cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxime Side-Chain Cross-Links in an α-Helical Coiled-Coil Protein: Structure, Thermodynamics, and Folding-Templated Synthesis of Bicyclic Species

Covalent side-chain cross-links are a versatile method to control peptide folding, particularly when α-helical secondary structure is the target. Here, we examine the application of oxime bridges, formed by the chemoselective reaction between aminooxy and aldehyde side chains, for the stabilization of a helical peptide involved in a protein-protein complex. A series of sequence variants of the dimeric coiled coil GCN4-p1 bearing oxime bridges at solvent-exposed positions were prepared and biophysically characterized. Triggered unmasking of a side-chain aldehyde in situ and subsequent cyclization proceed rapidly and cleanly at pH 7 in the folded protein complex. Comparison of folding thermodynamics among a series of different oxime bridges show that the cross links are consistently stabilizing to the coiled coil, with the extent of stabilization sensitive to the exact size and structure of the macrocycle. X-ray crystallographic analysis of a coiled coil with the best cross link in place and a second structure of its linear precursor show how the bridge is accommodated into an α-helix. Preparation of a bicyclic oligomer by simultaneous formation of two linkages in situ demonstrates the potential use of triggered oxime formation to both trap and stabilize a particular peptide folded conformation in the bound state.
DESIGNING RANKING SYSTEMS FOR HOTELS ON TRAVEL SEARCH ENGINES TO ENHANCE USER EXPERIENCE

Information seeking in an online shopping environment is different from classical relevance-based information retrieval. In this paper, we focus on understanding how humans seek information and make economic decisions, when interacting with an array of choices in an online shopping environment. Our study is instantiated on a unique dataset of US hotel reservations from Travelocity.com. Current travel search engines display results with only rudimentary interfaces by using a single ranking criterion. This largely ignores consumers’ multi-dimensional preferences and is constrained by human cognitive limitations towards multiple and diverse online data sources. This paper proposes to improve the search interface using an inter-disciplinary approach. It combines text mining, image classification, social geo-tagging and field experiments with structural modeling techniques, and designs an interface whereby each hotel of interest is ranked according to its average consumer surplus on the travel search site. This system would display the hotels with the “best value for money” for a given consumer at the top of the computer screen during the travel search process in response to a query. The final outcome based on several user studies shows that our proposed ranking system outperforms the existing baselines. This suggests that our inter-disciplinary approach has the potential to enhance user search experience for information seeking in the context of economic decision-making.
Nonlinear combination of luminance excursions during flicker, simultaneous contrast, afterimages and binocular fusion

The changes in apparent brightness or color, induced into a test spot by a surround, can be greatly enhanced either by flickering the test spot between two luminances, or by binocularly fusing a pair of test spots of different luminances. Simultaneous contrast, in which a white surround makes a grey spot look darker, is greatly enhanced if the spot (not the surround) flickers between black and white. Colour contrast is likewise enhanced by chromatic flicker: on a blue surround, a grey spot looks slightly yellowish, but a yellow/blue flickering spot looks strongly yellow. Temporal successive contrasts, or negative afterimages, are also enhanced by flickering the test field. The negative afterimage of a half-white, half-black rectangle looked dark grey and light grey when projected on a grey test field, but it looked almost black and almost white when projected on a test field that flickered between black and white. Coloured negative afterimages were also enhanced by projecting them on a chromatic flickering test field. We examined the combination rules for pairs of luminances which were presented either successively as flicker or else dichoptically (and fused binocularly). The brightness averaging functions for spatial increments (light spots) on dark surrounds were quasi-linear for binocular fusion but quadratic for flicker. For spatial decrements (dark spots) on white surrounds, the brightness averaging functions were strongly nonlinear winner-take-all for both binocular fusion and flicker. We also found temporal analogues of Fechner's [(1860). Elements of psychophysics. New York: Holt, Rinehart, Winston, 1966] paradox and Levelt's [(1965). British Journal of Psychology, 56, 1-13] dichoptic contour effect. We conclude that the visual rules for combining luminance excursions, whether in flicker or binocular fusion, favour disproportionately the spot with the higher contrast.
Long-Term Outcomes in Patients Who Received a Corneal Graft for Keratoconus Between 1980 and 1986

Purpose To estimate the probability of allograft rejection, graft failure, and recurrent keratoconus (KC) and to assess vision-specific quality of life 20 to 25 years after corneal transplantation for KC. Design Retrospective case series. Methods Two hundred nineteen eyes of 184 subjects were identified from the Michigan Corneal Transplantation Patient Registry as receiving corneal transplantation for KC from 1980 through 1986. Current ophthalmic examinations and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire were obtained. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to estimate the time-related probability of allograft rejection, graft failure, and KC recurrence. Cox regression was used to identify predictive factors of these outcomes. The 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire scores were summarized with descriptive statistics. Results Follow-up was available up to 27 years after surgery (median, 10 years). Rejection occurred in 98 of 219 grafts. Most rejections occurred in the first 2 years (probability, 41%; standard error, 3%). KC recurrence was noted in 6 grafts 9 to 20 years after surgery, with a 20-year probability of 10% (standard error, 4%). Eighteen grafts failed, with a 20-year probability of 12% (standard error, 3%). Larger host trephine size, male donor gender, and nonwhite donor race were associated with increased rejection hazard. Worse astigmatism and nonwhite recipient race were associated with increased failure hazard. Twenty-eight subjects completed the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire at an average of 23 years after surgery (range, 18 to 26 years). Their mean composite score was 84.5 (standard deviation, 12.1). Conclusions Allograft rejection is frequent in the 2 years after corneal graft for KC. However, the 20-year probabilities of graft failure and recurrent KC are low. Given the relative youth of KC graft recipients, these statistics should enhance the information they receive.
Identifying Early Numeracy Indicators for Kindergarten and First-Grade Students.

Recent studies have documented positive effects for early intervention in improving the mathematics performance of low-achieving children. Consequently, educators need technically sound mathematics screening measures to identify children at risk and then intervene to improve achievement. In this article, we describe preliminary technical adequacy evidence for four early numeracy measures (number identification, quantity discrimination, quantity array, and missing number). We assessed over 300 kindergarten and first-grade students in two states to evaluate the reliability and criterion validity of the four measures. Fall and spring administrations of the measures for one subgroup provided preliminary evidence of students' growth on the measures over time. The results supported three of the four measures as potential tools for screening in the early grades.
An InGaAs-InP position-sensing photodetector

The design and fabrication of a position-sensing photodetector that is sensitive to a wavelength of 1.55 mu m are reported. This device is based on the photo-lateral effect and uses an In/sub 0.53/Ga/sub 0.47/As absorbing layer that is lattice matched to an InP substrate. The output signal (I/sub 1/-I/sub 2/)/(I/sub 1/+I/sub 2/) varies linearly with respect to the position of the incident beam. The responsivity of 0.75 A/W is uniform over the length of the photodetector. The device is intended for video rate applications and has a -3-dB cutoff frequency of 7 MHz. >
Do Interventions to Reduce Coronary Heart Disease Reduce the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes? A Possible Role for Inflammatory Factors

Type 2 diabetes is as a major cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). In some studies, the rate of CHD in type 2 diabetic subjects approaches that observed in some subjects with prevalent CHD.1 Additionally, the case fatality rate of CHD is increased in type 2 diabetics.2 In one Finnish study, 50% of diabetic men who had a first coronary heart event died within a year of their initial presentation; 50% of these fatal cases died before they reached the hospital (“sudden death”). These subjects, by definition, could not benefit from a secondary prevention program.2 Clearly, preventing type 2 diabetes would be important in the reduction of CHD. The Diabetes Prevention Program3 is a large National Institutes of Health–funded trial to prevent diabetes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. The interventions being tested are metformin and intensive lifestyle changes. Recently, the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Program reported a 58% reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in 523 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (American Diabetes Association, personal communication, June 2000). Approaches to reduce CHD have focused on the benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol with HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)4 …
Some recent applications of high-level Petri nets

The author presents a tutorial on high-level Petri nets and their applications. The author illustrates the transition firing rule of a high-level Petri net using an example. A high-level net can be considered as a structurally folded version of a regular Petri net, if the number of colors is finite. Thus, a high-level net can be unfolded into a regular Petri net by unfolding each place p into a set of places, one for each color of tokens which p may hold, and by unfolding each transition t into a set of transitions, one for each way that t may fire. The author informally introduces high-level nets through examples. The examples are taken from recent applications of high-level Petri nets to : (1) Horn clause logic programs, (2) four-valued annotated predicate logic, (3) nonmonotonic logic and (4) robot planning. >
Genome-wide SNP associations with rubella-specific cytokine responses in measles-mumps-rubella vaccine recipients

Genetic polymorphisms are known to affect responses to both viral infection and vaccination. Our previous work has described genetic polymorphisms significantly associated with variations in immune response to rubella vaccine from multiple gene families with known immune function, including HLA, cytokine and cytokine receptor genes, and in genes controlling innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, we assessed cellular immune responses (IFNγ and IL-6) in a cohort of healthy younger individuals and performed genome-wide SNP analysis on these same individuals. Here, we report the first genome-wide association study focused on immune responses following rubella vaccination. Our results indicate that rs16928280 in protein tyrosine phosphatase delta (PTPRD) and a collection of SNPs in ACO1 (encoding an iron regulatory protein) are associated with interindividual variations in IFNγ response to rubella virus stimulation. In contrast, we did not identify any significant genetic associations with rubella-specific IL-6 response. These genetic regions may influence rubella vaccine-induced IFNγ responses and warrant further studies in additional cohorts in order to confirm these findings.
Some Theoretical Considerations of the Dyeing of Cellulose Acetate with Disperse Dyes

Theoretical aspects of the disperse dyeing of secondary cellulose acetate are considered. Two models for the dyeing process are develpoed provisionally, one based on mixing of polymer segments with absorbed molecules, one based on absorption onto sites within the fiber. From a consideration of the experimental results available, the model based on mixing is rejected as unsatisfactury. The model based on absorption onto sites is quatitativety consistent with most of the experimental results available. Although both models are crude approximations, the qualitative agreement with experiment shown by the site model offers the possibility that it may be used as a stepping stone to further experiments and development of a more exact theory of disperse dyeing for cellulose acetate.
Entrepreneurial Proclivity And The Interpretation Of Subjective Probability Phrases

Verbal expressions of probability are frequently used to describe business and venture opportunities. This research investigates whether entrepreneurs and on-entrepreneurs interpret such expressions differently. We also investigate whether the interpretation of verbal probability expressions is related to the entrepreneurial proclivity of subjects, regardless of whether they are entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneurial Attitude Orientation (EAO) scale was used to measure entrepreneurial proclivity. Fifty-two subjects (17 entrepreneurs and 35 non-entrepreneurs) quantified thirty-five common verbal expressions of probability. The elicited quantifications of the probability phrases were highly variable between individuals, which is consistent with the results reported elsewhere. We found no significant difference between the entrepreneur and non-entrepreneur groups interpretations of the phrases. No meaningful correlations were found between EAO score and probability phrase interpretations. Our results seem to indicate that the interpretation of subjective probability phrases is not related to entrepreneurial proclivity and that the probability phrases involved in the presentation of opportunity are unlikely to affect the way that an entrepreneur perceives that opportunity as opposed to a non-entrepreneur.
Analytical Prediction of Interrupted Cutting Periodic Motions in a Machine Tool

The methodology for prediction of interrupted cutting periodic motions in a machining system is developed. The interrupted cutting mappings in the vicinity of the system constraints are defined. The criteria for the interrupted cutting periodic motions are developed through the state variables and mapping forms. The periodic interrupted cutting motions in a two-degree-of-freedom model are predicted numerically and analytically via closed form solutions. The chip and tool-piece seizure in the machine-tool system is also discussed. The bifurcations are caused by interactions of continuous dynamical systems in the neighborhood of the boundary.
Functional analyses of ATM, ATR and Fanconi anemia proteins in lung carcinoma

ATM and ATR are kinases implicated in a myriad of DNA-damage responses. ATM kinase inhibition radiosensitizes cells and selectively kills cells with Fanconi anemia (FA) gene mutations. ATR kinase inhibition sensitizes cells to agents that induce replication stress and selectively kills cells with ATM and TP53 mutations. ATM mutations and FANCF promoter-methylation are reported in lung carcinomas. We undertook functional analyses of ATM, ATR, Chk1 and FA proteins in lung cancer cell lines. We included Calu6 that is reported to be FANCL-deficient. In addition, the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database was interrogated for alterations in: 1) ATM, MRE11A, RAD50 and NBN; 2) ATR, ATRIP and TOPBP1; and 3) 15 FA genes. No defects in ATM, ATR or Chk1 kinase activation, or FANCD2 monoubiquitination were identified in the lung cancer cell lines examined, including Calu6, and major alterations in these pathways were not identified in the TCGA database. Cell lines were radiosensitized by ATM kinase inhibitor KU60019, but no cell killing by ATM kinase inhibitor alone was observed. While no synergy between gemcitabine or carboplatin and ATR kinase inhibitor ETP-46464 was observed, synergy between gemcitabine and Chk1 kinase inhibitor UCN-01 was observed in 54 T, 201 T and H460, and synergy between carboplatin and Chk1 kinase inhibitor was identified in 201 T and 239 T. No interactions between ATM, ATR and FA activation were observed by either ATM or ATR kinase inhibition in the lung cancer cell lines. Analyses of ATM serine 1981 and Chk1 serine 345 phosphorylation, and FANCD2 monoubiquitination revealed that ATM and ATR kinase activation and FA pathway signaling are intact in the lung cancer cell lines examined. As such, these posttranslational modifications may have utility as biomarkers for the integrity of DNA damage signaling pathways in lung cancer. Different sensitization profiles between gemcitabine and carboplatin and ATR kinase inhibitor ETP-46464 and Chk1 kinase inhibitor UCN-01 were observed and this should be considered in the rationale for Phase I clinical trial design with ATR kinase inhibitors.
Chain packing in glassy polymers by natural-abundance 13C-13C spin diffusion using 2D centerband-only detection of exchange.

The proximities of specific subgroups of nearest-neighbor chains in glassy polymers are revealed by distance-dependent 13C−13C dipolar couplings and spin diffusion. The meassurement of such proximi...
Predicting Seasonal Apple Injury by Tufted Apple Bud Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) with Early-Season Sex Pheromone Trap Catches and Brood I Fruit Injury

Cumulative catches of brood I tufted apple bud moth, Platynota idaeusalis (Walker), males in sex pheromone traps early in the season (before 28 May) provided a significant predictor of total-season fruit injury for the apple cultivars ‘Yorking’ and ‘Delicious’ but not for ‘Golden Delicious’ during 1986 and 1987. Early-season pheromone trap catches were also significant predictors of brood I injury for ‘Yorking’ in 1986 and ‘Delicious’ in 1987. Incorporating a measure of tree size with these cumulative trap catches improved the prediction of total fruit injury for the cultivars ‘Delicious’ and ‘Yorking’ in 1987. Significant regressions of total fruit injury with first-brood injury also were found for each cultivar except ‘Golden Delicious’ in 1987. The potential use of these early-season measures of population densities to more effectively manage tufted apple bud moth on apple is discussed.
Contrasts in Cell Type Sensitivity to Alanosine Demonstrated by Altered Patterns of Bracon hebetor Oviposition, Hatchability, and Egg Morphology

When alanosine (L-2-amino-3-hydroxynitrosamine propionic acid) was fed or injected into virgin female wasps, Bracon hebetor Say, the pattern of decreased daily egg production and hatchability indicated the oocytes actively engaged in vitellogenesis to be the most vulnerable of the units making up the ovariole sequence. In contrast, radiation and alkylating agents cause a decrease in egg production and hatchability for the oocytes undergoing active mitotic divisions with no reduction in the size or shape of the eggs deposited. The deposit of undersized eggs from the 2nd-9th day and a specific deterioration of part of the oogenic sequence provided additional morphological evidence of localized cell vulnerability. However, because provisioning the wasp oocyte depends upon accessory cell function and somatic tissue metabolism, the initial action of this inhibitor of adenine synthesis may be somewhat removed from the site of the evident damage.
Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties of Indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-6,12-dione Donor–Acceptor–Donor Triads

We report the synthesis of donor–acceptor–donor triads based on the indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-6,12-dione (IF) scaffold. Arylethynyl donor group attachment expands the light absorption of these molecules to the 600–700 nm region compared to derivatives with nondonating silylethynyl substituents yet does not affect the electron-accepting capabilities of the IF core. All triads show reduction potentials at similar or less negative potentials compared to the silylethynyl derivatives. Protonation studies using the bis(dibutylanilino) triad verify the charge transfer nature of the expanded absorption profile.
The Computer Illiteracy Problem: A Partial Solution

(1974). The Computer Illiteracy Problem: A Partial Solution. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 81, No. 4, pp. 393-398.
Dynamics of multiphase turbulent plumes with hybrid buoyancy sources in stratified environments

Deepwater oil blowouts typically generate multiphase hybrid plumes where the total inlet buoyancy flux is set by the combined presence of gas, oil, and heat. We numerically investigate the effects of combined sources of inlet buoyancy on turbulent plume dynamics by varying the inputs of a dispersed, slipping gas phase and a non-slipping buoyant liquid phase in thermally stratified environments. The ability of a single momentum equation, multiphase model to correctly reproduce characteristic plume heights is validated for both dispersed liquid phase and pure gas bubble plumes. A hybrid case, containing buoyancy contributions from both gas and liquid phases, is also investigated. As expected, on the plume centerline, the presence of a slipping gas phase increases both the vertical location of the neutrally buoyant equilibrium height and the maximum vertical extent of the liquid effluent relative to non-bubble plumes. While producing an overall increase in the plume height, the presence of a slipping gas phase also significantly enhances both the extent and magnitude of negatively buoyant downdrafts in the outer plume region. As a result, the intrusion or trapping height, the vertical distance where liquid phase plume effluent accumulates, is found to be significantly lower in both bubble and hybrid plumes. Below the intrusion level, the simulations are compared to an integral model formulation that explicitly accounts for the effects of the gas slip velocity in the evolution of the buoyancy flux. Discrepancies in the integral model and full solutions are largest in the source vicinity region where vertical turbulent volume fluxes, necessarily neglected in the integral formulation, are significant.
Reynolds averaged turbulence modelling using deep neural networks with embedded invariance

There exists significant demand for improved Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence models that are informed by and can represent a richer set of turbulence physics. This paper presents a method of using deep neural networks to learn a model for the Reynolds stress anisotropy tensor from high-fidelity simulation data. A novel neural network architecture is proposed which uses a multiplicative layer with an invariant tensor basis to embed Galilean invariance into the predicted anisotropy tensor. It is demonstrated that this neural network architecture provides improved prediction accuracy compared with a generic neural network architecture that does not embed this invariance property. The Reynolds stress anisotropy predictions of this invariant neural network are propagated through to the velocity field for two test cases. For both test cases, significant improvement versus baseline RANS linear eddy viscosity and nonlinear eddy viscosity models is demonstrated.
Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation for High-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for High Risk ALL Patients Not Eligible for Full Intensity Transplantation

Abstract Acute lymphoblastic leukemia has a poor prognosis in adults, with a two-year survival rate of 35–40% despite aggressive therapy (American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2008 Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2008). Reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) relies mainly on graft versus leukemia (GVL) for its efficacy; however, the role of GVL in ALL is less well-defined. Between 5/7/02 and 6/15/07, 25 adult ALL patients were uniformly treated with fludarabine 25mg/m2 daily for 5 days and melphalan 140mg/m2 followed by ALLO-SCT using peripheral blood stem cells. The indications for the reduced intensity regimen were: ≥ 50 years (10 pts) (40%), decreased organ function (9 pts) (36%) and previous ALLO-SCT (6 pts) (24%). Patient demographics include: median age, 47 years (range, 23–68 yrs.), remission status at ALLO-SCT: first complete remission (CR) (12 pts) (48%), first relapse (3 pts) (12%), second CR (5 pts) (20%), >second CR (4 pts) (16%), induction failure (one pt) (4%), t(9;22) or Philadelphia positive (Ph+) ALL(9 pts) (36%). Donor source was matched sibling in 9 pts (36%), and matched unrelated in 16 pts (64%). Graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis: was cyclosporine (CSA)/+ mycophenylate (MMF) (3 pts) (12%), CSA/MMF/methotrexate (MTX) (8 pts) (32%), CSA/MMF/ATG (one pt) (4%), tacrolimus/sirolimus (7 pts) (28%) and tacrolimus/sirolimus/MTX (6 pts) (24%). With a median follow-up for surviving patients of 28.5 months (range: 12.8–72.5 months), the two year cumulative probability of overall survival and disease-free survival were both 59% (95% CI: 46–69.2%). The relapse rate was 16% (95% CI: 6.4,–37.4%),. Incidence of acute GVHD was 60% for grade II–IV and 20% for grade III–IV. Of the patients at risk for chronic GVHD, 8% developed limited chronic GVHD and 60% developed extensive chronic GVHD. The 100-day, one year and two year non-relapse mortality rates were 12% (CI: 4.6–29.3%), 24.2% (CI: 14–39.9%) and 29.3% (CI: 18.4–44.6%), respectively. There was no difference in survival outcomes based on donor source. The results of this study show that reduced intensity ALLO-SCT using fludarabine/melphalan based conditioning with primed peripheral stem cells from a matched related or unrelated donor provides a curative option for patients with high risk ALL who are not eligible for full intensity transplant. Download : Download high-res image (83KB) Download : Download full-size image
DashCam video compression using historical data

While dashcam videos (DCVs) are used to document unanticipated situations such as accidents, they are often used to create a training set for vehicle detection and vehicle behavior modeling. This requires a substantial volume of stored DCVs. In this paper, we propose a system that effectively compresses these DCVs by taking advantage of existing historical data. First, our video retrieval and alignment preprocessors construct a reference video for a new DCV based on GPS information and ORB (Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF) features. The 3D-HEVC encoder jointly compresses these two videos. Our illumination matching algorithm makes the system robust over different illumination conditions. Our system reduces the bit-rate around 30% when tested over 80 sequences and 3 different scenarios: highway, boulevard and downtown.
Titanium-nickel shape memory thin film actuators for micromachined valves

Microelectromechanical valves have been fabricated from silicon wafers using standard bulk micromachining techniques, which utilize thin (2 μm) films of sputter-deposited titaniumnickel as the actuators. The TiNi shape memory alloy actuators are thermally driven by resistive heating, through the passage of an electric current. TiNi diaphragms (8.4 mm wide) are fabricated and tested in a pressure-temperature controlled fixture in order to determine the mechanical properties of the shape memory film. If a silicon island is left attached to the center of the diaphragm, this can act as a “boss” whose movement against an orifice will open and close the valve. The orifice can be etched into a second silicon wafer or machined from another rigid material. Use of mechanical spacers and external bias springs result in a normally-closed or normally-open configuration. Modulations of up to 90 percent have been observed in gas flows of up to 0.6 liter/min. Water flows as high as 5 ml/min. have been modulated by 60 percent.
Treatment options for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis - a safety evaluation

ABSTRACTIntroduction: There is an urgent as yet unmet need to develop highly effective and safe therapeutics for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The remarkable progress in understanding NAFLD pathogenesis allowed the identification of injury pathways which may be recruited as therapy targets.Areas covered: This article reviews the safety and tolerability data of the NAFLD therapies and explains the mechanistic basis for each of the established and investigational drugs. Treatment targets include: weight loss, anti-metabolic agents such as lipid lowering and anti-diabetic drugs, inflammation, fibrosis and others such as targeting gut microbiota, immune modulation and apoptosis.Expert opinion: Current therapies continue to remain suboptimal. Weight loss is effective but hard to achieve. Traditional and endoscopic bariatric procedures are promising although more randomized trials are needed and the long-term safety remains to be established. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of several...
A labware for educating location privacy protection in location-based services

This paper discusses the design and implementation of a labware developed for teaching location privacy in Location Based Services (LBS) for undergraduate students. The objectives of developing such a labware are not only to increase students' awareness of location protection, but also to provide them with different views on this privacy problem from the perspectives of a service user, a malicious LBS, and a privacy analyst. Using this labware to teach security related classes will help students gain a comprehensive understanding of the location privacy problem in LBS. Surveys conducted among 75 students majoring in Computer Science at Prairie View A&M University showed the successful achievement of the objectives. This labware can be widely used in the classrooms and integrated into security curriculum.
You Know You Want to Read This: Communicating Effectively in Tech Support

As wonderful as technology can be, it is and will always be a tool that "attempts" to improve the quality of life for the human being. As we support technology we must never lose the perspective that we are, in every way, supporting people. Often, the most important work we do is not about technology at all!An organization's "technology effectiveness" is largely predicated upon its relationship between the technology support team and its clientele. Successful relationships between people are defined by a number of characteristics, but perhaps there is no characteristic more important than effective, relevant, and meaningful communication.During my 15 years at Bucknell University we, like all technology support organizations in higher education, have been purveyors of change. Some of our clients embrace it, some resist it. Most clients are in the middle, seeking to understand why the change is necessary and what it means to them.It's ALL about communication. It's about understanding your audience. It's about using relevant and understandable terminology. It's about understanding people who want to know what they need to know when they need to know it-and how it affects them.
Free resolutions of Artinian compressed algebras

Abstract We construct free resolutions of compressed (therefore, generic) Artinian graded algebra quotients of polynomial rings and give a method to reduce them to a minimal resolutions. This yields results on the form of the resolution and the degrees of the forms in the matrices of the differentials, but not precise Betti numbers. In addition, we discuss how this construction is related to a conjecture of Boij. Last, we treat the noncompressed case.
School safe driving climate: Theoretical and practical considerations for promoting teen driver safety in school settings.

Objective: The aims of this study were to extend the current literature on school climate that is focused on understanding how teacher, administrator, and student perceptions about driving-focused ...
Pessimistic Scenarios: Incessant War in Afghanistan

Pessimistic scenarios for Afghanistan’s future rest particularly on the prospects for ongoing incessant war in the country because of a long list of such things as Pashtun cultural characteristics; neo-environmental determinism with a harsh physical environment leading to environmental and developmental problems; charismatic or “mad” mullahs who encourage bad behaviors; strong ethnic patchworks leading to ethnic cleansing, and the like; repeated foreign invasions; Afghan xenophobia; endemic corruption; land-ownership disputes; Islamicist desire for endless jihad; decades of war, destroyed educational systems, reduced capacity, widespread illiteracy, drug culture, and the purdah culture wherein valuable women are excluded from normal and useful problem solving. In addition are the paranoia, insecurity, and inability of nearby Pakistan to gain the upper hand over the ISI-driven and protected Taliban insurgency enjoying largely unmolested safe haven there, coupled with similar but not as extreme difficulties with fanatically religious Iran as well: the existing environmental basket case of Afghanistan only contributes further fuel to the pessimism. None of these problems is sufficient by itself to keep Afghanistan down, but in aggregate, they seem to have been enough to spoil the country up to now.
Crossbar Switch Scheduling Problems

A hysteresis McCulloch-Pitts neuron model is used in order to suppress the complicated oscillatory behavior of neural dynamics. The artificial hysteresis McCulloch-Pitts binary neural network is used for scheduling time-multiplex crossbar switches in order to demonstrate the effects of hysteresis. Time-multiplex crossbar switching systems must control traffic on demand such that packet blocking probability and packet waiting time are minimized. The system using n × n processing elements (neurons) solves an n × n crossbar-control problem within nearly 0(1) time, while the best existing parallel algorithm requires 0(n) time. The hysteresis McCulloch-Pitts binary neural network maximizes the throughput of packets through a crossbar switch. The solution quality of our system does not degrade with the problem size as far as we have observed the system behavior. The relationship between N-queen problems and crossbar switch scheduling problems is also given. This Chapter is largely based on a paper published in Biological Cybernetics (Takefuji and Lee 1991).
Irwin's Stress Intensity Factor—A Historical Perspective

This paper is written to honor Dr. George R. Irwin and reviews several key developments in fracture mechanics based on his "stress-intensity factor" concept. The early development of two fundamental crack solutions, (1) an edge crack in a semi-infinite body and (2) the surface crack, are highlighted. Applications of Irwin's early concepts by other researchers to characterize fatigue-crack growth and brittle fracture of metallic materials are presented. The stress-intensity factor is the cornerstone of the damage-tolerance and durability design concepts used by the aerospace community around the world. The stress-intensity factor concept, crack-closure mechanics, and the observation that "fatigue is crack propagation" in many engineering materials has led to a merger of fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis methodologies. Irwin's recognition of the importance of the normal stress parallel to the crack (now referred to as the T-stress) in fracture led many to propose a two-parameter characterization for fracture. The importance of constraint on crack-tip yielding has been further advanced by the use of high-powered computers to calculate a normal-stress constraint parameter following his ideas. The father of fracture mechanics has left a legacy that will endure and provide safer and more reliable structures in the future.
Overcoming Immune Suppression: Therapeutic Strategies Targeting T-Cell Function in Cancer

The first clinical success in overcoming immune suppression in cancer was shown by the development of human antibodies with antitumor activity against the checkpoint proteins cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1). In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab for metastatic melanoma. Patients with objective responses to ipilimumab can have remissions lasting more than 5 years, although significant immune-related toxicity can occur in 5–15 % of patients. More recently, PD-1 and PD-L1 antibodies have been tested in the clinic, with PD-1 antibodies nivolumab and MK-3475 showing impressive response rates of 20–40 % in previously treated patients. These antibodies are being tested in randomized phase II and III registration studies in metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
Lymphoreticular Proliferative Disorders of the CNS and Other Organs: Analogies and Differences

Authors review differences between CNS and extraneural reticuloses, and consider the immediate threat to life by CNS lymphomas contrasting to other organ lymphomas, which usually become fatal only after generalization. Other special features of CNS reticuloses include the role of microglial cells, reactive astrocytosis, variations in meningeal vs. parenchymatous involvement and easier morphologic confusion with inflammatory processes.
Post-Harvest Food Losses in Developing Countries

Efforts have been made since the beginning of agriculture to increase crop yields and to reduce food losses at all stages of the food production and distribution chain. It is only within the past 50 years or so that the world community has been called upon to give systematic attention to the identification, assessment, and reduction of food losses in general, but especially those occurring (for whatever reason) between harvest and consumption.
Comparison of CYP2D6 Content and Metoprolol Oxidation Between Microsomes Isolated from Human Livers and Small Intestines

Purpose. To assess the role of intestinal CYP2D6 in oral first-pass drug clearance by comparing the enzyme content and catalytic activity of a prototype CYP2D6 substrate, metoprolol, between microsomes prepared from human intestinal mucosa and from human livers.
Targeting obstetric providers in interventions for obesity and gestational weight gain: A systematic review.

Background Providers need to be comfortable addressing obesity and gestational weight gain so they may give appropriate care; however, health care providers lack guidelines for the most effective educational strategies to assist in providing optimal care. Objective To identify studies that involved the obstetric provider in interventions for either the perinatal management of obesity and/or gestational weight gain in a systematic review. Search strategy A keyword search of databases was performed up to April 2017. Selection criteria Obstetric providers who participated in an intervention with the aim to change a provider’s clinical practice, knowledge, and/or satisfaction with the intervention in relation to the perinatal management of obesity or gestational weight gain were included. Provider intervention could include training or education, changes in systems or organization of care, or resources to support practice. PROSPERO database #42016038921. Data collection and analysis Bias was assessed according to the validated Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The following variables were synthesized: study location and setting, provider and patient characteristics, intervention features, outcomes and efficacy, and strengths and weakness. Main results Of the 6,821 abstracts screened, seven studies (4 quantitative, 3 mixed-methods) with a total of 335 providers met the inclusion criteria; two of which focused on the management of obesity, three focused on gestational weight gain, and two focused on both topics. Interventions that incorporated motivational interviewing skills (n = 2), required additional training for the research study and addressed specific knowledge deficits such as nutrition and exercise (n = 3), and interfaced with the electronic medical record (n = 1) demonstrated the greatest impact on provider outcomes. Provider reported satisfaction scores were generally favorable, but none addressed provider-level efficacy in practice change. Conclusions Given the limited number of studies, varying range of provider participation, and lack of provider-level efficacy, further evaluation of provider training and involvement in interventions for perinatal obesity or gestational weight gain is indicated to determine best practices for provider and patient outcomes.
Abstract P091: Short-term Increased Dietary Potassium From Potato and Potassium Gluconate Has No Effect on Blood Pressure and Microcirculation in Pre-hypertensive-to-hypertensive Adults

Potassium is an essential nutrient of concern according to recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committees, with less than 3% of the population meeting the current adequate intake (AI) ...
Neurovascular and Cognitive Dysfunction in Hypertension

Hypertension has emerged as a leading cause of age-related cognitive impairment. Long known to be associated with dementia caused by vascular factors, hypertension has more recently been linked also to Alzheimer disease-the major cause of dementia in older people. Thus, although midlife hypertension is a risk factor for late-life dementia, hypertension may also promote the neurodegenerative pathology underlying Alzheimer disease. The mechanistic bases of these harmful effects remain to be established. Hypertension is well known to alter in the structure and function of cerebral blood vessels, but how these cerebrovascular effects lead to cognitive impairment and promote Alzheimer disease pathology is not well understood. Furthermore, critical questions also concern whether treatment of hypertension prevents cognitive impairment, the blood pressure threshold for treatment, and the antihypertensive agents to be used. Recent advances in neurovascular biology, epidemiology, brain imaging, and biomarker development have started to provide new insights into these critical issues. In this review, we will examine the progress made to date, and, after a critical evaluation of the evidence, we will highlight questions still outstanding and seek to provide a path forward for future studies.
Spirit of Resistance: Dutch Clandestine Literature during the Nazi Occupation

Clandestine literature was published in all countries under Nazi occupation, but nowhere else did it flourish as it did in the Netherlands. This raises important questions: What was the content of this literature? What were the risks of writing, printing, selling, and buying it? And why the Netherlands? Traditionally, the combative Dutch 'spirit of resistance' has been cited, a reaction not only to German oppression but to German propaganda: while the Germans hoped to build bonds with their 'Germanic' Dutch 'brothers,' clandestine literature insisted on their incompatibility. However, when reading clandestine literature, one should not forget that this 'spirit of resistance' came rather late and did not prevent the transportation of seventy-three percent of the Netherlands' Jewish population to Nazi death camps - the largest percentage in Western Europe. The Dutch case is complex: while the country proved to be remarkably resistant to Nazi propaganda, little was done to prevent the actual execution of Nazi policies. The complete story of Dutch clandestine literature therefore combines resistance and complicity, victory and defeat, pride and shame. Jeroen Dewulf is Queen Beatrix Professor of Dutch Studies in the Department of German at the University of California, Berkeley.
Idiosyncratic Volatility, Realized Return, and Implied Cost of Capital

I use implied cost of capital as a proxy for expected return in testing the cross-sectional relation between expected return and idiosyncratic risk. I find a positive relation between idiosyncratic risk and expected return and a negative relation between idiosyncratic risk and future realized return. Ex-ante, investors expect high-idiosyncratic volatility stocks to earn 2.4% per year more than low-idiosyncratic volatility stocks, while ex-post, investors lose 8.4% per year by holding the high-minus-low idiosyncratic volatility portfolio. The ex-ante positive relation is robust to different estimation methods of idiosyncratic volatility, as well as return and volatility reversal. The positive relation is also robust to size, book-to-market, momentum, forecasted long-term growth, and analyst-forecast dispersion. The evidence suggests that the ex-ante and ex-post return differential is partly due to the more optimistic expectation of investors towards high-idiosyncratic volatility stocks. The ex-post underperformance of high-idiosyncratic volatility stocks can be attributed to short-term momentum and long-run return reversal. In addition, the return differential is also due to costly arbitrage for stocks with high-idiosyncratic volatility.
Benign Paroxysmal Torticollis of Infancy

Benign paroxysmal torticollis (BPT) of infancy is characterized by recurrent episodes of torticollis during infancy with associated features, and it resolves by 2–5 years of age. Infants may develop vertigo in childhood and migraine later in life. It is felt that BPT is a precursor of migraine in children.
Performance and wake flow characterization of a 1:8.7-scale reference USDOE MHKF1 hydrokinetic turbine to establish a verification and validation test database

Abstract As hydrokinetic turbine technologies continue to advance towards commercialization, public datasets on the performance characteristics for these devices and their flow field effects are invaluable to advance our understanding of these technologies and to validate analytical and numerical models. The Applied Research Laboratory at The Pennsylvania State University (ARL Penn State) collaborated with Sandia National Laboratories and the University of California at Davis to design, fabricate (at a 1:8.7 scale), and experimentally test a novel hydrokinetic turbine rotor design to provide an open platform and dataset for further study and development. The water tunnel test of this three-bladed, horizontal-axis rotor recorded power production, blade loading, the near-wake flow, cavitation effects, and noise generation. These state-of-the-art measurements demonstrate much of the complex physics associated with the flow through an unducted, horizontal-axis turbine, and they elucidate the performance characteristics and flow field effects at an unprecedented fidelity, accuracy and resolution. Measurements of power coefficients (power, torque and thrust) as a function of tip-speed-ratio were performed. The dataset also includes unsteady measurements of driveshaft loading, blade strain, tower pressures, and radiated noise. Detailed flow mapping using laser Doppler velocimetry, and planar and stereo particle image velocimetry includes measurements of mean velocity and Reynolds stresses. Although the wake measurements are limited to less than half a diameter, they reveal the complex flow patterns in the near-wake structure of the rotor. The full database, available at the United States Department of Energy’s marine and hydrokinetic data repository, includes tunnel and model Computer Aided Design geometry files and inflow data sufficient for a “Model-the-Test” computational Verification and Validation study.