cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of a Brief Asthma Education Intervention for Child Care Providers and Primary School Teachers

Limited information exists about management of asthma in child care settings and primary school classrooms. The goal of this study was to evaluate a brief asthma management intervention for child care providers and primary school teachers. Child care providers and primary school teachers were recruited to participate in two 3-h workshops on asthma management and young children. Participants completed pre- and post-test questionnaires on asthma management indicating their ability to recognize symptoms and intervene when necessary. Participants also completed questions assessing their comfort in assisting children with asthma with the children’s social and emotional needs and accessing resources for intervention. Participants were 65 child care providers and primary school teachers. On measures of comfort and efficacy in intervening during a child’s asthma episode, and feelings about advocacy for children with asthma in child care and schools, significant differences in teachers’ comfort, and efficacy were found post-intervention. A brief intervention for community partners may assist in informing non-medically trained personnel about asthma. Such an intervention may ultimately reduce the frequency and severity of asthma episodes in young children.
Plasma-seq: a novel strategy for metastatic prostate cancer analysis

Personalized genomics will only be useful for monitoring the prognosis of patients with cancer when it becomes much more cost-effective and quicker to apply. A recent study brings this closer to reality with the development of plasma-seq, a rapid, low-cost method that sequences the circulating DNA present in the peripheral blood of patients with cancer. The power of this technique is demonstrated with the examination of tumor genomes from patients with prostate cancer.
Gaze Tracking Interface for Robotic Control

In this paper, we provide an overview of gaze tracking as a discipline, describe its principles and current techniques, as well as discuss in depth the applications of gaze tracking across several fields of research. We focus on the ability of gaze tracking to serve as an effective method of human machine interface, and discuss the most current research related to using gaze tracking as a natural interface between humans and robotic systems. Furthermore, we discuss limitations on current research and highlight possibilities for future improvement and advancement of current gaze tracking human-robotic technologies. Into this background we offer further research by proposing the development of a system that utilizes gaze tracking for real time robotic teleoperation that can be extended to a variety of technical disciplines. The proposed project uses gaze tracking of a video feed as a source of position control of a servo- actuated laser. We describe the goals of the proposed project as well as the methodology by which we intend to achieve them, and discuss possible applications and extensions of this research.
Domestic Opposition and Signaling in International Crises

This article explores the effect of domestic political competition on the escalation of international crises. It combines an incomplete information model of crisis bargaining with a simple model of two-party electoral choice. One state has two strategic actors—a government and an opposition party—both of which declare openly whether they support the use of force to alter the status quo. The rival state updates its beliefs and selects its strategy in response to both signals. The parties' payoffs depend upon a retrospective evaluation by the domestic electorate. The model shows that the inclusion of a strategic opposition party decreases the ex ante probability of war by helping to reveal information about the state's preferences. This finding has important implications for research on democracy and international conflict, since it suggests a mechanism through which democratic states can overcome informational asymmetries, which have been identified as a central obstacle to negotiation.
Critical Role of MARCO in Crystalline Silica–Induced Pulmonary Inflammation

Chronic exposure to crystalline silica can lead to the development of silicosis, an irreversible, inflammatory and fibrotic pulmonary disease. Although, previous studies established the macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) as an important receptor for binding and uptake of crystalline silica particles in vitro, the role of MARCO in regulating the inflammatory response following silica exposure in vivo remains unknown. Therefore, we determined the role of MARCO in crystalline silica–induced pulmonary pathology using C57Bl/6 wild-type (WT) and MARCO−/− mice. Increased numbers of MARCO+ pulmonary macrophages were observed following crystalline silica, but not phosphate-buffered saline and titanium dioxide (TiO2), instillation in WT mice, highlighting a specific role of MARCO in silica-induced pathology. We hypothesized that MARCO−/− mice will exhibit diminished clearance of silica leading to enhanced pulmonary inflammation and exacerbation of silicosis. Alveolar macrophages isolated from crystalline silica–exposed mice showed diminished particle uptake in vivo as compared with WT mice, indicating abnormalities in clearance mechanisms. Furthermore, MARCO−/− mice exposed to crystalline silica showed enhanced acute inflammation and lung injury marked by increases in early response cytokines and inflammatory cells compared with WT mice. Similarly, histological examination of MARCO−/− lungs at 3 months post–crystalline silica exposure showed increased chronic inflammation compared with WT; however, only a small difference was observed with respect to development of fibrosis as measured by hydroxyproline content. Altogether, these results demonstrate that MARCO is important for clearance of crystalline silica in vivo and that the absence of MARCO results in exacerbations in innate pulmonary immune responses.
Coordination chemistry of bidentate medium ring ligands (mesocycles)

Revieww of the coordination chemistry of mesocycles ligands and description of the most important properties of their complexes.
Fifty Years of Driving Safety Research

Objective: This brief review covers the 50 years of driving-related research published in Human Factors, its contribution to driving safety, and emerging challenges. Background: Many factors affect driving safety, making it difficult to assess the impact of specific factors such as driver age, cell phone distractions, or collision warnings. Method: The author considers the research themes associated with the approximately 270 articles on driving published in Human Factors in the past 50 years. Results: To a large extent, current and past research has explored similar themes and concepts. Many articles published in the first 25 years focused on issues such as driver impairment, individual differences, and perceptual limits. Articles published in the past 25 years address similar issues but also point toward vehicle technology that can exacerbate or mitigate the negative effect of these issues. Conceptual and computational models have played an important role in this research. Conclusion: Improved crashwort...
Synthesis of Integrated Layered‐Spinel Composite Cathode Materials for High‐Voltage Lithium‐Ion Batteries up to 5.0 V

Integrated layered-spinel composite materials are synthesized through the facile decomposition of Li4Mn5O12-based spinel materials at 900 °C. The intergrowth of spinel Li1+zMn2−zO4 (0<z<0.33) and Li-rich layered Li2MnO3 components is examined by using X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Such a layered-spinel composite material and its derivatives obtained by doping transition-metal ions are evaluated as high-voltage cathode materials for advanced lithium-ion batteries up to 5.0 V versus Li/Li+. The Ni-doped composite cathode shows remarkably high-energy and high-power characteristics with high-voltage plateaus at approximately 4.7 V, delivering desirable discharge capacities of 130, 115, and 90 mAh g−1 at current densities of 25, 125, and 500 mA g−1, respectively, along with excellent cycling stability. This work provides a facile route for preparing the integrated layered-spinel composite materials as promising high-voltage cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
Effect of rotational crop herbicides on water- and dry-seeded Oryza sativa

Abstract Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to evaluate Oryza sativa response to the simulated carryover of fluometuron, imazethapyr, metolachlor, and norflurazon in dry- and water-seeded culture. In the greenhouse, fluometuron and norflurazon did not affect O. sativa emergence, but reduced O. sativa shoot and root dry weight at all the residue levels. Greater reduction in O. sativa emergence and shoot dry weight was observed with imazethapyr and metolachlor in dry- compared with water-seeded O. sativa. In the field, imazethapyr at 0.04 kg ai ha−1 injured dry-seeded O. sativa both years, but O. sativa yield was reduced only in the second year. Greater O. sativa injury and yield reduction were observed in dry- compared with water-seeded O. sativa with metolachlor at most residue levels. Norflurazon at 0.42 and 0.21 kg ai ha−1 caused greater O. sativa yield reduction in water-seeded O. sativa than in dry-seeded O. sativa in the first and second year, respectively. The results indicate that water-se...
MDCT Diagnosis of Perineural Invasion Involving the Celiac Plexus in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Preliminary Observations and Clinical Implications.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that soft-tissue infiltra tion along the celiac plexus and delayed enhancement exceeding two-thirds of the tumor area on preoperative MDCT correlate with histologic evidence of perineural invasion in resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two experienced abdominal radiologists retrospectively reviewed preoperative multiphasic MDCT scans of 20 patients who underwent resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, identifying soft-tissue infiltration along the celiac plexus, delayed enhancement exceeding two-thirds of the tumor area, and maximum tumor diameter. Consensus findings were compared with intratumoral perineural invasion in resect ed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS. Six patients had histologic intratumoral perineural invasion, five of whom had soft-tissue infiltration along the celiac plexus on preoperative MDCT, with corresponding 83.3% sensitivity and 92.9% specificity for perineural invasion and significant association be tween these MDCT and histologic findings ( p = 0.002). No patients with histologic perineural invasion had enhancement exceeding two-thirds of the tumor area on MDCT; sensitivity was 0.0% for this finding. Tumor diameter on MDCT was not significantly associated with peri neural invasion at histopathology (p = 0.530). CONCLUSION. Soft-tissue infiltration along the celiac plexus on MDCT is an indica tor of perineural invasion in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The data did not confirm an association between delayed enhancement exceeding two-thirds of the tumor area and perineural invasion. Because perineural invasion from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is associated with a very poor prognosis and is generally a contraindication to surgery, the MDCT diagnosis of celiac plexus perineural invasion in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma may have important implications for prognosis and treatment planning.
Experiential Learning for Preservice Teachers: Digital Book Clubs With Third Graders

AbstractThis study explored how preservice teachers' knowledge and pedagogy is enhanced through participation of online book clubs with third graders. Qualitative data included pre/post interviews, reflection papers, and blog posts of book club conversations, which were all collected and analyzed. Holistic, in-depth exploration of the recurring themes and patterns occurred continuously during data analysis. Findings reveal that the role of digital book clubs offered benefits including communication with authentic audience, increased think time for response, and improved motivation and engagement. Results suggest that real-world application enhances preservice teachers' confidence and ability to engage as active readers and teachers of reading. These findings have important implications for 21st-century teacher education programs.
Justice, Public Policy, and Undocumented Immigrants: Toward Finding What’s at Stake

This paper launches a project seeking to discern and critically analyze the core public values at stake in relation to this important public policy subject. The aim of this preliminary paper is to discern and describe the value conflicts that lie at the heart of this on-going controversy. After summarizing the core narratives of exclusionists and inclusionists in this debate, I propose that the conflict over this policy realm can be understood best as a species of identity politics. Exclusionists, that is, begin from a frame of reference in which their core values are nation-state sovereignty and rule of law, leading them to identify undocumented immigrants as alien invaders who need to be punished and removed from the country’s territory in order for justice to be realized. Inclusionists, on the other hand, describe undocumented immigrants as hard-working family members who are already contributing members of our national community in important ways. The core values of the inclusionary narrative – communitarian inclusiveness and egalitarian universalism – lead it to argue that justice requires the formal inclusion of these de facto community members. Later work will seek to critically analyze and assess the value claims made by the partisans on each side of this important debate.
Test–Retest Reliability of the Adaptive Chemistry Assessment Survey for Teachers: Measurement Error and Alternatives to Correlation

Determining the error of measurement is a necessity for researchers engaged in bench chemistry, chemistry education research (CER), and a multitude of other fields. Discussions regarding what constructs measurement error entails and how to best measure them have occurred, but the critiques about traditional measures have yielded few alternatives. We present a brief review of psychometric reliability from its beginning in the early 1900s as well as a summary of critiques of the test–retest reliability coefficient. Then, we posit our own novel measurement, the zeta-range estimator, to assist in quantifying and accounting for measurement error that those interested in educational researchers will find beneficial. We provide a proof-of-concept using simulated data and then analyze the reliability of items on the Adaptive Chemistry Assessment Survey for Teachers, a survey designed to characterize data-driven inquiry. While the focus is for CER, the zeta-range estimator also holds significant value for those ou...
Localized-Itinerant Electron Transitions in the Orthomanganites

The AMO3 perovskites containing transition-metal atoms M have an MO3 array with M-O-M bond angles 180°-φ in which the angle φ increases with the mismatch of the A-O and M-O equilibrium bond lengths. The tight-binding bandwidths for the π-bonding t and σ-bonding e orbitals of d-orbital parentage are Wπ Wπ. Consequently the equilibrium reaction t3e1 ≈ t3 σ*1 for a first-order transition from localized-e to itinerant-σ* electrons is shifted to the left as the bandwidth Wσ ≈ 12 eσλσ2 cos φ is narrowed by increasing φ, by perturbations of the periodic potential of the MO3 array, and/or by increasing spin-disorder scattering; it is shifted to the right by oxidation of the MnO3 array, by application of a magnetic field, and by pressure. Cross-over from polaronic-e to itinerant-σ* electrons at a ferromagnetic Curie temperature Tc or a charge-ordering temperature Tco < Tc can give a “colossal” negative magnetoresistance provided the Fermi energy eF lies below a mobility edge μc in the narrow σ* band of the ferromagnetic phase. Cooperative Jahn-Teller distortions that remove the orbital degeneracy of a localized 5Eg configuration also introduce unusual antiferromagnetic ordering of the manganese-atom spins.
Dance Trends: The Pros and Cons of Student Performances: Tips for Working with Beginners

Should student performances be a required part of your school dance program? What about beginning dancers? These are questions that have been trending in our online discussions. This issue's column...
Phase field simulation of charged interface formation during ferroelectric switching

Abstract Ferroelectric switching in thin films is a local process strongly influenced by the presence and spatial distribution of defects such as dislocations, grain boundaries and preexisting domains. Preexisting ferroelastic domains have been shown to inhibit 180° switching in (001)-oriented epitaxial Pb(Zr 0.2 ,Ti 0.8 )O 3 (PZT) films, but ferroelectric switching pathways around these domains remain unclear. Here, phase field modeling with supporting high resolution transmission electron microscopy is used to investigate ferroelectric switching in PZT thin films around such a ferroelastic domain. We show 180° domain wall motion is arrested at moderate applied biases by the ferroelastic domain through formation of charged 90° domain walls during switching. This leads to an increased applied bias required for complete switching through the thin film. Charged 90° ferroelastic domain walls are found to be partially stabilized by local rotation of the polarization direction and significant broadening of the head-to-head wall to distribute the bound charge, leading to domain walls 5–6 nm in thickness compared to 0.5–2 nm for typical 90° domain walls. Ferroelectric switching continues only at higher applied electric fields. This study provides a more complete picture of the ferroelectric switching pathway around ferroelastic domains than has been previously available and may explain the experimentally observed lower stability of written domain structures around preexisting ferroelastic domain structures in epitaxial ferroelectric thin films.
The Interplay Between Big Data and Sparsity in Systems Identification: Some Lessons from Machine Learning*

Abstract The past few years have witnessed an unprecedented growth in data collection capabilities. When coupled with recent advances in distributed control, these developments have the potential to make feasible a large range of applications, such as self-aware, smart environments, that can profoundly impact society. However, realizing this potential, requires developing identification techniques that can handle very large data sets, whose dimensionality challenges the capabilities of existing techniques. The goal of this paper is to present a tutorial illustrating how this \curse of dimensionality" can be combated by exploiting the inherent sparsity exhibited by a large class of identification problems. While many of the ideas linking big data and sparsity appeared originally in the context of machine learning, porting these ideas to dynamic settings presents both new challenges and opportunities. The paper concludes by briey exploring these opportunities, and in particular the contributions that the systems identification community can make to the problem of inferencing in data deluged scenarios.
A fresh start for health reform

Health reform isn't a popular subject in Washington these days, but problems of cost and access persist. The author, a senior health policy analyst for the Progressive Policy Institute, argues that in next year's debate of tax reform, a few modest changes could lead to a more effective and universal market for health care.
Spatio-Temporal, Genotypic, and Environmental Effects on Plant Soluble Protein and Digestible Carbohydrate Content: Implications for Insect Herbivores with Cotton as an Exemplar

Plant soluble protein and digestible carbohydrate content significantly affect insect herbivore fitness, but studies reporting plant protein and carbohydrate content are rare. Instead, the elements nitrogen and carbon often are used as surrogates for plant protein and digestible carbohydrate content, respectively. However, this is problematic for two reasons. First, carbon is found in all organic molecules, which precludes strong correlations with ecologically important dietary macronutrients (e.g., digestible carbohydrates, the primary energy source for most insect herbivores). Second, some elements (e.g., nitrogen) are present in both macronutrients (e.g., protein) and non-nutritive secondary compounds (e.g., alkaloids, protease inhibitors); in these cases N values would greatly overestimate protein available for an insect herbivore. Thus, the objective of this study was to explicitly document plant protein-carbohydrate content and assess its variation in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense), which is a nutritional resource for a number of insect herbivores. We did this by measuring plant soluble protein (P) and digestible carbohydrate (C) content across seven plant tissues, five varieties, and two growing environments. Significant differences in P and C concentration, total macronutrient content (P + C), and P:C ratio were observed across plant tissues, plant age and environment; smaller differences were seen across plant genotype. Foliar tissues had higher total P + C content compared to reproductive tissues, except for developing seeds and developing flowers, which contained twice the total P + C content; these two tissues also had the highest P content. Our data show that even agricultural monocultures offer a highly heterogeneous protein-carbohydrate landscape for insect herbivores. Characterizing plant resources using nutritional currencies (e.g., protein and carbohydrates) that are ecologically and physiologically-relevant to insect herbivores can be used to enhance our understanding of plant-insect interactions.
A preliminary survey of underwater robotic vehicle design and navigation for under-ice operations

This paper reviews the motivation, development, and use of underwater robotic vehicles designed for use in ice-covered waters, with special attention paid to the navigation systems employed for under-ice deployments. The scientific need for routine access under fixed and moving ice by underwater robotic vehicles is briefly reviewed. The challenges of under-ice vehicle navigation are summarized. The paper then reviews all known under-ice robotic vehicles and their associated navigation systems, categorizing them by vehicle type (tethered, untethered, hybrid, and glider) and by the type of ice they were designed for (fixed land-fast sea ice and moving sea ice).
Abstract MP25: Dietary Fat Intake, Mc4r Genotype and 2-Year Changes in Body Composition: The Pounds Lost Trial

Background: Melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) is a key protein regulating dietary intake and adiposity in humans. MC4R gene variants have been associated with fat intake, fat mass, weight change, and risk of obesity. Observational studies have suggested that dietary fat may modify these effects; however, this has yet to be verified in long-term randomized clinical trials. Objective: To examine the interaction between an “obesity-predisposing” MC4R variant and fat intake on long-term changes in body composition in the context of a randomized controlled trial. Design and Methods: We genotyped MC4R rs17782313 and assessed body composition in 373 overweight adults in the 2-year Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies (Pounds Lost) trial. Results: We found significant interactions between the MC4R rs17782313 and dietary fat intake on changes in lean mass and total mass at 6 months (p for interaction=0.019 and 0.012, respectively) after adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, baseline BMI, 6 months weight loss, and baseline perspective outcomes. The C allele was significantly associated with a greater increase in lean mass and total mass in the low-fat diet group (P=0.008 and 0.005, respectively), but not associated with these measures in the high-fat diet group at 6 months (P>0.05, respectively) (Figure 1). We didn’t observe significant genotype-diet interaction on changes in body compositions at 24 months, probably due to regain of body weight after 6 months. Conclusions: Our data suggest that individuals with the MC4R rs17782313 C allele might experience greater increases in lean mass and total mass when consuming a lower fat weight-loss diet. Keywords: MC4R genotype, body composition, gene-diet interaction, weight-loss trial
Oxidation resistance of tantalum carbide-hafnium carbide solid solutions under the extreme conditions of a plasma jet

Abstract The oxidation behaviors of tantalum carbide (TaC)- hafnium carbide (HfC) solid solutions with five different compositions, pure HfC, HfC-20 vol% TaC (T20H80), HfC- 50 vol% TaC (T50H50), HfC- 80 vol% TaC (T80H20), and pure TaC have been investigated by exposing to a plasma torch which has a temperature of approximately 2800 °C with a gas flow speed greater than 300 m/s for 60 s, 180 s, and 300 s, respectively. The solid solution samples showed significantly improved oxidation resistance compared to the pure carbide samples, and the T50H50 samples exhibited the best oxidation resistance of all samples. The thickness of the oxide scales in T50H50 was reduced more than 90% compared to the pure TaC samples, and more than 85% compared to the pure HfC samples after 300 s oxidation tests. A new Ta 2 Hf 6 O 17 phase was found to be responsible for the improved oxidation performance exhibited by solid solutions. The oxide scale constitutes of a scaffold-like structure consisting of HfO 2 and Ta 2 Hf 6 O 17 filled with Ta 2 O 5 which was beneficial to the oxidation resistance by limiting the availability of oxygen.
Building Bridges: Advocacy as a Tool for the Technical Services Professional

ABSTRACT“The Sharpest Tool in the Shed” column seeks to introduce new systems and tools relating to scholarly publishing, serials, electronic resources, and more. This issue's column will focus on an important but often overlooked tool for anyone engaged in the work traditionally housed in technical services (TS)—advocacy for the work of technical services. This would include both advocacy regarding how technical services work supports the library's mission and the work in other divisions. How to make that work accessible for the novice to facilitate collaboration with other library departments is also discussed. As a serials catalog librarian at Michigan State University Libraries, I have worked to make advocacy a part of what I do and how I think about my work and the work of my colleagues. Locally, this has meant the development of a series of talks around TS expertise and projects to reach out to our colleagues about our work.
Cirrhosis following single anastomosis duodeno-ileal switch: A case report.

Abstract Introduction Single anastomosis duodeno-ileal switch (SADI-S) involves a single, loop duodeno-ileal anastomosis with omission of the traditional Roux-en-Y distal ileo-ileal anastomosis. Not much has been published on the complications of SADI-S. Presentation of case The patient is a 40 year-old male who underwent robot-assisted SADI-S three years prior. At the time of surgery, his body mass index (BMI) was 69 kg/m2. His BMI was 31 kg/m2 at the time of presentation. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed a liver with a nodular appearance and moderate ascites throughout the abdomen and above the liver. Liver function showed AST 73 U/L, ALT 63 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 128 U/L, bilirubin 1.0 mg/dL, and albumin 2.8 g/dL. He underwent diagnostic and therapeutic paracentesis with removal of 6L of fluid that was negative for infection or malignant cells. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed grade I esophageal varices and diffuse mild gastritis. Discussion Mild hepatic dysfunction is common after biliopancreatic diversion and usually manifests as a temporary rise in liver enzymes that peak several months after surgery and normalize by one year. Cirrhosis and liver failure are rare sequelae that may develop at any time after surgery. Potential mechanisms include the absorption of hepatotoxic compounds from the bypassed small intestine in the context of bacterial overgrowth, protein malnutrition, and excessive free fatty acid mobilization causing steatosis and oxidative damage to hepatocytes. Conclusion Close laboratory monitoring is important after SADI-S in order to detect worsening hepatic dysfunction, which may occur many years after the surgery in the absence of other etiologies for liver failure.
A Multimodal Assessment Framework for Integrating Student Writing and Drawing in Elementary Science Learning

Science learning is inherently multimodal, with students utilizing both drawings and writings to explain observations of physical phenomena. As such assessments in science should accommodate the many ways students express their understanding, especially given evidence that understanding is distributed across both drawing and writing. In recent years advanced automated assessment techniques that evaluate expressive student artifacts have emerged. However, these techniques have largely operated individually, each considering only a single mode. We propose a framework for the multimodal automated assessment of students’ writing and drawing to leverage the synergies inherent across modalities and create a more complete and accurate picture of a student's knowledge. We introduce a multimodal assessment framework as well as two computational techniques for automatically analyzing student writings and drawings: a convolutional neural network-based model for assessing student writing, and a topology-based model for assessing student drawing. Evaluations with elementary students’ writings and drawings collected with a tablet-based digital science notebook demonstrate that 1) each of the framework's two modalities provide an independent and complementary measure of student science learning, and 2) the computational methods are capable of accurately assessing student work from both modalities and offer the potential for integration in technology-rich learning environments for real-time formative assessment.
Gender Disparities in Parenting Time Across Activities, Child Ages, and Educational Groups:

Although gender gaps in parenting time endure for parents of young children, and in physical and developmental care, men’s changing attitudes toward egalitarian gender roles suggest that gender dis...
Intramyocardial Mechanical States: Vessel-Interstitium-Muscle Interface

The intramural blood vessels and fluid-filled interstitial space form a hydraulic continuum enmeshed by myocardial muscle layers and collagen matrix. Coronary circulation was found to be strongly influenced by passive and active properties of the muscle surrounding the coronary microvasculature. Selective remodeling of the extracellular collagen-matrix and partial uncoupling of the intramyocardial structure(s) cause profound functional alterations in the coronary circulation and interstitial compartment fluid-dynamics. Mechanical impediment to coronary inflow resides in the muscle fiberinterstitium-microvessel interface, functioning independently of the generated chamber pressure conditions.
Phase Quadrature Techniques in Holography

Various extensions of Keating’s complex (sine-cosine) hologram procedure are discussed. These include phase-quadrature zone plates and gratings and extensions of the use of quarter-wave plates in applications involving circularly polarized waves.
RAS Genes and Cancer

The three RAS genes (HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS) comprise the most commonly mutated oncogene family in human cancer. RAS genes encode highly related small GTPases that are key regulators of cytoplasmic signaling networks that include the Raf-MEK-ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade and the PI3K-Akt signaling cascade. There is increasing evidence that all RAS mutations are “not created equal” and that mutation specific therapies may be needed, that there will not be a “one size fits all” anti-Ras therapy. In this chapter, we summarize the frequency and nature of RAS mutations in human cancers, with a focus on the two cancers with the highest frequency of RAS mutations, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (95 %), and colorectal (40 %) cancers.
Selectin-and complement-mediated mechanisms of tissue injury in stroke

When blood flow is interrupted to regions of the brain, even for very limited periods of time, a number of pathological mechanisms are set in motion which elicit adverse sequelae. Neurons are among the cells most vulnerable to relatively brief periods of ischemia, due to their exquisite and constant need for oxygen and glucose. The causes of neuronal death are multiple, but regardless of cause, once a neuron dies, it is irrevocably lost from the substance of the brain. The focus of this chapter is on inflammatory reactions triggered in neurons or adjacent vascular cells, which contribute to the neuronal demise and tissue injury in stroke.
Right Brain: Should we wear flowers in our hair?

> Speak of healing > > and freedom and love and peace > > Eschew conventions > > and expectations and hard-nosed technology > > Expand awareness > > through mindfulness and meditation and music
Improved Benders Decomposition and Feasibility Validation for Two-Stage Chance-Constrained Programs in Process Optimization

The two-stage stochastic program with probabilistic constraints is studied by assuming normally distributed uncertain parameters. At stage I, the decision, represented by discrete variables, is mad...
Influence of weight etiology information and trainee characteristics on Physician-trainees' clinical and interpersonal communication.

Abstract Objective: This analysis explores the effects of relaying information about the genetic and behavioral causes of obesity (vs. control) on physician trainees’ verbal communication behavior with a virtual patient with obesity. Moderation by physician trainees’ gender and BMI was also assessed. Methods: 119 physician trainees’ verbal responses were recorded and coded using a close-ended content analytic approach. Results: Physician trainees in the behavioral and genetic information conditions were more likely to discuss weight (behavioral: AOR = 5.40; genetic: AOR = 6.58,) and provide lifestyle counseling (behavioral: AOR = 10.92; genetic: AOR = 3.50). Those in the behavioral condition were more likely to make assumptions about the patient’s lifestyle behavior (AOR = 5.53) and use stigmatizing language (AOR = 4.69). Heavier physician trainees in the genetic condition had shorter interactions (β = −0.53, p Conclusion: Emphasizing the genetic causes of overweight offers a potential avenue for encouraging clinical communication with patients with obesity, without also increasing prejudice and bias. Additional efforts may be needed to reap the benefits of genetic information for providers with higher weight. Practice Implications: For providers, considering genetic factors underlying patient body weight and obesity risk may serve to reduce stigmatizing communication with patients.
Adults' favorability toward prohibiting flavors in all tobacco products in the United States

Abstract In November 2018, US Food and Drug Administration announced its intent to prohibit menthol in combustible tobacco products, prohibit flavored cigars, and prohibit flavored e-cigarettes unless they are sold in age-restricted, in-person locations. This study assessed adult attitudes toward prohibiting flavors in all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Data were from the 2016 Summer Styles survey of 4203 US adults aged ≥18 years. Respondents were asked whether they favored or opposed prohibiting flavors (e.g., menthol, spicy, sweet, or fruity flavor) in all tobacco products. Prevalence and correlates of favorability were assessed using weighted percentages and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) respectively. Assessed correlates were: sex, age, race/ethnicity, income, US Census region, marital status, children
Planned Deployment of the NISAR Engineering Payload Mission Testbed

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a joint project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Indian Space Research Organisation. Once deployed, NISAR will be an Earth-orbiting dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observatory, which will study hazards and global environmental change. NASA will provide the mission's Engineering Payload (EP) and the L-band synthetic aperture radar (L-SAR). ISRO will provide the spacecraft bus, the S-band SAR, the launch vehicle, and associated launch services for a 2022 launch. The mission will be operated jointly. This paper describes the planned deployment of the supporting NISAR Mission Testbed (MTB) for the NASA JPL-provided EP. Specifically, this paper provides an overview of the MTB facility composition, capabilities, and known limitations; MTB team responsibilities; plans for MTB integration, checkout, and validation for certification; and the planned uses of the MTB. The planned uses of the MTB support the overarching goals of discovering any problems at the earliest possible time and to offload the System Integration and Testing (SIT) campaign for the flight hardware and software schedule relative to some of the system-level testing. Hence, selected specific testing applications include early system design and functional verification, interface verification, system-level software integration and testing, and mission system prototyping for risk mitigation.
Wnt signaling determines body axis polarity in regenerating Hydra tissue fragments

How an animal establishes its body axis is a fundamental question in developmental biology. The freshwater cnidarian Hydra is an attractive model for studying axis formation because it is radially symmetric, with a single oral-aboral axis. It was recently proposed that the orientation of the new body axis in a regenerating Hydra polyp is determined by the oral-aboral orientation of the actin-myosin contractile processes (myonemes) in the animal's outer epithelial layer. However, it remained unclear how the oral-aboral polarity of the body axis would be defined. As Wnt signaling is known to control axis polarity in Hydra and bilaterians, we hypothesized that it plays a role in axis formation during regeneration of Hydra tissue pieces. We tested this hypothesis using pharmacological perturbations and novel grafting experiments to set Wnt signaling and myoneme orientation perpendicular to each other to determine which controls axis formation. Our results demonstrate that Wnt signaling is the dominant encoder of axis orientation and polarity, in line with its conserved role in axial patterning.
Nonresident holdings of domestic debt in Nigeria: Internal or external driven?

This paper studies the drivers of nonresident holdings of local currency debt in Nigeria. Using data over 2007M1–2019M1, we show that, on average, global factors (global interest rates, oil prices) seem to carry more weight than domestic factors (treasury bills rate and domestic risk) in foreign portfolio investors’ decisions in Nigeria. Specifically, we show that foreign participation is, in the long run, positively correlated with oil prices and profitable rates of return on local‐currency instruments, but negatively correlated with exchange rate depreciation pressures. In the short run, oil prices, opportunity cost of funds and perception of Nigeria‐specific risks also play a role. These results highlight the volatile short‐term nature of such flows and call for a package of policy reforms to attract longer‐term direct investments.
Building Contemporary and Efficient Static Models for Malware Detection

Malware detection capabilities have grown as the sophistication of the attacks has increased. Usually, signature databases are used to identify malicious files. Due to the growing size of these databases and the constant need for updating, most security vendors have started using static models to detect malicious content. These models work with excellent accuracy initially but fail to provide the desired output efficiently in the long run. In this research, we explore a different approach where instead of trying to identify all malware with thousands of attributes with a single model, we propose a smaller set of attributes to detect malware as a first gate before scanning unidentified files with a larger model. By using a smaller set of attributes, we believe we can reduce the processing workload on an endpoint by reducing the number of files required to extract thousands of attributes. If we filter out a subset of files before they need to extract those attributes, we can reduce the resources required on the endpoint. We also look at how to keep our model up to date. We use an updated source that always contains new malware samples and also extracts the features that we have used in our model. Using VirusTotal [4], we obtain thousands of reports on various malicious files. Through validation testing, we have demonstrated that our model works with 97% accuracy.
Alpha-arrestins Aly1 and Aly2 regulate trafficking of the glycerophosphoinositol transporter Git1 and impact phospholipid homeostasis

Abstract Phosphatidylinositol (PI) is an essential phospholipid and critical component of membrane bilayers. The complete deacylation of PI by phospholipases of the B-type leads to the production of intracellular and extracellular glycerophosphoinositol (GPI), a water-soluble glycerophosphodiester. Extracellular GPI is transported into the cell via Git1, a member of the Major Facilitator Superfamily of transporters that resides at the plasma membrane in yeast. Once internalized, GPI can be degraded to produce inositol, phosphate and glycerol, thereby contributing to reserves of these building blocks. Not surprisingly, GIT1 gene expression is controlled by nutrient balance, with limitation for phosphate or inositol each increasing GIT1 expression to facilitate GPI uptake. Less is known about how Git1 protein levels or localization are controlled. Here we show that the α-arrestins, an important class of protein trafficking adaptor, regulate the localization of Git1 in a manner dependent upon their association with the ubiquitin ligase Rsp5. Specifically, α-arrestin Aly2 is needed for effective Git1 internalization from the plasma membrane under basal conditions. However, in response to GPI-treatment of cells, either Aly1 or Aly2 can promote Git1 trafficking to the vacuole. Retention of Git1 at the cell surface, as occurs in aly1Δ aly2Δ cells, results in impaired growth in the presences of excess exogenous GPI and results in increased uptake of radiolabeled GPI, suggesting that accumulation of this metabolite or its downstream products leads to cellular toxicity. We further show that regulation of α-arrestin Aly1 by the protein phosphatase calcineurin improves both steady-state and ligand-induced trafficking of Git1 when a mutant allele of Aly1 that mimics the dephosphorylated state at calcineurin-regulated residues is employed. Thus, calcineurin regulation of Aly1 is important for the GPI-ligand induced trafficking of Git1 by this α-arrestin, however, the role of calcineurin in regulating Git1 trafficking is much broader than can simply be explained by regulation of the α-arrestins. Finally, we find that loss of Aly1 and Aly2 leads to an increase in phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate on the limiting membrane of the vacuole and this alteration is further exacerbated by addition of GPI, suggesting that the effect is at least partially linked to Git1 function. Indeed, loss of Aly1 and Aly2 leads to increased incorporation of inositol label from 3H-inositol-labelled GPI into PI, confirming that internalized GPI influences PI synthesis and indicating a role for the α-arrestins in regulating the process.
A multi-proxy assessment of terrace formation in the lower Trinity River valley, Texas

Abstract. A proposed null hypothesis for fluvial terrace formation is that internally generated or autogenic processes such as lateral migration and river-bend cutoff produce variabilities in channel incision that lead to the abandonment of floodplain segments as terraces. Alternatively, fluvial terraces have the potential to record past environmental changes from external forcings that include temporal changes in sea-level and hydroclimate. Terraces in the Trinity River valley have been previously characterized as Deweyville groups and interpreted to record episodic cut and fill during late Pleistocene sea-level variations. Our study uses high-resolution topography of a bare-earth digital elevation model derived from airborne lidar surveys along ~88 linear km of the modern river valley. We measure both differences in terrace elevations and widths of paleo-channels preserved on these terraces in order to have two independent constraints on terrace formation mechanisms. For 52 distinct terraces, we quantify whether there is a clustering of terrace elevations – expected for allogenic terrace formation tied to punctuated sea-level and/or hydroclimate change – by comparing variability in a chosen set of terrace elevations against variability associated with randomly selected terrace sets. Results show Deweyville groups record an initial valley floor abandoning driven by allogenic forcing, which transitions into autogenic forcing for the formation of younger terraces. For 79 paleo-channel segments preserved on these terraces, we connected observed changes in paleo-channel widths to estimates for river paleo-hydrology over time. Our measurements suggest the discharge of the Trinity River has changed systematically by a factor of ~2 during the late Pleistocene. Methods introduced here combine river-reach scale observations of terrace sets and paleohydrology with local observations of adjacent terrace-elevation change and paleo-channel bend number to show how interpretations of allogenic versus autogenic terrace formation can be evaluated within a single river system.
Airway Heat and Water Exchange

Hyperventilation of dry or cool air causes respiratory heat and water loss, and elicits airflow obstruction in patients with exercise-induced asthma. Though the mechanism by which heat and/or water fluxes are transduced to local airway narrowing remains uncertain, considerable insight has been gained. Theoretical and experimental analyses of intra-airway heat and water transfers have demonstrated that: (1) increasing minute ventilation (MV) promotes further penetration of cool, dry, inspired gas into the lung before it has been fully warmed and humidified to alveolar gas conditions; (2) lowering inspired gas temperature or humidity at fixed MV increases local heat/water losses, but the axial distribution of those losses remains largely unchanged; (3) the net change in airway wall temperature or hydration depends importantly upon the effectiveness of local heat and water replenishing sources that resist the airway cooling and dessication promoted by local heat/water losses. Experimentally documented sequelae of dry gas hyperpnea include broncho-constriction (found in the central airways of guinea pigs and of human asthmatic subjects, and in the dog lung periphery), broncho-vascular arterial dilatation (confirmed in dogs and sheep, and possibly in normal humans), and broncho-vascular hyperpermeability (demonstrated in guinea pigs and ferrets). One or several facets of the physical events that accompany dry gas hyperpnea lead to the release of bronchoactive and vasoactive mediators (including eicosanoids and tachykinins, from animal studies) that could conceivably provoke airflow obstruction by direct stimulation of airway smooth muscle, or by promoting broncho-vascular engorgement and/or hyperpermeability, with consequent edema formation.