cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When do Localized Natural Enemies Increase Species Richness

The Janzen–Connell hypothesis states that local species-specific density dependence, mediated through specialist enemies of offspring such as fungal pathogens and insect seed predators, can facilitate coexistence of species by preventing recruitment near conspecific adults. We use spatially explicit simulation models and analytical approximations to evaluate how spatial scales of offspring and enemy dispersal affect species richness. In comparison with model communities in which both offspring and enemies disperse long distances, species richness is substantially decreased when offspring disperse long distances and enemies disperse short distances. In contrast, when both offspring and enemies disperse short distances species richness more than doubles and adults of each species are highly spatially clumped. For the range of conditions typical of tropical forests, locally dispersing specialist enemies may decrease species richness relative to enemies that disperse long distances. In communities where dispersal distances of both offspring and enemies are short, local effects may enhance species richness.
SPANX gene variation in fertile and infertile males.

Protein expression data suggests that the SPANX gene family is expressed throughout spermatogenesis, including post-meiotic expression, consistent with a potential role in sperm development. The genomic architecture of this region is unstable and past studies have found evidence of variation in this gene family. This study used a novel assay to evaluate copy number variation (CNV) in SPANX gene family, in fertile and infertile men. The case group was comprised of 50 oligozoospermic and 50 azoospermic men, and the control group was comprised of 67 normozoospermic men with children. The assay, real-time quantitative PCR, evaluated CNV of the entire gene cluster containing all four SPANXA-E genes and with SPANXB, found exclusively in maturing sperm. While variation was found in both groups, average CNV patterns did not differ between fertile and infertile males. As this was a targeted assay, it was limited in scope to detect further CNV at a genome-wide level which is an area of increasing interest in the fi...
p85α subunit of class IA PI-3 kinase is crucial for macrophage growth and migration

Macrophages play an essential role in defending against invading pathogens by migrating to the sites of infection, removing apoptotic cells, and secreting inflammatory cytokines. The molecular mechanisms whereby macrophages regulate these processes are poorly understood. Using bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMMs) deficient in the expression of p85α-subunit of class IA phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI-3) kinase, we demonstrate 50% reduction in proliferation in response to macrophage–colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) as well as granulocyte macrophage–colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) compared with wild-type controls. Furthermore, p85α–/– BMMs demonstrate a significant reduction in migration in a wound-healing assay compared with wild-type controls. The reduction in migration due to p85α deficiency in BMMs is associated with reduced adhesion and directed migration on fibronectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. In addition, deficiency of p85α in BMMs also results in defective phagocytosis of sheep red blood cells. Biochemically, loss of p85α in BMMs results in reduced activation of Akt and Rac, but not Erk (extracellular signal-related kinase) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Taken together, our results provide genetic evidence for the importance of p85α in regulating both actin- and growth-based functions in macrophages, and provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diseases involving macrophages, including inflammation.
Cardiolipin, a critical determinant of mitochondrial carrier protein assembly and function

The ability of phospholipids to act as determinants of membrane protein structure and function is probably best exemplified by cardiolipin (CL), the signature phospholipid of mitochondria. Early efforts to reconstitute individual respiratory complexes and members of the mitochondrial carrier family, most notably the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC), often demonstrated the importance of CL. Over the past decade, the significance of CL in the organization of components of the electron transport chain into higher order assemblies, termed respiratory supercomplexes, has been established. Another protein required for oxidative phosphorylation, AAC, has received comparatively little attention likely stemming from the fact that AACs were thought to function in isolation as either homodimers or monomers. Recently however, AACs have been demonstrated to interact with the respiratory supercomplex, other members of the mitochondrial carrier family, and the TIM23 translocon. Interestingly, many if not all of these interactions depend on CL. As the paradigm for the mitochondrial carrier family, these discoveries with AAC suggest that other members of this large group of important proteins may be more gregarious than anticipated. Moreover, it is proposed that AAC and perhaps additional members of the mitochondrial carrier family might represent downstream targets of pathological states involving alterations in CL.
Clock synchronization without exchanging timestamps

Clock synchronization is essential not only for precise data integration and sensor reading fusion in wireless sensor networks which consists of distributed sensors but for packet-switched networks. Over past years, clock synchronization techniques have been proposed for different environments and applications. In this paper, we propose a novel clock synchronization protocol which does not require timestamp exchanges. This proposed protocol focuses on enhancing energy efficiency and communication bandwidth efficiency, and can be realized without any additional message transmissions. This paper shows maximum likelihood estimator of clock skew and clock offset and the corresponding Cramer-Rao lower bounds under Gaussian delay model. Moreover, it is demonstrated that this protocol has the same performance to traditional timestamping techniques through simulations.
Depth from Combining Defocus and Correspondence Using Light-Field Cameras

Light-field cameras have recently become available to the consumer market. An array of micro-lenses captures enough information that one can refocus images after acquisition, as well as shift one's viewpoint within the sub-apertures of the main lens, effectively obtaining multiple views. Thus, depth cues from both defocus and correspondence are available simultaneously in a single capture. Previously, defocus could be achieved only through multiple image exposures focused at different depths, while correspondence cues needed multiple exposures at different viewpoints or multiple cameras, moreover, both cues could not easily be obtained together. In this paper, we present a novel simple and principled algorithm that computes dense depth estimation by combining both defocus and correspondence depth cues. We analyze the x-u 2D epipolar image (EPI), where by convention we assume the spatial x coordinate is horizontal and the angular u coordinate is vertical (our final algorithm uses the full 4D EPI). We show that defocus depth cues are obtained by computing the horizontal (spatial) variance after vertical (angular) integration, and correspondence depth cues by computing the vertical (angular) variance. We then show how to combine the two cues into a high quality depth map, suitable for computer vision applications such as matting, full control of depth-of-field, and surface reconstruction.
Litigating for Better Medical Care

Litigation to improve correctional health care has been—and, indeed, continues to be—a critical catalyst to better medical care for prisoners, and therefore to better public health. We no longer openly accept, as we once did, that prisoners are entitled to bare scraps of medical care, the leavings of a facility’s lean resources. We now recognize and enforce the right of incarcerated persons to receive adequate professional care for their serious medical and mental health needs. It was the coercive power of litigation, rather than an enlightened public policy, that made this right meaningful. However, much of the early promise of litigation has been quashed by the courts and Congress. As with so much else in the formation of criminal justice policy, political opportunism and retribution have led to policies (in practice, statute, and decisional law) that endanger the public health and safety. Just as our sentencing policies overly rely on thoughtless, punitive, and long-lasting confinement at the expense of rehabilitative and reintegrative opportunities, so policymakers and judges seek to curtail opportunities for prisoners to improve the conditions of confinement. Among the most important of those conditions is accessible and adequate physical and mental health care. In this chapter, I first examine the peculiar nature of and context for l awsuits that seek to improve prison medical care. I next discuss the present state of the legal right to that care and the obstacles to realizing that right. I then suggest some promising ways in which litigation can successfully be used—despite those obstacles—to drive medical care forward. I hope to show that restricting prison medical care litigation is bad correctional policy and bad public health policy. Because the political process disfavors prisoners and the litigation that protects their rights (even when the public health is at stake), it is critical to have access to the courts to achieve what the majoritarian branches neglect. The protection, even support, of litigation to help ensure good quality care is necessary to improve the prognosis for prisoners and for the public as well. Chapter 3
Examining the link between chromosomal instability and aneuploidy in human cells

Solid tumors can be highly aneuploid and many display high rates of chromosome missegregation in a phenomenon called chromosomal instability (CIN). In principle, aneuploidy is the consequence of CIN, but the relationship between CIN and aneuploidy has not been clearly defined. In this study, we use live cell imaging and clonal cell analyses to evaluate the fidelity of chromosome segregation in chromosomally stable and unstable human cells. We show that improper microtubule–chromosome attachment (merotely) is a cause of chromosome missegregation in unstable cells and that increasing chromosome missegregation rates by elevating merotely during consecutive mitoses generates CIN in otherwise stable, near-diploid cells. However, chromosome missegregation compromises the proliferation of diploid cells, indicating that phenotypic changes that permit the propagation of nondiploid cells must combine with elevated chromosome missegregation rates to generate aneuploid cells with CIN.
Clinical Evaluation of the BDProbeTec Strand Displacement Amplification Assay for Rapid Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

The reliability of the BDProbeTec MTB Test (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, Md.) for direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory specimens was evaluated by comparing results to those of conventional mycobacterial culture, with the BACTEC TB 460 and Middlebrook 7H11 biplates. Patients known to have tuberculosis were excluded from analysis. Of 523 specimens from 277 patients, 53 grew a mycobacterium: 24 specimens of M. tuberculosis and 29 specimens of nontuberculous mycobacteria. After initial testing, 42 specimens were positive by the BDProbeTec, for overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 95.8, 96.2, 54.8, and 99.8%, respectively. After resolution of discrepancies, 28 specimens were positive by the BDProbeTec, for overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 100, 99.2, 85.7, and 100%, respectively. These same values were 100, 80.8, 93.4, and 100%, respectively, for smear-positive samples and 100, 99.4, 75.0, and 100%, respectively, for smear-negative specimens.
Measuring the impact of biotic factors on populations of immature emerald ash borers (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).

Cohorts of emerald ash borer larvae, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, were experimentally established in July of 2008 on healthy green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) trees in two wooded plots at each of three sites near Lansing, MI, by caging gravid emerald ash borer females or placing laboratory-reared eggs on trunks (0.5–2 m above the ground) of selected trees. One plot at each site was randomly chosen for release of two introduced larval parasitoids, Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), whereas the other served as the control. Stage-specific mortality factors and rates were measured for all experimentally established cohorts and for associated wild (i.e., naturally occurring) emerald ash borer immature stages via destructive sampling of 2.5 m (above the ground) trunk sections of cohort-bearing trees in the spring and fall of 2009. Host tree defense was the most important mortality factor, causing 32.0 to 41.1% mortality in the experimental cohorts and 17.5 to 21.5% in wild emerald ash borer stages by spring 2009, and 16.1 to 29% for the remaining experimental cohorts, and 9.9 to 11.8% for wild immature emerald ash borer stages by fall 2009. Woodpecker predation was the second most important factor, inflicting no mortality in the experimental cohorts but causing 5.0 to 5.6% mortality to associated wild emerald ash borer stages by spring 2009 and 9.2 to 12.8% and 3.2 to 17.7%, respectively, for experimental cohorts and wild emerald ash borer stages by fall 2009. Mortality from disease in both the experimental and wild cohorts was low (<3%) in both the spring and fall sample periods. In the fall 2009 samples, ≈1.5% of experimental cohorts and 0.8% of the wild emerald ash borer stages were parasitized by T. planipennisi. While there were no significant differences in mortality rates because of parasitism between parasitoid-release and control plots, T. planipennisi was detected in each of the three release sites by the end of the study but was not detected in the experimental cohorts or associated wild larvae in any of the three control plots.
Automated formal verification of scheduling with speculative code motions

We present a methodology for formal verification of scheduling phase of High-Level Synthesis (HLS) when speculative code motions are performed during this process. Verification relies on establishing functional equivalence between the result of scheduling and the behavioral specification of the design, using their FSMD models. We propose and formally define a relation between the two FSMDs that is less constrained than the strong equivalence, but stronger than weak equivalence. For verification of scheduling involving speculative code motions, we propose the notion of FSMD recomposition, a transformation that alters the state sequence and/or the operation of each state, while maintaining the functionality. The equivalence conditions are formulated in higher-order logic, and their correctness is verified in the theorem proving environment PVS. The entire verification flow, including formal model extraction and proof generation is fully automated.
Elevation of Midocean Ridges and the Basement Age of JOIDES Deep Sea Drilling Sites

The East Pacific Rise in the North Pacific drops from a crestal elevation of ∼2,800 m to a depth of 5,600 m for 75-m.y.-old crust. All other active midocean ridges except the North Atlantic close to Iceland show the same increase in depth with age but, within a 400-m spread, have generally shallower crestal elevations. Depths and basement ages from JOIDES Deep Sea Drilling Project site cores in the Pacific are in excellent agreement with the empirical depth versus age curve for the North Pacific determined from magnetic and topographic profiles. Sites in the northwestern Pacific are used to extend this empirical curve from a depth of 5,600 m at 75 m.y. B.P. to 5,900 m at 135 m.y. B.P. JOIDES data from the North Atlantic fall close to this extended curve but consistently show 200- to 300-m shallower crestal elevations in the oldest regions—evidence that certain geographic areas show small (±300 m) but significant departures from the uniform depth versus age relation for the North Pacific. The cause of these departures is, at present, unknown.
General versus spinal anaesthesia for patients aged 70 years and older with a fracture of the hip

The aim of this study was to compare the operating time, length of stay (LOS), adverse events and rate of re-admission for elderly patients with a fracture of the hip treated using either general or spinal anaesthesia. Patients aged ≥ 70 years who underwent surgery for a fracture of the hip between 2010 and 2012 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. Of the 9842 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 7253 (73.7%) were treated with general anaesthesia and 2589 (26.3%) with spinal anaesthesia. On propensity-adjusted multivariate analysis, general anaesthesia was associated with slightly increased operating time (+5 minutes, 95% confidence interval (CI) +4 to +6, p < 0.001) and post-operative time in the operating room (+5 minutes, 95% CI +2 to +8, p < 0.001) compared with spinal anaesthesia. General anaesthesia was associated with a shorter LOS (hazard ratio (HR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.34, p < 0.001). Any adverse event (odds ratio (OR) 1.21, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.32, p < 0.001), thromboembolic events (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.89, p = 0.003), any minor adverse event (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.32, p < 0.001), and blood transfusion (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.49, p < 0.001) were associated with general anaesthesia. General anaesthesia was associated with decreased rates of urinary tract infection (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.87, p < 0.001). There was no clear overall advantage of one type of anaesthesia over the other, and surgeons should be aware of the specific risks and benefits associated with each type. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:689–95.
The Path to an RDA Hybridized Catalog: Lessons from the Kent State University Libraries' RDA Enrichment Project

ABSTRACTThis article describes in detail the library implementation of a Resource Description and Access (RDA) Enrichment project. The library “hybridized,” or enriched legacy data from Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules bibliographic records by the addition of specific RDA elements. The project also cleaned up various other elements in the bibliographic data that were not directly RDA-related. There were over 28 million changes and edits made to these records, changes that would never have been made otherwise because the library lacked the resources to do them independently. The enrichment project made the bibliographic data consistent, and helped prepared the data for its eventual transition to a linked data environment.
Nuclear Imaging Guidance for Ablation of Ventricular Arrhythmias

Due to an increase in the number of patients with heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias, ventricular tachycardia ablation has a growing clinical role. Long-term success rates remain suboptimal and require creating a detailed electroanatomic map during the procedure to identify fibrotic areas responsible for arrhythmias. Nuclear imaging can identify areas of abnormal myocardial perfusion, metabolism, and innervation, which all may enhance our ability to identify ablation targets, thus decreasing procedure time and improving success rates. Myocardial scar, as assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion imaging, has been shown to correlate with abnormal areas found during electroanatomic mapping. Abnormal metabolism as identified by (18)fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging has been shown to predict successful ablation sites and help correct errors made in the creation of the electroanatomic map. Abnormal cardiac sympathetic innervation can be identified using the purpose (123)I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine SPECT imaging, which may help in identifying triggers that initiate ventricular tachycardia and also predict successful ablation sites within an otherwise normal myocardium. In conclusion, these imaging modalities can not only offer new insights into the pathophysiology of ventricular arrhythmias but also have the potential to improve outcomes from ventricular tachycardia ablation procedures.
Rigorous Results on the Cubic Sensor Problem

We sketch some rigorous results on the cubic sensor problem, without detailed proofs. These results, together with the work of Hazewinkel and Marcus in this volume, imply in a rigorous way the nonexistence of smooth finite dimensional filters for any nontrivial statistic of the problem.
PS2-7: Automated Ordering and Sample Collection to Leverage Electronic Medical Record Based Genetic Research – The Geisinger MyCode Project

Background/Aims The Geisinger MyCode project is a system-wide biobanking project with DNA and serum samples from over 35,000 Geisinger patients. We summarize an automated process for ordering and collection of samples linkable to EMR data for research studies.
Muslim women in France at the turn of the millennium

Cet article decrit l'evolution de la position des femmes musulmanes d'origine arabe en France au seuil du nouveau millenaire : leurs efforts pour assumer leur double identite musulmane-Arabe/Francaise ; leur activisme en matiere d'education non seulement des enfants mais egalement des autres femmes musulmanes ; leur participation politique croissante ; leur contribution intellectuelle et religieuse a l'exegese de l'islam et au dialogue interreligieux au niveau local voire mondial
The Effect of Type of Podcasts and Learning Styles on Language Proficiency and Confidence

This study examined the effect of type of podcasts and learning styles on speaking, listening, and confidence when college used podcasts for learning Chinese. It focused on college students enrolle...
Cardiac Protection by Halothane Following Ischemia and Calcium Paradox

Calcium ions play a crucial role in the regulation of cardiac function and their movements may be profoundly affected in various pathophysiological conditions. Specifically, reper fusion of the severely ischemic myocardium is associated with a rapid net gain in intracellular calcium, largely in the mitochondria, and the development of contraction band necrosis (Shen and Jennings, 1972, Nayleret al., 1985). The extent of calcium accumulation on reperfusion of the ischemic heart is related to the severity and duration of ischemia and the degree of mechanical recovery (Henryet al., 1977; Bourdillon and Poole-Wilson, 1981). A marked calcium accumulation is also produced by exposure to calcium-containing solutions following a brief period of exposure to calcium-free perfusate, a phenomenon known as the “calcium paradox” (Ruigroket al., 1985). While the mechanisms underlying myocardial injury under these conditions are controversial, several interventions limiting depletion of high-energy phosphate stores and calcium accumulation have been shown to have a protective effect on the heart (Bourdillon and Poole-Wilson, 1982). Pretreatment with calcium-blocking agents before calcium-free perfusion or the onset of ischemia is reported to reduce the degree of ultrastructural damage and enhance recovery of contractile function (Wattset al., 1980; Ohharaet al., 1982). This potential beneficial intervention may have relevance to the clinical problems of reducing cardiac injury and restoring ventricular function following transient ischemic episodes and the use of cardioplegic solutions in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization.
Nonparametric Benefit–Risk Assessment Using Marker Process in the Presence of a Terminal Event

ABSTRACTBenefit–risk assessment is a crucial step in medical decision process. In many biomedical studies, both longitudinal marker measurements and time to a terminal event serve as important endpoints for benefit–risk assessment. The effect of an intervention or a treatment on the longitudinal marker process, however, can be in conflict with its effect on the time to the terminal event. Thus, questions arise on how to evaluate treatment effects based on the two endpoints, for the purpose of deciding on which treatment is most likely to benefit the patients. In this article, we present a unified framework for benefit–risk assessment using the observed longitudinal markers and time to event data. We propose a cumulative weighted marker process to synthesize information from the two endpoints, and use its mean function at a prespecified time point as a benefit–risk summary measure. We consider nonparametric estimation of the summary measure under two scenarios: (i) the longitudinal marker is measured inter...
Viscometric and spectrophotometric measurements of hemoglobin S polymerization kinetics.

The rates of polymerization and depolymerization of identical concentrated deoxygenated hemoglobin S (HbS) solutions following a rapid temperature change were examined by several methods. Two of these methods measured viscosity changes in either gently agitated (AGT) or nonagitated (NAGT) samples. The third method utilized a change in turbidity at 735 nm (SDT). By all three methods, a delay period, during which no observable change was detected, followed the temperature change. Gelation, as determined in nonagitated samples by a viscosity- based technique, occurred before or coincided with gelation as determined spectrophotometrically. The slope of the concentration dependence of the delay time is significantly decreased by agitation. Similar monitoring of the depolymerization reaction indicated the persistence of increased viscosity after observation of a marked decrease in turbidity.
Working together : Towards an integrative critical criminological model for social justice

L'A. presente un modele critique d'analye criminologique qui permet de prendre en compte la notion de justice sociale. Il rappelle que la criminologie critique insiste sur l'influence des facteurs structurels qui sous-tendent les processus de stratification entre les classes, les sexes et les races au sein des societes modernes, en matiere d'analyse de la criminalite. Il etudie la relation entre langage, conscience et justice sociale et pose le probleme de la localisation et de la democratisation du controle social
Modeling catalytic converter performance

A catalytic converter is a device located in the exhaust system of the automobile, approximately underneath the driver seat, between the engine output and the exhaust tailpipe. As pollutant gases flow out of the engine, they pass through the catalytic converter and undergo chemical processes by which they are converted into relatively harmless gases. On November 20, 1990 Edward J. Bissett from General Motors Research gave an overview of the catalytic converter modeling at GM, and reported on ongoing research to which he has been contributing.
Histoplasmosis-Induced Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in an Adult Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an aggressive and life-threating immune dysregulation syndrome characterized by persistent activation of the mononuclear phagocytic system leading to uncontrolled systemic hyperinflammatory response. The proliferation and activation of histiocytes and lymphocytes lead to production of large amounts of cytokines, also called cytokine storm. Hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues are directly involved while other organs are damaged by circulating cytokines. Primary HLH is attributed to genetic defects of the immune system and secondary HLH is usually seen in adults secondary to malignancy, infection, or autoimmune diseases. Zoonotic diseases including fungal infections are an important cause of HLH. Secondary HLH can delay the recognition of the underlying zoonoses. We report the case of a 61-year-old female with history of rheumatoid arthritis with histoplasmosis associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Tomato-Flavored Beverage and Onion-Flavored Chip Dip Made from Cottage Cheese Whey

Whey from cottage cheese made by the short-set culture method was used to make tomato-flavored drink by addition of 6% dried tomato-spice flavoring material, and was found by 10 panelists to have a pleasing taste. Heat treatment of cottage cheese whey at 93 to 99 C resulted in a precipitate containing over 9% total solids. This precipitate was further concentrated by centrifugation or filtration through a cotton cloth. The precipitates were blended with xanthan gum and onion-flavoring to produce a chip dip.
Pim1 kinase regulates c-Kit gene translation

Receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Kit (CD117) plays a pivotal role in the maintenance and expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). Additionally, over-expression and/or mutational activation of c-Kit have been implicated in numerous malignant diseases including acute myeloid leukemia. However, the translational regulation of c-Kit expression remains largely unknown. We demonstrated that loss of Pim1 led to specific down-regulation of c-Kit expression in HSPCs of Pim1−/− mice and Pim1−/−2−/−3−/− triple knockout (TKO) mice, and resulted in attenuated ERK and STAT3 signaling in response to stimulation with stem cell factor. Transduction of c-Kit restored the defects in colony forming capacity seen in HSPCs from Pim1−/− and TKO mice. Pharmacologic inhibition and genetic modification studies using human megakaryoblastic leukemia cells confirmed the regulation of c-Kit expression by Pim1 kinase: i.e., Pim1-specific shRNA knockdown down-regulated the expression of c-Kit whereas overexpression of Pim1 up-regulated the expression of c-Kit. Mechanistically, inhibition or knockout of Pim1 kinase did not affect the transcription of c-Kit gene. Pim1 kinase enhanced c-Kit 35S methionine labeling and increased the incorporation of c-Kit mRNAs into the polysomes and monosomes, demonstrating that Pim1 kinase regulates c-Kit expression at the translational level. Our study provides the first evidence that Pim1 regulates c-Kit gene translation and has important implications in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cancer treatment.
The diffusivity of hydrogen in PdAgH ternary solid solutions

Abstract An electrolytic double-cell system has been used to determine the variation of the diffusivity of hydrogen through PdAg membranes as a function of temperature in the range 280–333 K and Ag-composition in the range 0–30 at.%. The experimental diffusivities have been analyzed in terms of the cell theory of interstitial solid solutions. At a given temperature the hydrogen diffusivity shows an initial small increase with increasing Ag-concentration. This is due to lattice dilation effects. As the Ag-concentration increases beyond 0.05 at.%, the H-diffusivity decreases due to the generation of trapping sites for H-atoms.
Whoever is not with me is against me: The costs of neutrality among friends

Abstract Although friends provide valuable help and support, they can also entangle us in costly conflicts. In three studies, we investigate how people react when they are in a dispute with another person and their friend opposes them, supports them, or remains neutral. As expected, participants felt negative toward a friend who sided against them and positive toward a friend who sided with them. However, we were most interested in how people react to a friend's neutrality. People might view neutrality as a fair and positive way to avoid escalating conflict, but they could also see it as shirking one's duties to support a friend. In line with a recent alliance model of friendship, we predicted and found support for the latter: participants reacted negatively toward a friend who remained neutral, in fact just as negatively as toward a friend who actively opposed them. That is, participants' felt similar to the Biblical aphorism, “whoever is not with me is against me.” We further found that participants' negative response to neutrality was particularly strong when a close friend remained neutral during a dispute with a distant friend, compared to a dispute with an equally close friend. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding multilateral conflicts among multiple friends.
Dynamic spatio-temporal models for spatial data

Abstract Analyzing spatial data often requires modeling dependencies created by a dynamic spatio-temporal data generating process. In many applications, a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) is used with a random effect to account for spatial dependence and to provide optimal spatial predictions. Location-specific covariates are often included as fixed effects in a GLMM and may be collinear with the spatial random effect, which can negatively affect inference. We propose a dynamic approach to account for spatial dependence that incorporates scientific knowledge of the spatio-temporal data generating process. Our approach relies on a dynamic spatio-temporal model that explicitly incorporates location-specific covariates. We illustrate our approach with a spatially varying ecological diffusion model implemented using a computationally efficient homogenization technique. We apply our model to understand individual-level and location-specific risk factors associated with chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer from Wisconsin, USA and estimate the location the disease was first introduced. We compare our approach to several existing methods that are commonly used in spatial statistics. Our spatio-temporal approach resulted in a higher predictive accuracy when compared to methods based on optimal spatial prediction, obviated confounding among the spatially indexed covariates and the spatial random effect, and provided additional information that will be important for containing disease outbreaks.
Survival after refusal of surgical treatment for locally advanced laryngeal cancer.

Abstract Objective Survival of advanced laryngeal cancer is declining while the popularity of organ preservation protocols grows. This study assesses the survival impact of refusing surgical treatment for locally advanced, resectable laryngeal cancer. Methods Adult patients with T3 and T4a non-metastatic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results 18 database from 2004 to 2013. Patients were stratified based on a recommendation for extirpative surgery and the refusal of surgery. Multivariate logistic regression modeling identified variables associated with refusal. A multivariate cox proportional hazard model produced adjusted Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Survival was compared using adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Of 5786 patients in the study, 2877 were recommended for surgical treatment and 138 (4.8%) refused. Refusal of surgery was associated with unmarried status (Single, odds ratio (OR) 1.79, CI 1.10–2.92), black race (OR 1.50, CI 1.00–2.22), T3 tumors (OR 1.80, CI 1.26–2.61) and N3 nodal disease (OR 3.50, CI 1.24–8.48). Compared to patients undergoing surgery, those who refused had lower 5-year cancer specific survival and increased hazard of cancer-specific mortality (aHR 1.60, CI 1.24–2.07) which resulted in decreased 5-year survival (50.0 vs 60.1%), after controlling for other factors. Conclusion Refusal of surgery for locally advanced laryngeal cancer is more common in patients without marital support and with T3 tumors. This decision results in a 10% survival decrease at 5-year. Future study is needed to understand patients’ reasoning behind this decision and to investigate additional factors not available in this dataset.
Vida y muerte en el Perú colonial: inicios de la bioarqueología en Lambayeque histórico (1536-1750 d.C.)

Considering all the developments and dynamics spanning the Andean cultural history, contact between Andeans and Europeans in the sixteenth century was unprecedented in terms of scope, impact and violence. Paradoxically, it is a time period that has received little archaeological attention. Historic Peru has almost always been studied through the ethnohistorical sources, revealing incomplete and often distorted by layers of European ethnocentrism and behavioral misperception of Andean cultures. Often, the very lives of people and the nuanced experiences of native cultures have remained unknown, obscured by a lack of data and wide range of assumptions about the colonial society that emerged in the wake of the conquest. This article applies bioarchaeological perspectives in the study of colonial Central Andes. The excavations in the village of Morrope, Lambayeque Valley (northern Peru) allows us to integrate multiple independent lines of ethnohistoric, archaeological, and biological data to examine two central issues: (1) How did conquest impact patterns of pre-Hispanic health, diet, and physical activity? (2) What do burial patterns reveal about parallel processes of native cultural change and identity in colonial Peru?
Predictability of Impending Online Auction Business Failure - A P-Chart Analysis

In February 2006 Glacier Bay DVD, one the largest and most successful eBay businesses, disappeared without warning. This event caused many to speculate about what this meant for eBay and other auction houses. The authors postulate that quality relates n..
Raster-to-Vector: Revisiting Floorplan Transformation

This paper addresses the problem of converting a rasterized floorplan image into a vector-graphics representation. Unlike existing approaches that rely on a sequence of lowlevel image processing heuristics, we adopt a learning-based approach. A neural architecture first transforms a rasterized image to a set of junctions that represent low-level geometric and semantic information (e.g., wall corners or door end-points). Integer programming is then formulated to aggregate junctions into a set of simple primitives (e.g., wall lines, door lines, or icon boxes) to produce a vectorized floorplan, while ensuring a topologically and geometrically consistent result. Our algorithm significantly outperforms existing methods and achieves around 90% precision and recall, getting to the range of production-ready performance. The vector representation allows 3D model popup for better indoor scene visualization, direct model manipulation for architectural remodeling, and further computational applications such as data analysis. Our system is efficient: we have converted hundred thousand production-level floorplan images into the vector representation and generated 3D popup models.
Shrinkage of SU-8 microstructures during carbonization

Abstract SU-8 is a negative photoresist that is widely used as a precursor to carbon in the fabrication of 3D carbon microstructures. These microstructures are used in applications including sensors, manipulators and batteries. The SU-8 structures are usually made using photolithography and heat treated to high temperatures in an inert atmosphere to achieve carbonization. The shrinkage that results during carbonization affects the design of devices where these structures are used. In this work we studied the shrinkage during carbonization. We emphasized the impact of 1) carbonization protocol and 2) geometry and shape of the SU-8 precursor. Using statistical analysis with ANOVA, we concluded that the geometry of the structure, pyrolysis temperature and pyrolysis atmosphere play a major role in determining the shrinkage of the SU-8 structures. We did not observe a statistically-valid impact from changes in dwell times and heating rate. Based on these results, we present a series of relations to help predict the shrinkage of SU-8 microstructures during carbonization, and facilitate the design of carbon 3D microstructures in different fields.
Nepomnjascij's Theorem and Independence Proofs in Bounded Arithmetic

The use of Nepomnjascǐi’s Theorem in the proofs of independence results for bounded arithmetic theories is investigated. Using this result and similar ideas, the following statements are proven: (1) At least one of S1 or TLS does not prove the Matiyasevich-Davis-RobinsonPutnam Theorem and (2) TLS does not prove Σ1,1 = Π b 1,1. Here S1 is a conservative extension of the well-studied theory I∆0 and TLS is a theory whose ∆1,2-predicates are precisely LOGSPACE. The relation of TLS from this paper to previously studied theories is also developed and generalizations of the previous two results to quasi-linear settings are discussed as well. Mathematics Subject Classification: 03F30, 68Q15
BGSU grid: an experimental and educational grid environment

Grid computing enables massive scale computation with resources that are geographically dispersed over large area. With the advent of Grid Computing, computer resources of different administrative domains can be connected towards a common goal, such as performing high computing. In addition, it is useful for students, educators, and researchers to perform their experiments on the grid and use its tremendous computation potential to a great extent. One such effort regards creating a computational grid to benefit the users of the scientific and distributed computing community at BGSU. This paper presents the architectural details and the steps needed for the development of a working grid for educational purposes. It presents the actions needed to setup the infrastructure for the grid creation. It explains how to create virtual clusters, configure them, and add them to the grid. It also explains the steps needed to install the Globus toolkit which provides the communication channel between all the clusters in the grid. Finally, the paper provides suggestions to make this grid even more flexible and improved high computation tasks.
Parental criticism moderates sibling influence on proactive and reactive aggression

Siblings’ influence on youth aggressive behavior has been found in previous studies, but further research is needed in order to better understand both the shared relations between siblings’ levels of proactive and reactive subtypes of aggression as well as the factors contributing to this relationship, such as parent behavior. The current study extended the literature by examining the influence of older siblings’ proactive and reactive aggression on younger siblings and whether these associations were influenced by levels of observed parental criticism. Participants were 50 parent–child dyads. Children in each dyad (52% female; 76% Caucasian) were between the ages of 10 and 15 (M = 11.52; SD = 1.25). Parent-reported measures of their younger and older siblings’ proactive and reactive aggression were collected. Next, parents and the younger child engaged in a conversation task which was coded for parental criticism using a modified version of the Family Interaction Task. Results demonstrated that older siblings’ reactive aggression was positively associated with younger siblings’ reactive aggression and that the strength of this influence depended on levels of parental criticism (β = 0.21; SE = 0.10; p 0.00), such that stronger sibling influence was observed at greater levels of parental criticism. No influence of older siblings’ levels of proactive aggression was evident. Findings suggest that the degree of parental criticism is particularly salient when examining the association between siblings’ aggression.
Impact of adrenomedullin blockage on lipid metabolism in female mice exposed to high-fat diet

Adrenomedullin (ADM) levels are elevated in gestational and type 2 diabetic patients. ADM also stimulates lipolysis in vitro. Disturbed lipid metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Here, we explore whether blockade of ADM is beneficial for metabolic homeostasis in a diabetic mouse model. C57BL/6J female mice were placed on either a control or a high fat high sucrose (HFHS) diet for 8 weeks. At week 4, osmotic mini-pumps were implanted for constant infusion of either saline or ADM antagonist, ADM22–52. Glucose tolerance tests were performed prior to infusion and 4 weeks after infusion began. Animals were then sacrificed and visceral adipose tissue collected for further analysis. Mice fed HFHS displayed glucose intolerance, increased mRNA expressions in VAT for Adm and its receptor components, Crlr. HFHS fed mice also had increased basal and isoprenaline-induced glycerol release by VAT explants. ADM22–52 did not significantly affect glucose intolerance. ADM22–52 did suppress basal and isoprenaline-induced glycerol release by VAT explants. This alteration was associated with enhanced mRNA expression of insulin signaling factors Insr and Glut4, and adipogenic factor Pck1. HFHS diet induces glucose intolerance and enhances ADM and its receptor expressions in VAT in female mice. ADM22–52 treatment did not affect glucose intolerance in HFHS mice, but reduced both basal and isoprenaline-induced lipolysis, which is associated with enhanced expression of genes involved in adipogenesis. These results warrant further research on the effects of ADM blockade in improving lipid homeostasis in diabetic patients.
Radiation Shielding Using Magnetic Fields

Radiation shielding is essential to future space exploration missions with longer exposure to space radiation. High Atomic Number and Energy particles (HZE) in Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) presents one of the most difficult types of radiation to shield. We propose a combination of active and passive shielding to maximize deflection of radiation and minimize production of secondary radiation, while creating a possibility of usable power. The focus of this paper is on the 7687 kg wire design and the 0.57 T magnetic field created, with less than 2 G in the crew area, and its ability to deflect a 2800 GeV iron ion. Estimates of trapped plasma reducing the iron ion to 140 GeV, as well as thrust production of 34 N are presented.
Robust HIV-1 replication in the absence of integrase function

Integration of the proviral DNA intermediate into the host cell genome represents an essential step in the retroviral life cycle. While the reason(s) for this requirement remains unclear, it is known that unintegrated proviral DNA is epigenetically silenced. Here, we demonstrate that HIV-1 mutants lacking functional integrase can mount a robust, spreading infection in cells expressing the Tax transcription factor encoded by human T-cell leukemia virus 1. In these cells, HIV-1 forms episomal DNA circles, analogous to Hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNAs (cccDNAs), that are transcriptionally active and fully capable of supporting viral replication. This rescue correlates with the loss of inhibitory epigenetic marks, and the acquisition of activating marks, on histones bound to unintegrated HIV-1 DNA. Thus retroviral DNA integration may have evolved, at least in part, as a mechanism to avoid the epigenetic silencing of extrachromosomal viral DNA by host innate antiviral factors.
Assessment of aggregation strategies for machine-learning based short-term load forecasting

Abstract Effective short-term load forecasting (STLF) plays an important role in power system operations. It is challenging to identify an ML model that has the outperformance in all scenarios. Therefore, there are a number of aggregation strategies developed to improve STLF. However, the superiority of these aggregation strategies has not been assessed. In this paper, STLF with three aggregation strategies are developed, which are information aggregation (IA), model aggregation (MA), and hierarchy aggregation (HA). The IA, MA, and HA strategies aggregate inputs, models, and forecasts at the pre-forecasting, model-building, or post-forecasting stage, respectively. To verify the effectiveness of the three aggregation strategies, a set of 10 models based on 4 machine-learning algorithms are developed in each aggregation category to predict 1-hour-ahead load. Case studies show that: (i) STLF-IA presents superior performance than STLF with weather data and STLF with individual load data consistently, and the performance can be further enhanced by the recursive feature elemination (RFE) feature selection method; (ii) MA improves the STLF robustness by reducing the risk of unsatisfactory single-algorithm STLF models; and (iii) STLF-HA produces the most accurate forecasts with a 0.83% normalized mean absolute error and a 1.35% mean absolute percentage error, while keeping hierarchical aggregate consistency.