitary species have reduced thymic and splenic weights, decreased cellularity of lymphoid tissues and associated immune dysfunction. Animals which have been hypophysectomized demonstrate similar lymphoid atrophy and have reductions in a number of immune responses.3–8 These observations have led to the hypothesis that pituitary hormones play an integral role in maintenance of reticuloendothelial tissues and regulation of immune responses. Several workers have demonstrated that growth hormone (GH) has a profound influence on a number of immune events.5,9,10 The molecular basis of this particular neuroendocrine-immune circuit has been demonstrated by the findings that lymphocytes have receptors for GH,11 that interleukins regulate pituitary GH production,12–14 and that lymphocytes produce a molecule similar to pituitary GH.9,15
Contextualizing International Strategy by Emerging Market Firms:A Composition Approach

We present a composition-based logic toward international expansion by emerging market firms (EMFs) - firms that use compositional investment, compositional competition, and compositional collabora...
Online Detection of Anomalous Heterogeneous Graphs with Streaming Edges

Given a stream of heterogeneous edges, comprising different types of nodes and edges, which arrive in an interleaved fashion to multiple different graphs evolving simultaneously, how can we spot the anomalous graphs in real-time using only constant memory? This problem is motivated by and generalizes from its application in security to host-level advanced persistent threat (APT) detection. In this talk, I will introduce STREAMSPOT, a clustering based anomaly detection approach for streaming heterogeneous graphs that addresses challenges in two key fronts: (1) heterogeneity, and (2) streaming nature. Specifically, we introduce a new similarity function for heterogeneous graphs that compares two graphs based on their relative frequency of local substructures, represented as short strings. This function lends itself to a vector representation of each graph, which is (a) fast to compute, and (b) amenable to a sketched version with bounded size that preserves the aforementioned similarity. STREAMSPOT exhibits desirable properties that a streaming application requires–it is (i) fully-streaming; processing the stream one edge at a time as it arrives, (ii) memory-efficient; requiring constant space for the sketches and the clustering, (iii) fast; taking constant time to update the graph sketches and the cluster summaries that can process over 100K edges per second, and (iv) online; scoring and flagging anomalies in real time. Experiments on datasets containing simulated system-call flow graphs from normal browser activity and various attack scenarios (ground truth) show that STREAMSPOT is high-performance; achieving above 95% detection accuracy with small delay, and competitive response time and memory usage.
U.S. Coast Guard Amends Inland Rules of the Road

The U.S. Coast Guard amended the Inland Navigation Rules effective August 1, 2014. This article provides a summary of those amendments and includes a copy of the final rules. Importantly, the Coast Guard has determined that these Inland Rules promulgated by the Coast Guard preempt state and local governments from enacting rules in the field of inland marine navigation and collision avoidance.
Fiber Nonlinear Noise-to-Signal Ratio Monitoring Using Artificial Neural Networks

An artificial neural network model to estimate fiber nonlinear noise-to-signal ratio based on amplitude noise covariance of received symbols is proposed. Standard deviation of 0.2 dB is obtained in simulation, and estimation error of <0.6 dB is verified in experiment.
Management of a Parturient with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: An Anesthesiologist’s Experience

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a disorder in which patients experience symptoms and signs attributable to inappropriate mast cell activation and mediator release. Multiorgan involvement in patients can result in significant morbidity and possible mortality. Limited literature exists regarding anesthetic management of patients with MCAS. We report a case of vaginal delivery with neuraxial labor analgesia in a parturient with this condition and highlight the importance of multidisciplinary planning for uneventful outcomes. Stress can trigger life-threatening symptoms, and counseling is important to allay patients’ fears. Optimum medical control, adequate premedication, avoidance of triggers, and preparedness to treat serious mediator effects are key. We review MCAS and discuss anesthetic considerations for patients with this mast cell disorder.
Climate Change in the 21st Century: Looking Beyond the Paris Agreement

The science is clear that the Earth’s climate, including that of the United States, is changing, changing much more rapidly than generally occurs naturally, and it is happening primarily because of human activities. This chapter discusses the science underlying climate change and the current understanding of how our planet is being affected. In addition to the global analysis, there is special attention given to the findings for the United States. Humanity is already feeling the effects from increasing intensity of certain types of extreme weather and from sea level rise that are fueled by the changing climate. Climate change affects many sectors of our society, including threats on human health and well-being. Climate change will, absent other factors, amplify some of the existing threats we now face. The effects on humanity are already significant, costing us many billions of dollars each year along with the effects on human lives and health. Policy to respond to climate change is imperative—we have three choices, mitigation, adaptation, or suffering. Right now we are doing some of all three. The Paris Agreement begins the process internationally of really doing something to slow down change. But the current agreement is just the beginning and we will need to do much more.