cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Practice Concepts Expansion to Practice Concepts and Policy Analysis

In keeping with The Gerontologist ’ s mission to offer a multidisciplinary understanding of human aging, including the impact of social policy, we are expanding the Practice Concepts section to include papers that specifi cally analyze public policy as it affects aging populations and aging processes. We believe that a more explicit focus on social policy analysis will fi ll a need for increased awareness and understanding of the role of older adults in the policy-making process, as well as the impact of public policy on the well-being of older populations at federal, state, and local levels. To that end, we invite scholars to submit manuscripts that analyze relevant policy to the Practice Concepts and Policy Analysis editor. The manuscripts must adhere to the current word limit of 4,000 words for a Practice Concepts piece. The chief purpose of a policy analysis is to explain and share the insights obtained in the examination of a policy problem. There are four major components of a Policy Analysis paper. The fi rst step in a policy analysis is to defi ne and describe a specifi c policy issue that affects older adults. Raising an interesting policy question that can be answered through data analyses, as does Binstock in “ Older voters and the 2008 Election ” ( Binstock, 2009 , pp. xx – xx), is another way to defi ne and delineate a specifi c policy issue. In this section of the manuscript, suffi cient background information should be presented so that readers understand the context in which the policy issue or question is situated. Such context can include the key historical aspects of the issue, as well as the various policies and policy networks (political fi gures or organizations, interest groups, think tanks) that exist to address the issue ( Patton & Sawicki, 1986 ). A brief discussion of the major stakeholders in the issue being featured is also appropriate. The second step in the policy analysis paper is to provide the readers with specifi c information about why this particular issue and an analysis of it are important to the fi eld of aging. Here, the author should offer a conceptual framework that will be used to guide the policy analysis. This section should contain a review of the relevant literature that will tie together key concerns raised with historical background on the topic, showing the reader some of the reasons why the issue has been diffi cult to resolve or is in need of additional policy-making efforts or change. What are the “ facts ” surrounding this issue and to what extent do the various stakeholders agree on these facts and the policies they have spawned to date? Next is the heart of the paper, an analysis of the issue. In this section, we will look for an in-depth description of the sample and data used (if a secondary data analysis), the methods of data collection and analysis carried out (if new data were collected), and the specifi c fi ndings of the analysis. We understand that in some instances, the “ data ” to be used
X-ray Structure of the Water Soluble [Adeninium]-[p-Sulfonatocalix[4]arene] which Displays Cationic and Anionic Bilayers

Abstract Treatment of Na4[p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene]·nH2O with adenine in an acidic medium generates the water soluble [C5H6N5 +]4[p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene]·14H2O. The compound crystallizes from solution in the space group P1 with a = 12.824(2), b = 13.778(1), c = 19.536(2) A, α = 77.85(1), α = 78.78(1), γ = 80.25(1)°, and Dc = 1.557 gcm−3 for Z = 2 (C48H72O30N20S4). Refinement based on 9639 observed reflections led to R = 0.065. The complex crystallizes with a water molecule exhibiting aromatic π hydrogen bonding imbedded within the hydrophobic calixarene cavity. The four adeninium ions form a hydrogen bonded array in a layer external to the cavity. The overall structure exists as bilayers of anionic calix[4]arenes in the cone conformation. These layers are intercalated with bilayers of cationic adeninium ions and are separated by a bed of water molecules. The bilayer structure has been observed in other calix[4]arene complexes, and the intercalation of a cationic bilayer further enhances the similarity i...
Characterizing Environmental Gradients and Their Influence on Vegetation Zonation in a Subtropical Coastal Sand Dune System

Abstract Subtropical coastal sand dune ecosystems have been greatly altered by agricultural use, invasive exotic encroachment, urban development, and beach raking, rendering several plant species endangered or threatened. Restoration planning of this ecosystem will benefit from a comprehensive study on how environmental variables change across the coast-to-inland gradient of this ecosystem and it is therefore presented here. We also examined the relationship between the environmental characteristics and plant species composition across the gradient. We used the two largest extents of remaining dune ecosystem on the southeastern coast of Florida, where relatively intact populations of endangered species occur. Vegetation and environmental data were collected from 97 3 × 8 m plots in two sand dune parks along the coast–inland gradient. Soil moisture, most nutrients, cation exchange capacity, and organic matter accumulation increased with distance from the coast, whereas pH and salt spray decreased. The numb...
Immunohistochemical characterization of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with practical applications for diagnosis and treatment

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, clinically challenging, soft tissue tumor. The main histologic differential of DFSP is usually a dermatofibroma. In 1990, the first report appeared demonstrating that cells of DFSP express the human progenitor antigen CD34 on their surface. Since then, there have been increasing reports of the usefulness of immunohistochemical staining with CD34 to differentiate DFSP from dermatofibroma and other soft tissue tumors. This literature is reviewed with special emphasis on the insights studies have provided into the histogenesis of DFSP. The literature demonstrating the practical applications of CD34 staining in the diagnosis and treatment of DFSP is also discussed.
Photoionization cross section of chlorine I

Abstract The photoionization cross sections for the 3p and 3s subshells of the ground state of atomic chlorine have been calculated by many-body perturbation theory. We find significant electron-electron correlation effects for both cross section.
Platform-independent programs

Given a single program (i.e., bit string), one may assume that the program's behaviors can be determined by first identifying the native runtime architecture and then executing the program on that architecture. In this paper, we challenge the notion that programs run on a single architecture by developing techniques that automatically create a single program string that a) runs on different architectures, and b) potentially has different behaviors depending upon which architecture it runs on. At a high level, a primary security implication is that any program analysis done on a program must only be considered valid for the assumed architecture. Our techniques also introduce a new type of steganography that hides execution behaviors. In order to demonstrate our techniques, we implement a system for generating platform-independent programs for x86, ARM, and MIPS. We use our system to generate real platform-independent programs.
Gendering Sovereignty: Marriage and International Relations in Elizabethan Times

In this study, I show how the gendered construction of sovereignty in the Elizabethan period helped to make marriage dangerous for female rulers. In a society with firmly held convictions about a h...
Iolus: a framework for scalable secure multicasting

As multicast applications are deployed for mainstream use, the need to secure multicast communications will become critical. Multicast, however, does not fit the point-to-point model of most network security protocols which were designed with unicast communications in mind. As we will show, securing multicast (or group) communications is fundamentally different from securing unicast (or paired) communications. In turn, these differences can result in scalability problems for many typical applications.In this paper, we examine and model the differences between unicast and multicast security and then propose Iolus: a novel framework for scalable secure multicasting. Protocols based on Iolus can be used to achieve a variety of security objectives and may be used either to directly secure multicast communications or to provide a separate group key management service to other "security-aware" applications. We describe the architecture and operation of Iolus in detail and also describe our experience with a protocol based on the Iolus framework.
Using N-body algorithms for interference computation in wireless cellular simulations

A comprehensive simulation model of wireless cellular networks must include the computation of transmitter power levels. In such systems, as time evolves, powers are continuously updated to minimize interference and maintain signal quality. Transmitters operate at the minimum power required to meet a target signal to noise ratio (SNR), which, in the real system, can be promptly estimated since the values involved come front direct measurements. In a simulation model, however, the interference over each receiver is a quantity that must be computed and the associated costs are not low. A system with N pairs of transmitters and receivers requires that O(N/sup 2/) pairwise interactions be computed; it's easy to see how very large the workload is when we consider that, in order to advance simulated time by one second, this large computation may have to be performed hundreds of times. We show that techniques devised for the simulation of systems of self-gravitating bodies (N-body problem) can be successfully applied to reduce the complexity of interference computations in simulations of wireless systems. However, our experiments suggest simple distance-based truncation may be the superior method.
Effect of Store Aerodynamics on Wing/Store Flutter

Owing to the high cost of doing flutter analysis for aircraft carrying large numbers and types of stores, it is not economically feasible to include store aerodynamics when there will be little change in the flutter results. But store aerodynamics should be included if it will change the results of the flutter analysis. This study represents the first systematic analytical study of the effect of store aerodynamics on wing/store flutter. A large number of wing/store single carriage configurations and parameters were included in the study; multivariate analysis techniques were used for the first time to analyze wing/store configurations, modal data, and flutter results. The results of the multivariate analysis indicate that it may not be possible to develop general guidelines, but it is possible to develop specific guidelines for use with a particular aircraft.
Behavioral effects of metyrapone on Pavlovian extinction

This is the first study of the action of metyrapone on Pavlovian extinction. Pavlovian acquisition memory can be impaired when 50 mg/kg metyrapone, a corticosterone synthesis inhibitor, is injected 90 min before training. It was hypothesized that the same treatment given before extinction may also impair Pavlovian extinction memory, and thereby facilitate recovery of the extinguished behavior. This study examined the behavioral effects of 50 mg/kg metyrapone on the extinction of conditioned freezing following Pavlovian conditioning of tone (CS) and footshock (US). On days 1–2, mice were habituated to the training context. On days 4–5, mice received 4 tone–shock pairings per day. On day 6, metyrapone or saline was injected s.c. 90 min before an extinction session with 60 tone presentations. Probe sessions with 4 tones were conducted in the extinction context on day 7 and in the acquisition context on day 9. Metyrapone treatment did not affect performance during extinction or pre-CS freezing behavior. But metyrapone-treated animals showed greater conditioned freezing when tested with the tone the day after extinction in the extinction context (spontaneous recovery) and 3 days after extinction in the acquisition context (renewal effect). It was concluded that 50 mg/kg metyrapone did not affect extinction performance, but it effectively facilitated the subsequent recovery of the extinguished behavior. This effect may be explained by an impairment of the consolidation of the Pavlovian extinction memory. This interpretation is consistent with previous studies showing that metyrapone may interfere with memory consolidation for a variety of learned responses.
Groundwater Quality Implications of Bank-Storage in a Crystalline-Rock Setting

Numerical simulation of interaction between a river and adjacent alluvium and saprolite groundwaters in the Piedmont physiographic province of western Georgia, U.S.A. suggests that bank storage in this crystalline-rock setting is mediated by elastic storativity rather than the more commonly assumed piston flow. Hydraulic head responds almost instantly to river stage increase despite relatively low hydraulic conductivity of surficial materials. Modeling suggests that aquifer hydraulic head variation is primarily a pressure response to stream stage change and that very little infiltration of river water into alluvium and saprolite occurs. Most unconfined aquifer bank storage models do not account for elastic effects and will therefore greatly underpredict the rate and magnitude of groundwater hydraulic head change and greatly overpredict surface water infiltration. Results suggest that groundwater adjacent to this and similar streams in crystalline-rock settings is not necessarily threatened by contamination from passing surface-water flood waves, even when a strong hydraulic connection between river and groundwater exists and even in cases where hydraulic gradient reverses and is temporarily directed from the river into its banks. Because this site is typical of many near-stream sites in the Piedmont and other crystalline-rock settings, these results may be widely applicable.
PIE: an online prediction system for protein–protein interactions from text

Protein–protein interaction (PPI) extraction has been an important research topic in bio-text mining area, since the PPI information is critical for understanding biological processes. However, there are very few open systems available on the Web and most of the systems focus on keyword searching based on predefined PPIs. PIE (Protein Interaction information Extraction system) is a configurable Web service to extract PPIs from literature, including user-provided papers as well as PubMed articles. After providing
COLLECTING FLORIDA APPLESNAILS (POMACEA PALUDOSA) FROM WETLAND HABITATS USING FUNNEL TRAPS

Traditional methods for sampling aquatic macro-invertebrates are very labor-intensive and largely ineffective when attempting to collect Florida applesnails (Pomacea paludosa) from their natural wetland habitats. We found the use of funnel traps an effective alternative that decreased collection time ten-fold and required considerably less labor than throw traps. The funnel traps described herein can be used effectively for collecting applesnails in a variety of wetland habitat types and plant densities, and they may also be effective in catching other wetland organisms (e.g., Kinosternid turtles).
Proteomic analysis of macrophages activated with salmonella lipopolysaccharide (INC2P.413)

Macrophages play pivotal role in immunity. They are activated by pathogen derived molecules such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which triggers the production of various proteins that drive and resolve inflammation. There are many studies on the effect of LPS at the genome level but the knowledge of its proteomic effects is limited. To determine the proteomic effects of LPS, we used Stable Isotope Labelling of Amino acids in Cell culture (SILAC) with a chicken macrophage cell line HTC, stimulated with Salmonella typhimurium LPS. The heavy (H) ( 13 C-lysine) labelled cells were treated with LPS and the regular or light lysine (L) grown cells treated as controls. After 16h of stimulation, the proteins were extracted, quantified, and an equal amount from both H and L cells mixed. The protein mixtures were subjected to reduction/alkylation, and trypsin digestion followed by high throughput liquid chromatography/ tandem mass spectrometry. We quantified 133 proteins using Skyline software, out of which 13 were upregulated and 11 down regulated. Some of the upregulated proteins included HSP 70 and 90, DNA helicases, prostaglandin D synthase and CCL5 ligand. The down regulated proteins were ubiquitin, proteasome, and proteins related to protease activity. In conclusion this study suggests that activation of macrophages with LPS results in differential expressions of proteins involved in cytoskeleton remodeling, cell migration and cell signaling pathways involved in immune response.
Ultrasonic Measurement Techniques and Equipment Output Levels

The accurate measurement of the output levels of medical diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound equipment have become important to manufacturers and users as a result of the increasing use of these devices. Such measurements are important for several reasons. First, there is the question of possible risk to health associated with diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound. Accurate measurements of ultrasound levels used in biological effects investigations are needed so that other investigators can repeat the experiments. In addition, it is desirable that the output from equipment in clinical use be known so that it can be related to reported biological effects (Nyborg, 1977; Stratmeyer, 1977; Stewart et al., 1977; Stratmeyer and Stewart. 1979). Second, measurement procedures are necessaryfor the calibration of ultrasonic equipment (e.g., theraphy instruments) in which there is a need to provide a known exposure for various treatments. Third, it is important from the standpoint of equipment performance to know the ultrasonic output of equipment in relation to other performance parameters such as imaging capabality. Fourth , accurate measurement methods are needed if regulatory agencies are to evaluate equipment to ensure the proper calibration in compliance with performance standards (Federal Register, 1978, 1979; Repacholi and Benwell, 1979; Stewart et. al., 1980).
Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase by Degradation Products of Ceftazidime

Previous work by Hafkemeyer et al. (1991) [Nucleic Acids Research 19: 4059-4065] indicated that a degradation product of ceftazidime, termed HP 0.35, was active against the RNase H activity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) reverse transcriptase (RT) in vitro. Attempting to repeat these results, we isolated HP 0.35 from an aqueous degradation of ceftazidime and, after careful purification, we found HP 0.35 to be essentially inactive against both the polymerase and RNase H domains of HIV-1 RT (IC 50 of > 100 μg mL -1 ). During the investigation we discovered that polymeric degradation products of discovered inhibited both the polymerase and, to a greater extent, the RNase H activities of HIV-1 RT in vitro (IC 50 approximately 0.1 and 0.01 μg mL -1 , respectively). Subjecting HP 0.35 to conditions under which it could polymerize induced inhibitory activity similar to that of the polymeric ceftazidime degradation products. It is proposed that the previously reported activity of HP 0.35 may have resulted from the presence of low levels of polymeric material either from incomplete purification or from polymerization of HP 0.35 during storage or in vitro testing.
Structure and Effects of Organosilane or Organotitanate Adhesion Promoters on A12O3/Polyethylene Joints

The structure of organosilane or organo titanate when adsorbed on single crystalline aluminum oxide has been studied by combining Fourier-Transform IR spectroscopy and Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis. Adsorbed organo silanes have undergone hydrolysis and polymerization to form somewhat cross-linked polysiloxane, but oligomers or unreacted silanols are still present in adsorbed silane, the exact composition of which seems to depend on concentration, pH and drying conditions, In contrast, adsorbed titanates show more subtle changes, only after prolonged heating. Correlation of the structure of the adsorbed layer with the peel strength of Al2O3/polyethylene joint was attempted. Organosilanes are much more effective than organotitanates. Extensive drying of adsorbed silane which drives the cross-linking reaction significantly reduces the peel strength. Based on these results, interdiffusion between polyethylene and silane was tentatively suggested as a responsible mechanism for improved adhesion.
Three challenges in cyber-physical systems

The tight coupling of computation, communication and control with physical systems such as actuation of closed-loop medical devices within the human body, peak power minimization by coordination of controllers across large industrial plants, and fast life-critical decision making by autonomous vehicles, present a set of fundamental and unique challenges. Each of these require new approaches at the intersection of multiple scientific, human and systems disciplines. We discuss five such challenges which require creative insights and application of model-based design, control systems, scheduling theory, formal methods, statistical machine learning and domain-specific experimentation. We ask the following questions: (1) An autonomous medical device is implanted to control your heart over a period of 5–7 years. How do you guarantee the software in the device provides safe and effective treatment under all physiological conditions? (2) Electricity prices in the US have summer peaks that are over 32× their average prices and winter peaks that are 86×. How can buildings respond to massive swings in energy prices at fast time scales? (3) While wireless has been successfully used for open-loop monitoring and tracking, how can we operate closed-loop control systems over a network of wireless controllers. Furthermore, how can we ensure robust, optimal and secure control in the presence of node/link failures and topology changes?
Tissue distribution of enzymic methylation of glutathione S-transferase and its effects on catalytic activity. Methylation of glutathione S-transferase 11-11 inhibits conjugating activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) were isolated from rat liver, lung, heart, kidney, testis and brain by coupled affinity chromatography and subunits were resolved by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. The reverse-phase h.p.l.c. technique was improved from our previously published work [Johnson, Neal, Collins & Siegel (1990) Biochem. J. 270, 483-489] by changing from a C4 to a C18 wide-pore reverse-phase column; this resulted in baseline or near-baseline resolution of all GST subunits. There were significant tissue-dependent differences in the expression of GST subunits and the level of GST subunits present was quantitatively determined for each of the tissues. The extent of methylation of GSTs in vitro and distribution of GST methyltransferase (GST-MT) was determined in cytosolic fractions from each of these tissues. Purified GST isoenzymes were methylated with partially purified liver GST-MT. Methylation of Mu class subunits 3 and 4, the preferred substrates of methylation in liver, was substoichiometric in all tissues. The extent of methylation of subunit 3 ranged from 0.13% to 0.94% and subunit 4 from 0.03% to 0.60%. Methylation of Alpha class subunits was either not detectable or 5-10-fold less than that of Mu class subunits 3 and 4. Pi class subunit 7 was methylated to a greater extent than the Alpha class subunits but less than Mu class isoenzymes. A notable exception to this low level of methylation was GST 11-11, found mainly in testis and brain. Methylation of subunit 11 reached 21.9% (219 pmol of methyl group/nmol of subunit 11) when this isoenzyme was incubated with partially purified liver GST methyltransferase. Methylation of GST 11-11 was found to inhibit the conjugating activity of this isoenzyme towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene; the degree of inhibition of conjugating activity correlated with the extent of methylation of GST 11-11. GST-MT activity toward GST subunits 3, 4 and 11 was present in kidney and liver, detectable in lung and heart, but absent from brain and testis. Anion-exchange chromatography of GST-MTs from liver and kidney suggested the presence of four different forms of GST-MT (I-IV) and indicated that GST-MT isoenzymes III and IV were present at significantly lower concentrations in kidney than liver. The present paper shows that methylation is an enzyme-catalysed reaction that differs in substrate-specificity with respect to different GST isoenzymes, that expression of GST-MT is tissue-dependent and multiple forms of the enzyme are present in liver and kidney, and that methylation inhibits GST activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Blockade of the proestrous LH surge in cyclic rats by barbiturate administration on diestrus.

SummaryOvulation and the proestrous LH surge of cycling 4-day rats was blocked by barbiturate administration at 1330 hr of diestrus. Uterine ballooning was not blocked in the majority of animals in...
Apyrase in Partially Purified Staphylococcal Enterotoxin

In the course of studying partially purified enterotoxin for some characteristic biochemical property, an apyrase activity was found in the preparations. Although this enzyme does not appear to be enterotoxin, the methods so far used for the purification of the toxin1'2 also concentrate the enzyme. The phosphatases liberating orthophosphate from adenylphosphates have been isolated from muscle,3,4 brains livens potato,6, 7 yeast, 8 Paramecium, 9 snake venoms,10 and many other sources. Some of these enzymes are adenosinetriphosphatases and split only the terminal phosphate of adenosinetriphosphate ; some are apyrases and liberate more than one phosphate group-
The Language of Caring: Digital Human Modeling, Practice Patterns, and Performance Assessment☆

Abstract Digital human modeling offers unique potential in educating providers to apply complex, titratable forms of medical care and assessing their cognitive competence in these domains. Mechanical ventilation uses a machine (a ventilator) to support patients who cannot breathe independently, and is a cornerstone of modern intensive and emergency medical care. This cognitively complex, titrated, and potentially harmful therapy saves hundreds of thousands of lives per year. Practical and ethical considerations limit the provision of extensive bedside training, and there are no current mechanisms for assessing operational competence. We constructed a comprehensive digital model of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation that was populated with “virtual patients,” as well as specific guidelines regarding clinical goals for each patient. Individuals ranging from experienced clinicians to trainees were evaluated regarding their performance as they managed the virtual patient population. The training experience was well received and required less than 2 hours. Nonetheless, exposure to the simulator improved provider efficiency, and was accompanied by clear changes in patterns of practice. The ability to test on rigorously standardized cases (entirely unfeasible in the clinical setting) facilitated assessment of competence and more sophisticated quantification of.
Selective stabilization of aliphatic organic carbon by iron oxide

Stabilization of organic matter in soil is important for natural ecosystem to sequestrate carbon and mitigate greenhouse gas emission. It is largely unknown what factors govern the preservation of organic carbon in soil, casting shadow on predicting the response of soil to climate change. Iron oxide was suggested as an important mineral preserving soil organic carbon. However, ferric minerals are subject to reduction, potentially releasing iron and decreasing the stability of iron-bound organic carbon. Information about the stability of iron-bound organic carbon in the redox reaction is limited. Herein, we investigated the sorptive interactions of organic matter with hematite and reductive release of hematite-bound organic matter. Impacts of organic matter composition and conformation on its sorption by hematite and release during the reduction reaction were analyzed. We found that hematite-bound aliphatic carbon was more resistant to reduction release, although hematite preferred to sorb more aromatic carbon. Resistance to reductive release represents a new mechanism that aliphatic soil organic matter was stabilized by association with iron oxide. Selective stabilization of aliphatic over aromatic carbon can greatly contribute to the widely observed accumulation of aliphatic carbon in soil, which cannot be explained by sorptive interactions between minerals and organic matter.
Reintegrative shaming, redemption, and acceptance: A survey of Christian church goers in eastern North Carolina

ABSTRACTObjectives: Using Braithwaite's (1989) notions of crime, shame, and reintegration as theoretical underpinning, we identify factors associated with acceptance of a variety of offenders accused or convicted of various criminal behaviors among Christian church goers in a North Carolina county. Using a convenience sample method, surveys were administered to 365 church goers, with an effort to include a mixture of respondents that reflected the population of the county being sampled, in terms of race, gender, age, education level, and denominational affiliation. The survey included numerous vignettes, identifying crimes ranging in seriousness from underage drinking to murder, and from a variety of offenders including teenagers, young adults, middle aged women and middle aged men. Bivariate and multivariate techniques were employed to analyze the data. Acceptance was greatest for young adult and teenaged offenders for a variety of minor offenses, but also for young men that had been convicted of burglar...
Triangularization of a Pair of Matrices over the Domain of Principal Ideals with Minimal Quadratic Polynomials

We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for the simultaneous triangularization of a pair of matrices over the domain of principal ideals with minimal quadratic polynomials.
Reinforcing Medication Administration Through Student-Directed Simulation

Abstract Medication errors are a threat to patient safety, and the distress experienced by nurses affects their confidence and practice. Nursing students have reported a decrease in medication administration in the clinical setting. This article documents the creation of a pilot study to explore the potential for a teaching approach that utilizes senior students as mentors in a simulation laboratory to practice medication administration. Results revealed that all students reported an increased competence and confidence to administer medication autonomously in the future.
Traffic of Hematogenous Cells Through the Central Nervous System

As the interest in immunological events occurring in the central nervous system (CNS) has grown in the past quarter century, many investigators have repeatedly confirmed the relative absence of cellular elements of the immune system in the CNS of healthy mammals. This encompasses the lack of a significant number of T and B lymphocytes and low to nonexistent constitutive MHC class I and II antigen expression (Wekerle et al. 1986). Nevertheless, in numerous pathological conditions these cells are readily able to enter the CNS and contribute to salutary or destructive immunological processes. Scientific questions regarding the role and mechanisms of cellular entry are becoming clearer. These questions focus on the following concepts: What is the normal number of immunologically related cells types in the CNS? How do these cells gain access to the CNS under normal and pathological conditions? What important molecular signals and adhesion molecules do they require and how are these “signals” modulated in CNS pathology? In what processes do these hematogenous cells participate? And, how do their arrivals and departures vary in pathological conditions? From a variety of in vivo model systems and in vitro studies, the answers to these and related questions are now beginning to appear.
Implications of changing spatial dynamics of irrigated pasture, California's third largest agricultural water use

Irrigated agriculture is practiced on 680 million acres worldwide. Irrigated grazing land is likely a significant portion of that area but estimating an accurate figure has remained problematic. Due to its significant contribution to agricultural water use worldwide, we develop a methodology to remotely sense irrigated pasture using a California case study. Irrigated pasture is the third largest agricultural water use in California, yet its economic returns are low. As pressures mount for the agricultural sector to be more water efficient and for water to be directed towards its most economically valuable uses, there will likely be a reduction in irrigated pasture acreage. A first step in understanding the importance of irrigated pasture in California is establishing a methodology to quantify baseline information about its area, location, and current rate of loss. This study used a novel object-based image analysis and supervised classification on publicly-available, high resolution, remote sensing National Agriculture Imaging Program (NAIP) imagery to develop a highly accurate map of irrigated pasture in a rural county in California's Sierra foothills. Irrigated pasture was found to have decreased by 19% during the ten-year period, 2005-2014, from 4,273 to 3,470 acres. The implications of this loss include potential impacts to wetland-dependent species, groundwater recharge, game species, traditional ranching culture, livestock production, and land conservation. Overall accuracy in classification across years was consistently over 89%. Comparing these results against available measurements of irrigated pasture provided by state and federal agencies reveals that this method significantly improves upon existing metrics and methods of data collection and points to critical needs for new targeted research and monitoring efforts. Broadly, the analysis presented here provides an improved methodology for mapping irrigated pasture that can be extended to provide accurate and spatially-explicit data for other counties in California and other arid and semi-arid regions worldwide.
A Primer on Moderated Mediation Analysis: Exploring Logistics Involvement in New Product Development

Theorizing and empirically testing moderated mediation hypotheses allows logistics and supply chain management (L&SCM) scholars to extend the boundaries of our current understanding by examining how, when, and why relationships arise between constructs central to our theories. However, while moderated mediation analyses can enrich theory in L&SCM, they are few in number, likely due to the complexities associated with their execution. In this article, we provide a didactic treatment for executing moderated mediation analysis. We do so using primary data regarding logistics involvement in new product development. In the hopes of spurring greater application of moderated mediation in L&SCM, we devise a series of recommendations that guide scholars through the process of conducting such analyses. These recommendations extend prior treatments by explaining how to address challenges associated with devising theories to undergird moderated mediation hypotheses, measuring constructs using multiple indicators, providing guidance for detecting influential cases that can unduly affect results, and integrating what results should be reported.
Endoscopic near infrared photoimmunotherapy using a fiber optic diffuser for peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer.

Near infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a highly selective tumor treatment that employs an antibody-photo-absorber conjugate (APC) which is activated by near infrared light. Here, we describe the efficacy of endoscopic NIR-PIT using the APC trastuzumab-IR700DX (tra-IR700) in the setting of human epidermal growth factor 2 positive (HER2 + ) gastric carcinoma with peritoneal disseminations. In this in vivo study, fluorescence endoscopy showed high tumor accumulation of tra-IR700 within disseminated peritoneal implants. Mice with disseminated peritoneal gastric cancer were separated into 4 groups: (i) control (no treatment); (ii) tra-IR700 i.v. only; (iii) NIR light only; and (iv) endoscopic NIR-PIT. NIR light irradiation was carried out through a fiber optic diffuser under endoscopic guidance. In vivo bioluminescence images showed significantly greater therapeutic effect in the endoscopic NIR-PIT group than that in the control groups (P < .01 vs other control groups). Histological analysis showed diffuse cancer cell death in NIR-PIT-treated tumors. In conclusion, NIR-PIT with NIR light delivered via an endoscopic fiber optic diffuser is a promising method for the treatment of peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer. Moreover, this technique could be readily used in other types of cancers with peritoneal dissemination provided that suitable antibodies could be found.
Micro-Lego of 3D SU-8 structures and its application to a re-entrant surface

Deterministic multi-layer micro-scale assembly of SU-8 polymer objects as well as their cohesive interfacial joining strength are investigated. The process of SU-8 photoresist into retrievable individual micro-scale objects is reviewed and the construction of three-dimensional (3D) SU-8 micro-structures via micro-Lego, which involves transfer printing and permanent joining of SU-8 objects on a target site, is demonstrated. Owing to the additive 3D nature of micro-Lego, the demonstrative micro-scale architectures are unattainable through other means such as conventional photolithography. The mechanical joining strength between SU-8 objects assembled by micro-Lego is inspected by probing SU-8 cantilever specimens using a nanoindenter and the results reveal that the joining strength is ~ 0.988 J/m2, which is comparable to wafer scale silicon fusion bonding strength. In order to demonstrate a practical application of SU-8 micro-Lego, a SU-8 re-entrant surface is assembled by one step process. It is shown that the SU-8 re-entrant surface can repel a water droplet while SU-8 is natively hydrophilic with a low intrinsic contact angle (73 ± 5°).
Medical Marijuana Users are More Likely to Use Prescription Drugs Medically and Nonmedically.

Objectives Previous studies have found a negative population-level correlation between medical marijuana availability in US states, and trends in medical and nonmedical prescription drug use. These studies have been interpreted as evidence that use of medical marijuana reduces medical and nonmedical prescription drug use. This study evaluates whether medical marijuana use is a risk or protective factor for medical and nonmedical prescription drug use. Methods Simulations based upon logistic regression analyses of data from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were used to compute associations between medical marijuana use, and medical and nonmedical prescription drug use. Adjusted risk ratios (RRs) were computed with controls added for age, sex, race, health status, family income, and living in a state with legalized medical marijuana. Results Medical marijuana users were significantly more likely (RR 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-1.74) to report medical use of prescription drugs in the past 12 months. Individuals who used medical marijuana were also significantly more likely to report nonmedical use in the past 12 months of any prescription drug (RR 2.12, 95% CI 1.67-2.62), with elevated risks for pain relievers (RR 1.95, 95% CI 1.41-2.62), stimulants (RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.09-3.02), and tranquilizers (RR 2.18, 95% CI 1.45-3.16). Conclusions Our findings disconfirm the hypothesis that a population-level negative correlation between medical marijuana use and prescription drug harms occurs because medical marijuana users are less likely to use prescription drugs, either medically or nonmedically. Medical marijuana users should be a target population in efforts to combat nonmedical prescription drug use.
Phase Transformations Under High Pressure and Large Plastic Deformations: Multiscale Theory and Interpretation of Experiments

It is known that superposition of large plastic shear at high pressure in a rotational diamond anvil cell (RDAC) or high-pressure torsion leads to numerous new phenomena, including drastic reduction in phase transformation (PT) pressure and appearance of new phases. Here, our four-scale theory and corresponding simulations are reviewed. Molecular dynamic simulations were used to determine lattice instability conditions under six components of the stress tensor, which demonstrate strong reduction of PT pressure under nonhydrostatic loading. At nanoscale, nucleation at various evolving dislocation configurations is studied utilizing a developed phase field approach. The possibility of reduction in PT pressure by an order of magnitude due to stress concentration at the shear-generated dislocation pileup is proven. At microscale, a strain-controlled kinetic equation is derived and utilized in large-strain macroscopic theory for coupled PTs and plasticity. At macroscale, the behavior of the sample in DAC and RDAC is studied using a finite-element approach. A comprehensive computational study of the effects of different material and geometric parameters is performed, and various experimental effects are reproduced. Possible misinterpretation of experimental PT pressure is demonstrated. The obtained results offer new methods for controlling PTs and searching for new high-pressure phases (HPPs), as well as methods for characterization of high-pressure PTs in traditional DAC and RDAC.
Lightweight federation of non-cooperating digital libraries

This dissertation studies the challenges and issues faced in federating heterogeneous digital libraries (DLs). The objective of this research is to demonstrate the feasibility of interoperability among non-cooperating DLs by presenting a lightweight, data driven approach, or Data Centered Interoperability (DCI). We build a Lightweight Federated Digital Library (LFDL) system to provide federated search service for existing digital libraries with no prior coordination. We describe the motivation, architecture, design and implementation of the LFDL. We develop, deploy, and evaluate key services of the federation. The major difference to existing DL interoperability approaches is one where we do not insist on cooperation among DLs, that is, they do not have to change anything in their system or processes. The underlying approach is to have a dynamic federation where digital libraries can be added (removed) to the federation in real-time. This is made possible by describing the behavior of participating DLs in an XML-based language that the federation engine understands. The major contributions of this work are: (1) This dissertation addresses the interoperability issues among non-cooperating DLs and presents a practical and efficient approach toward providing federated search service for those DLs. The DL itself remains autonomous and does not need to change its structure, data format, protocol and other internal features when it is added to the federation. (2) The implementation of the LFDL is based on a lightweight, dynamic, data-centered and rule-driven architecture. To add a DL to the federation, all that is needed is observing a DL's interaction with the user and storing the interaction specification in a human-readable and highly maintainable format. The federation engine provides the federated service based on the specification of a DL. A registration service allows dynamic DL registration, removal, or modification. No code needs to be rewritten or recompiled to add or change a DL. These notions are achieved by designing a new specification language in XML format and a powerful processing engine that enforces and implements the rules specified using the language. (3) In this thesis we explore an alternate approach where searches are distributed to participating DLs in real time. We have addressed the performance and reliability problems associated with other distributed search approaches. This is achieved by a locally maintained metadata repository extracted from DLs, as well as an efficient caching system based on the repository. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Optimization of criminal hotspots based on underlying crime controlling factors using geospatial discriminative pattern

Criminal activities are unevenly distributed over space. The concept of hotspots is widely used to analyze the spatial characters of crimes. But existing methods usually identify hotspots based on an arbitrary user-defined threshold with respect to the number of a target crime without considering underlying controlling factors. In this study we introduce a new data mining model --- Hotspots Optimization Tool (HOT) --- to identify and optimize crime hotspots. The key component of HOT, Geospatial Discriminative Patterns (GDPatterns), which capture the difference between two classes in spatial dataset, is used in crime hotspot analysis. Using a real world dataset of a northeastern city in the United States, we demonstrate that the HOT model is a useful tool in optimizing crime hotspots,and it is also capable of visualizing criminal controlling factors which will help domain scientists further understanding the underlying reasons of criminal activities.
Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels: Structure, Function, and Pathophysiology

Voltage-gated sodium channels initiate action potentials in neurons, muscle, and other excitable cells. They are complexes of a large α subunit with one or two smaller β subunits. The α subunits contain four homologous domains with six transmembrane segments (S1–S6) that form a voltage-sensing module (S1–S4) and a pore-forming module (S5 and S6). Sodium channels are activated when membrane depolarization induces outward movement and rotation of the S4 segment in each voltage-sensing module, which is physically coupled to opening of the pore by the S4–S5 linker. The inactivation gate formed by the intracellular loop connecting domains III and IV folds into the inner mouth of the pore and blocks it rapidly during sustained depolarization. Local anesthetic, antiepileptic, and antiarrhythmic drugs bind to a receptor site within the pore of the sodium channel and block it, whereas many classes of neurotoxins bind to distinct receptor sites and alter sodium channel function. Mutations in sodium channels cause rare inherited forms of epilepsy, chronic pain, periodic paralysis, cardiac arrhythmia, and other syndromes, which provide important models for more widespread forms of these diseases.