cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Value of Human-Generated Perturbations in Short-Range Ensemble Forecasts of Severe Weather

Abstract During the spring of 2003, the Storm Prediction Center, in partnership with the National Severe Storms Laboratory, conducted an experiment to explore the value of having operational severe weather forecasters involved in the generation of a short-range ensemble forecasting system. The idea was to create a customized ensemble to provide guidance on the severe weather threat over the following 48 h. The forecaster was asked to highlight structures of interest in the control run and, using an adjoint model, a set of perturbations was obtained and used to generate a 32-member fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) ensemble. The performance of this experimental ensemble is objectively evaluated and compared with other available forecasts (both deterministic and ensemble) using real-time severe weather reports and precipitation in the central and eastern parts of the continental United States. The experimental ensemble outperforms t...
Functional Identification and Analysis of cis-Acting Sequences Which Mediate Genome Cleavage and Packaging in Human Herpesvirus 6

Sequences present at the genomic termini of herpesviruses become linked during lytic-phase replication and provide the substrate for cleavage and packaging of unit length viral genomes. We have previously shown that homologs of the consensus herpesvirus cleavage-packaging signals, pac1 and pac2, are located at the left and right genomic termini of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), respectively. Immediately adjacent to these elements are two distinct arrays of human telomeric repeat sequences (TRS). We now show that the unique sequence element formed at the junction of HHV-6B genome concatemers (pac2-pac1) is necessary and sufficient for virally mediated cleavage of plasmid DNAs containing the HHV-6B lytic-phase origin of DNA replication (oriLyt). The concatemeric junction sequence also allowed for the packaging of these plasmid molecules into intracellular nucleocapsids as well as mature, infectious viral particles. In addition, this element significantly enhanced the replication efficiency of oriLyt-containing plasmids in virally infected cells. Experiments revealed that the concatemeric junction sequence possesses an unusual, S1 nuclease-sensitive conformation (anisomorphic DNA), which might play a role in this apparent enhancement of DNA replication—although additional studies will be required to test this hypothesis. Finally, we also analyzed whether the presence of flanking viral TRS had any effect on the functional activity of the minimal concatemeric junction (pac2-pac1). These experiments revealed that the TRS motifs, either alone or in combination, had no effect on the efficiency of virally mediated DNA replication or DNA cleavage. Taken together, these data show that the cleavage and packaging of HHV-6 DNA are mediated by cis-acting consensus sequences similar to those found in other herpesviruses, and that these sequences also influence the efficiency of HHV-6 DNA replication. Since the adjacent TRS do not influence either viral cleavage and packaging or viral DNA replication, their function remains uncertain.
Impact of diastolic dysfunction severity on global left ventricular volumetric filling - assessment by automated segmentation of routine cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance

To examine relationships between severity of echocardiography (echo) -evidenced diastolic dysfunction (DD) and volumetric filling by automated processing of routine cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Cine-CMR provides high-resolution assessment of left ventricular (LV) chamber volumes. Automated segmentation (LV-METRIC) yields LV filling curves by segmenting all short-axis images across all temporal phases. This study used cine-CMR to assess filling changes that occur with progressive DD. 115 post-MI patients underwent CMR and echo within 1 day. LV-METRIC yielded multiple diastolic indices - E:A ratio, peak filling rate (PFR), time to peak filling rate (TPFR), and diastolic volume recovery (DVR80 - proportion of diastole required to recover 80% stroke volume). Echo was the reference for DD. LV-METRIC successfully generated LV filling curves in all patients. CMR indices were reproducible (≤ 1% inter-reader differences) and required minimal processing time (175 ± 34 images/exam, 2:09 ± 0:51 minutes). CMR E:A ratio decreased with grade 1 and increased with grades 2-3 DD. Diastolic filling intervals, measured by DVR80 or TPFR, prolonged with grade 1 and shortened with grade 3 DD, paralleling echo deceleration time (p < 0.001). PFR by CMR increased with DD grade, similar to E/e' (p < 0.001). Prolonged DVR80 identified 71% of patients with echo-evidenced grade 1 but no patients with grade 3 DD, and stroke-volume adjusted PFR identified 67% with grade 3 but none with grade 1 DD (matched specificity = 83%). The combination of DVR80 and PFR identified 53% of patients with grade 2 DD. Prolonged DVR80 was associated with grade 1 (OR 2.79, CI 1.65-4.05, p = 0.001) with a similar trend for grade 2 (OR 1.35, CI 0.98-1.74, p = 0.06), whereas high PFR was associated with grade 3 (OR 1.14, CI 1.02-1.25, p = 0.02) DD. Automated cine-CMR segmentation can discern LV filling changes that occur with increasing severity of echo-evidenced DD. Impaired relaxation is associated with prolonged filling intervals whereas restrictive filling is characterized by increased filling rates.
The role of genetics in shellfish restoration

Restoration of shellfish populations is becoming an increasingly common practice worldwide, as natural fisheries succumb to pressures of overharvesting, habitat loss or degradation, and challenges from invasive competitors and pathogens. Primary genetic concerns relevant to shellfish restoration projects are reviewed, using the cupped oysters Crassostrea gigas and Crassostrea virginica as case studies. Molecular genetic tools can be used to delineate the geographic distribution of germ plasm diversity at the species and intraspecific levels, enabling more informed selection of genetic material for hatchery breeding and production. Maintenance of genetic variability and prevention of excessive inbreeding in hatchery stocks may be facilitated by the use of genetic markers for regular pedigree monitoring. The effect of hatchery supplementation on the effective population size of a recipient wild population (Ryman-Laikre effect) is reviewed in light of the population biology of bivalve molluscs, and appears to be minimal. Deployment of selected enhancement stocks may be a valuable tool for improvement of degraded wild populations, reversing the negative effects of generations of selective harvesting. Molecular genetic tools can be used effectively to monitor restoration programs, when the discriminatory power of the marker(s) is high and high-throughput scoring methods currently available are used.
Testosterone-Dependent Interaction between Androgen Receptor and Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Induces Liver Receptor Homolog-1 Expression in Rat Granulosa Cells

Androgens play a major role in the regulation of normal ovarian function; however, they are also involved in the development of ovarian pathologies. These contrasting effects may involve a differential response of granulosa cells to the androgens testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). To determine the molecular pathways that mediate the distinct effects of T and DHT, we studied the expression of the liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1) gene, which is differentially regulated by these steroids. We found that although both T and DHT stimulate androgen receptor (AR) binding to the LRH-1 promoter, DHT prevents T-mediated stimulation of LRH-1 expression. T stimulated the expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and its interaction with the AR. T also promoted the recruitment of the AR/AHR complex to the LRH-1 promoter. These effects were not mimicked by DHT. We also observed that the activation of extracellular regulated kinases by T is required for AR and AHR interaction. In summary, T, but not DHT, stimulates AHR expression and the interaction between AHR and AR, leading to the stimulation of LRH-1 expression. These findings could explain the distinct response of granulosa cells to T and DHT and provide a molecular mechanism by which DHT negatively affects ovarian function.
Pediatric Residency Training in An Era of Managed Care: An Introduction to Proceedings of a National Conference

On May 4, 1996, a conference sponsored jointly by the Division of Medicine of the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Ambulatory Pediatric Association brought together pediatric educators from academic medical centers and managed care organizations to address the challenges and opportunities for pediatric residency training, given current trends toward increasing managed care for children. This supplement is designed to bring the issues discussed there to a broader audience of pediatricians and educators. The contributions are written by the participants of that conference, with invited commentaries to add additional perspectives on each topic. The papers were reviewed by an editorial board of leaders in pediatric education with experience in relevant areas. This introduction describes the impetus for the conference and highlights a number of critical issues facing pediatric postgraduate training that are presented in greater depth in the contributions that follow. Finally, this paper summarizes the recommendations of the conference for meeting the challenges of training pediatricians in these areas.
A Latent Class Analysis of Heterosexual Young Men’s Masculinities

Parallel bodies of research have described the diverse and complex ways that men understand and construct their masculine identities (often termed "masculinities") and, separately, how adherence to traditional notions of masculinity places men at risk for negative sexual and health outcomes. The goal of this analysis was to bring together these two streams of inquiry. Using data from a national, online sample of 555 heterosexually active young men, we employed latent class analysis (LCA) to detect patterns of masculine identities based on men's endorsement of behavioral and attitudinal indicators of "dominant" masculinity, including sexual attitudes and behaviors. LCA identified four conceptually distinct masculine identity profiles. Two groups, termed the Normative and Normative/Male Activities groups, respectively, constituted 88 % of the sample and were characterized by low levels of adherence to attitudes, sexual scripts, and behaviors consistent with "dominant" masculinity, but differed in their levels of engagement in male-oriented activities (e.g., sports teams). Only eight percent of the sample comprised a masculinity profile consistent with "traditional" ideas about masculinity; this group was labeled Misogynistic because of high levels of sexual assault and violence toward female partners. The remaining four percent constituted a Sex-Focused group, characterized by high numbers of sexual partners, but relatively low endorsement of other indicators of traditional masculinity. Follow-up analyses showed a small number of differences across groups on sexual and substance use health indicators. Findings have implications for sexual and behavioral health interventions and suggest that very few young men embody or endorse rigidly traditional forms of masculinity.
Ensuring Manuscript Quality and Preserving Authorial Voice: The Balancing Act of Editors

A commonly perceived role of the journal editor is that of a gatekeeper who guards against poor-quality manuscripts, flawed arguments, inappropriate research methods, or worse still, plagiarism or other kinds of academic misconduct (Aguinis & Vaschetto, 2011; Konrad, 2008). To achieve that objective, the editor relies on advice from knowledgeable reviewers and rejects manuscripts that fail to meet the quality standards of the journal. For manuscripts that manage to pass through several rounds of review and are eventually published, the authors are normally required to make changes based on the comments made by the editor and reviewers. Most authors would try to comply with the changes requested. A key assumption of the review process is that such changes are necessary for ensuring manuscript quality. However, this assumption is questionable (Tsang & Frey, 2007). Further, some of the changes may go against the authors’ will and obstruct the free expression of their ideas. That said, as journals should publish error-free manuscripts, here free expression of authors’ ideas only applies to ideas that are not erroneous. The term ‘error’ is used also to refer to confusions or ambiguities as authors should present not only flawless but also clear arguments. Idrawonmyexperienceasauthor,reviewer,andSeniorEditorofManagementand OrganizationReview(MOR),andarguethatthecurrentjournalreviewprocessdoesnot necessarily safeguard the quality of published manuscripts and that authors should be given more voice in deciding the changes they would like to make. Moreover, I emphasize the role of the editor in mediating this process of ‘give and take’ between authorsandreviewers.Thisrequiressomeadjustmentofthemindsetofreviewersin providingcommentsandofauthorsinrespondingtothesecomments.Asamediator betweenauthorsandreviewers,editorsplayanimportantroleinbalancingbetween ensuringmanuscriptqualityandpreservingauthorialvoice.Inbrief,aneffectiveand
Renal Hemodynamics, Electrolyte Excretion and Water Metabolism in Pregnant Sheep Before and After the Induction of Toxemia of Pregnancy

Renal hemodynamics, electrolyte excretion and plasma level of glucorticoids were studied in pregnant sheep before and after the experimental induction of toxemia. Marked renal ischemia occurred in the animals which developed toxemia. This abnormality occurred concomitantly with an increase in plasma corticoids. Despite the renal ischemia, arterial pressure remained the same. There are some similarities between the toxemia of the sheep and that of human pregnancy.
Affiliative Need, Different Types of Social Support, and Physical Symptoms1

Less tangible types of social support (emotional, informational, and companionship) were shown to predict reports of physical symptoms as a joint function of both affiliative need and negative life events, while the effects of tangible support depended only upon the occurrence of negative life events (the prototypical buffering effect). Low affiliative need individuals tended to benefit from both types of support, while high affiliative need individuals benefited primarily from more tangible support. The results were discussed in terms of the proposal that low affiliative need individuals hold a more problem-focused view of social support, while high affiliative need individuals tend to take a less personally instrumental stance toward interpersonal interaction.
Probabilistic Failure Prediction of SCS-6/Ti-15-3 MMC Ring

Two parameter Weibull analysis was used to predict the fracture strength and fatigue life of an SCS-6/Ti-15-3 metal matrix composite (MMC) ring from coupon samples. Two methods were used. One method was to calculate an effective volume for an idealized ring on the basis of a theoretical approximation of the stress distribution. Fracture strength and fatigue life of the coupon samples were then scaled to the effective volume of the ring. The other method used finite-element analysis (FEA) to determine a stress distribution in the actual, geometrically imperfect ring. The total ring reliability was then determined by multiplying the element reliabilities. Experimental fracture strengths were obtained for two MMC rings, each having an O.D. of 176.5 mm (6.95 in.) and I.D. of 146.0 mm (5.75 in.) and a 15.2 mm (0.60 in.) width. The median value of the experimental ring fracture strength data was 173.1 MPa (25.1 ksi). Fracture strength predictions by the effective-volume and finite-element methods were 5 and 17 percent lower than the experimental value, respectively. The effective-volume and finite-element methods predicted ring fatigue lives of 2700 and 4800 cycles, respectively, at a 50 percent probability of failure and 154.4 MPa (22.4 ksi) maximum ring internal pressure. No ring fatigue data were available for comparison.
Practical Outcomes of Applying Ensemble Machine Learning Classifiers to High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Data Analysis and Screening

Over the years numerous papers have presented the effectiveness of various machine learning methods in analyzing drug discovery biological screening data. The predictive performance of models developed using these methods has traditionally been evaluated by assessing performance of the developed models against a portion of the data randomly selected for holdout. It has been our experience that such assessments, while widely practiced, result in an optimistic assessment. This paper describes the development of a series of ensemble-based decision tree models, shares our experience at various stages in the model development process, and presents the impact of such models when they are applied to vendor offerings and the forecasted compounds are acquired and screened in the relevant assays. We have seen that well developed models can significantly increase the hit-rates observed in HTS campaigns.
Approximation Algorithm for Avoiding Hotspot Formation of Sensor Networks for Temperature Sensitive Environments

Sensing and transmission phenomena of an implanted sensor dissipates energy which results in rise in temperature of its surroundings. Simultaneous operation of such multiple active sensors increases the temperature of the surrounding environment causing hotspots. Such hotspots are highly undesirable as they may cause damage to the environment as well as to the sensor network, posing a challenge for deployment of sensors. The problem is further enhanced for a temperature sensitive environment, as the allowable threshold temperature for such environments is less. Here we investigate the formation of hotspots in such temperature sensitive environments due to the heat dissipation of multiple active sensors and try to achieve a maximum coverage of such networks avoiding hotspots. We formulate this as a variation of the maximum independent set problem for hypergraphs. We devise an Integer Linear Program to achieve the optimal solution for the problem. We also provide a greedy heuristic solution for the problem. For a special case of this problem, where the hotspots are formed due to pairs of sensors only, we prove a 5-approximation bound for the greedy solution. Experimental results show that our algorithm achieves near-optimal solutions in almost all the test cases.
Special Collections Repositories at Association of Research Libraries Institutions: A Study of Current Practices in Preservation Management

This article reports and interprets data collected from a 1995 survey of special collections repositories at Association of Research Libraries institutions. It covers part one of the survey—current practices in preservation management. One hundred thirteen institutions represented by 170 archives/manuscripts repositories were asked to participate, of which 143 institutions, or 84.1%, did so. This is the second largest sample of archives' preservation activities ever gathered in the United States. The goals of the study were, first, to create a base of data on the development of archival preservation programs in research institutions and interpret that data and, second, to understand the extent to which the archives and library preservation departments interact in their common mission to ensure the availability of research materials to present and future generations. The study is unique in its investigation of the interrelationships between the archival repository's and the library's operational functions....
Decreased efficacy of an etonogestrel implant in a woman on antiepileptic medications: a case report

Many antiepileptic drugs decrease the efficacy of combined hormonal contraceptives due to their inducing effect on cytochrome P450 liver metabolism. Less is known about the pharmacokinetics and outcomes of concomitant use of the etonogestrel implant and hepatic enzyme-inducing medications. A 22-year-old Hispanic woman with a long-standing seizure disorder treated with carbamazepine for 9 years became pregnant after 25 months of etonogestrel implant use. Hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs may reduce the efficacy of contraceptive implants. Contraceptive counseling for patients with medical co-morbidities requiring hepatic enzyme-inducing medications should include this information.
Post-CMOS parylene packaging for on-chip biosensor arrays

The opportunity to integrate microfluidic devices with CMOS instrumentation is attractive to many biological and biomedical sensor applications. However, the packaging of CMOS circuitry for use within a liquid environment remains as an open challenge. This paper presents a robust and reliable packaging scheme for on-CMOS biosensors that is uniquely capable of providing both electrical insulation of a CMOS chip in a liquid environment and also protection from chemical and biological agents. In particular, this is the first reported CMOS packaging scheme capable of surviving harsh piranha solution that is needed to clean the surface of on-chip gold electrodes before final biointerface formation. The post-CMOS fabrication process is described for a 3×3mm2 CMOS die. Photos of a packaged CMOS biosensor array chip and electrochemical measurements in potassium ferrocyanide demonstrate proper operation of the device. The redox peak separation of on-chip electrodes was measured at 0.1V.
M-currents and other potassium currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurones

1. Bullfrog lumbar sympathetic neurones were voltage-clamped in vitro through twin micro-electrodes. Four different outward (K(+)) currents could be identified: (i) a large sustained voltage-sensitive delayed rectifier current (I(K)) activated at membrane potentials more positive than -25 mV; (ii) a calcium-dependent sustained outward current (I(C)) activated at similar positive potentials and peaking at +20 to +60 mV; (iii) a transient current (I(A)) activated at membrane potentials more positive than -60 mV after a hyperpolarizing pre-pulse, but which was rapidly and totally inactivated at all potentials within its activation range; and (iv) a new K(+) current, the M-current (I(M)).2. I(M) was detected as a non-inactivating current with a threshold at -60 mV. The underlying conductance G(M) showed a sigmoidal activation curve between -60 and -10 mV, with half-activation at -35 mV and a maximal value (G(M)) of 84+/-14 (S.E.M.) nS per neurone. The voltage sensitivity of G(M) could be expressed in terms of a simple Boltzmann distribution for a single multivalent gating particle.3. I(M) activated and de-activated along an exponential time course with a time constant uniquely dependent upon voltage, maximizing at approximately 150 ms at -35 mV at 22 degrees C.4. Instantaneous current-voltage (I/V) curves were approximately linear in the presence of I(M), suggesting that the M-channels do not show appreciable rectification. However, the time- and voltage-dependent opening of the M-channels induced considerable rectification in the steady-state I/V curves recorded under both voltage-clamp and current-clamp modes between -60 and -25 mV. Both time- and voltage-dependent rectification in the voltage responses to current injection over this range could be predicted from the kinetic properties of I(M).5. It is suggested that I(M) exerts a strong potential-clamping effect on the behaviour of these neurones at membrane potentials subthreshold to excitation.
Polyphase codes for uplink OFDM-CDMA systems

We propose a OFDM-CDMA system that employs polyphase codes to support variable spreading factors. A systematic approach for constructing the polyphase code sequences of variable spreading factors is developed. Polyphase codes exhibit better auto- and cross-correlation properties than Hadamard codes. When employed in OFDM-CDMA systems, polyphase codes result in certain structured multiple-access interference (MAI) caused by multipath. Analytical and numerical results show that OFDM-CDMA systems employing polyphase codes have better PAPR performance than those using Hadamard codes. The BER performance of the OFDM-CDMA system using polyphase codes is evaluated by numerical results and compared to that of the OFDM-CDMA system using Hadamard codes with and without clipping.
The True Self and Psychological Health: Emerging Evidence and Future Directions

A variety of philosophical and psychological perspectives converge to suggest that a happy and meaningful life is the product of living in accord with one’s true self. This idea similarly appears throughout literature, film, and folk wisdom. The current paper examines both theoretical and lay conceptions of the true self and reviews the empirical evidence that supports its role in psychological health, with a particular emphasis on current research that demonstrates that both the accessibility and ease of thinking about one’s true self-concept is associated with the experiences of meaning and satisfaction. The merits of different approaches to defining the true self, measurement issues, and directions for future research are discussed.
Polarized Perceptions, Negative Emotions, and Intergroup Conflict in Europe's Backyard: The Case Study of Crimea

Since the demise of the Soviet Union, the Crimean conflict between the three main Crimean political actors, Russians, Ukrainians, and Crimean Tatars, with three clashing ethno-religious worldviews and three competing “national” aspirations, is considered to be one of the most complex territorial conflict in post-Soviet Ukraine. Crimea, home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, differs from the rest of the Ukraine, because it is the only Ukrainian administrative subdivision with its own constitution and own Upper Parliament, where the ethnic Russians are a majority. Against this turbulent political landscape, this paper first investigates the post-return dynamics of the Crimean Tatars and explores how Crimean Tatar perceptions and emotions impact their collective conflict strategies against the background of relative deprivation. Second part examines the Russian and Ukrainian perceptions and emotions and their socio-political implications vis-a-vis Crimean Tatars. The final part of the paper surveys the ongoing works of third-parties in Crimea, and consequently brings forth a proposal for conflict management based on early warning signs.
EFFECT OF SIZE UPON MATING PERFORMANCE WITHIN GEOGRAPHIC STRAINS OF THE HOUSEFLY, MUSCA DOMESTICA L.

The purpose of this study was to unravel the apparent association between body size and components of mating success that we previously found among geographic strains of the housefly, Musca domestica L. (Bryant, 1980). Specifically, we ask whether components of mating success are related to body size per se, independent of genetic differences among the flies. There are likely to be genetic differences among geographic strains of this species (e.g., Bryant, 1977) and this question can be addressed by considering mating success in relation to body size within a geographic strain. Even so, variation in size among flies within a strain will to some extent reflect genetic differences (heritabilities of characters associated with body size are near 0.5; Bryant, 1977). As in other muscoid Diptera, however, body size in the housefly is intimately related to the larval rearing density (e.g., Sullivan and Sokal, 1963; Haupt and Busvine, 1968) and thus size variation can be experimentally exacerbated within a strain by direct manipulation of larval rearing density. If these hensity related changes in size are sufficiently greater than normal variation in size among flies within a strain, the genetic component of size variation will be minimal. The basic question addressed in this paper is whether environmentally induced size differences among flies affect their subsequent mating success, mating speed and duration of copulation for matings within a geographic strain. To assess possible differences in such responses among strains, three geographic strains were utilized in these mating tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Self-Institutionalizing as Political Agency: Contemporary Art Practice in Bucharest and Budapest

Reacting against politically monopolizing attempts at rewriting the socialist past in post-1989 Hungary and Romania, a diverse number of artists, curators, critics, activists and students have come together to form temporary organizations and institutions. Through a contextual reading and critical analysis of The Department for Art in Public Space (2009–2011) in Bucharest and DINAMO (2003–2006) and IMPEX (2006–2009) in Budapest, this article investigates what the author refers to as a “self-institutionalizing” and the ways in which this practice becomes a vehicle to rear politicized civil societies in post-cold war Central and Eastern Europe. The discussion of the two self-institutionalizing initiatives in Romania and Hungary seeks to contribute and complicate the official and institutionalized narrative of institutional critique rooted in a North American context.
Rate-Enhancing Roles of Water Molecules in Methyltrioxorhenium-Catalyzed Olefin Epoxidation by Hydrogen Peroxide.

Olefin epoxidation catalyzed by methyltrioxorhenium (MTO, CH3ReO3) is strongly accelerated in the presence of H2O. The participation of H2O in each of the elementary steps of the catalytic cycle, involving the formation of the peroxo complexes (CH3ReO2(η2-O2), A, and CH3ReO(η2-O2)2(H2O), B), as well as in their subsequent epoxidation of cyclohexene, was examined in aqueous acetonitrile. Experimental measurements demonstrate that the epoxidation steps exhibit only weak [H2O] dependence, attributed by DFT calculations to hydrogen bonding between uncoordinated H2O and a peroxo ligand. The primary cause of the observed H2O acceleration is the strong co-catalytic effect of water on the rates at which A and B are regenerated and consequently on the relative abundances of the three interconverting Re-containing species at steady state. Proton transfer from weakly coordinated H2O2 to the oxo ligands of MTO and A, resulting in peroxo complex formation, is directly mediated by solvent H2O molecules. Computed activa...
c-myb Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapeutics for Hematologic Malignancies

Although improved significantly, conventional treatment of hematologic malignancy remains inadequate for many patients. Novel treatment approaches could be useful if they would be more efficacious and less toxic. One such approach could involve the manipulation of genes critical for leukemic cell growth and survival.
A Test of Commercial Squid Systems for Response to EMI and Temperature Changes

Tests of interface electronics for thermal response and electromagnetic interference (EMI) susceptibility were conducted on two unmodified commercial SQUID systems to determine their suitability for use on NASA space missions. The zero offset and open loop gain were measured as a function of preamplifier temperature for one RF and one DC SQUID system while the electronics were in vacuum. Suitable performance can be obtained from these systems operating from 0 to 40°C if the preamplifier temperature is controlled. Measurements of EMI susceptibility were performed on one RF and several DC SQUID systems by exposing the preamplifiers to fields up to 2 V/m at frequencies from 10 KHz to 250 MHz. The RF SQUID system was sensitive at narrow bands near the 200 Mhz modulation frequency. The DC SQUID systems were very sensitive to EMI in broad bands over the frequency range studied, at field intensities as low as 0.5 V/m. These preliminary tests show that the DC SQUID systems tested will need extensive modifications in order to reduce their EMI susceptibility to acceptable levels.
Vulnerability of families and households to natural hazards: A case study of storm surge flooding in Sarasota County, Florida

Abstract The role that family and household structure, size, and ethnic/racial composition play in increasing or decreasing vulnerability to natural hazards, which has been missing from the literature, is investigated. The study first reviews the conceptual foundations of the relationships between families/households and natural hazards vulnerability and then employs a principal components analysis to uncover spatial variations in the vulnerability of families and households to hurricane storm surge hazards in Sarasota County, Florida. The analysis identifies and maps five principal components that explain approximately 83% of the variance in family/household population: nuclear families/households; Black families/households; nonfamily, young adult group households; Hispanic families/households; and Asian families/households. Comparison of storm surge risk maps with the locations of these families/households shows the relative vulnerability of each of these family/household categories, with elderly householders living alone on exposed barrier islands being the most vulnerable. The research suggests that family and household structures integrate several socio-demographic vulnerability indicators central to most social vulnerability assessments. Results indicate that future research and hazard mitigation policies should focus on families and households as core analytical units. Findings also suggest that recognizing the diversity of families and households is important to reducing vulnerability to natural hazards.
Pursuit-Evasion: A Toolkit to Make Applications More Accessible [Tutorial]

i»?A pursuitâevasion game takes place between two players. The pursuer is charged with capturing the evader while the evader tries to avoid getting caught. Many robotics applications such as search, tracking, and surveillance can be modeled as pursuitâevasion games. Equally important, these games can be modeled as fun mathematics problems to inspire newcomers to the field of robotics. We have witnessed this firsthand during summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates programs at the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications, located at the University of Minnesota. The subject is accessible, with many open problems that require creativity, insight, and strong algorithmic thinking. Our summer students digested the basics of the field and developed results that evolved into research publications [1], [2].
The Zebrafish as a Model for Human Bacterial Infections

The development of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) infectious disease model has provided new insights and information into pathogenesis. Many of these new discoveries would not have been possible using a typical mammalian model. The advantages of using this model are many and in the last 15 years the model has been exploited for the analysis of many different pathogens. Here, we describe in detail how to perform a bacterial infection using either the adult zebrafish or zebrafish larvae using microinjection. Multiple methods of analysis are described that can be used to address specific questions pertaining to disease progression and the interactions with the immune system.
Selective expression of long non-coding RNAs in a breast cancer cell progression model†

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are acknowledged as regulators of cancer biology and pathology. Our goal was to perform a stringent profiling of breast cancer cell lines that represent disease progression. We used the MCF-10 series, which includes the normal-like MCF-10A, HRAS-transformed MCF-10AT1 (pre-malignant), and MCF-10CA1a (malignant) cells, to perform transcriptome wide sequencing. From these data, we have identified 346 lncRNAs with dysregulated expression across the progression series. By comparing lncRNAs from these datasets to those from an additional set of cell lines that represent different disease stages and subtypes, MCF-7 (early stage, luminal), and MDA-MB-231 (late stage, basal), 61 lncRNAs that are associated with breast cancer progression were identified. Querying breast cancer patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we selected a lncRNA, IGF-like family member 2 antisense RNA 1 (IGFL2-AS1), of potential clinical relevance for functional characterization. Among the 61 lncRNAs, IGFL2-AS1 was the most significantly decreased. Our results indicate that this lncRNA plays a role in downregulating its nearest neighbor, IGFL1, and affects migration of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, the lncRNAs we identified provide a valuable resource to mechanistically and clinically understand the contribution of lncRNAs in breast cancer progression.
Organic Brain Disorders: Classification, the “Symptomatic” Psychoses, Misdiagnosis

Some of the difficulties posed by organic brain disorders include the problem of their classification within the framework of psychiatric illness, the nature of the relationship between organic illness and psychiatric syndromes, and the dangers of misdiagnosis. Overshadowing these difficulties are the general problems of the recognition and treatment of physical illness in psychiatric populations and, conversely, the diagnosis and management of psychiatric disturbance in physically ill patients.
Development of short-form measures to assess four types of elder mistreatment: Findings from an evidence-based study of APS elder abuse substantiation decisions

Improving the standardization and efficiency of adult protective services (APS) investigations is a top priority in APS practice. Using data from the Elder Abuse Decision Support System (EADSS), we developed short-form measures of four types of elder abuse: financial, emotional/psychological, physical, and neglect. The EADSS data set contains 948 elder abuse cases (age 60+) with yes/no abuse substantiation decisions for each abuse type following a 30-day investigation. Item sensitivity/specificity analyses were conducted on long-form items with the substantiation decision for each abuse type as the criterion. Validity was further tested using receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, correlation with long forms and internal consistency. The four resulting short-form measures, containing 36 of the 82 original items, have validity similar to the original long forms. These short forms can be used to standardize and increase efficiency of APS investigations, and may also offer researchers new options for brief elder abuse assessments.
HARBORAGE PREFERENCE BY PERIPLANETA AMERICANA (L.) AND PERIPLANETA FULIGINOSA (SERVILLE) (DICTYOPTERA: BLATTIDAE) IN A HOME IN CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA

A home in Clemson, South Carolina, known to be infested with Periplaneta americana (L.) and Periplaneta fuliginosa (Serville), was partially dismantled and the harborage sites were identified. Peri...
Modeling learning and forgetting processes with the corresponding impacts on human behaviors in infectious disease epidemics

Abstract This article presents two new mathematical models, an information forgetting curve (IFC) model and a memory reception fading and cumulating (MRFC) model, to examine forgetting and learning behaviors of individuals during an infectious disease epidemic. Both models consider how epidemic prevalence and community behavior-change information may affect agent emotions and subsequently influence an individual's behavior changes during an epidemic. The IFC model utilizes a forgetting curve to process epidemic information, and the MRFC model formulates disease information variations using the Ito diffusion process. Sensitivity analysis and simulation comparisons showed that the MRFC model more accurately describes the epidemic with high lethal rate gets high attention. The author also demonstrated that MRFC model has higher sensitivity parameters and is more flexible on wide ranges of infection rates than the IFC model. However, the IFC model is a better suited for widespread, low-risk mortality epidemics, such as seasonal influenza, the infection information and protective behavior have close relationships among the susceptible population. An agent-based simulation model also developed to mimic the epidemic prevalence of the 2009 Chicago H1N1 using public available historical data sets by IFC model.
Penalization methods with group-wise sparsity: econometric applications to eBay Motors online auctions

This paper investigates several recent developments in statistical penalization methods with applications to econometric models and economic data. When the set of covariate variables can be categorized into groups, we propose to use the Group Lasso (Yuan and Lin in J R Stat Soc Ser B 68(1):49–67, 2006) and Sparse Group Lasso (Simon et al. in J Comput Graph Stat 22(2):231–245, 2013) techniques to achieve group-wise sparsity. When estimating a structural model in empirical auctions work, these methods can flexibly control for observable heterogeneity by producing better, simpler first-stage fits for the approaches as proposed by Haile et al. (in: NBER working paper no. 10105, 2003) and Athey and Haile (in: Chapter 60 in handbook of econometrics, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2007). In applying these methods to eBay Motors auction data, the models with group-wise sparsity are compared to the benchmark models and commonly used penalization methods with only parameter-wise regularization. Empirical results show that the Sparse Group Lasso method yields comparable or even better prediction performance than its counterparts in both linear regression and binary classification. Furthermore, it can drastically reduce the complexity of the model and produce a much more parsimonious model.
Mikel Dufrenne (1910–1995)

The most distinguished philosopher of art in French phenomenology, Dufrenne is faithful to his origins in edmund husserl, martin heidegger, jean-paul sartre, and maurice merleau-ponty. He brought phenomenological aesthetics to a yet to be surpassed level of clarity and originality. His writings were systematic and highly structured, yet fresh and bold in their insights. He confronted classical issues in aesthetics while being open to the new in the art of his time. His students, e.g., Christian Metz, Louis Marin, Olivier Revault D’Allonnes, Daniel Charles, and Jean-Francois Lyotard, have risen to distinction. He founded the department of philosophy at the University of Paris, Nanterre, in the 1960s, inviting emmanuel levinas and paul ricoeur to join him there. Editing La Revue d’Esthetique and directing the book series entitled Collection d’Esthetique, he disseminated a distinctively phenomenological aesthetics throughout the West. At his death, he was the doyen of the philosophy of art in Europe, and widely appreciated elsewhere, including the United States and Quebec, where he taught during his last decades.
Effect on corpus luteum function of luteal phase administration of a potent gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (nafarelin)

Fourteen women with ovulatory menstrual cycles were treated with a superactive agonistic analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (6 -d -[2-naphthyl]-alanyl)-GnRH (nafarelin). Eight of the women received a single subcutaneous injection of nafarelin during the luteal phase at a dosage of 2, 5, or 100 μ g for determination of the dose-response and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the drug: All doses stimulated the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Maximal release was obtained with the 5- μ g dose (mean ± standard deviation: ΔLH = 297 ± 75 mIU/ml; ΔFSH = 29 ± 7 mIU/ml), and there was no greater release of gonadotropin with the 100- μ g dose. To investigate the contraceptive potential of nafarelin as a luteolytic agent, six of the women were treated with 100 μ g of analog by daily injection for 10 days, beginning either 2 to 3 days or 5 to 7 days after ovulation. Gonadotroph desensitization or down-regulation developed within 24 hours, but serum concentrations of LH and FSH did not fall below normal values during treatment. There were no significant changes in mean estradiol or progesterone concentrations. There also was no change in mean length of the luteal phase (13.7 ± 2.1days [control] versus 13.6 ±1.4days). Thus, nafarelin, like other superactive analogs of GnRH, does not appear to be clinically useful as a luteolytic agent in contraceptive development.
Analysis of protein binding sites by computational solvent mapping.

Computational solvent mapping globally samples the surface of target proteins using molecular probes-small molecules or functional groups-to identify potentially favorable binding positions. The method is based on X-ray and NMR screening studies showing that the binding sites of proteins also bind a large variety of fragment-sized molecules. We have developed the multistage mapping algorithm FTMap (available as a server at http://ftmap.bu.edu/ ) based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) correlation approach. Identifying regions of low free energy rather than individual low energy conformations, FTMap reproduces the available experimental mapping results. Applications to a variety of proteins show that the probes always cluster in important subsites of the binding site, and the amino acid residues that interact with many probes also bind the specific ligands of the protein. The "consensus" sites at which a number of different probes cluster are likely to be "druggable" sites, capable of binding drug-size ligands with high affinity. Due to its sensitivity to conformational changes, the method can also be used for comparing the binding sites in different structures of a protein.
A Generalized Optimization Framework for Score Aggregation in Person Re-identification Systems

Person re-identification is the problem of identifying a person over multiple cameras in video-based surveillance. In this paper, we propose a novel generalized optimization framework for combining results from different methods for person re-identification to significantly improve re-identification rates. The proposed framework evaluates the similarity of score distributions by means of Bhattacharyya distance to arrive at an optimum solution that minimizes a defined cost function. Using our framework, we employ similarity scores from existing algorithms to generate score aggregates, which are then used for ranking the gallery images based on their "closeness" to a given probe image. The optimization problem is solved using Genetic Algorithm, a heuristic optimization algorithm. Our results show significant improvement in performance for person re-identification using existing algorithms on challenging datasets – VIPeR, CUHK01, CUHK03 and QMUL-GRID.
Abstract 698: Functional Analysis of Smad3 Deficiency in VSMCs Derived From Crispr/cas9-modified Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Introduction: Transcription factor Smad3 plays key roles in both TGF-β signaling transduction and vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) differentiation. SMAD3 gene mutations cause aneurysms-osteoarth...
The Conversation of Scholarship

At its core, scholarship is a long, threaded, multiparticipant conversation. Scholars, students, librarians, and publishers all are engaged. There are side conversations addressing specific fields ...