cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple watershed alterations influence fish community structure in Great Plains prairie streams

Stream fish distributions are commonly linked to environmental disturbances affecting terrestrial landscapes. In Great Plains prairie streams, the independent and interactive effects of watershed impoundments and land cover changes remain poorly understood despite their prevalence and assumed contribution to declining stream fish diversity. We used structural equation models and fish community samples from third-order streams in the Kansas River and Arkansas River basins of Kansas, USA to test the simultaneous effects of geographic location, terrestrial landscape alteration, watershed impoundments and local habitat on species richness for stream-associated and impoundment-associated habitat guilds. Watershed impoundment density increased from west to east in both basins, while per cent altered terrestrial landscape (urbanisation + row-crop agriculture) averaged ~50% in the west, declined throughout the Flint Hills ecoregion and increased (Kansas River basin ~80%) or decreased (Arkansas River basin ~30%) to the east. Geographic location had the strongest effect on richness for both guilds across basins, supporting known zoogeography patterns. In addition to location, impoundment species richness was positively correlated with local habitat in both basins; whereas stream-species richness was negatively correlated with landscape alterations (Kansas River basin) or landscape alterations and watershed impoundments (Arkansas River basin). These findings suggest that convergences in the relative proportions of impoundment and stream species (i.e., community structure) in the eastern extent of both basins are related to positive effects of increased habitat opportunities for impoundment species and negative effects caused by landscape alterations (Kansas River basin) or landscape alterations plus watershed impoundments (Arkansas River basin) for stream species.
Automatic detection and treatment of oscillatory and/or stiff ordinary differential equations

The next generation of ODE software can be expected to detect special problems and to adapt to their needs. This paper is principally concerned with the low-cost, automatic detection of oscillatory behavior, the determination of its period, and methods for its subsequent efficient integration. It also discusses stiffness detection. In the first phase, the method for oscillatory problems discussed examines the output of any integrator to determine if the output is nearly periodic. At the point this answer is positive, the second phase is entered and an automatic, nonstiff, multirevolutionary method is invoked. This requires the occasional solution of a nearly periodic initial-value problem over one period by a standard method and the re-determination of its period. Because the multirevolutionary method uses a very large step, the problem has a high probability of being stiff in this second phase. Hence, it is important to detect if stiffness is present so an appropriate stiff, multirevolutionary method can be selected. Stiffness detection uses techniques proposed by a number of authors. The same technique can be used to switch to a standard stiff method if necessary for a non-oscillatory problem, in the first phase of an oscillatory problem, or in the standard integration over one period of an oscillatory problem.
Was Foucault a plagiarist? Hip-hop sampling and academic citation

This article argues that comparing academic citation and hip-hop sampling can help students become better users of sourcework. I contend that sampling and academic writing share a goal of building new work in response to existing sources and that this goal is obscured by lawsuits that reduce sampling to theft by applying to sound a copyright regulation system designed for print. Both sampling and citing seek to build new compositions by working from sources, yet academic citation systems preserve textual ownership through attribution while sampling often guards or disguises its sources. These different stances in regard to authorship and ownership belie the values shared by the two systems.
The Occurrence of Accelerator and Brake Pedal Actuation Errors during Simulated Driving

Observations were made of subjects' foot movements while they drove an automobile simulator modified to represent the pedal, floor, and seating geometries of four actual automobiles. The type and frequency of pedal actuation errors that occurred were documented and recorded. The results indicate that a wide variety of pedal errors occur and that their frequency of occurrence varies greatly according to the seriousness of the error. Configuration differences were found for the less serious categories of error but not for the serious category.
Does the face protect the brain? A case-control study of traumatic brain injury and facial fractures

Background The relationship between facial fractures and traumatic brain injury is controversial. Some studies show an increased risk of brain injury with the presence of facial fractures while others claim that facial fractures protect against brain injury. Objective To examine the association between facial fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Design Case-control study. Setting Subjects were recruited from the emergency departments of 7 hospitals in the Seattle, Wash, area. Patients Three thousand eight hundred forty-nine injured bicyclists and 5 scene deaths were identified from March 1, 1992, to August 31, 1994, with complete data available on 3388 bicyclists. Interventions None. Results The study group was composed of 1602 cases with injuries to the head, face, or brain and 1540 control subjects. There were 203 bicyclists with traumatic brain injuries, of whom 62 had an identifiable intracranial injury and 141 suffered a concussion. A total of 81 patients sustained facial fractures. The odds ratio for the risk of intracranial injury associated with facial fractures after adjustment for significant confounders was 9.9 (95% confidence interval, 5.1-19.3). The effect was less strong but still present when all traumatic brain injuries including concussions were considered (odds ratio, 2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.7). No association was found for concussion only. Conclusions This study demonstrates no evidence that facial fractures help prevent traumatic brain injury. Data indicate that facial fractures are markers for increased risk of brain injury.
Red blood cell life span in the ovine fetus

Red cell life span within the fetal circulation has not been reported, although erythrocyte life span has been studied in the adult and newborn. The present study quantified red cell life span in 1...
Benjamin Franklin—The compleat geophysicist

In commemorating the Bicentennial Anniversary of our nation, American geophysicists can take justifiable pride in the fact that one of the founding fathers was in his day the world's outstanding contributor to the development of our science. But few are aware of the breadth of his interests, which in fact spanned literally all of the disciplines embraced by AGU. Although his investigations of lightning are common knowledge, it is awesome to realize that phenomena studied by this most inquisitive and ingenious man in the eighteenth century fall within the purview of every one of the 10 sections of AGU. Thus on this occasion it seems most appropriate to reproduce some examples of Benjamin Franklin's writings on geophysical phenomena as well as to summarize his diverse activities as a geophysicist.
ROBOTIC ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY VERSUS RETROPUBIC RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: A PROSPECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE PAIN

ABSTRACTPurpose: Laparoscopic prostatectomy, whether or not coupled with robotic assistance, is often considered less invasive than open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Minimal postoperative pain has been reported following robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) but there have been few comparative studies with RRP. We compared perioperative narcotic use and patient reported pain in a prospective patient series.Materials and Methods: Between June 2003 and May 2004, 314 patients underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution, including RALP in 159, RRP in 154 and conversion in 1. All patients were treated on a postoperative clinical pathway that included 30 mg ketorolac intravenously immediately postoperatively, followed by 15 mg intravenously every 6 hours. No regional anesthesia (epidural/spinal) narcotics or patient controlled analgesic pumps were used. All narcotic use was converted to morphine sulfate equivalents for purpose of analysis. A Likert scale of 0 to 10 was used to asses...
Implant Replacement of the Maxillary Central Incisor Utilizing a Modified Ceramic Abutment (Thommen SPI ART) and Ceramic Restoration

The prosthetic restoration of a missing anterior tooth with a dental implant is a challenge. Treatment coordination with a multidisciplinary team is critical in the successful outcome of this type of patient treatment. Newer surgical treatment modalities in the management of hard and soft tissues are becoming common, with very good predictability and long-term stability. Additionally, the use of advanced dental technology and materials such as sintered zirconium allows the restorative practitioner the opportunity to fabricate an esthetic, precise-fitting, biocompatible, and strong definitive prosthesis for the patient, with good longevity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The use of an all-ceramic abutment and restoration is described, along with the “soft tissue sculpting” procedure through the use of a custom provisional restoration. The relative ease and convenience of the procedure is also illustrated. (J Esthet Restor Dent 20:21‐28, 2008)
Interim Adjustment of Sample Size in an Ongoing Study

AbstractAn interim analysis procedure that relies on combining the p-values from tests of significance on separate segments of a preplanned total sample was evaluated with respect to contingent increase in that sample size following an interim look at the data. The use of the interim test criteria to identify studies that are neither already too promising nor too negative to profit from increased sample size was examined. Type I error probabilities were not adversely affected by the contingent increase in sample size, but the power enhancement was achieved at cost of a commensurate increase in expected sample size. Nevertheless, if one proposes to use the interim results as basis for a contingent increase in the total sample size according to any of the plans that were evaluated, there would seem to be no statistical basis for objection.
AHELO: The Myth of Measurement and Comparability

AHELO, the OECD’s pilot programs to measure student achievement cross-nationally is about to be implemented internationally. This article argues that it is very difficult to measure learning cross-nationally—and recommends that AHELO be scrapped.
Aging Enhances the Activation of the Permeability Transition Pore in Mitochondria

Aging is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in several tissues. However, it is not known how the observed mitochondrial dysfunction is related to aging-associated tissue degeneration. We have shown previously that the activation of the permeability transition pore (PTP), which is believed to play a critical role in cell necrosis and apoptosis, is enhanced in spleen lymphocytes from old mice. Here we show that the threshold for calcium-induced, cyclosporin-sensitive, calcium release was significantly lower in isolated brain and liver mitochondria from aging mice. Thus, aging mice exhibit enhanced PTP activation in lymphocytes, brain, and liver. These results suggest that aging increases the susceptibility to calcium-dependent cell death (e.g., excitotoxicity, ischemia-reperfusion damage) in the brain, liver, and possibly other tissues. In addition, other pathways to apoptosis or necrosis that depend on PTP activation are also likely to be enhanced by aging.
Fluoxetine Maintains a State of Heightened Responsiveness to Motor Training Early After Stroke in a Mouse Model

Background and Purpose— Data from both humans and animal models suggest that most recovery from motor impairment after stroke occurs in a sensitive period that lasts only weeks and is mediated, in part, by an increased responsiveness to training. Here, we used a mouse model of focal cortical stroke to test 2 hypotheses. First, we investigated whether responsiveness to training decreases over time after stroke. Second, we tested whether fluoxetine, which can influence synaptic plasticity and stroke recovery, can prolong the period over which large training-related gains can be elicited after stroke. Methods— Mice were trained to perform a skilled prehension task to an asymptotic level of performance after which they underwent stroke induction in the caudal forelimb area. The mice were then retrained after a 1- or 7-day delay with and without fluoxetine. Results— Recovery of prehension after a caudal forelimb area stroke was complete if training was initiated 1 day after stroke but incomplete if it was delayed by 7 days. In contrast, if fluoxetine was administered at 24 hours after stroke, then complete recovery of prehension was observed even with the 7-day training delay. Fluoxetine seemed to mediate its beneficial effect by reducing inhibitory interneuron expression in intact premotor cortex rather than through effects on infarct volume or cell death. Conclusions— There is a gradient of diminishing responsiveness to motor training over the first week after stroke. Fluoxetine can overcome this gradient and maintain maximal levels of responsiveness to training even 7 days after stroke.
Nonlinear trajectory generation for unmanned air vehicles with multiple radars

The problem of finding a real time optimal trajectory to minimize the probability of detection of unmanned air vehicles by opponent radar detection systems is investigated. This paper extends our preliminary results on low observable trajectory generation in three ways. First, trajectory planning in the presence of detection by multiple radar systems, rather than a single radar system, is considered. Second, an overall probability of detection function is used for the multiple radar case. In previous work, both probability of detection by a single radar and signature were used in the theory section, but the examples used only signature constraints. In this work, the overall probability of detection function is used, both because it aids in the extension to multiple radar systems and because it is a more direct measure of the desirable optimization criteria. The third extension is the use of updated signature and probability of detection models. The new models have a greater number of sharp gradients than the previous models, with low detectability regions for a cone shaped areas centered around the nose as in the previous paper, as well as a cone-shaped area centered around rear of the air vehicle. The nonlinear trajectory generation method (NTG) is used and motivated by the ability to provide real time solutions for constrained nonlinear optimization problems. Numerical simulations of multiple radar scenarios illustrate UAV trajectories optimized for both detectability and time.
RF performance of 28nm PolySiON and HKMG CMOS devices

The impact of scaling in advanced RF/MS-CMOS has been extensively discussed but there has not been a publication that compares the RF characteristics of 28nm high-K metal gate HKMG and PolySiON technologies fabricated in the same facility. In this work, we show that HKMG improves transistor f T and increases varactor tunning range. However, it can actually decrease f max . We examine how process features made to optimize cost and digital performance impact the RF performance. Process features which improve DC current and gm, including HKMG also give higher f T . However, f max is sensitive to gate resistance and PolySiON has an advantage here.
Fischer's Files

In a three-line cover letter that accompanied his last submission to the Financial Analysts Journal in May 1995, Fischer Black noted the long and satisfying association that he had had with the publication. A copy of this letter is in one of the hundreds of files that Fischer kept, which span roughly the last 25 years of his career. The files show that his work hinged on his fierce devotion to the written word; they also give us an idea of how he set about doing his research and the pleasure it gave him.
A Novel Hybrid Polypodium (Polypodiaceae) from Arizona

Abstract A previously unrecognized interspecific hybrid in the fern genus Polypodium is described from collections made at a single remote locality in central Arizona. Originally identified as P. glycyrrhiza, this sterile nothotaxon is easily distinguished from other members of the genus and is here named Polypodium ×aztecum Windham & Yatsk. The hybrid is tetraploid, exhibiting ca 37 bivalents and 74 univalents at diakinesis. Based on geographic proximity and shared morphological traits, we conclude that P. hesperium is one of the parents of the new taxon. Assuming that the hybrid is more or less intermediate between P. hesperium and a second parental taxon, we attempt to identify the missing parent. The most likely candidate is P. calirhiza, a species of Oregon, California, and Mexico that has not been documented from Arizona. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that the missing parent is an as yet unidentified member of the P. plesiosorum complex from Mexico.
Myofibroblasts. II. Intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts

Intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMF) and the interstitial cells of Cajal are the two types of myofibroblasts identified in the intestine. Intestinal myofibroblasts are activated and prol...
Complement, Complexity, and Symmetric Representation

A representation for a set is defined to be symmetric if the space required for the representation of the set is the same as the space required for representation of the set's complement. The use of symmetric representation is shown to be important when studying the time complexity of algorithms. A symmetric data structure called a flip list is defined, and it is employed for the Clique, Independent Set, and Vertex Cover problems in a case study. The classic reductions among these problems require the complement of either a graph's edge set or a subset of its vertices. Flip lists can be complemented in constant time with no increase in space. When a flip list is used to represent the edge set of a graph, Clique, Independent Set, and Vertex Cover are shown to have identical (and strongly exponential) time complexity when the classical complexity parameter of input length is used. On the other hand, when a flip list is used to represent a set of numbers as input for the Partition problem, an algorithm can be built that retains strongly sub-exponential time complexity. This provides new evidence with respect to which NP- complete problems should be classified as sub-exponential. Symmetric representation has the advantage of space efficiency, at most linear-time and space complement operations, and symmetry in representing sparse and dense sets. These features can have a significant impact on complexity studies.
Translational Bioinformatics: Past, Present, and Future

Though a relatively young discipline, translational bioinformatics (TBI) has become a key component of biomedical research in the era of precision medicine. Development of high-throughput technologies and electronic health records has caused a paradigm shift in both healthcare and biomedical research. Novel tools and methods are required to convert increasingly voluminous datasets into information and actionable knowledge. This review provides a definition and contextualization of the term TBI, describes the discipline’s brief history and past accomplishments, as well as current foci, and concludes with predictions of future directions in the field.
Distribution of Armillaria species in California.

To determine the identity and distribution of Armillaria species in California, we collected 589 isolates from managed areas (urban landscapes, or- chards, and vineyards) and 20 natural forest types. From our collection of isolates, we identified A. mel- lea, A. gallica, A. nabsnona, and North American bi- ological species X (NABS X). State-wide ranges of each species were estimated based on distributions of forest types from which they were collected. Only A. mellea and A. gallica are widely-distributed in Califor- nia; A. nabsnona and NABS X appear to have restrict- ed ranges. Armillaria mellea is common in most re- gions of the state dominated by development, such as the Central Valley, the San Francisco Bay area, and Los Angeles. It was the only species, with the excep- tion of a single isolate of NABS X, isolated from symptomatic hosts, including both forest trees and planted hosts. Armillaria mellea does cause mortality in California forests, but large disease centers are rare. The distribution of A. gallica in California in- cludes the greatest variety of forest types of all Ar- millaria species identified from our collection. Al- though it shares many forest types in common with A. mellea, A. gallica is extremely rare in developed areas. The range of A. nabsnona in California ap- pears to be restricted to northern redwood forests. NABS X was only identified in high elevation red and white fir forests of the southern Cascades.
Ultrastructure of Accessory Cells in Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The accessory cells attached to the mycetomes in larvae of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), appear from their structure to be involved in micropinocytosis. Distinctive features of the cells are plasma membrane with extensive invaginations, peripheral vesicles produced by inpocketing of the membrane surface, vacuoles, and dense opaque granules. The latter are more numerous in cells from adult weevils. The accessory cells rapidly absorb water-soluble dyes. The location, morphology, and absorptive properties of the cells indicate that they may have a function similar to that of pericardial cells.
Effects of Calcium Channel Blockers on Arachidonate-Induced Sudden Death in Rabbits

AbstractThe effects of the calcium channel blockers, nisoldipine and verapamil, on arachidonate-induced sudden death were investigated in rabbits. Sodium arachidonate (2 mg/kg) was injected into the vena cava producing death within 3 min (2.5 ± 0.3 min) in all untreated rabbits. Seventy-five percent of the rabbits pretreated by nisoldipine (0.2 mg/kg) were protected from arachidonate-induced sudden death, showed inhibition of thromboxane synthesis, and the absence of intravascular thrombosis in pulmonary vessels. Verapamil also protected rabbits from sudden death but to a lesser extent than that of nisoldipine. Inhibition of thromboxane synthesis and prevention of platelet-induced pulmonary thrombosis appear to be related to the effects of the calcium channel blockers in arachidonate-induced sudden death.
Clinical Analysis of 6 Cases with Intracranial Venous Thrombosis

Objective: To investigate the clinical diagnosis significance of intracranial venous system thrombosis(CVT) of clinical,radiological characteristics and treatment method.Methods: We retrospectively analysed the clinical manifestations,imaging features and therapeutic methods of 6 CVT patients admitted in Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University.Results: 6 cases show no special,4 cases confirmed by MRI + MRV,3 cases of DSA confirmed,1 cases of intervention,4 cases of anticoagulant therapy,2 cases of conservative,no death.Conclusion: Venous system thrombosis clinical symptoms lack of specificity,the misdiagnosis rate is high,with young and middle-aged patients of acute onset headache,vomiting,with or without focal neurologic deficits or seizures,consciousness disorder,CVT should be highly suspect.Middle-aged and young patients of subacute onset,should also be vigilant,early MRI and MRV or DSA clear diagnosis and early anticoagulation,fibrinolytic therapy,such as to improve prognosis has high clinical value.
The application of acoustic computer tomography technology insounding of internal structure in east abutment,Luding Bridge

Acoustic computer tomography technology was employed in sounding of abutment internal structure in east abutment,in coordination with the Calamitous treatment which made by bureau of clutural relics,the People's Republic of China in Luding bridge,one of first batch national priority clutural relics protect unit at the early time of this year.The sounding results contribute scientific basis for cause analysis of crack disaster ,and appropriate calamitous treatment were offered according to sounding results.The application of acoustic computer tomography technology in sounding of internal structure in east abutment,Luding bridge will be expounded in this paper.
Nontraumatic Measurement of Aortic Blood Velocity Fields, Flow, and Wall Properties

Previously, in formation on aortic velocity fields in dogs has been obtained using heated film probes, which require complicated surgical procedures. The pulsed ultrasound Doppler velocity meter allows such measurements to be made nontraumatically, from a probe inserted into the esophagus. The same probe can also be used in ultrasonic echo measurements of arterial wall motion. For accurate blood velocity measurements using ultrasound, the angle between the sound beam and the flow axis must be precisely known, and this angle is determined using a triangulation procedure. Descending aorta blood velocity measurements in normal Beagles indicate an increase in peak forward velocity with increasing distance from the heart. A unique flow Dattern has also been detected which results in a higher peak shear rate at the dorsal wall. Calculations of the pressure-strain elastic modulus from aortic wall motion shows a definite increase in arterial stiffness with increasing distance from the heart.
Worlding versus Worldview: Heidegger's Thinking on Art as a Critique of German Historicism

This article suggests that Heidegger’s thinking about art is an integral part of his overall philosophical project critiquing dominant metaphysical views in the Germany of his time. Heidegger’s understanding of the work that art does assumes a central role in his project at a critical moment in German intellectual life when critiques of historicism were strengthening. Heidegger engages such critiques through pointing out connections between German historicism and modern metaphysics. My contribution is to detail some of what is at stake in Heidegger’s thinking about art as it connects to his critique of historicism on ontological grounds, specifically in the opposition of his understanding of a “world” created through art to the historicist “worldview.” Ultimately, I argue that the mode of thinking Heidegger associates with art is necessary for the ontological transformation needed for understanding human existence as the basis of history (instead of any metaphysical ideals, such as historicist progress). (KR)
Topological Subset Space Models for Public Announcements

We reformulate a key definition given by Wang and Agotnes [18] to provide semantics for public announcements in subset spaces. More precisely, we interpret the precondition for a public announcement of \(\varphi \) to be the “local truth” of \(\varphi \), semantically rendered via an interior operator. This is closely related to the notion of \(\varphi \) being “knowable”. We argue that these revised semantics improve on the original and offer several motivating examples to this effect. A key insight that emerges is the crucial role of topological structure in this setting. Finally, we provide a simple axiomatization of the resulting logic and prove completeness.
Effects of Pomegranate Extract on High Fat/High Sucrose Diet induced Obesity are Dependent on the Intestinal Formation of Urolithin A

Recent studies strongly suggest the association of gut microbiota and obesity related diseases. Published data from a mouse study demonstrated that pomegranate extract (PomX) administration increas...
Abstract 1094: Combining the pan-FGFR inhibitor AZD4547 with radiation in lung and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR1, FGR2, FRG3, FGR4) are frequently altered or overexpressed in both lung and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Amplification of FGFR1 has been reported to be as high as 22% in lung SCC and 17% in head and neck SCC (HNSCC). FGFRs have been identified as a potential therapeutic target in lung and head and neck cancers. In addition, FGFRs activate multiple pathways involved in the radiation response including RAS/RAF/MAPK, PI3K/AKT and STAT. AZD4547 is a potent and selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the FGFR family and is currently being investigated in clinical trials. Since a substantial portion of lung cancer and HNSCC patients are treated with radiotherapy, we examined the anti-tumor effects of AZD4547 in combination with radiation in both lung and head and neck cancer model systems. FGFR protein and RNA expression and cell proliferation with AZD4547 were evaluated in 8 lung and 8 head and neck cancer cell lines. Clonogenic survival assays were performed on 4 lung and 4 head and neck cancer cell lines and xenograft experiments were performed on one HNSCC cell line. These cell lines demonstrated varying levels of FGFR1, 2 and 3 protein and RNA expression. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of AZD4547 in these cell lines ranged from 0.05 to 128 uM. Sensitivity to AZD4547 did not correlate directly with protein or RNA expression. In vitro clonogenic survival assays showed limited effects of combining AZD4547 with radiation. However, significant tumor growth delay was observed with the combination of radiation and AZD4547 compared to radiation or drug alone in the SCC1483 FGFR2 expressing HNSCC xenograft model. These findings suggest that AZD4547 can augment the response of radiation in an in vivo model system. Further studies are underway to test these findings in additional cell lines including FGFR dependent amplified cancer cell lines. Citation Format: Andrew M. Baschnagel, Chunrong Li, Alecia M. Morgan, Sean R. Brennan, Kalley A. Russo, Paul M. Harari. Combining the pan-FGFR inhibitor AZD4547 with radiation in lung and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1094. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1094
Supporting college students through peer mentoring: Serving immigrant students

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) Immigrant Services program enlists the support of peer mentors to provide holistic support to the institution’s immigrant, refugee, and English Language Learner (ELL) populations. These peer mentors are highly specialized in their student employee role and are trained to provide academic and personal support. Peer mentors support students with such issues as English writing support, scholarship applications, and connection to immigration resources. The Immigrant Services program at MSU Denver could not function without this student employment position. The Student Academic Success Center at the Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) hosts a variety of programs that support students in persisting through college. These programs scale from supporting the student population at-large to targeting specific populations that have been identified to need specialized support. The Immigrant Services Program provides support to a specific population of students at MSU Denver that includes immigrants, refugees, undocumented and Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (DACA) students, and English Language Learners (ELL). Highly trained peer mentors work with students individually and as a group to support their transition to college and onward through graduation.
Financial disintermediation and Profitability of Global Islamic Banks

Recently Islamic banks are experiencing rapid growth in Islamic countries as well as non-Islamic countries. The profitability of the Islamic banks is based on the different instruments as a share of total financing. Mainly there are two categories of financing instruments are available, first is the trade based and the second is finance based. Modes of trade are instruments having low risk and fixed returns, whereas the modes of finance are instruments having high risk and possibly high returns. This study started with the proposition that both modes have different effects on the profitability as both have different roots in Islamic finance. For the analysis the data is collected which comprises of 19 full-fledged Islamic banks from 7 countries, the study used SEM framework controlling for macroeconomic effects and country effect. The results indicated that modes of finance have positive and modes of trade have a negative effect on the growth of assets and equity of Islamic banks. These results reiterate the faith-based model of Islamic finance and propose Islamic banks to promote the partnership based mode of finance, which is more socially beneficial to the banks and to the economy.
Potential Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutics Among Weak Cysteine Protease Inhibitors Exhibit Mechanistic Differences Regarding Extent of Cathepsin B Up-Regulation and Ability to Block Calpain.

Cysteine protease inhibitors have long been part of drug discovery programs for Alzheimer's disease (AD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other disorders. Select inhibitors reduce accumulating proteins and AD pathology in mouse models. One such compound, Z-Phe-Aladiazomethylketone (PADK), exhibits a very weak IC50 (9-11 μM) towards cathepsin B (CatB), but curiously PADK causes marked up-regulation of the Aβ-degrading CatB and improves spatial memory. Potential therapeutic and weak inhibitor E64d (14 μM IC50) also up-regulates CatB. PADK and E64d were compared regarding the blockage of calcium-induced cytoskeletal deterioration in brain samples, monitoring the 150-kDa spectrin breakdown product (SBDP) known to be produced by calpain. PADK had little to no effect on SBDP production at 10-100 μM. In contrast, E64d caused a dosedependent decline in SBDP levels with an IC50 of 3-6 μM, closely matching its reported potency for inhibiting μ-calpain. Calpain also cleaves the cytoskeletal organizing protein gephyrin, producing 49-kDa (GnBDP49) and 18-kDa (GnBDP18) breakdown products. PADK had no apparent effect on calcium-induced gephyrin fragments whereas E64d blocked their production. E64d also protected the parent gephyrin in correspondence with reduced BDP levels. The findings of this study indicate that PADK’s positive and selective effects on CatB are consistent with human studies showing exercise elevates CatB and such elevation correlates with improved memory. On the other hand, E64d exhibits both marginal CatB enhancement and potent calpain inhibition. This dual effect may be beneficial for treating AD. Alternatively, the potent action on calpain-related pathology may explain E64d’s protection in AD and TBI models.
Phase Separation Behavior of Supercharged Proteins and Polyelectrolytes.

Membraneless organelles, like membrane-bound organelles, are essential to cell homeostasis and provide discrete cellular subcompartments. Unlike classical organelles, membraneless organelles possess no physical barrier but rather arise by phase separation of the organelle components from the surrounding cytoplasm or nucleoplasm. Complex coacervation, the liquid–liquid phase separation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, is one of several phenomena that are hypothesized to drive the formation and regulation of some membraneless organelles. Studies of the molecular properties of globular proteins that drive complex coacervation are limited as many proteins do not form complexes with oppositely charged macromolecules at neutral pH and moderate ionic strengths. Protein supercharging overcomes this problem and drives complexation with oppositely charged macromolecules. In this work, several distinct cationic supercharged green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants were designed to examine the phase behavior w...
Janet A. Houghton, PhD: In Memoriam (1952–2017)

![][1] Janet A. Houghton, PhD, a distinguished oncology researcher, passed away on October 5, 2017, at the age of 65 from appendiceal cancer. In a career spanning over 40 years, Dr. Houghton's work deepened scientists' understanding of how to treat cancer at a cellular level.
Improving the diversity of faculty in electrical and computer engineering (iredefine ece[point of view]

As women faculty in electrical and computer engineering (ECE), we have been involved in several efforts targeted at increasing the participation of women in ECE departments. For example, at Rutgers University, we have organized presentations and workshops for first year students that highlighted the societal aspects of ECE, such as bioelectrical engineering applications. Such focus did bear fruit; between 2010 and 2016, the sophomore female enrollment in ECE at Rutgers rose from 11% to 19%. At the University of San Diego, we have conducted research on the demographics and outcomes of undergraduate students in ECE, facilitated workshops to help faculty teach in more inclusive ways, and are currently working on a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded effort to revolutionize engineering education [1]. Also, as chairs, we have been considering ways to diversify our faculty carefully considering the overall hiring process including innovative approaches such as cluster hires [2], paying close attention to the language used when advertising faculty positions, the discussions during the review of the candidates, the candidate selection criteria, and the interview process [3]. However, the number of diverse graduate students is small to begin with, and in an era in which companies have realized the value of diversity, academia has to compete with companies such as Google and Microsoft for the best Ph.D. graduates. Without a diverse faculty, we cannot sustain a diverse student body.
Inclusion in the United States: Correlations between Key State Variables.

The United States (U.S.) Department of Education reports that the range for all students with disabilities included for at least 80% of the day in the general education classroom in different state...
Inter-subject FDG PET Brain Networks Exhibit Multi-scale Community Structure with Different Normalization Techniques.

Inter-subject networks are used to model correlations between brain regions and are particularly useful for metabolic imaging techniques, like 18F-2-deoxy-2-(18F)fluoro-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Since FDG PET typically produces a single image, correlations cannot be calculated over time. Little focus has been placed on the basic properties of inter-subject networks and if they are affected by group size and image normalization. FDG PET images were acquired from rats (n = 18), normalized by whole brain, visual cortex, or cerebellar FDG uptake, and used to construct correlation matrices. Group size effects on network stability were investigated by systematically adding rats and evaluating local network connectivity (node strength and clustering coefficient). Modularity and community structure were also evaluated in the differently normalized networks to assess meso-scale network relationships. Local network properties are stable regardless of normalization region for groups of at least 10. Whole brain-normalized networks are more modular than visual cortex- or cerebellum-normalized network (p < 0.00001); however, community structure is similar at network resolutions where modularity differs most between brain and randomized networks. Hierarchical analysis reveals consistent modules at different scales and clustering of spatially-proximate brain regions. Findings suggest inter-subject FDG PET networks are stable for reasonable group sizes and exhibit multi-scale modularity.
Harnessing the relativistic Buneman instability for laser-ion acceleration in the transparency regime

We examine the relativistic Buneman instability in systems relevant to high-intensity laser-plasma interactions under conditions of relativistically-induced transparency, as this instability can generate large-amplitude electrostatic waves at low frequencies that are pertinent to ion dynamics in these systems. Ion flows are shown to significantly alter the range of unstable wave numbers and to increase the phase velocities of the unstable modes; we particularly highlight the relativistic effects from both the ion and electron (with transverse motion) populations. These findings are related to the mode structure seen in particle-in-cell simulation results of a short-pulse laser breaking through an initially opaque target with the onset of relativistic transparency. Additionally, driving mechanisms from free energy present in density and velocity gradients are shown to be capable of significantly enhancing the growth rates, and these instabilities furthermore extend the breadth of the unstable wave number range. Lastly, we discuss how the transverse self-generated magnetic fields characteristic of short-pulse interactions can potentially constrain the unstable wave numbers in a non-trivial manner.
La lógica mexicana de Antonio Rubio. Parte I. El ser real y no real. El ente de-razón lógico en la lógica mexicana de Antonio Rubio

Resumen.En este articulo explico como concebiriamos la logica si hubieramos tomado el curso de Antonio Rubio en Mexico en 1577. En breve, diriamos que la logica es "una relacion de-razon de segunda intencion". Para clarificar esta caracterizacion usare las nociones de meontologia e intencionalidad que estan presentes en la obra de Rubio. Palabras clave: logica, meontologia, intencionalidad. Abstract.In this paper I explain how would we conceive logic if we had taken Antonio Rubio’s logic course in Mexico back in 1577. In short, we would say logic is "a relation of-reason of second intention". To clarify this characterization I will use the notions of meontology and intentionality that are available in Rubio's works.Keywords: logic, meontology, intencionality.
The apiary topology: emergent behavior in communities of particle swarms

In the natural world there are many swarms in any geographical region. In contrast, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is usually used with a single swarm of particles. We define a simple new topology called Apiary and show that parallel communities of swarms give rise to emergent behavior that is fundamentally different from the behavior of a single swarm of identical total size. Furthermore, we show that subswarms are essential for scaling parallel PSO to more processors with computationally inexpensive objective functions. Surprisingly, subswarms are also beneficial for scaling PSO to high dimensional problems, even in single processor environments.
Biotechnological approaches for phytoremediation

Publisher Summary Plants can be used in various ways to prevent or remediate environmental pollution. In some cases plants can degrade pollutants inside their tissues; this method is called phytodegradation, and is mostly suitable for organic pollutants, since inorganics can only be moved and not degraded. This chapter focuses on biotechnological approaches to improve plants' ability to tolerate pollutants and phytoremediation efficiency. Different pollutants have different fates in plant-substrate systems, so they have different rate-limiting factors for phytoremediation that may be targeted using genetic engineering. Phytoremediation methods available for inorganics include immobilization (phytostabilization), sequestration in harvestable plant tissues (phytoextraction or rhizofiltration), and in exceptional cases, phytovolatilization. Through a biotechnological approach, it is possible to engineer crops with enhanced tolerance to, and reduced uptake of, Arsenic (As) for human consumption. Reduced accumulation of As in the above-ground tissues and seeds could be achieved by enhancing the reduction of AsV to AsIII in roots and increased AsIII-thiol complexation by over-expression of genes encoding arsenate reductases and PC biosynthetic pathway proteins in roots only by means of root-specific promoters. Environmental pollution from solvents is often caused by dumping of the used solvent directly on the ground, eventually leading to contamination of the groundwater. Engineering methods for remediation of solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) include air sparging where the contaminated water is pumped through a cylinder into which air is blown, causing the TCE to volatilize and enter the atmosphere.
Expression of Functional Na+/K+-ATPase in Insect Cells Using Baculovirus

Expression systems for the Na+/K+-ATPase have been hindered because most commonly used cell lines have high endogenous levels of the Na pump. In contrast, some insect cells have little or no Na+/K+-ATPase activity. Recently, the insect baculovirus, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) has been adapted for the overproduction of recombinant proteins in insect cells. In this system, a foreign gene replaces the nonessential AcNPV polyhedrin gene. The foreign gene is then under control of the polyhedrin promoter, a promoter that is extremely active late in the infective cycle. Using the baculovirus expression system a wide variety of exogenous genes have been produced in insect cells, most commonly a cell line (Sf-9) from the ovary of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda. A major advantage of this system is that the insect cells perform most of the post-translational modifications found in mammalian cells. Infected insect cells will accurately complete the glycosylation, signal peptide cleavage, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, palmitylation and myristylation dictated by the primary structure of the polypeptide. In addition, insect cells will successfully express and assemble multimeric proteins and rigorously sort recombinant proteins to their proper cellular domains (20). Using this system, we have produced functional Na+/K+-ATPase activity in insect cells (4,8). Ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity, isolation of a sodium-dependent potassium- and ouabain-sensitive ATP phosphorylated intermediate, isolation of a ouabain-stimulated Pi phosphorylated intermediate, and ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake, all demonstrate that the baculovirusinduced Na+/K+-ATPase is identical to the native enzyme. In addition, because each subunit can be produced separately, we have obtained some unexpected and surprising results concerning the expression of the individual subunits.
Ethical and Social Challenges of Electronic Health Information

The development of modern bioethics has been strongly influenced by technology. Important ethical questions surround the use of electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, internet-based consumer health information, outcome measurement, and data mining. Electronic health records are changing the way health information is managed, but implementation is a difficult task in which social and cultural issues must be addressed. Advice produced by decision support systems must be understood and acted upon in the context of the overall goals and values of health care. Empowering health care consumers through readily-available health information is a valuable use of the internet, but the nature of the internet environment raises the spectre of abuse of vulnerable patients. Outcome studies have inherent value judgments that may be hidden. Data mining may impact confidentiality or lead to discrimination by identifying subgroups. All of these issues, and others, require careful examination as more and more health information is captured electronically.
Providing life-style-intervention to improve well-being of elderly people

We report on a user-centered approach towards the development of an augmented digital picture frame - called “CARE” - for senior users with the aim to improve their general well-being. The central idea is to interleave the display of pictures with the provision of recommendations of activities that seniors may perform in addition to their ordinary daily routines. We also report on our attempt to encourage durable use of the CARE system by introducing reward schemes for recommended activities. Feedback from users suggests that reward schemes should be made individually configurable.