cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiplexed RNAscope and immunofluorescence on whole-mount skeletal myofibers and their associated stem cells

Skeletal muscle myofibers are large syncytial cells comprising hundreds of myonuclei, and in situ hybridization experiments have reported a range of transcript localization patterns within them. Although some transcripts are uniformly distributed throughout myofibers, proximity to specialized regions can affect the programming of myonuclei and functional compartmentalization of transcripts. Established techniques are limited by a lack of both sensitivity and spatial resolution, restricting the ability to identify different patterns of gene expression. In this study, we adapted RNAscope fluorescent in situ hybridization technology for use on whole-mount mouse primary myofibers, a preparation that isolates single myofibers with their associated muscle stem cells remaining in their niche. This method can be combined with immunofluorescence, enabling an unparalleled ability to visualize and quantify transcripts and proteins across the length and depth of skeletal myofibers and their associated stem cells. Using this approach, we demonstrate a range of potential uses, including the visualization of specialized transcriptional programming within myofibers, tracking activation-induced transcriptional changes, quantification of stem cell heterogeneity and evaluation of stem cell niche factor transcription patterns.
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis: from clinical trials to clinical practice:

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the most common form of secondary osteoporosis. To date, six large randomized controlled clinical trials on the efficacy of pharmaceutical treatment in GIOP have been conducted. All of these studies have focused predominately on bone mineral density outcomes, and none of them have been statistically powered to address fracture endpoints. The purpose of this review is to highlight differences in the design and results within these large randomized GIOP clinical trials, and how these differences might affect clinical decisions. Differences between studies in trial design, populations studied, and variable efficacy impact the comparability and generalizability of these findings, and ultimately should affect practitioners' behavior. We review the clinical trials that provide the best quality evidence on comparative efficacy and safety of GIOP treatments. We also propose suggestions on the design of future GIOP clinical trials with attention to improved generalizability, and, ideally, study designs that might achieve fracture outcomes.
Real-time presurgical resting-state fMRI in patients with brain tumors: Quality control and comparison with task-fMRI and intraoperative mapping.

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) is a promising task-free functional imaging approach, which may complement or replace task-based fMRI (tfMRI) in patients who have difficulties performing required tasks. However, rsfMRI is highly sensitive to head movement and physiological noise, and validation relative to tfMRI and intraoperative electrocortical mapping is still necessary. In this study, we investigate (a) the feasibility of real-time rsfMRI for presurgical mapping of eloquent networks with monitoring of data quality in patients with brain tumors and (b) rsfMRI localization of eloquent cortex compared with tfMRI and intraoperative electrocortical stimulation (ECS) in retrospective analysis. Five brain tumor patients were studied with rsfMRI and tfMRI on a clinical 3T scanner using MultiBand(8)-echo planar imaging (EPI) with repetition time: 400 ms. Moving-averaged sliding-window correlation analysis with regression of motion parameters and signals from white matter and cerebrospinal fluid was used to map sensorimotor and language resting-state networks. Data quality monitoring enabled rapid optimization of scan protocols, early identification of task noncompliance, and head movement-related false-positive connectivity to determine scan continuation or repetition. Sensorimotor and language resting-state networks were identifiable within 1 min of scan time. The Euclidean distance between ECS and rsfMRI connectivity and task-activation in motor cortex, Broca's, and Wernicke's areas was 5-10 mm, with the exception of discordant rsfMRI and ECS localization of Wernicke's area in one patient due to possible cortical reorganization and/or altered neurovascular coupling. This study demonstrates the potential of real-time high-speed rsfMRI for presurgical mapping of eloquent cortex with real-time data quality control, and clinically acceptable concordance of rsfMRI with tfMRI and ECS localization.
Feasibility of coronary endothelial function assessment using arterial spin labeled CMR

Coronary endothelial dysfunction (CED) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease, but its assessment has been limited to invasive coronary angiography. Myocardial perfusion imaging using arterial spin labeled (ASL) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may be an effective non-invasive alternative for detection of CED. Thirty-four patients were recruited: 10 healthy volunteers, 13 at high-risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), and 11 with established CAD. ASL-CMR was performed continuously in a single mid-short axis slice during rest, stress, and recovery. Stress was induced with sustained isometric handgrip exercise, an endothelial dependent stressor. Myocardial perfusion (MP) during rest, peak stress, and recovery were calculated and compared. After excluding subjects unable to complete the protocol or who exhibited poor data quality, 6 healthy, 10 high-risk, and 7 CAD patients were included in the analysis. Average MP (ml/g/min) was 1.31 ± 1.23, 1.61 ± 1.12, and 1.40 ± 0.97 at rest, and 1.64 ± 1.49, 2.31 ± 1.61, and 2.84 ± 1.77 during stress, for the CAD, high-risk and healthy group, respectively. The average MP response (MPstress - MPrest , ml/g/min) was 0.32 ± 1.93, 0.69 ± 1.34, and 1.44 ± 1.46 for CAD, high-risk and healthy group, respectively. MP during handgrip stress was significantly lower for both the CAD (p = 0.0005) and high-risk groups (p = 0.05) compared to the healthy volunteers. In only the healthy subjects, MP was significantly higher in stress compared to rest (p = 0.0002). Participants with CAD had significantly lower MP response compared to healthy volunteers, as detected by ASL-CMR. These findings support the feasibility of ASL-CMR for non-invasive assessment of CED.
Introduction: Exploring the Enduring Questions of Curriculum in Context

This Reader provides comprehensive, inquiry-based analysis of curriculum issues by challenging the compartmentalized understanding of theory and curriculum foundations through multiple perspectives. In the introductory chapter, we provide an overview of the book and its focus on twentieth-century curriculum and schooling that transcends familiar theoretical debates to delve into the details of the daily lives of teachers, students, and communities. We use this as a starting point to reapproach curriculum history from the perspective of educators and students. How did teachers teach in the past? What did students do? What was school like in the past? Through a close examination of these questions, readers can see the many ways schooling and education in a broader sense has changed and remained consistent since 1900.
Flip Chip Underfill RF Characterization

Abstract To develop reliable high-speed packages, characterization of the underfill material used in the flip-chip process has become of greater importance. The underfill, typically an epoxy resin-...
Are all jobs created equal? Regional employment impacts of a U.S. carbon tax

Abstract While the environmental benefits of carbon taxes are well documented, their employment impacts are not. We simulate an escalating $25/tCO2 tax on the U.S. electricity system and estimate the resulting employment effects using a computable general equilibrium model. Meta-modeling of the results reveals how carbon taxes influence costs, prices, fuel shares and jobs. Overall, we estimate that the carbon tax would increase U.S. employment – e.g., by 511,000 jobs in 2030. Regional heterogeneities are explained, in part, by the path dependency of electricity portfolios and by regional resource variations. The carbon tax would motivate significant CO2 emission reductions, as well as utility bill increases that could on average be offset by carbon tax dividends. The possibility of inter-regional wealth transfers is highlighted, underscoring the importance of revenue recycling and other policy features that promote inclusive benefits.
Rare Presentation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Foot in a Noncompliant HIV+ Patient.

Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is most commonly found on sun-damaged skin and less often occurs on the toes and feet. Case report A 41-year-old man with a history of human immunodeficiency virus and asthma, who had received highly active antiretroviral therapy for 7 years while incarcerated, presented to the emergency department with a primary SCC of the left foot with inguinal lymph node metastasis. The patient underwent a left foot transmetatarsal amputation; due to noncompliance, he underwent a below-the-knee amputation 17 days later as a result of surgical findings and extent of infection. The surgical site fully healed without further complications. The patient now has phantom limb pain of the left leg, sees oncology for palliative marijuana use, and refuses the recommended positron-emission tomography/computed tomography scan for completion of cancer staging. Conclusions This case shows the importance of patient compliance and timely treatment of SCC and surgical wounds in an immunosuppressed individual.
Sleep duration is related to increased mortality risk through white blood cell counts in a large national sample.

Objectives Sleep, like many biological processes, is linked with immunity and inflammation such that "abnormal" sleep is associated with changes in circulating immune cells. These sleep patterns are also associated with increased mortality risk, and it may be that altered immune cell counts are one biological pathway through which sleep affects mortality. We used NHANES survey data to examine the associations between sleep duration, total white blood cell (WBC) count, and mortality from biological causes. Methods Several waves of public NHANES data (2005-2011; n = 11 353, ages 18+) were analyzed using bivariate statistics and causal mediation models including corrections for complex survey design. Results Deceased individuals were characterized by higher WBC but lower monocyte counts relative to surviving individuals. Significant associations between sleep duration, total WBC count, monocytes and mortality were found, as were marginally significant relationships between sleep and these cell counts. Significant mediated effects of sleep on mortality were found. Including covariates known to affect mortality, such as BMI, age, and self-reported health resulted in a nonsignificant mediated effect of sleep on mortality for monocytes, while mediated effects for total WBC count remained. Conclusions This large, cross-sectional analysis suggests that sleep duration is associated with changes in mortality risk through-in part-effects on leukocyte count. These findings support an immunological/inflammatory pathway linking sleep and mortality. Further research in populations with quantitatively different sleep patterns can determine whether this sleep-immune-mortality pathway is restricted to Western, industrial samples or is characteristic of humans in general.
Targeting Tryptophan for Tagging through Photoinduced Electron Transfer

The chemical modification of tryptophan (Trp) has been the subject of interest for nearly 100 years, yet the development of modification conditions that exploit the inherent photolability of Trp has remained elusive. With this perspective, we discuss our recently reported method for Trp photobioconjugation that uses N-carbamoyl pyridinium salts to engage Trp in photoinduced electron transfer. We detail our inspiration and rationale, and we place our report in the context of selected prior art in the field. 1 Introduction 2 Light Activation as a Design Principle in Bioconjugation 3 Targeting Tryptophan with Light 4 Reaction Design and Proof of Concept 5 Mechanistic Considerations 6 Establishing Mechanistic Control 7 Conclusions and Outlook
Analysis and Modeling of a Two-Phase Jet Pump of a Thermal Management System for Aerospace Applications

Jet pumps are devices capable of pumping fluids to a higher pressure by inducing the motion of a secondary fluid employing a high speed primary fluid. The main components of a jet pump are a primary nozzle, secondary fluid injectors, a mixing chamber, a throat, and a diffuser. The work described in this paper models the flow of a two-phase primary fluid inducing a secondary liquid (saturated or subcooled) injected into the jet pump mixing chamber. The model is capable of accounting for phase transformations due to compression, expansion, and mixing. The model is also capable of incorporating the effects of the temperature and pressure dependency in the analysis. The approach adopted utilizes an isentropic constant pressure mixing in the mixing chamber and at times employs iterative techniques to determine the flow conditions in the different parts of the jet pump.
A Model of Optimizing Political Expenditures to Buy Government Power

This research develops a model of optimal political expenditures that is integrated with a theory of voters maximizing their personal utility at the ballot box and that shows how money inevitably controls government leaders. The paper also demonstrates theoretically why many businesses do not make such investments despite returns on the expended political capital tending to be abnormally high. Recent worldwide events reported in the press are utilized to illustrate the general applicability of the model to the many varying ways wealthy agents control government, as well as indicate how the model variables can be estimated from actual polling results.
A numerical study on water entry of cylindrical projectiles

A series of numerical experiments carried out on the water entry of circular cylinders are presented in this study. A cylinder was entering into the water with a prescribed inclined angle and velocity. The interface between water and air is tracked by the piecewise linear interface calculation schemes in conjunction with the volume of fluid method. Overset meshes, which have been widely used for problems with relative motions, are applied to handle the moving cylinder. The numerical model is built on the framework of OpenFOAM, which is an open-source C++ toolbox. The results of the numerical model, such as the transient positions and inclined angles of the moving circular cylinder, have been validated with experimental data in the literature. The fluid physics of the oblique water entry problem has been examined. The formation and development of the air entrapment have been explored. Parametric studies on the hydrodynamics of the water entry problem have been performed. It has been revealed that the head geometry, entry impact velocity, entry inclined angle, liquid density, and object density are of considerable significance for the penetration depth and inclination of the diving cylinder. Surface wetness, which affects the detachment of the air channel, has also been studied.
How to Sell NFTs Without Really Trying

Something is happening and we don’t know what it is. Suddenly last summer, the internet went nuts for non-fungible tokens or NFTs. In a matter of months, NFT sales swelled from a sleepy slough of the blockchain to a thundering cataract that shows no sign of slaking. Special NFTs sell for millions of dollars, and some are even securitized. It’s a big business that’s only getting bigger. But no one seems to know why. Objectively, NFTs are useless, meaningless, and worthless. So why are people willing to pay millions of dollars for them, even begging for the opportunity? Maybe it doesn’t matter. If the market says NFTs are valuable, who are we to doubt it? Still, I’m curious. Why are people buying NFTs, and what accounts for their value?
Large-Scale Syntheses of 2-D Materials: Flash Joule Heating and Other Methods.

In the past 17 years, the larger-scale production of graphene and graphene family materials has proven difficult and costly, thus slowing wider-scale commercial applications. The quality of the graphene that is prepared on larger scales has often been poor, demonstrating a need for improved quality controls. Here, current industrial graphene synthetic and analytical methods as well as recent academic advancements in larger-scale or sustainable synthesis of graphene, defined here as weights more than 200 mg or films larger than 200 cm2 , are compiled and reviewed. There is a specific emphasis on recent research in the use of flash Joule heating as a rapid, efficient, and scalable method to produce graphene and other 2-D nanomaterials. Reactor design, synthetic strategies, safety considerations, feedstock selection, Raman spectroscopy, and future outlooks for flash Joule heating syntheses are presented. To conclude, there is a presentation of the remaining challenges and opportunities in the larger-scale synthesis of graphene and a perspective on the broader use of flash Joule heating for larger-scale 2-D materials synthesis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Oxide evolution on the SiC layer of TRISO particles during extended air oxidation

Abstract Tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles have been primarily developed for high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors and can be subjected to oxidizing environments for extended periods in an off-normal accident scenario. Surrogate TRISO fuel particles were oxidized in air at 1,000 or 1,100 °C for up to 120 h. The oxide scale morphology and thickness were studied via scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam, and atomic force microscopy. TRISO particles oxidized at 1,100 °C exhibited a highly crystalline oxide scale, which led to significant cracking and irregularly shaped closed porosity, whereas those oxidized at 1,000 °C possessed a primarily amorphous oxide scale, which contained small, rounded internal pores and no larger defects. The observed phenomena deviated from the expected behavior based on models for oxide growth on flat-plate and fiber SiC. The oxidation kinetics of TRISO fuel particles in high-temperature air were investigated without mechanically deforming the surface and were analyzed with respect to oxide morphology.
Primary care behavioral health patients' stage of change: Correlates and relation to follow-up session attendance.

INTRODUCTION In this study, we examined patients' readiness to change behavior (their stage of change) in a primary care behavioral health (PCBH) setting. We examined sociodemographic and health correlates of patients' stage of change and whether stage of change related to follow-up visit attendance. METHOD One-hundred eleven adult primary care patients completed self-report measures of psychiatric symptoms, hope, and stage of change at their initial behavioral health session. Demographic, health information, and follow-up visit attendance were gathered from patient electronic health records. RESULTS Results suggest most patients referred to PCBH providers were in preparation and action stages of change. At the bivariate level, older age and non-Latinx ethnicity were associated with greater readiness to change. At the multivariate level, older age and higher levels of hope were associated with later stages of change. Patients in preparation, but not action, stages of change were significantly more likely to attend a follow-up behavioral health appointment than were patients in precontemplation/contemplation. DISCUSSION Findings suggest most PCBH patients are prepared to take action or have already taken action to improve their behavioral health. Further, a single item assessing patients' stage of change is associated with continued retention in behavioral health treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
High-mobility group 1/2 proteins are essential for initiating rolling-circle-type DNA replication at a parvovirus hairpin origin.

Rolling-circle replication is initiated by a replicon-encoded endonuclease which introduces a single-strand nick into specific origin sequences, becoming covalently attached to the 5′ end of the DNA at the nick and providing a 3′ hydroxyl to prime unidirectional, leading-strand synthesis. Parvoviruses, such as minute virus of mice (MVM), have adapted this mechanism to amplify their linear single-stranded genomes by using hairpin telomeres which sequentially unfold and refold to shuttle the replication fork back and forth along the genome, creating a continuous, multimeric DNA strand. The viral initiator protein, NS1, then excises individual genomes from this continuum by nicking and reinitiating synthesis at specific origins present within the hairpin sequences. Using in vitro assays to study ATP-dependent initiation within the right-hand (5′) MVM hairpin, we have characterized a HeLa cell factor which is absolutely required to allow NS1 to nick this origin. Unlike parvovirus initiation factor (PIF), the cellular complex which activates NS1 endonuclease activity at the left-hand (3′) viral origin, the host factor which activates the right-hand hairpin elutes from phosphocellulose in high salt, has a molecular mass of around 25 kDa, and appears to bind preferentially to structured DNA, suggesting that it might be a member of the high-mobility group 1/2 (HMG1/2) protein family. This prediction was confirmed by showing that purified calf thymus HMG1 and recombinant human HMG1 or murine HMG2 could each substitute for the HeLa factor, activating the NS1 endonuclease in an origin-specific nicking reaction.
Free Cash Flow and Takeover Threats: An Experimental Study

A classic theory of corporate governance holds that when cash flow is high and investment opportunities scarce, takeover threats reduce managerial self-dealing and encourage dividend payment to owners. I conduct laboratory experiments studying the effect of cash flow on selfdealing and the effect of takeover threats on both agency problems and the optimality of management of cash flows. I find that higher cash flow firms suffer more severe agency problems. Moreover I find that takeover threats reduce these problems in high cash flow firms but not low cash firms. Finally, I find evidence that takeover threats cause managers in low cash flow firms to make myopic withdraws to signal generosity.
Resolution enhancement of diffuse reflectance i.r. spectra of coals by Fourier self-deconvolution: 1. C-H stretching and bending modes

Infrared spectra of many coal samples ranging from anthracites to lignites were measured by diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The technique of Fourier self-deconvolution was applied to reduce the widths of all bands in the spectra. Several bands absorbing between 3000 and 2800 cm−1 due to C-H stretching modes of alkyl groups in different environments couId be resolved. In the spectral region between 900 and 700 cm−1, aromatic C-H out-of-plane deformation modes due to monocyclic and polycyclic rings could be distinguished after deconvolution.
The phenotype of five classes of T lymphoma mutants. Defective glycophospholipid anchoring, rapid degradation, and secretion of thy-1 glycoprotein

Thy-1 glycoprotein is a member of a class of proteins which are anchored to the plasma membrane via a covalently bound glycophospholipid. The biosynthesis and anchoring of Thy-1 were investigated in a family of wild-type and mutant (complementation groups A, B, C, E, and F) T lymphomas. The mutants all synthesize Thy-1 but fail to express it on the cell surface. Analysis of the size of D-[2-3H]mannose-labeled dolichol-linked oligosaccharides showed that the class E mutant is the only cell line which does not synthesize dolichol-P-P-Glc3Man9GlcNAc2. Turnover and possible secretion of Thy-1 by mutant T lymphoma cells were documented in D-[2-3H]mannose pulse-chase experiments. The turnover of [3H]Thy-1 for all wild-type cells is considerably slower than for the mutant cells. Class B and E cells release appreciably more [3H]Thy-1 than wild-type cells. Additional experiments were performed to determine the electrophoretic mobility and hydrophobicity of cell-associated and released forms of Thy-1 labeled overnight with [3H]mannose. All wild-type and class A, C, E, and F mutant cells contain a major Triton X-114 binding species of cell-associated [3H]Thy-1. All extracellular [3H]Thy-1 was almost exclusively hydrophilic. The presence of two Thy-1 anchor components, ethanolamine and palmitate, was investigated. Biosynthetic labeling with [3H]palmitic acid showed that all of the wild-type cells but none of the mutants incorporated this anchor precursor into Thy-1. In [3H]ethanolamine-labeling experiments, incorporation was detected in the Thy-1 of all wild-type cells and in two mutants, S1A-b and T1M1-c. Based on the above studies, the phenotype of Thy-1 negative T lymphoma mutants can be re-evaluated. In classes A and F, dolichol-linked oligosaccharides appear normal and no anchor is detected. In class B, dolichol-linked oligosaccharides appear normal, a partial anchor may be present, and a substantial amount of Thy-1 is released. In class C, dolichol-linked oligosaccharides appear normal and a partial anchor may be present. In class E, truncated dolichol-linked oligosaccharides are formed, no anchor is detected, but a substantial amount of newly synthesized Thy-1 is released. These observations are discussed with reference to the possibility that the lesions which characterize the mutants pertain to the biosynthesis of the glycophospholipid moiety of Thy-1.
Law and Economics

This chapter provides an introduction to the history, uses, methods, strengths, and limits of law and economics. It begins by examining the role of positive and normative approaches to law and economics. To examine the positivist thesis - that the law does in fact tend toward efficiency - the chapter discussed and analyzes the famous Hand Formula developed by Judge Learned Hand in United States v. Carroll Towing. As one of the only traditional cases in which a judge arguably made efficiency his explicit goal, the case presents an excellent opportunity to assess whether, even an efficiency-oriented judge will or can identify the efficient result. The chapter reviews the possible liability rules that might have been applied in Carroll Towing, and uses that review to introduce many of the core concepts and methods of law and economics, including game theory. Ultimately, the chapter concludes that, although the Hand Formula may have led to one of the possible efficient results, there is little reason to be confident, and some reason to doubt, that Judge Hand reached the most efficient outcome. The difficulties inherent in selecting the efficient rule through litigation present a significant challenge to the positivist case for legal economics. The second part of the chapter considers both the normative support for efficiency and the range of challenges to, and refinements of, the normative position that have developed in recent years. The chapter highlights some of the trade-offs inherent in the law and economics approach and concludes that law and economics has, like any legal theory, both costs and benefits.
Self-interference in Multi-hop Wireless Chains: Geometric Analysis and Performance Study

In the presence of interference, two single hop links can interact in a number of different ways, exhibiting significantly different behavior. In this paper, we consider the impact of these two-flow interactions on multi-hop chains. Specifically, we characterize the different types of interactions that arise in chains between hops that do not share a common node. We develop closed formed expressions to estimate the probability of occurrence of these interaction combinations. We use simulation to characterize the performance of the most common types of chains. We make a number of interesting observations: (1) the most destructive types of two-flow interactions do not arise commonly in chains; (2) the throughput of chains does not vary significantly with the types of arising interactions, because of the self-regulating effect of packets in the chain (later hops can only transmit when they receive packets from earlier ones); however, (3) the chains exhibiting destructive interactions suffer frequent collisions and require many more retransmissions. As such, in general scenarios, such chains reduce the available bandwidth within the network.
An Evolutionary Risk Basis for Differential Treatment of Gains and Losses

This study endogenously generates the asymmetric verification concept of conservatism, using evolutionary biology as a foundation. A producer produces (or hunts) a consumable with a stochastic production technology, and possibly faces a stealer thereafter, who seeks to expropriate the consumable. The producer, for fear of being perceived as weak, will not share her output with the stealer, but will launch an all-out fight. This all-or-nothing gamble demonstrates the producer's convex utility in losses. On the other hand, the optimal choice in production (or hunting) indicates a concave preference in gains. These endogenously derived asymmetric risk-profiles towards gains and losses, when applied to choice theory, generate a demand for higher verifiability standards for probable gains than losses. The model then shows how this preference is modulated by various social and informational configurations of individuals. Our findings explain observed conservatism patterns in a variety of institutional settings.
Race, Religion, and Political Mobilization: South Asians in the Post‐9/11 United States

In the days and months following 11 September 2001, South Asians in the United States were lumped together and racialized as ‘outsiders’ and ‘threatening’. The lumping of South Asians existed alongside their differential targeting based on particular religious identities such as Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh. The religious identity not only shaped and calibrated the racial hostility against different South Asian groups but also framed their responses to racial attacks. The primacy of religious identities in framing the group response to racial hostility made it difficult to build broader panethnic solidarity, thereby challenging the existing understanding of the dynamics of panethnic identity formation and mobilization. The foregrounding of religious identity by different South Asian groups was, in fact, in broad consonance with the multicultural institutional and ideological framework that provides institutional and discursive avenues for the deployment of exclusive and immutable identities.
How rubrics that measure outcomes can complete the assessment loop

Program assessment of student learning includes the following steps: 1) involving all constituents to establish program goals, 2) developing measurable student learning outcomes for each of the goals, 3) developing measurable outcomes for each course that map to the student learning outcomes, 4) determining appropriate assessment methods in the courses, 5) creating assessment instruments (or rubrics) for each of the methods, 6) establishing benchmarks, 7) analyzing the data, and 8) using the results to improve student learning. This paper focuses on the last four steps by beginning with a generalized assessment plan for an undergraduate computer science program. A generalized rubric for computer programs is presented that measures selected student learning outcomes. This paper demonstrates how to apply the generalized rubric to two specific computer programming assignments. Benchmarks associated with the rubrics are suggested. Sample results are analyzed to identify problems and propose solutions---"closing the loop."
Geographic Variation of Yellow Warblers Killed at a TV Tower

-Prairie and aspen parkland Yellow Warblers are brighter in color and larger in bill length than those from the boreal forest. Yellow Warblers from the MacKenzie River Delta near the arctic coast terminate clines of birds with smaller bill length to the north and darker plumage in forested or coastal habitats. Statistically significant differences in color and bill and wing length among Yellow Warblers killed at a TV tower in western Minnesota conform to patterns of geographic variation and demonstrate that individuals of this species originating from perhaps as far apart as 3,220 km (2,000 mi) were migrating southward together.-Minnesota Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455. Present address offirst author: Division of Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, University of California, Davis, California 95616. Accepted 13 May 1976. DESCRIPTIONS of subspecies for most bird species commonly killed at TV towers during migration are inadequate for confident estimation of areas of their origin, and only a few attempts at racial identification have been made (Tordoff and Mengel 1956, Johnston and Haines 1957, Stoddard 1962, Raveling 1965). A sample of 74 Yellow Warblers (Dendroica petechia) was obtained from a TV tower kill at Westport, Stearn's County, Minnesota on the night of 9-10 September 1962 (see Kemper et al. 1966). Obvious differences in bill length and coloration of adults within the sample suggested that birds from different populations were migrating over this location on the same night. We analyzed geographic variation of Yellow Warblers in the midcontinent north of the TV tower from museum specimens and compared results to variation recorded among the TV tower killed birds.
Role of the RNA-Binding Protein Tristetraprolin in Glucocorticoid-Mediated Gene Regulation

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the mainstay of anti-inflammatory therapy. Modulation of posttranscriptional regulation (PTR) of gene expression by GCs is a relevant yet poorly characterized mechanism of their action. The RNA-binding protein tristetraprolin (TTP) plays a central role in PTR by binding to AU-rich elements in the 3′-untranslated region of proinflammatory transcripts and accelerating their decay. We found that GCs induce TTP expression in primary and immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells. To investigate the importance of PTR and the role of TTP in GC function, we compared the effect of GC treatment on genome-wide gene expression using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) obtained from wild-type and TTP−/− mice. We confirmed that GCs induce TTP in MEFs and observed in TTP−/− MEFs a striking loss of up to 85% of GC-mediated gene expression. Gene regulation by TNF-α was similarly affected, as was the antagonistic effect of GC on TNF-α-induced response. Inflammatory genes, including cytokines and chemokines, were among the genes whose sensitivity to GCs was affected by lack of TTP. Silencing of TTP in WT MEFs by small interfering RNA confirmed loss of GC response in selected targets. Immunoprecipitation of ribonucleoprotein complexes revealed binding of TTP to several validated transcripts. Changes in the rate of transcript degradation studied by actinomycin D were documented for only a subset of transcripts bound to TTP. These results reveal a strong and previously unrecognized contribution of PTR to the anti-inflammatory action of GCs and point at TTP as a key factor mediating this process through a complex mechanism of action.
An experimental analysis of in vivo guidance cues used by axons of spinal interneurons in the chick embryo: evidence for chemotropism and related guidance mechanisms

To clarify axonal guidance mechanisms involved in pathway formation by spinal interneurons, the pattern of axonal outgrowth was examined following three kinds of perturbations: (1) rotation of three segments of the neural tube around the dorsal-ventral axis by 90 degrees or 180 degrees (D-V rotation), (2) rotation of three segments of the neural tube around the rostral-caudal axis (R-C rotation), and (3) transplantation of brainstem into thoracic spinal segments (BS transplantation). Following D-V rotation, it was observed that circumferential axons near the junction between rotated graft (RG) and host cord changed their course so as to project toward the ectopic floor plate. This supports the notion that the floor plate exerts a chemotropic-like effect on the directional projection of circumferential axons. The longitudinal fibers in the ventral funiculus (VF) were able to grow through the transplant junction when the VF was well apposed to the VF of the RG. However, in most cases, the longitudinal fibers in the VF that were not apposed to the VF of the RG made a medial turn at the junction. After turning, some of them made a U-turn into the contralateral VF, whereas others grew circumferentially around the junction zone, then exited the spinal cord; still others directly entered the RG. The majority of fibers that entered the RG were located in the VF, though a small number of such fibers were also located in both the lateral and dorsal funiculus (LF and DF, respectively). The fibers that entered the LF shifted ventrally, whereas the fibers in the DF remained within the DF. These results suggest that there may be some matching mechanism between specific fibers and the funiculus through which the fibers normally project. Moreover, there may be a barrier between the LF and the DF that prevents the fibers in the DF from shifting ventrally. In R-C rotation experiments, the projection of axons of dorsolateral border cells (DLB- cells), which are known to give rise almost exclusively to commissural ascending axons, was examined. Following the injection of HRP into the rostral junctional region, retrogradely labeled DLB-cells were observed in the rotated segments only on the side contralateral to the injection. Labeled DLB-cells were also observed in the segments caudal to the rotated segments. These results suggest that putative rostrocaudal directional cues that guide the axons of DLB-cells may arise from outside of the segments in which the decision to turn is made.
Qualitative assessment of participant utilization and satisfaction with the Seattle Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program.

Introduction The Seattle Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program delivered fresh fruits and vegetables to homebound seniors in King County, Washington, from June through October 2001. A primary objective of the program was to increase participants' intake of fruits and vegetables. A qualitative study was conducted to examine the impact of the program on participating homebound seniors.
The Effects of CEO Power on Firm Value: Evidence from the Financial Crisis of 2008

We examine the impact of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) power on the variability of firm value under an exogenous financial crisis. We apply our analysis to 298 financial service firms and find that financial service firms with more powerful CEOs influence higher firm value under the financial crisis by developing sophisticated measures of CEO power. Our interpretation is that firms with powerful CEOs invest more efficiently, and thus generate greater profitability when firms are exposed to the harsh shock and need sophisticated decision making of CEOs. Finally, powerful CEOs are likely to connect the government for TARP funding under the crisis and increase more positive impact on firm value for TARP firms than non-TARP firms. Our study contribute to the discussion about the importance of powerful CEOs with individual decision-making power in a post-crisis period where policy makers, analysts, and investors are concerned.
PROTEIN DEGRADATION, MEIOSIS AND SPORULATION IN PROTEINASE-DEFICIENT MUTANTS OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

During the process of sporulation, a/α diploids degrade about 50% of their vegetative proteins. This degradation is not sporulation specific, for asporogenous diploids of a/a mating type degrade their vegetative proteins in a fashion similar to that of their a/α counterparts. Diploids lacking carboxypeptidase Y activity, prc1/prc1, show about 80% of wild-type levels of protein degradation, but are unimpaired in the production of normal asci. Diploids lacking proteinase B activity, prb1/prb1, show about 50% of wild-type levels of protein degradation. The effect on degradation of the proteinase B deficiency is epistatic to the degradation deficit attributable to the carboxypeptidase Y deficiency. The prb1 homozygotes undergo meiosis and produce spores, but the asci and, possibly, the spores are abnormal. Diploids homozygous for the pleiotropic pep4–3 mutation show only 30% of the wild-type levels of degradation when exposed to a sporulation regimen, and do not undergo meiosis or sporulation. Neither proteinase B nor carboxypeptidase Y is necessary for germination of spores.——Approximately half of the colonies arising from a/a or α/α diploids exposed to the sporulation regiment that express an initially heterozygous drug-resistance marker (can1) appear to arise from mating-type switches followed by meiosis and sporulation.
The schema theorem considered insufficient

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to verify how the schema theorem affects the behavior of a genetic algorithm (GA) and uncover the relationships between building blocks and increasing schemata. From the analysis of schema tracing, the schema theorem should be interpreted carefully with precise definitions of building block and increasing schema. In addition, we find that an important type of above-average schemata that are not building blocks, which we call phenotypic schemata, always exists among the schemata receiving increasing evaluations during the GA search. >
Performance evaluation of collision avoidance schemes in ad hoc networks

IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function DCF is a popular protocol used for the physical and medium access control layers in most ad hoc networks. DCF employs carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance and a binary slotted exponential back off. It has been observed that the hidden and exposed terminal problems among stations degrade DCF's performance in terms of throughput and fairness. Hence, the effectiveness of the IEEE 802.11 DCF mechanism in ad hoc networks has attracted many research studies. Many collision avoidance schemes were proposed to address the IEEE 802.11 DCF weaknesses as the performance of the medium access control layer directly impacts the performance of higher-layer protocols and hence the entire network. An evaluation of representative schemes under the same conditions will be helpful in understanding the limitations and strengths of these schemes. This paper surveys various collision avoidance schemes, classify them on the basis of their mechanism, and then provide a comparative study of representative schemes based on their performance. They are evaluated on a chain topology, a pair topology, and a random topology with static environment to measure their throughput, fairness, collision probabilities, and delay. On the basis of the evaluation, we conclude that gentle DCF is the best scheme that has lesser collisions with improved throughput and fairness. A comparison with the legacy carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance suggests that these proposed schemes do tend to be promising and would inspire future researchers who are interested to find solutions to the age-old collision and fairness issues in ad hoc networks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economic Analysis of Contract Law from the Internal Point of View

Economic analysis of law has traditionally assumed that legal rules are or ought to be designed to maximize social welfare taking as given that legal subjects are like Holmes’ “bad man” — rational, self-interested agents who care about complying with the law only insofar as non-compliance exposes them to the risk of sanctions. This Article challenges this motivational assumption while keeping the standard economic framework otherwise intact on the grounds that while some legal subjects are, like Holmes’ bad man, “externalizers” of legal rules, others regard the law from the “internal point of view,” that is, they are “internalizers” of legal rules who are motivated to conform to legal rules apart from the consequences of defiance on a particular occasion. The Article derives specific doctrinal implications for contract law assuming that there are internalizers as well as externalizers in the subject population. It analyzes several contract law phenomena: the expectation principle, according to which a victim of a breach of contract is entitled to his expectation, and no more than his expectation; the penalty doctrine and stipulated damages clauses; the doctrine of willful breach; and the doctrine of contract modification. The resulting analysis shows that internalizers respond to these doctrines differently from externalizers and evaluates how the prescriptive implications of economic analysis for the design of contract law doctrines changes once we recognize that there are both internalizers and externalizers in the population. For example, the presence of internalizers in the subject population provides a justification for punishing some “willful breaches” more harshly than ordinary breaches. It also helps to justify the modern doctrine of contract modification.
Atomic-Accuracy Prediction of Protein Loop Structures through an RNA-Inspired Ansatz

Consistently predicting biopolymer structure at atomic resolution from sequence alone remains a difficult problem, even for small sub-segments of large proteins. Such loop prediction challenges, which arise frequently in comparative modeling and protein design, can become intractable as loop lengths exceed 10 residues and if surrounding side-chain conformations are erased. Current approaches, such as the protein local optimization protocol or kinematic inversion closure (KIC) Monte Carlo, involve stages that coarse-grain proteins, simplifying modeling but precluding a systematic search of all-atom configurations. This article introduces an alternative modeling strategy based on a ‘stepwise ansatz’, recently developed for RNA modeling, which posits that any realistic all-atom molecular conformation can be built up by residue-by-residue stepwise enumeration. When harnessed to a dynamic-programming-like recursion in the Rosetta framework, the resulting stepwise assembly (SWA) protocol enables enumerative sampling of a 12 residue loop at a significant but achievable cost of thousands of CPU-hours. In a previously established benchmark, SWA recovers crystallographic conformations with sub-Angstrom accuracy for 19 of 20 loops, compared to 14 of 20 by KIC modeling with a comparable expenditure of computational power. Furthermore, SWA gives high accuracy results on an additional set of 15 loops highlighted in the biological literature for their irregularity or unusual length. Successes include cis-Pro touch turns, loops that pass through tunnels of other side-chains, and loops of lengths up to 24 residues. Remaining problem cases are traced to inaccuracies in the Rosetta all-atom energy function. In five additional blind tests, SWA achieves sub-Angstrom accuracy models, including the first such success in a protein/RNA binding interface, the YbxF/kink-turn interaction in the fourth ‘RNA-puzzle’ competition. These results establish all-atom enumeration as an unusually systematic approach to ab initio protein structure modeling that can leverage high performance computing and physically realistic energy functions to more consistently achieve atomic accuracy.