cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
College Readiness versus College Worthiness: Examining the Role of Principal Beliefs on College Readiness Initiatives in an Urban U.S. High School.

In light of increasing emphasis on the importance of post-secondary education to personal economic security, there is growing interest to promote college readiness initiatives in high schools, particularly for low-income and minority students for whom the harmful effects of institutional inequities on college readiness is well-documented. Relatively unexplored is whether and how deficit beliefs about these students influence college readiness initiatives. Extant literature establishes that principals play an important role in mediating organizational change and culture. However, there is scant research evaluating how principals’ beliefs may influence their leadership towards reforming college readiness, particularly in regard to creating a college-going culture. This case study provides a critical examination of one principal who engaged in school-wide organizational change to create a college-going culture at an urban U.S. high school serving a high number of low-income and minority students. Discourse analysis revealed that although this principal’s reform efforts were exemplary in many ways, he expressed deficit views of underrepresented students. Findings suggest that reductionist views of minority and low-income students conflict with initiatives to promote equitable college readiness. This case study uncovers a discursive dichotomy significant to examining the intersectionality of principals’ beliefs and college readiness initiatives.
Effect of ZrO2 on the structure and properties of soda-lime silicate glasses from molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract Zirconia-containing soda-lime silicate glasses with compositions of xZrO2-(75-x)SiO2-15Na2O-10CaO, where x = 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7, were studied using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to understand the effect of ZrO2/SiO2 substitution on the short-, medium-range glass structures, and properties such as ionic diffusion and mechanical behaviors of these glasses. Local environments of Zr4+ and other cations such as bond distance and cation‑oxygen coordination number as a function of composition were systematically analyzed from pair distribution function and bond angle distribution calculations. It was found that Zr O bond distance is around 2.12 A and zirconium coordination number is around 6, forming slightly distorted [ZrO6] octahedron, with both showing little changes with composition. Silicon maintains perfectly four-fold coordinated with a Si O bond distance of 1.61 A throughout the glass series. Medium-range structural information (e.g., Qn distribution, network connectivity and polyhedral linkages) was also studied as a function of ZrO2 substitution. It was found that [ZrO6] enters the glass-forming network through corner-sharing with [SiO4]. Both Na+ and Ca2+ act as charge compensators of [ZrO6] with slightly higher preference of the latter. Addition of zirconia was found to impact the properties of the glasses: it increases both the low and high temperature diffusion energy barriers of modifier cations and increases the elastic moduli of the glasses. These changes of properties can be explained by the enhanced glass network due to zirconia incorporation.
Stochastic modeling of air electrostatic discharge parameters

An automated tester is built for IEC 61000-4-2 air discharges. The relations between the parameters of the resulting waveforms are studied using stochastic modeling. The precharge voltage, peak current and rise time are interrelated, with a strong dependence on the humidity. However, there is no clear dependence of the peak current and rise time on the approach speed. Naive Bayes method is used to predict the peak current and rise time from the precharge voltage and humidity. The likelihood that a tablet experiences a soft failure is predicted via logistic regression.
Collecting semantic information for locations in the scenario-based lexical knowledge resource of a text-to-scene conversion system

WordsEye is a system for automatically converting a text description of a scene into a 3D image. In converting a text description into a corresponding 3D scene, it is necessary to map objects and locations specified in the text into the actual 3D objects. Individual objects typically correspond to single 3D models, but locations (e.g. a living room) are typically an ensemble of objects. Prototypical mappings from locations to objects and their relations are called location vignettes, which are not present in existing lexical resources. In this paper we propose a new methodology using Amazon's Mechanical Turk to collect semantic information for location vignettes. Our preliminary results show that this is a promising approach.
Role of Transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in extremely low birth weight infants.

Background Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is common in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. The objectives of this study were to describe our early clinical experience of transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC) in ELBW infants, compare outcomes with surgical ligation of PDA (SLP), and identify risk factors for prolonged respiratory support. Methods A retrospective review was performed comparing infants born Results Eighty ELBW infants (median procedure weight: 1060 [range 640-2000] grams) that underwent successful TCPC were compared with 40 infants that underwent SLP (procedure weight 650-1760 g). There was greater increase in RSS following SLP compared to TCPC (76% vs. 18%; P 8 weeks of age were associated with prolonged (>30-days) elevation of RSS ≥ 1 (OR = 5.4, 95%CI: 2.2-9.4, P Conclusions TCPC is feasible in infants as small as 640-2000 g and can be performed safely in the majority. TCPC may offer faster weaning of respiratory support compared to SLP when performed earlier in life, and before the onset of elevated PAP.
Use of a Fibrin Sealant Patch at Cesarean for Conservative Management of Morbidly Adherent Placenta.

Background Morbidly adherent placenta represents a surgical challenge and source of maternal morbidity and mortality. We report the use of a fibrin sealant patch to address hemorrhage associated with a morbidly adherent placenta during cesarean delivery. Case A patient underwent repeat cesarean delivery with complete anterior placenta previa and anticipated morbidly adherent placenta. Bleeding persisted following delivery and removal of the placenta, despite uterine artery embolization. A fibrin sealant patch was applied as an adjuvant intervention to the placental bed and hemostasis was achieved without resorting to a hysterectomy. Conclusion Postpartum hemorrhage is an ongoing leading source of maternal morbidity and mortality. A case is presented in which a fibrin sealant patch provided control of focal placental bed bleeding, allowing removal of a focal morbidly adherent placenta and avoidance of hysterectomy.
Taking a Knee to Take a Stand: An Analysis of The Bhagavad Gita's Application to the Take a Knee Movement

Despite there being significant advancements with respect to issues related to racial inequality in America in the past century, minority oppression continues to exist today (e.g. police brutality). To raise awareness of these issues, football and basketball players around the country have been kneeling to the national anthem. In response, President Trump and countless others have lashed back, saying “A football game...is no place to protest,” and that “Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their ‘outrage’ at something that most of them are unable to define.” This essay views the virtuousness of the Take a Knee movement, but through an Eastern perspective. The Bhagavad Gita, a poem in which Arjuna, the general of the Panadav army, struggles with the morality of fighting and killing his cousins in war. In response to Arjuna’s crisis, Krishna, Arjuna’s charioteer and the king of another kingdom, discourses to Krishna the ideas of dharma, yoga and samkhya, and the three gunas. These same principles can be applied to the justification and righteousness of the Take a Knee Movement. Because the athletes dissociate their actions from the reward of those actions, work towards equalizing society, while still continuing to fulfill their roles as athletes, the Take a Knee Movement exemplifies righteousness and should continue to raise awareness to some of the greatest problems in America today.
MIDD0301 - A first-in-class anti-inflammatory asthma drug targets GABAA receptors without causing systemic immune suppression.

We report a 28-day repeat dose immunotoxicity evaluation of investigational drug MIDD0301, a novel oral asthma drug candidate that targets gamma amino butyric acid type A receptors (GABAA R) in the lung. The study design employed oral administration of mice twice daily throughout the study period with 100 mg/kg MIDD0301 mixed in peanut butter. Compound dosing did not reveal signs of general toxicity as determined by animal weight, organ weight or haematology. Peanut butter plus test drug (in addition to ad libitum standard rodent chow) did not affect weight gain in the adult mice, in contrast to weight loss in 5 mg/kg prednisone-treated mice. Spleen and thymus weights were unchanged in MIDD0301-treated mice, but prednisone significantly reduced the weight of those organs over the 28-day dosing. Similarly, no differences in spleen or thymus histology were observed following MIDD0301 treatment, but prednisone treatment induced morphological changes in the spleen. The number of small intestine Peyer's patches was not affected by MIDD0301 treatment, an important factor for orally administered drugs. Circulating lymphocyte, monocyte and granulocyte numbers were unchanged in the MIDD0301-treated animals, whereas differential lymphocyte numbers were reduced in prednisone-treated animals. MIDD0301 treatment did not alter IgG antibody responses to dinitrophenyl following dinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet haemocyanin immunization, indicating that systemic humoral immune function was not affected. Taken together, these studies show that repeated daily administration of MIDD0301 is safe and not associated with adverse immunotoxicological effects in mice.
Lymph node count impacts survival following post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for non-seminomatous testicular cancer: a population-based analysis

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prognostic significance of lymph node count (LNC) at post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (PC-RPLND) in metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and National Cancer Database (NCDB). PATIENTS AND METHODS SEER (2000-2013, n = 572) and NCDB (2004-2013, n = 731) identified patients undergoing PC-RPLND for Stage II and III NSGCT. Correlation between linear or categorial variables and LNC was conducted using Spearman's rank correlation or Kruskal-Wallis test by ranks. Patients were stratified by ≤20, 21-40, and >40 LNs for Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the association of LNC at PC-RPLND with overall mortality (OM) in the NCDB and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in the SEER database. The relationship between LNC and OM or CSM was also modelled as a non-linear function to determine a threshold for survival benefit. RESULTS Amongst all patients, the median (interquartile range) LNC was 17 (3-26) LNs in the NCDB, and 18 (6-31) LNs in the SEER database. More recent diagnosis year, higher hospital volume, higher median income, private insurance status, and positive LNC were associated with greater total LNC in one or both databases (P 40 LNs was associated with 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) of 99% and overall survival (OS) of 96%, whereas ≤20 LNs had a 5-year CSS of 91% and OS of 78% (CSS, P = 0.04; OS, P < 0.01). Risk-adjusted Cox model showed increasing LNC (per node) was inversely associated with OM (hazard ratio [HR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-0.98; P < 0.01) and CSM (HR 0.96, 95% CI, 0.94-0.99; P = 0.01). Non-linear modelling showed the greatest benefit in OM at between 10 and 20 LNs, but continued survival benefit for OM and CSM beyond 20 LNs. CONCLUSIONS Greater LNC during PC-RPLND appears to be associated with improved CSS and OS in NSGCT. Our data support the role of thorough RPLND for post-chemotherapy metastatic NSGCT.
Malignant Ascites: An Overview of Management With Tunneled Peritoneal Drainage Catheters

Abstract Malignant ascites is a common and debilitating condition. Treatment options favoring palliative approach are preferred. A discussion of tunneled peritoneal catheters as a management option is included in the following review.
New Experiments to Measure the Muon Anomalous Gyromagnetic Ratio

The magnetic moment is a fundamental property of particles. The measurement of these magnetic moments and the comparison with the values predicted by the standard model of particle physics is a way to test our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of our world. In some cases, such as for the electron, this comparison has resulted in confirmation of the standard model with incredible precision. In contrast, the magnetic moment of the muon has shown a long-standing disagreement in the measured and the predicted value. There is currently a tantalizing three-standard-deviation difference between the current best measurement (with a precision of 0.54 ppm) and the state-of-the-art standard model prediction. This represents one of the very few experimental hints for physics beyond the standard model. There are currently two major experimental efforts underway to improve the precision of the muon magnetic moment measurement. The first is an evolution of the E-821 experiment, originally located at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the United States. This is experiment, E-989, is located at Fermilab and will measure the spin precession rate of positive muons in a 14-m diameter storage ring using decay positrons. The goal of the experiment is to reduce the current experimental uncertainty by a factor of three. The experiment is currently being constructed and aims to start taking data in 2017. An alternative, and very complementary, experiment is being planned at J-PARC in Japan. This experiment, E-34, will utilize low energy, ultra-cold muons in a much smaller storage ring. This experiment aims for a similar precision to the Fermilab experiment and aims to begin data taking on a similar timescale.
Novel tumor suppressor role of miRNA-876 in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare, highly invasive malignancy, and its incidence is increasing globally. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) mediate a wide array of cellular and biological processes and are dysregulated in various tumors. The functional and biological roles of miRNAs in CCA have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we show that miR-876 expression levels and copy number are significantly attenuated in the TCGA cohort of CCA tissue samples. TCGA expression data was consistent with the observed substantial decrease in miR-876 expression in patient samples and CCA cell lines. In-silico algorithm databases revealed BCL-XL as a potential target of miR-876. We observed miR-876 expression to be downregulated, whereas, BCL-XL upregulated in CCA cell lines. BCL-XL was identified as a direct functional target of miR-876 in CCA. miR-876-mediated reduction of BCL-XL regulated cell survival, induced apoptosis and caspase 3/7 expression in CCA. BCL-XL overexpression reversed the miR-876 mediated effect on CCA cell growth and apoptosis. Stable overexpression of miR-876 produced potent tumor suppressor activity and in vivo tumor cell growth reduction. Overexpression of miR-876 in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cell line significantly suppressed BCL-XL expression and spheroid formation with a concomitant induction of caspase 3/7 activity and apoptosis. This study demonstrates a novel tumor suppressor role for miR-876 in CCA, identifies BCL-XL as an actionable target, and suggests a potential therapeutic role for miR-876 in CCA.
IMMUNODEFICIENCIES, ANEUPLOIDY AND INTERFERON

ABSTRACT Abnormalities in production of IFN have been identified in primary and secondary immunodeficiency diseases, malignancy, in immunosuppressed patients, and patients with some congenital infections. It is not yet known whether depressed IFN production reflects absence or malfunction of a specific cell population and whether depressed IFN production contributes to the immunodeficient state, and/or is a result of the immunodeficient state. It is our opinion that therapy with IFN when defects in IFN production occur is not warranted until additional information concerning the role of IFN in the induction and pathogenesis of these diseases is obtained.
Designing the IT Capstone Course: A Systematic Literature Review

This talk discusses the preparation to design a newly required capstone course as part of a larger curriculum update in an IT degree program at a large Midwestern university. To ensure a quality experience for students, the course is being developed based on best practices identified through a systematic literature review. A proper review is comprised of discrete activities that ensure a rigorous process to review current evidence related to a particular research question. The review is currently in early stages. Progress in establishing methods and summarizing findings will be discussed.
Genetics of pediatric hearing loss: A functional perspective.

Objectives This article reviews the current role of genetics in pediatric hearing loss (HL). Methods A review of the current literature regarding the genetic basis of HL in children was performed. Results To date, 119 nonsyndromic genes have been associated with HL. There are also hundreds of syndromic causes that have HL as part of the clinical phenotype. Conclusions Identifying HL genes coupled with clinical characteristics ("genotype-phenotype") yields a more accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Although the complexity of the auditory apparatus presents challenges, gene therapy is emerging and may be a viable management option in the future.
Robust Robot-assisted Tele-grasping Through Intent-Uncertainty-Aware Planning.

In teleoperation, research has mainly focused on target approaching, where we deal with the more challenging object manipulation task by advancing the shared control technique. Appropriately manipulating an object is challenging due to the fine motion constraint requirements for a specific manipulation task. Although these motion constraints are critical for task success, they often are subtle when observing ambiguous human motion. The disembodiment problem and physical discrepancy between the human and robot hands bring additional uncertainty, further exaggerating the complications of the object manipulation task. Moreover, there is a lack of planning and modeling techniques that can effectively combine the human and robot agents' motion input while considering the ambiguity of the human intent. To overcome this challenge, we built a multi-task robot grasping model and developed an intent-uncertainty-aware grasp planner to generate robust grasp poses given the ambiguous human intent inference inputs. With these validated modeling and planning techniques, it is expected to extend teleoperated robots' functionality and adoption in practical telemanipulation scenarios.
The effect of regional anesthesia on cancer related outcomes after oncological surgeries: A systematic review.

e19099Background: Surgical resection remains one of the main curative treatment options for most solid-organ malignancies, and oncological surgery caseload has been steadily increasing over the yea...
Tem Investigation of Co-Si Thin Films on S1-xGex/Si

Cobalt disilicide (CoSi2) is an attractive contact material for Si1-xGex devices due to its low resistivity, low Schottky barrier, and good thermal and chemical stability. Previous studies have shown that blanket Co films on Si0.80Ge0.20 react at annealing temperatures of 700 °C to form CoSi, CoSi2 and a Ge-rich Si1-xGex alloy; no Co-Ge phases were found. The Co preferentially reacts with the Si, which can lead to Ge segregation and island formation. To gain a better understanding of cobalt silicide formation, an electron microscopy investigation of Co/Si1-xGex/Si was performed.Si1-xGex films (x ≤ 0.3) 64 nm to 260-nm thick were grown by molecular beam epitaxy at 550 °C on phosphorus-doped Si substrates. Co films ranging in thickness from 5 nm to 25 nm were electron-beam evaporated (evaporator base pressure < 6.67 x 10-8 Pa) at room temperature on the Si1-xGex films.
Potential antitumor activity of digitoxin and user-designed analog administered to human lung cancer cells.

Abstract Background Cardiac glycosides (CGs), such as digitoxin, are traditionally used for treatment of congestive heart failure; recently they also gained attention for their anticancer properties. Previous studies showed that digitoxin and a synthetic L-sugar monosaccharide analog treatment decreases cancer cell proliferation, increases apoptosis, and pro-adhesion abilities; however, no reports are available on their potential to alter lung cancer cell cytoskeleton structure and reduce migratory ability. Herein, we investigated the anticancer effects of digitoxin and its analog, digitoxigenin-α-L-rhamnoside (D6MA), to establish whether cytoskeleton reorganization and reduced motility are drug-induced cellular outcomes. Methods We treated non-small cell lung carcinoma cells (NSCLCs) with sub-therapeutic, therapeutic, and toxic concentrations of digitoxin and D6MA respectively, followed by both single point and real-time assays to evaluate changes in cellular gene and protein expression, adhesion, elasticity, and migration. Results Digitoxin and D6MA induced a decrease in matrix metalloproteinases expression via altered focal adhesion signaling and a suppression of the phosphoinositide 3-kinases / protein kinase B pathway which lead to enhanced adhesion, altered elasticity, and reduced motility of NSCLCs. Global gene expression analysis identified dose-dependent changes to nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer, epithelial tumor, and microtubule dynamics signaling. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that digitoxin and D6MA can target antitumor signaling pathways to alter NSCLC cytoskeleton and migratory ability to thus potentially reduce their tumorigenicity. Significance Discovering signaling pathways that control cancer's cell phenotype and how such pathways are affected by CG treatment will potentially allow for active usage of synthetic CG analogs as therapeutic agents in advanced lung conditions.
Engineering magnetic anisotropy and exchange couplings in double transition metal MXenes via surface defects.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been experimentally proven to manifest almost all types of material properties observed in bulk materials. However, 2D magnetism was elusive until recently. In this work, we used an approach that synergistically uses density functional theory, and Monte Carlo methods to investigate the magnetic and electronic properties of magnetic double transition metal MXene alloys (Hf2MnC2O2 and Hf2VC2O2) by exploiting realistic surface terminations via creating surface defects including oxygen vacancies and H adatoms. We found that introducing surface oxygen vacancies or hydrogen adatoms is able to modify the electronic structures, magnetic anisotropies, and exchange couplings. Depending on the defect concentration, a ferromagnetic half-metallic state can be realized for both Hf2VC2O2 and Hf2MnC2O2. Bare Hf2VC2O2 exhibits easy-axis anisotropy, whereas bare Hf2MnC2O2 exhibits easy-plane anisotropy; however, defects can change the latter to easy-axis anisotropy, which is preferable for spintronics applications. The considered defects were found to modify the magnetic anisotropy by as much as 300%. Defects also produce an inhomogeneous pattern of exchange couplings, which can further enhance the Curie temperature. In particular, Hf2MnC2O2H0.22 was predicted to have a Curie temperature of about 171 K due to a combination of easy-axis anisotropy and a connected network of enhanced exchange couplings. Our calculations suggest a route toward engineering exchange couplings and magnetic anisotropy to improve magnetic properties.
License Quotas and the Inefficient Regulation of Sin Goods: Evidence From the Washington Recreational Marijuana Market

This paper studies the welfare impacts of license quotas in markets for `"sin goods" and how their implementation creates inefficiency. Retail licenses are often geographically restricted rather than allotted to the most efficient areas and may be randomly distributed. To study this allocative inefficiency, I develop an entry model, estimating it using data from the Washington marijuana market. I find that free entry increases surplus 18% relative to a baseline simulation of Washington’s license regime. Geographic misallocation and random allocation account for 58% and 13% of this change, respectively. I also study tax policies that control for externalities of consumption.
The Impact of Student GPAs and a Pass/Fail Option on Clinical Negotiation Course Performance

This article explores the possible correlation between student GPAs when they graduate and the impact of a pass/fail option on Negotiation course results. The course requires students to engage in a series of negotiation exercises, with the comparative results having a direct impact on final course grades. I wanted to determine whether better students, reflected in GPAs, would achieve better negotiating results based upon the thought that better students are more intelligent, more articulate, and moreindustrious. I examined data from fifteen classes and found no statistically significant correlation between student GPAs and negotiation results. I believe that these findings are based upon the fact that GPAs reflect abstract reasoning skills, while negotiation performance reflects interpersonal skills. I also wanted to determine whether students who took the course on a pass/fail basis obtained results that were different from those attained by students taking the course for a regular grade. I had suspected that the pass/fail students would be unwilling to take the extra time necessary to achieve optimal results, and the empirical findings supported this suspicion. The pass/fail students did significantly less well on the exercises than did the graded students.
Germplasm and Molecular Resources

A wide range of genetic diversity exists in various members of the Brassicaceae, notably in the genera Arabidopsis and Brassica. Comprehensive seed collections include mutants, transgenic lines, chromosomal variants, mapping populations, Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes (TILLING), and natural accessions, collected from the wild. Many molecular resources have been developed and are widely utilized in research. These include expressed sequence tags (ESTs); full length, sequence-validated cDNA clones of many genes; bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries; and vectors with multiple applications. Diverse resources are maintained by numerous institutions and specialized centers. Various public and private databases with comprehensive information about the collections are also available. This chapter focuses on the resources for the members of this family, with emphasis on collections that are publicly available.
Liberating Culture: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Museums, Curation and Heritage Preservation

Using examples of indigenous models from Indonesia, the Pacific, Africa and native North America, Christina Kreps illustrates how the growing recognition of indigenous curation and concepts of cultural heritage preservation is transforming conventional museum practice. Liberating Culture explores the similarities and differences between Western and non-Western approaches to objects, museums, and curation, revealing how what is culturally appropriate in one context may not be in another. For those studying museum culture across the world, this book is essential reading.
Changing Health Needs of the Ageing Population

The drama unfolding in this century can be viewed in terms of the age at which people are now dying. Most medical needs, attention and costs occur in the last years of life. At the turn of the century about 25% of people survived age 65. In the developed countries at least 70% of the population now survive beyond this age and 30-40% of deaths are at age 80 or over. Entirely different diseases, conditions and social structures are involved when most people survive to these late ages. Increasing longevity raises the issue of net gain in active functional years versus total years of disability and dysfunction. The available evidence gives rise to pessimism: at present for each active functional year gained we add about 3.5 compromised years. The need for long-term care will continue to grow. Improvements in long-term care involve economic considerations, political will and better mechanisms for the delivery and acceptance of this labour-intensive practice. The education and preparation of the ageing population in terms of normal realities and expectations are even more important. Health-care givers, politicians, and other decision makers are increasingly likely to have first-hand exposure to the good and bad realities of an ageing society, and thereby to perceive the realities of ageing more clearly than ever before. A new political will for more creative and equitable responses to the needs of the elderly and their families is rapidly emerging. The greater our familiarity with the problems of old age, the greater the likelihood for us to find means for improvement.
Biogenic catalysis of soil formation on Mars

The high iron abundance and the weak ferric iron spectral features of martian surface material are consistent with nanophase (nm-sized) iron oxide minerals as a major source of iron in the bright region soil on Mars. Nanophase iron oxide minerals, such as ferrihydrite and schwertmannite, and nanophase forms of hematite and goethite are formed by both biotic and abiotic processes on Earth. The presence of these minerals on Mars does not indicate biological activity on Mars, but it does raise the possibility. This work includes speculation regarding the possibility of biogenic soils on Mars based on previous observations and analyses. A remote sensing goal of upcoming missions should be to determine if nanophase iron oxide minerals, clay silicates and carbonates are present in the martian surface material. These minerals are important indicators for exobiology and their presence on Mars would invoke a need for further investigation and sample return from these sites.
Cluster categories and their relation to cluster algebras, semi-invariants and homology of torsion free nilpotent groups.

Cluster categories will be defined and their basic properties stated as done by Buan, Marsh, Reineke, Reiten, T. 2. Cluster algebras were introduced by Fomin and Zelevinsky. Some known relations between clus- ter categories and combinatorics of cluster algebras will be stated, as well as some of the open questions. 3. Semi-invariants for quivers were studied by Schofield, Derksen and Weyman. Generalized semi-invariants will be defined and the theorems relating domains of such semi-invariants and the simplicial complexes associated to cluster categories will be given. 4. The same simplicial complexes associated to cluster categories are related to the Igusa-Orr pictures in the homology of nilpotent groups. Results, and many open questions in this direction will be stated.
High resolution polarimetric SAR target classification with neural network

An improved version of the SOFM/LVQ classifier currently used in an ATR system for SAR imagery is presented. This classifier was originally designed to construct a few number of templates to represent a set of targets with different orientations. The classifier accepts an input target data, computes distances of this data with those representative templates, and then classifies this data to the target class with the shortest distance, With this distance discriminator, a good classification performance was obtained when only target data were tested. However, the simple distance measure produces poor classification results when unknown targets such as natural or manmade clutters are present and when each target is represented by a small number of templates. We correct this deficiency by incorporating an entropy measure into the original classifier. With this entropy discriminator, our system rejects a majority of the false alarms while maintaining a high correct classification rate with a relatively few templates for each target. >
Polynomial-Time Decomposition Algorithms for Support Vector Machines

This paper studies the convergence properties of a general class of decomposition algorithms for support vector machines (SVMs). We provide a model algorithm for decomposition, and prove necessary and sufficient conditions for stepwise improvement of this algorithm. We introduce a simple “rate certifying” condition and prove a polynomial-time bound on the rate of convergence of the model algorithm when it satisfies this condition. Although it is not clear that existing SVM algorithms satisfy this condition, we provide a version of the model algorithm that does. For this algorithm we show that when the slack multiplier C satisfies \sqrt{1/2} ≤ C ≤ mL, where m is the number of samples and L is a matrix norm, then it takes no more than 4LC2m4/e iterations to drive the criterion to within e of its optimum.
Role of stem cell factor and bone marrow derived fibroblasts in airway remodeling. (140.1)

Recent evidence suggests involvement of bone marrow derived fibroblasts in airway remodeling in asthma, but their role and the mechanism of recruitment remain unclear. Stem cell factor (SCF), a key factor in the propagation of hematopoietic stem cells, is important in airway remodeling. To test the hypothesis that SCF is involved in the recruitment and differentiation of these bone marrow derived progenitor cells, GFP bone marrow chimera mice were created. These mice were then sensitized and chronically challenged with cockroach antigen (CRA) to induce chronic airway disease. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the influx of significant numbers of GFP expressing fibroblasts in these airways, which was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis for cells co-expressing GFP and collagen I. These cells preferentially expressed c-kit, IL-31 receptor and telomerase reverse transcriptase when compared to lung-derived fibroblasts. Interestingly, SCF stimulated IL-31 receptor expression in bone marrow cells, while IL-31 strongly induced telomerase reverse transcriptase expression in fibroblasts. Treatment with neutralizing antibodies to SCF significantly reduced airway remodeling and suppressed recruitment of these bone marrow-derived cells to the lung. Thus SCF in conjunction with IL-31 may play a significant role in airway remodeling by promoting the recruitment of bone marrow-derived fibroblast precursors into the lung with the capacity to promote lung myofibroblast differentiation.
The Willie Lomans of a Market Society: Addressing Political-Economic Sources of Suffering in Pastoral Counseling.

This article focuses on the culture of state-corporate capitalism as a source of psychological suffering for some people who seek the aid of pastoral counselors. An underlying premise of this article and, more particularly, the work of pastoral counseling comes from Frantz Fanon’s view that the aims of psychotherapy are (a) ‘to ‘consciousnessize’ [the patient’s] unconscious, to no longer be tempted by a hallucinatory lactification’, and (b) ‘to enable [the patient] to choose an action with respect to the real source of the conflict, i.e., the social structure’. An aim of pastoral counseling, then, is to facilitate recognition of a person’s sources of suffering so that s/he can decide how to respond. By contrast, it is argued that a pastoral counselor, in leaving a client unaware that his/her suffering is partially the result of a capitalistic culture, fosters hermeneutical mystification, and the patient is not able to choose an action directed toward a major source of his/her depression.
Generating with the switched reluctance motor

The switched reluctance motor (SRM) is being developed for aircraft engine starter/generator applications. In these applications the SRM operates as a generator as well as a motor. This development is taking place because the SRM is unique in its operation as a generator compared to other machine types in that it does not employ permanent magnets or a field winding on its rotor. Thus the SRM generator does not possess the inherent problem of generating into a shorted winding like the permanent magnet machine (you cannot turn off the excitation). Because the SRM generator does not employ permanent magnets or a field winding, it is important to consider the nature of its excitation during generating in order to understand its operation and limitations. This is especially true during load faults or when generating AC. Also, as with all electric machines, the SRM as a generator is the dual of the SRM as a motor. This duality, in the case of the SRM, carries over into the control of the machine. >
The inhibition of commitment of mouse erythroleukemia cells by steroids involves a glucocorticoid-receptor mediated process(es) acting at the nuclear level.

Abstract Dexamethasone has been shown to inhibit dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-induced differentiation of mouse erythroleukemia (or Friend) cells by blocking commitment to terminal erythroid maturation. In this study, we confirmed previous reports indicating the presence of glucocorticoid receptors in murine erythroleukemia cells and examined the mechanism(s) by which steroids block commitment. Untreated murine erythroleukemia cells contain dexamethasone receptors which decrease in number during DMSO-induced cell differentiation. When steroids of different classes (estrogenic, androgenic, glucocorticoid) were tested for inhibition of commitment and for displacement of [ 3 H]dexamethasone from its receptors in DMSO-treated cells, we observed that the glucocorticoids dexamethasone, prednisolone and hydrocortisone, all blocked commitment and substantially displaced [ 3 H]dexamethasone. In contrast, steroids other than glucocorticoids failed to inhibit commitment or displace [ 3 H]dexamethasone. Analysis of kinetics of dexamethasone binding to chromatin revealed that dexamethasone binds to the nucleus via the receptor and preferentially interacts with active chromatin. Inhibition of commitment by dexamethasone persisted in cells released from this agent and reincubated with DMSO in the presence of another glucocorticoid of similar affinity to steroid receptors; inhibition of commitment, however, was not obtained when cells removed from dexamethasone were incubated in the presence of β-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. These data indicate that inhibition of commitment of mouse erythroleukemia cells by steroids is associated with binding to glucocorticoid receptors and may involve interactions of steroids and their receptors with regions of chromatin.
A Genome-Wide Overexpression Screen in Yeast for Small-Molecule Target Identification

We describe a multicopy gene suppression screen of drug sensitivity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that facilitates the identification of cellular targets of small molecules. An array of yeast transformants harboring a multicopy yeast genomic library was screened for resistance to growth inhibitors. Comparison of array growth patterns for several such inhibitors allowed the differentiation of general and molecule-specific genetic suppressors. Specific resistance to phenylaminopyrimidine (1), an inhibitor identified from a kinase-directed library, was associated with the overexpression of Pkc1 and a subset of downstream kinases. Components of two other pathways (pheromone response/filamentous growth and Pho85 kinase) that genetically interact with the PKC1 MAPK signaling cascade were also identified. Consistent with the suppression screen, inhibitor 1 bound to Pkc1 in yeast cell lysate and inhibited its activity in vitro. These results demonstrate the utility of this approach for the rapid deconvolution of small-molecule targets.
Kuhn as Perspectival Realist

In this essay I argue that T. S. Kuhn, at least in his later works, can be regarded as a perspectival realist. This is a retrospective interpretation based mainly on the essays published posthumously under the title The Road Since Structure (Kuhn 2000). Among the strongest grounds for this interpretation is that Kuhn explicitly states that one must have a “lexicon” in place before raising questions about the truth or falsity of claims made using elements of the lexicon. This, in a linguistic framework, can be understood as an affirmation of perspectival realism. The essay concludes with an examination of Donald Davidson’s famous paper, “On The Very Idea of a Conceptual Scheme,” arguing, along lines Kuhn himself suggested, that Davidson’s presentation is no threat to his notion of a conceptual scheme, or, I would add, a theoretical perspective.
Transient Spectroscopic Characterization of the Genesis of a Ruthenium Complex Catalyst Supported on Zeolite Y

A mononuclear ruthenium complex anchored to dealuminated zeolite HY, Ru(acac)(C2H4)2+ (acac = acetylacetonate, C5H7O2−), was characterized in flow reactors by transient infrared (IR) spectroscopy and Ru K edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The combined results show how the supported complex was converted into a form that catalyzes ethene conversion to butene. The formation of these species resulted from the removal of acac ligands from the ruthenium (as shown by IR and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra) and the simultaneous decrease in the symmetry of the ruthenium complex, with the ruthenium remaining mononuclear and its oxidation state remaining essentially unchanged (as shown by EXAFS and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra). The removal of anionic acac ligands from the ruthenium was evidently compensated by the bonding of other anionic ligands, such as hydride from H2 in the feed stream, to form species suggested to be Ru(H)(C2H4)2+, which is coordinatively unsaturated...
Religiosity, Belief in a Just World and Crime Control Attitudes

2 samples of 90 college students, one Catholic and one Protestant, completed a questionnaire on attitudes toward criminal justice, the Just World Scale, and measure of religiosity and evangelicalism. Belief in a just world was associated with punitive criminal justice attitudes among Protestant but not Catholic students. Such attitudes were not mitigated significantly by religiosity. Evangelicalism was associated with punitive criminal justice attitudes among Catholic students, but not when statistical control for belief in a just world was instituted.
Experiments with Slow K Mesons in Deuterium and Hydrogen

It is pointed out that the following useful information can be obtained from experiments on $K$ mesons in deuterium and hydrogen: (a) an indication of the $K$-particle spin; (b) a test of isotopic spin conservation in reactions involving strange particles; (c) a measurement of the ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{0}$ mass.
Relationship between body size and habitat complexity preference in age-0 and -1 year winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus

The interaction between body size, habitat complexity and interstice width on habitat preference of age-0 and -1 year Pseudopleuronectes americanus was examined using continuous remote video observation. The habitat choices of juvenile P. americanus were recorded over a 6 h period in tanks with four treatments: bare sand, sand with low complexity cobble, sand with intermediate complexity cobble and sand with high complexity cobble. Both age-0 and -1 year fish preferred cobble to bare sand. Within cobble treatments, age-0 year fish preferred intermediate complexity cobble, with a 1.59 ratio of interstitial space to body width. The largest age-1 year fish (123-130 mm standard length, L(S) ) preferred low complexity cobble. While a significant preference was not detected, medium age-1 year fish (83-88 mm L(S) ) tended to select low complexity cobble, whereas small age-1 year fish (73-82 mm L(S) ) tended to select low and intermediate cobble, with an interstitial space to body width ratio of 1.05. For medium and large age-1 year fish, there was an increased selection of low complexity cobble, corresponding to larger interstitial space to body size ratios. This study indicates that juvenile P. americanus prefer complex habitat to unstructured habitat and that this preference is mediated by a relationship between fish body size and the size of structure interstices. These results contribute to the growing body of knowledge of complex habitat selection and drivers of habitat choice in flatfishes.
Using Bayesian inference to account for uncertainty in parameter estimates in modelled invasive flowering rush

Quantification of uncertainty that arises from a number of sources can enhance our understanding of biophysical processes of invasive species and the use of effective techniques, which results in more informed decision-making. To predict invasive flowering rush (FR) (Butomus umbellatus L.) within high spatial resolution imagery (<20 cm) from Applanix 439 Digital Sensor System (DSS) (Applanix Corporation, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada) requires a statistical approach with inherent modelling uncertainty. This letter provides a preliminary assessment of Bayesian logistic regression that is used to represent complex relationships between covariates derived from DSS imagery and estimates of inherent uncertainty in FR distributions. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo technique was used to generate the results of posterior parameter estimates, which were used to compare the sensitivity and robustness of different posterior estimators such as mean, median and other statistical descriptors. Predicted scenario of FR from the...
Under What Circumstances Does External Knowledge About the Correlation Structure Improve Power in Cluster Randomized Designs

AbstractRecent publications have drawn attention to the idea of utilizing prior information about the correlation structure to improve statistical power in cluster randomized experiments. Because power in cluster randomized designs is a function of many different parameters, it has been difficult for applied researchers to discern a simple rule explaining when prior correlation information will substantially improve power. This article provides bounds on the maximum possible improvement in power as a function of a single parameter, the number of clusters at the highest level of a multilevel experiment. The maximum improvement in power is less than 0.05 unless the number of clusters at the highest level is less than 20. Thus, the utility of using prior correlation information is limited to experiments with very small cluster-level sample sizes. Situations where small cluster-level sample sizes could still result in experiments with good statistical power are discussed, as is the relative utility of prior i...