cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular Hybridization: An Emerging Tool for the Design of Novel Therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract The pipeline in drug discovery for diseases with complex pathogenic factors has been facing significant challenges recently since the traditional “one molecule, one target” drug discovery paradigm is not adequately addressing many diseases. However, the complex nature of such diseases could be exploited therapeutically to provide novel compounds with multifunctionality properties. To accomplish this, an emerging and promising strategy is to use molecular hybridization/conjugation to develop “multifunctional” hybrids that have the capacity to tackle more than one biological target associated with these diseases. In this chapter molecular hybridization/conjugation in the design of novel disease-modifying agents for Alzheimer’s disease is reviewed for hybrid compounds containing curcumin and membrane anchorage, tacrine-benzofuran hybrids, curcumin/melatonin hybrids, and denonsomin/vitamin D3 hybrids.
Conserved RxLR effectors from oomycetes Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis and Phytophthora sojae suppress PAMP- and effector-triggered immunity in diverse plants

Effector proteins are exported to the interior of host cells by diverse plant pathogens. Many oomycete pathogens maintain large families of candidate effector genes, encoding proteins with a secret...
Wind energy research: State-of-the-art and future research directions

Abstract This paper reports the findings from the 2016 Wind Energy Research Workshop held in Lowell, MA. The workshop examined the state-of-the-art in wind energy research within the following three core topic areas: (A) Wind Turbine Design and Manufacturing including: blades, towers/foundations and nacelle, (B) Wind Farm Development including: offshore installations/siting, flow characterization and loads/waves/wind characterization, and (C) Wind Farm Operations including: controls, power production, wind farms, sensing, diagnostics, testing, structural health monitoring, reliability, energy storage, the grid and power transmission. Research challenges and future directions were discussed and are reported for each sub-topic area.
On quantification of geometry and topology of protein pockets and channels for assessing mutation effects

Geometric and topological features of proteins such as voids, pockets and channels are important for protein functions. We discuss a method for visualizing protein pockets and channels based on orthogonal spheres computed from alpha shapes of the protein structures, and how metric properties of channel surfaces can be mapped. In addition, we discuss how structurally prominent sites, such as constriction sties in channels, can be computed, which may help to understand protein functions and mutation effects, with implications in developing novel therapeutic interventions.
PALEOSOLS AND WIND-BLOWN SEDIMENTS | Soil Morphology in Quaternary Studies

One of the most fundamental characteristics of all soils that enable their recognition is that they exhibit ‘horizon’ development as the most fundamental aspect of a soil profile (i.e., A-B-C profiles of ‘master horizons’). This aspect of soils also allows them to be distinguished from other Earth materials that have some features that strongly resemble those of soil. Soil horizons are recognized on the basis of key attributes that distinguish them from the materials in which they are formed, called soil ‘parent materials.’ Chemical, mineralogical, and biological aspects of soils are used to define different soil horizons, but soil morphologic features are the main basis for recognizing and describing them in field settings. Soil scientists formally recognize literally dozens of soil morphological properties. Some of the more important properties include soil texture, structure, color, mottling, surface coatings, and horizon thickness. These properties can be used to identify the master horizons because certain key properties strongly characterize them. When combined with other types of data (e.g., textural, chemical, mineralogical, and micromorphological), ‘diagnostic’ horizons (e.g., argillic horizon) are designated. Such horizons are the primary basis for the classification of soils in the United States Department of Agronomy Soil Taxonomy.
A paradigm shift in Heidegger research

The Beitrage zur Philosophie mandates a paradigm shift in Heidegger scholarship. In the face of (1) widespread disarray in the current model, the new paradigm (2) abandons “Sein” as a name for die Sache selbst, (3) understands Welt/Lichtung/Da as that which “gives” being, (4) interprets Dasein as apriori openedness rather than as “being-there,” (5) understands the Kehre as the interface of Geworfenheit and Entwurf, not as a shift in Heidegger's thinking, (6) interprets Ereignis as the opening of the Da rather than as “appropriation,” and (7) understands human finitude as what gives all forms of being and all epochs in the history of being. The conclusion alludes to the function of Mitdasein (“co-openness”) as die Sache selbst.
Management Tips for Drought-stressed Forages

The Midwest U.S. has seen some of the most extreme drought conditions of recent memory. Some rain has come recently for most of this area, but not enough for most of us to feel comfortable about. Pastures may still be in poor condition. Many hayfields had enough regrowth that a late fall cut was taken. Regionally, hay supplies are tight and prices are high. Forage management considerations are many. Here are some things to think about as you prioritize you options.
River Meander Modeling and Confronting Uncertainty

This study examines the meandering phenomenon as it occurs in media throughout terrestrial, glacial, atmospheric, and aquatic environments. Analysis of the minimum energy principle, along with theories of Coriolis forces (and random walks to explain the meandering phenomenon) found that these theories apply at different temporal and spatial scales. Coriolis forces might induce topological changes resulting in meandering planforms. The minimum energy principle might explain how these forces combine to limit the sinuosity to depth and width ratios that are common throughout various media. The study then compares the first order analytical solutions for flow field by Ikeda, et al. (1981) and Johannesson and Parker (1989b). Ikeda's et al. linear bank erosion model was implemented to predict the rate of bank erosion in which the bank erosion coefficient is treated as a stochastic variable that varies with physical properties of the bank (e.g., cohesiveness, stratigraphy, or vegetation density). The developed model was used to predict the evolution of meandering planforms. Then, the modeling results were analyzed and compared to the observed data. Since the migration of a meandering channel consists of downstream translation, lateral expansion, and downstream or upstream rotations several measures are formulated in order to determine which ofmore » the resulting planforms is closest to the experimental measured one. Results from the deterministic model highly depend on the calibrated erosion coefficient. Since field measurements are always limited, the stochastic model yielded more realistic predictions of meandering planform evolutions. Due to the random nature of bank erosion coefficient, the meandering planform evolution is a stochastic process that can only be accurately predicted by a stochastic model.« less
Linkage Analysis in Man

The mapping of human chromosomes, though much more complex, is related to cartography. To quote McKusick (1971), “We have a general picture of the various countries (the chromosomes) of the genetic world and have identified many of the municipalities (genes) on the basis of the specific traits to which they give rise. We are still largely in the dark, however, about the location of most of the municipalities even from the standpoint of deciding in what country they belong.”
Mechanisms of inflammation in lung tissue.

Inflammation can be seen as a balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions, with pro-inflammatory reactions involved in the initiation and amplification of inflammation via mediators (chemotactic and vasopermeability factors) and tissue injury (by loss of cell function and death). Anti-inflammatory reactions, on the other hand, will suppress inflammation by inactivation of these mediators (via chemotactic factor inactivator [CFI] and anaphylatoxin inactivator), thus reducing the delivery of destructive enzymes and products of activated leukocytes (1). Although basic mechanisms of inflammatory processes are beginning to be reasonably well understood in the kidney, relatively little is known about inflammation in the lung. Insult to the lung, whether immunologic, infectious or environmental, often will activate intrinsic systems such as the complement system, which generates vasopermeability and chemotactic factors. These factors will recruit leukocytes and serum factors into the lung which will directly damage lung structure and function. In addition, these recruited leukocytes have the potential capacity to amplify inflammatory reactions and tissue injury by various mechanisms: 1. release of lysosomal enzymes; 2. production of free radicals and other factors that damage structural elements; 3. the activation or direct cleavage of complement, complement components, or other lung constituents into active chemotactic factors; 4. activation of other inflammatory pathways such as coagulation; and 5. stimulation of resident lung cells such as macrophages or type II cells to elaborate preformed (chemotactic factors) and precursor (C3 and C5) inflammatory mediators which would increase the recruitment of leukocytes (PMN’s and monocytes) into the lung. At the same time, anti-inflammatory modulators such as the CFI system (serum and cell-derived CFI’s) serve to regulate and limit the inflammatory reactions by inactivating the chemotactic factors, thus blocking the influx of leukocytes into the lung (2). When pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions are properly balanced, inflammation will occur with minimal damage to healthy tissue. Uncontrolled, these inflammatory reactions can destroy healthy tissue with resulting loss of normal lung architecture and function.
Abstract P365: Circulating and Kidney EVs in Angiotensin-induced HTN In Mice

There is emerging evidence that extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be novel bio-markers and bio-activators in the pathogenesis of HTN. We hypothesize that the phenotypes of EVs from the circulation a...
Uncle—Unified NCL Environment—an NCL design tool

Uncle (Unified NULL Convention Logic Environment) is a tool for creating NULL Convention Logic (NCL) designs, which can be downloaded for free. * This chapter discusses Uncle internals and a detailed walk-through of an example design.
Perceptions of long-acting reversible contraception among women receiving medication for opioid use disorder in Vermont.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate perceptions of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) among women receiving medication for opioid use disorder. Study design Cross-sectional survey of 200 women receiving medication for opioid use disorder in Vermont. Results A considerable proportion of women receiving medication for opioid use disorder in Vermont reported previous use of an IUD (40%) and/or a subdermal contraceptive implant (16%); the majority of prior LARC users were satisfied with their IUD (68%) or their implant (74%). Of the 38% of participants who had never considered IUD use, 85% percent (64/75) said that they knew nothing or only a little about IUDs. Of the 61% of participants who had never considered an implant, 81% percent (98/121) said that they knew nothing or only a little about the contraceptive method. The most commonly reported reasons for a lack of interest in the IUD and/or implant were concerns about side effects and preference for a woman-controlled method. Conclusions Gaps in LARC knowledge are common among those who have not used LARCs and concerns about side effects and preferences for a woman-controlled method limit some women’s interest in these contraceptives. Additionally, reasons for dissatisfaction among past users are generally similar for IUD and implant and include irregular bleeding and having a bad experience with the method. Implications Efforts to increase awareness of LARC methods among women receiving medication for opioid use disorder should address concerns about side effects and reproductive autonomy and encourage satisfied LARC users to share their experiences with their social networks.
The use of portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry to measure apparent total tract digestibility in beef cattle and sheep.

The use of portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry to detect external markers on processed or unprocessed cattle and sheep fecal specimens to estimate apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was evaluated. Exp. 1: ruminally cannulated Angus-crossbred steers (n = 7; BW = 520 ± 30 kg) were individually fed ad libitum for 21 d in a completely randomized design (CRD). Markers (Cr2O3 and TiO2) were placed inside the rumen twice daily (7.5 g of each marker). Fecal samples were collected twice daily from day 14 to 21. Exp. 2: crossbred wethers (n = 8; BW = 68 ± 3 kg) were individually fed ad libitum for 21 d in a CRD. During this period, 2 g of Cr2O3 and TiO2 were top-dressed onto the feed twice daily. Sheep were housed in metabolism crates for 5 d for total fecal collection. Concentration of markers was determined on diets, refusals, and fecal specimens (fresh, dry-only, and dried/ground) using atomic absorption to detect Cr and spectrophotometry for Ti. Concentration of both markers was also determined via the PXRF spectrometer. Delta between ATTD estimated by wet chemistry and PXRF was not different from zero (P ≥ 0.14) when using cattle fresh fecal specimens for both markers, whereas ATTD estimated by PXRF with dry-only and dried/ground fecal specimens were 3.6 and 1.1 percent units lower (P ≤ 0.04), respectively, than ATTD estimated by wet chemistry for Cr and Ti, respectively. Regardless of the fecal sample preparation method on cattle specimens, Ti concentration was similar (P = 0.39) among methodologies, while Cr was underestimated (P < 0.01) by 13% when PXRF was used in dry-only or dried/ground samples. The ATTD of sheep was underestimated (P < 0.01) by 2.4 percent units compared with control when Cr was measured by PXRF in dry-only samples. The Cr concentration in dry-only fecal specimens of sheep tended (P = 0.09) to be lower compared with wet chemistry analysis. Fresh and dry/ground sheep fecal samples assessed for Cr, and dry-only assessed for Ti were not (P ≥ 0.49) affected by detection method. The Cr fecal recovery tended (P = 0.10) to be the lowest for dry-only, the greatest for wet chemistry, intermediate for fresh and dry/ground sheep-fecal specimens; while not affected (P = 0.40) for Ti. The PXRF is an accurate technology to detect Cr and Ti in fresh cattle fecal samples to estimate ATTD. For fresh and dry/ground, the technology was effective for determining the concentration of Cr, or dry-only fecal specimens when detecting Ti in sheep specimens.
Advancing Water Equity Demands New Approaches to Sustainability Science

In the US, access to fresh water has historically built wealth for advantaged, mostly White communities, whereas communities of color are disproportionately burdened by degraded water quality and infrastructure disinvestments. As sustainability scientists aim to ameliorate these inequities, they must center historical context, synthetic thinking, and co-development with community partners.
Matters horn and other features in the computational learning theory landscape: the notion of membership

Current knowledge representation research has sought to provide schemes for encoding knowledge about how a given system behaves, with the goal being accuracy and utility. Ideally, the goal of encoding knowledge is not the task of encoding, but the product of the encoding task. If such encodings are required for a variety of systems, then question of automating the process of encoding arises. This thesis considers this automation process to be a question of whether it is possible to automatically learn the encoding based on the behavior of the system to be described. A variety of representation languages ${\cal L}$ are considered, as are a variety of means for the learner to acquire a variety of types of data about the system in question. The learning process is abstracted as a learning problem in which the goal is to collect efficiently sufficient information to identify some hidden concept C represented using the language ${\cal L}$. The source of information about C is its relationship to some class of examples ${\cal X}$ that is assumed to be reasonably available even though C itself is not. In addition to conjecturing guesses as to the identity of C, the learner is permitted ask how C relates to individuals $x \in {\cal X}$. The goal of inquiry about this automation process is either to produce a learning algorithm that efficiently automates the encoding of any representation that uses some useful representation language ${\cal L}$ or to show that no such learning algorithm is possible. The centerpiece of this thesis is that there do exist learning algorithms for two natural representation languages: propositional Horn sentences and the C scLASSIC description logic.
IMPACT survey: IMpaired fecundity in Physicians and Association with Clinical Time.

Objective Studies suggest female physicians experience higher rates of infertility than the general population. The overall objective of this study was to determine the rate of impaired fecundity in a sample of female emergency physicians and compare it to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) data. Impaired fecundity is defined as physical difficulty in getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to live birth. Methods We performed a cross-sectional survey of female emergency physicians to determine the rate of impaired fecundity. Survey questions were adapted from the NSFG to allow comparison to the general population. Statistical comparisons were made using contingency tables (with chi-square and tau-c assessments), 1-sample t tests, and independent samples t tests, as appropriate. Results A total of 2072 women completed the survey with a mean (SD) current age of 38.9 (7.2) years. Data were analyzed for women of childbearing years (15-44 years old as defined by the CDC; n = 1705 [82% total responses]). The rate of impaired fecundity in emergency physicians was 24.9% as compared to the NSFG cohort (12.1%; P < 0.001). Female emergency physicians with impaired fecundity reported working 9.8 overall more clinical hours (95% CI 2.5-17) and 4.5 more night hours (95% CI 0.8-8.2) than those with normal fecundity. Conclusion Female emergency physicians have increased rates of impaired fecundity when compared with a general population cohort. Clinical workload and night shifts are greater in female emergency physicians with impaired fecundity. Research is needed to elucidate work-related impaired fecundity risk factors.
Ruminal acidosis, bacterial changes, and lipopolysaccharides

Acute and subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) are common nutritional problems in both beef and dairy cattle. Therefore, the objective of this review is to describe how ruminal Gram-negative bacteria could contribute to the pathogenesis of ruminal acidoses, by releasing lipopolysaccharides (LPS; a component of their cell wall) in the ruminal fluid. When cattle consume excessive amounts of highly fermentable carbohydrates without prior adaptation, normal fermentation become disrupted. The fermentation of these carbohydrates quickly decreases ruminal pH due to the accumulation of short-chain fatty acids and lactate in the rumen. As a consequence, ruminal epithelium may be damaged and tissue function could be impaired, leading to a possible translocation of pathogenic substances from the rumen into the bloodstream. Such changes in fermentation are followed by an increase in Gram-positive bacteria while Gram-negative bacteria decrease. The lyses of Gram-negative bacteria during ruminal acidosis increase LPS concentration in the ruminal fluid. Because LPS is a highly proinflammatory endotoxin in the circulatory system, past studies have raised concerns regarding ruminal LPS contribution to the pathogenesis of ruminal acidosis. Although animals that undergo these disorders do not always have an immune response, recent studies showed that different Gram-negative bacteria have different LPS composition and toxicity, which may explain the differences in immune response. Given the diversity of Gram-negative bacteria in the rumen, evaluating the changes in the bacterial community during ruminal acidosis could be used as a way to identify which Gram-negative bacteria are associated with LPS release in the rumen. By identifying and targeting ruminal bacteria with possible pathogenic LPS, nutritional strategies could be created to overcome, or at least minimize, ruminal acidosis.
Design and Implementation of a Heterogeneous Multi-Hop OWC/RF Relay Architecture for Opportunistic Ultra-Dense Wireless Networks

Wireless capacity requirements continue to see significant growth each year due to an increasing number of wireless devices along with increasing per-device data demand. Network densification has historically driven the majority of wireless capacity gains; however, infrastructural constraints limit the ability to continue this trend of bringing base stations or access points (APs) closer to the user devices. Adding to this challenge is the wide range of contexts in which novel wireless devices are used. In particular, wireless devices vary greatly in terms of their typical translational and rotational motion. Highly directional optical wireless communications (OWC) offer excellent potential to provide high area spectral efficiency (ASE) while maintaining a practical distance between APs and user devices; but the technology is not optimal for highly mobile devices. In this paper, we introduce a novel relay architecture that connects stationary devices to an OWC AP and opportunistically uses these stationary devices as low power RF APs in a relay configuration. We present results for a single-cell instance of the architecture and demonstrate that the system not only adds the capacity of the OWC link; but also offers the flexibility to distribute the added capacity across different devices and improve the overall network fairness.
An Introduction to Spectral Convergence: Challenges and Paths to Solutions

With rapid advances in flexible, software-defined computational architectures and radio front-end technologies, we have an opportunity to improve the efficiency of spectral use, reinforce system reliability, and enable new system capabilities. We deprecate the traditional “stove-piped” approach towards spectral management in favor of networks of RF, mmWave, and terahertz systems that jointly execute multiple radio functions, including communications; radar; positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT); spectral situational awareness; and opportunistic spectrum access. Such multi-function systems are enabled by a class of waveform, processing, and co-design techniques which we label spectral convergence. In this paper, we review the set of challenges obstructing the integration of such devices into the same spectral region. We briefly survey the current status of the field, outline a taxonomy of solution classes, and recommend paths towards fruitful research. We discuss existing and novel approaches towards enabling multifunction systems in the context of contemporary applications such as automotive networks and satellite meshes. We address the challenges associated with distributed resource optimization in networks of multi-function systems. We apply these concepts to a simple automotive network example and demonstrate the potential of spectral convergence solutions in a basic simulation environment
The Continuing Threshold Test for Free Exercise Claims

When a claimant challenges some governmental law or action under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, courts have long required the claimant to make out a prima facie case that the government has burdened the exercise of the claimant's sincerely held religious beliefs. This requirement has been referred to as the threshold test for free exercise claims, since claimants must make this showing as a threshold matter before courts will proceed to evaluate the burden and the governmental interest at stake under some standard of scrutiny. This Article argues that, while the U.S. Supreme Court has recently adopted a more deferential standard of scrutiny for many types of free exercise claims, the Court has never signaled dissatisfaction with the threshold test itself, and indeed could not abandon the test without being unfaithful to the text of the Free Exercise Clause. Moreover, the Article proposes that the Court's most recent free exercise case, Locke v. Davey, can be understood as a rejection of the claimant's challenge for failure to satisfy the threshold test. So understood, Davey signals little change in free exercise law and poses no new obstacle to claimants in future free exercise challenges involving governmental funding programs of various sorts.
Time to Fix the Damage of Weakened Chemical Disaster Prevention Regulations.

The Trump administration weakened regulations through changes on rules that have been improved during the Obama years. An example is the reversal in 2019 of the improvements to the U.S. Environment...
Examining silenc(ing) in literature discussion groups

Abstract Though researchers have documented literature discussion groups and the importance of accountable/academic talk, fewer studies have examined how students and ideas have been silenced in small autonomous groups. This case study draws on a sociocultural perspective and dialogic participation in these spaces as sites of knowledge generation. Our study investigated the question, “What factors may contribute to the silencing of students and ideas in autonomous literature groups?” Focusing on a sixth grade class of 21 students (11 boys and 10 girls) in a private school, we gathered a variety of data: formal and informal interviews from Nora (the teacher) and her students; recorded transcripts of discussion groups; field notes from classroom observations; selected student and teacher journal entries; artifacts from Nora's professional presentations and information shared with parents; and, think alouds and member checks from Nora. Findings indicated that there were multiple factors that might contribute to silencing: those related to the teacher's discourse routines and instructional scaffolding decisions and those related to the students’ academic and social histories, including classroom gender norms and social hierarchies. More importantly, these factors were in transaction with one another, which affected the strength of the factors. For example, the turn-taking norm advocated by the teacher, was intended to ensure that all participants had access to the floor. However, this norm also functioned to silence topics or individuals. Students focused on the norm rather than on exploration of ideas, sharing journal entries in a pro forma fashion. Students who moved to follow this norm sometimes interrupted discussion of another student's ideas in order to make time for all to share. Other students cited this norm when attempting to hold the floor or to avoid a complex conversation. Some students seemed to use this norm to privilege certain voices over others. The complexity of the transaction of factors offers a more nuanced understanding of how silencing occurs. Teachers and researchers, leaning into this complexity, may be better equipped to help students recognize and disrupt such silencing.
Epilogue: Future Directions for Studying the Life and Legacy of Renée de France

This brief chapter suggests avenues for future study. Peebles and Scarlatta highlight forthcoming scholarly efforts of interest to this volume’s audience, including their own critically edited translation of works written by and about Renee de France, Portraits of Renee de France: Letters, Documents, Literary Works (in preparation for the series The Other Voice in Early Modern Europe, ACMRS Press and Iter) and a project to create a three-dimensional model of Renee’s castle and grounds as they appeared in her lifetime, “Montargis 3D—Le Songe de Renee,” led by a team from l’Universite de Tours, which includes one of the volume’s contributors, Cyril Cvetkovic. The editors also suggest promising approaches to studying Renee and her legacy that extend beyond the scope of this volume, such as the digital humanities.
Fast and Exact Leave-One-Out Analysis of Large-Margin Classifiers

Motivated by the Golub-Heath-Wahba formula for ridge regression, we first present a new leave-one-out lemma for the kernel support vector machines (SVM) and related large-margin classifiers. We the...
Forage systems for beef production from conception to slaughter: II. Stocker systems.

Fall weaned Angus calves grazed stockpiled 1) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), 2) tall fescue-red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), or 3) tall fescue-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or were barn-fed, 4) tall fescue hay, 5) orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)-alfalfa hay, or 6) tall fescue silage from late October to early April during each of 5 yr. Infection of the fescue with Acremonium coenophialum ranged from 0 to 55%. There were two replications each of steers and heifers for each forage system in a completely random design. Each replicate was grazed by three Angus stockers, except for System 1, which was grazed by six stockers, for a total of 420 stockers. Each pasture replicate contained .8 ha (except System 1, which was 1.6 ha), and the stocking rate was one stocker per .27 ha. Fescue hay and silage were harvested each spring for barn-fed systems from the area stockpiled for grazing by cattle in System 1. Nitrogen fertilizer (90 kg/ha) was applied in early spring and again in early August, before stockpiling; no N was applied to stockpiled fescue grown with legumes. Daily gains by calves grazing stockpiled fescue-alfalfa were greater (P less than .01) than by calves grazing stockpiled fescue-red clover or N-fertilized stockpiled fescue (.50, .33, and .34 kg/d, respectively), but fescue-alfalfa calves required more days (P less than .01) of supplemental hay feeding (105, 60, and 36, respectively). Calves fed fescue hay in the barn gained more (P less than .01) than those fed fescue silage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Anti-hyperalgesic Effects of Imidazoline I2 Receptor Ligands and their Interactions with Opioids in a Rat Model of Inflammatory Pain

Pain affects > 30% of the U.S. population and currently available analgesics are not adequate to meet the clinical needs. Opioids are effective for treating moderate to severe pain; however, their ...
IT Project Management

IT project management refers to the application of a set of methodologies, tools, procedures, and practices to the planning and execution of an IT project. A project manager must lead a team of people through the multiple phases of a project (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling, and closing), while also maintaining the delicate balance of time, cost, and project scope. Project management training and certifications are available to assist project managers in obtaining the requisite skills that they will need to guide a project to successful completion. Project management standards and methodologies, as well as other types of project management tools and techniques, are often utilized in order to control the complex matrix of variables that must be managed during the course of the project. As organizations and technologies change in the future, project management methods will also need to transform and adapt accordingly. Keywords: project management; risk; project management triangle; stakeholders; standards
Impacts of Expanding Health Care Coverage on the Employment and Earnings of Participants in the SSI Work Incentive Program - Policy Brief

While people with disabilities often say that a loss of public health insurance is a deterrent to work, it is rare to find situations in which they might actually exhibit such a behavioral response to a change in access. Expansions in the income threshold for SSI work incentives program (Sections 1619(a) and (b)) provide an opportunity to observe such a response. Section 1619(b) allows SSI recipients to maintain Medicaid eligibility even if their income is above the level that makes them ineligible for SSI payments. If earnings increase beyond the 1619(b) threshold, however, the person loses their SSI and Medicaid eligibility. Section 1619(b) income thresholds vary significantly across states and over time. Stapleton and Tucker (2000) use the variation in Section 1619(b) income thresholds to examine the employment, earnings and program participation patterns of SSI recipients who have incomes near the threshold level for their state. They find strong evidence that many SSI recipients restrain their earnings to stay below the 1619(b) threshold. It is important to note, however, that the findings only provide evidence on the behavior of a small portion of the population with disabilities (i.e., SSI recipients who work). Nonetheless, this evidence seems to provide strong empirical support for the hypothesis that lack of access to health insurance is an important work disincentive for people with disabilities. They also find that 1619(b) participation varies significantly from month to month. Consequently, cross-sectional estimates on the share of SSI recipients participating in 1619(b) significantly understate the share of SSI recipients who ever participate. These findings are consistent with previous findings that cross-sectional estimates of employment tend to understate multi-period employment patterns for the broader population with disabilities.
Smoking and health in Indonesia. The need for comprehensive intervention strategies.

Indonesia is one of the top five tobacco-consuming countries in the world (Ng et al. 2006). Most Indonesians consider cigarette-smoking socially acceptable (Aditama 2002). This study seeks to determine the extent to which the three theoretical debates identified by Pampel and Rogers (2004) are applicable in Indonesia. The empirical work of this study will be based on the 2000 Indonesian Family and Life Survey (2000 IFLS). The main conclusion from the regression analyses is that the effect of smoking on health is similar across all the socio-economic characteristics at the individual, household and community levels. Overall, multivariate analyses suggest that an additive relationship between socio-economic status and health, and the health impact of smoking in Indonesia, reflect neither the forces of the Blaxter nor social vulnerability hypotheses. The analyses of 2000 IFLS also suggest that marriage has beneficial effects on health and smoking-related morbidity.
Study of Search Engine Transaction Logs Shows Little Change in How Users use Search Engines

A review of: Jansen, Bernard J., and Amanda Spink. “How Are We Searching the World Wide Web? A Comparison of Nine Search Engine Transaction Logs.” Information Processing & Management 42.1 (2006): 248-263. Objective – To examine the interactions between users and search engines, and how they have changed over time. Design – Comparative analysis of search engine transaction logs. Setting – Nine major analyses of search engine transaction logs. Subjects – Nine web search engine studies (4 European, 5 American) over a seven-year period, covering the search engines Excite, Fireball, AltaVista, BWIE and AllTheWeb. Methods – The results from individual studies are compared by year of study for percentages of single query sessions, one-term queries, operator (and, or, not, etc.) usage and single result page viewing. As well, the authors group the search queries into eleven different topical categories and compare how the breakdown has changed over time. Main Results – Based on the percentage of single query sessions, it does not appear that the complexity of interactions has changed significantly for either the U.S.-based or the European-based search engines. As well, there was little change observed in the percentage of one-term queries over the years of study for either the U.S.-based or the European-based search engines. Few users (generally less than 20%) use Boolean or other operators in their queries, and these percentages have remained relatively stable. One area of noticeable change is in the percentage of users viewing only one results page, which has increased over the years of study. Based on the studies of the U.S.-based search engines, the topical categories of ‘People, Place or Things’ and ‘Commerce, Travel, Employment or Economy’ are becoming more popular, while the categories of ‘Sex and Pornography’ and ‘Entertainment or Recreation’ are declining. Conclusions – The percentage of users viewing only one results page increased during the years of the study, while the percentages of single query sessions, one-term sessions and operator usage remained stable. The increase in single result page viewing implies that users are tending to view fewer results per web query. There was also a significant difference in the percentage of queries using Boolean operators between the US-based and the European-based search engines. One of the study’s findings was that results from a study of a particular search engine cannot necessarily be applied to all search engines. Finally, web search topics show a trend towards information or commerce searching rather than entertainment.
Anticancer agent xanthohumol inhibits IL-2 induced signaling pathways involved in T cell proliferation

Xanthohumol (XN), a prenylated chalcone present in hops exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activity. In the present study we show that XN inhibits the proliferation of mouse lymphoma cells and IL-2 induced proliferation and cell cycle progression in mouse splenic T cells. The suppression of T cell proliferation by XN was due to the inhibition of IL-2 induced Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (Jak/STAT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) signaling pathways. XN also inhibited proliferation-related cellular proteins such as c-Myc, c-Fos and NF-κB and cyclin D1. Thus, understanding of IL-2 induced cell signaling pathways in normal T cells, which are constitutively turned on in T cell lymphomas may facilitate development of XN for the treatment of hematologic cancers.
Postoperative pain in children

Summary An audit project was designed to assess and improve the provision of postoperative analgesia in a children's hospital. Pain assessment for all children and analgesia standards for our institution were introduced prior to data collection. Data were collected on consecutive samples of 316 and 325 children undergoing surgery as inpatients during 10-week periods. Change was initiated between the two periods in response to our findings; our action plan involved education, changes to documentation, the widespread use of diclofenac in children over 2 years of age and recommendations far the prescription of analgesia. The initial prescription of analgesia increased from 95% to 98% (p = 0.019), administration of analgesia to children experiencing bad or severe pain increased from 57% to 71% (p = 0.032) and the number of children experiencing severe pain reduced from 17% to 11% (p = 0,050). Application of audit, by a clinical nurse specialist, enabled us to achieve and demonstrate improvements in the prescription, administration and effectiveness of postoperative analgesia.
Reshaping psychology at Clark: the Werner era.

Heinz Werner, a comparative-developmental psychologist who had emigrated from Europe in 1933, came to Clark in 1947 when the once-renowned psychology department was at a low ebb. Under Werner's leadership, the department reestablished its reputation as a center of research and graduate training. It is suggested that Werner's vision of psychology and graduate education led him to form a department that had a unique perspective and was, in many respects, ahead of its time. The question of Werner's position in relation to the mainstream is considered.
Characterization of AC Electrokinetic Forces Using Pressure-Driven Flow in a Microchannel

Ac electrokinetics is a versatile technique for particle and fluid manipulation in microfluidic environment. However, analyzing and predicting particle motions due to the ac electrokinetic effects is a difficult task because it requires the quantitative understanding of multiple phenomena such as dielectrophoresis (DEP), ac electroosmosis (ACEO), and electrothermal effects (ETE). In this paper we present a force balance approach to analyze ac electrokinetic effects, particularly ACEO. Pressure-driven flows were used to quantify the ACEO and DEP forces acting on a particle. Polystyrene microbeads suspended in KCl solution were introduced in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels attached to a glass plate with gold microelectrodes. The microbeads were initially collected and aligned along the center of the electrodes at 1 kHz and 1 Vp-p , and then a well-controlled pressure-driven flow was introduced resulting in the translation of the particles. Particles moved to a new location where a new force balance is reached. This particle translation on the surface of the electrode was carefully monitored as varying the applied flow rate. The net force due to ac electrokinetic effects at different locations over the electrode was calculated using the experimental data and the force balance relationship.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Work Orientations in the Classroom

This article discusses the factors affecting a student's engagement in the classroom. Student predispositions toward work are examined, and four work orientations are described. It is concluded that the traditional educational environment is conducive to only one of the four orientations. Suggestions are given for developing pedagogies that appeal to students of each orientation.
The association of herpesvirus type 2 infection and cervical cancer.

Several hypotheses have been posited on the observed association between herpesvirus type 2 (HSV-2) infection and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. One is covariability since attributes associated with sexual promiscuity are found more frequently among women who develop cervical cancer and among women infected by the virus. However a Houston study of a population with similar attributes assoicated with increased risk of developing cervical cancer and for becoming infected with a venereally transmitted agent shows that the association is not one of covariables of sexual promiscuity. Within each race studied (Negro and Caucasian) the sampled population was relatively homogeneous with respect to sexual and reproductive-associated factors. Another hypothesis is that malignant changes increase patient susceptibility to the viral infection and may precede the virus infection. However several studies show that infectivity with the virus can occur before the development of cervical cancer. The inability to demonstrate the difference in the occurrence of antibodies to HSV-2 between cases and controls in all geographic areas is the strongest evidence against the hypothesis that the virus is etiologically related to cervical neoplasia. Current serologic techniques for measuring HSV-2 antibodies do not accurately reflect the occurrence of past exposures to the virus infection. The observed geographic differences may also be attributed to differences in strains of HSV-2; or the HSV-2 may be etiologically related to only a portion of the cases of cervical cancer and the portion may vary in different social settings. Other viruses may also be carcinogenic like the cytomegalovirus which infects the uterine cervix and which is venereally transmitted under certain conditions. Overall available data are not sufficient to either refute or establish the etiologic role of HSV-2 in cervical cancer. The oncogenic potential of the virus has been demonstrated in hamsters and in the observation of a greater risk of developing cervical cancer among women infected with HSV-2 than among women with similar sexual and reproductive-associated factors but without a past HSV-2 infection. If the virus is etiologically related effective prevention programs should be designed.
Recall of categorized words lists.

According to Millers' chunk hypothesis, the number of word categories (chunks) represented in the immediate word recall of a list of 20 categories of words should be the same as the number of words recalled from a list of 20 unrelated words. Using a design involving list lengths of 10, 15, and 20 ch
New Sequential Copolymers and Networks by a Combination of Techniques

Research into the mechanism of the inifer process led to perfectly end functionalized (telechelic) linear or three-arm star polyisobutylenes (PIB)s. Recently a semicontinuous technique has been developed and is now routinely employed for the synthesis of these materials. The ingredients are fed into a stirred reactor and by controlling their input rates PIB telechelics with virtually theoretical Mn and Mw/Mn are harvested. The first intermediates that form are t-chlorine telechelic PIBs which can then be quantitatively converted to other well-defined telechelics, e.g., PIBs carrying olefin, alcohol, phenol, etc. end groups. PIB diols and triols are now available on a semicommercial scale in various molecular weights. Telechelic PIBs have been used for the preparation of new block copolymers and/or networks by a variety of techniques. For example, a combination of polymerization and coupling techniques have been employed for the synthesis of a new class of di- and triblock copolymers consisting of PIB and polyethylene glycol sequences. Thus phenol-ended PIBs were reacted with a slight stoichiometric excess of diisocyanates, and the resulting isocyanate-capped prepolymers were then reacted with commercially available polyethylene glycols. These hydrophobic/hydrophilic (amphiphilic) materials exhibit some unusual dilute solution properties.
Health monitoring for infrastructure management

The objective of this paper is to present and discuss the most critical issues the writers have identified as needing resolution in order to implement meaningful and beneficial applications of health-monitoring. The challenges in the integration of intelligent transportation and structural systems concepts within an optimum integrated asset management framework will be overviewed. Examples from ongoing research on the health-monitoring of short-span bridge families and long-span bridges will be offered to illustrate the issues.
Functional Test Generation at the RTL Using Swarm Intelligence and Bounded Model Checking

Although stochastic search techniques have shown promise in test generation and design validation, they often fail when there is a specific, random-resistant sequence of vectors required to exercise a target. In order to combat this, deterministic techniques are added, resulting in a hybrid solution to maintain high speed of execution while improving metric performance. This paper presents a formal hybridization that combines a Register Transfer Level (RTL) stochastic swarm intelligence based test vector generation with the Verilator Verilog-to-C++ source-to-source compiler. Verilator generates a fast cycle accurate C++ simulation unit for Verilog descriptions and provides instrumentation for branch and toggle coverage metrics. This RTL model can also be used to generate a bounded model checking (BMC) instance. During the stochastic search, the bounded model checker is launched to expand the unexplored search frontier and aid in the navigation of narrow paths. Additionally, an inductive reach ability test is applied in order to eliminate unreachable branches from our search space. These additions have significantly improved branch coverage, reaching 100% in several ITC99 benchmarks. Additionally, compared to previous functional test generation methods, we achieve substantial speedup achieved with purely stochastic methods.