cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bivariate Markov Processes and Their Estimation

A bivariate Markov process comprises a pair of random processes which are jointly Markov. One of the two processes in that pair is observable while the other plays the role of an underlying process. We are interested in three classes of bivariate Markov processes. In the first and major class of interest, the underlying and observable processes are continuous-time with finite alphabet; in the second class, they are discrete-time with finite alphabet; and in the third class, the underlying process is continuous-time with uncountably infinite alphabet, and the observable process is continuous-time with countably or uncountably infinite alphabet. We refer to processes in the first two classes as bivariate Markov chains. Important examples of continuoustime bivariate Markov chains include the Markov modulated Poisson process, and the batch Markovian arrival process. A hidden Markov model with finite alphabet is an example of a discrete-time bivariate Markov chain. In the third class we have diffusion processes observed in Brownian motion, and diffusion processes modulating the rate of a Poisson process. Bivariate Markov processes play central roles in the theory and applications of estimation, control, queuing, biomedical engineering, and reliability. We review properties of bivariate Markov processes, recursive estimation of their statistics, and recursive and iterative parameter estimation.
Correlation of interference screw insertion torque with depth of placement in the tibial tunnel using a quadrupled semitendinosus-gracilis graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose: To evaluate the insertion torque of a soft-tissue interference screw in relation to depth of insertion into the tibial tunnel when used for fixation of a quadrupled semitendinosus-gracilis autograft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Type of study: Biomechanical cadaver study. Methods: Ten quadrupled semitendinosus-gracilis grafts were harvested from fresh-frozen cadaver knees and fixed in donor proximal tibias using 10-mm bioabsorbable interference screws (Arthrex, Naples, FL). A cannulated torque screwdriver was used to measure screw insertion torque at 3 depths in the tibial tunnel: the outer cortex (distal third), the articular surface (proximal third), and between these 2 points (middle third). Results: The mean insertion torques for the distal third, middle third, and proximal third were 8.7, 4.7, and 4.3 in/lb, respectively. The insertion torque was significantly higher at the outer cortex (distal third) than the middle third and proximal third (joint line of the tibial tunnel) ( P Conclusions: Our results indicate a correlation between insertion torque and depth of placement of bioabsorbable interference screws used for fixation of a semitendinosus-gracilis graft. Lower insertion torque at the articular surface, resulting in lower peak load or pullout strength, may outweigh the proposed benefits of joint-line fixation of a semitendinosus-gracilis graft used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Clinical relevance: Studies have suggested that anatomic proximal fixation of ACL grafts in the tibial tunnel produces stability similar to intact knees. The results of our study indicate that lower insertion torque at the articular surface results in lower peak load and pullout strength of the graft, which may outweigh the proposed benefits of joint-line fixation.
Biomaterial-Mediated Retroviral Gene Transfer Using Self-Assembled Monolayers

Biomaterial-mediated gene delivery has recently emerged as a promising alternative to conventional gene transfer technologies that focus on direct delivery of viral vectors or DNA-polymer/matrix complexes. However, biomaterial-based strategies have primarily targeted transient gene expression vehicles, including plasmid DNA and adenovirus particles. This study expands on this work by characterizing biomaterial properties conducive to the surface immobilization of retroviral particles and subsequent transduction of mammalian cells at the cell-material interface. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of functionally-terminated alkanethiols on gold were used to establish biomaterial surfaces of defined chemical composition. Gene transfer was observed to be greater than 90% on NH2-terminated surfaces, approximately 50% on COOH-functionalized surfaces, and undetectable on CH3-terminated SAMs, similar to controls of tissue culture-treated polystyrene. Gene delivery via the NH2-SAM was further characterized as a function of coating time, virus concentration, and cell seeding density. Finally, SAM-mediated gene delivery was comparable to fibronectin- and poly-L-lysine-based methods for gene transfer. This work is significant to establishing safe and effective gene therapy strategies, developing efficient methods for gene delivery, and supporting recent progress in the field of biomaterial-mediated gene transfer.
Using a Continuous Transformation of the Breslow Thickness for Prognosis in Cutaneous Melanoma

Although the Breslow thickness provides the most important histologic information for prognosis in cutaneous melanoma, controversies and uncertainty remain about how best to use thickness. It is unclear whether cut points should be used, or, if they are used, which are optimal. We studied new data collected from more than 1,000 patients followed up for a relatively long period. From Cox proportional hazards models of survival we learned that more cut points provide more prognostic information than using, for example, just 1 cut point at 1.7 mm. Nevertheless, a continuous transformation provides an effective alternative that captures the information that thickness provides, and it avoids the pitfalls of using multiple cut points. In a multivariate model, this transformation provided strong prognostic information, and the result produced a prognostic score for cutaneous melanoma. This score provides a practical way that Cox model results can be used, and we believe it consolidates the prognostic information provided by traditional histologic and clinical variables. When newer prognostic variables are introduced, we suggest that they be used with this continuous transformation of thickness rather than with cut points in thickness.
THE MECHANISM OF COMPLEMENT FIXATION

1. Complement fixation is obtained in every antigen-antibody reaction involving the presence or formation of a heterogeneous phase (red cells, bacteria, precipitate). 2. The physical constants of fixation (temperature coefficient, velocity, quantitative relationships between the reactants) are those commonly associated with adsorption processes, and are the same in the three types of fixation studied. 3. All the in vitro immune reactions involve an aggregation of immune-serum globulins upon the surface of the antigen. It has been shown that the "fixation" of complement is an adsorption by the aggregates so formed; whether these aggregates are visible as a flocculent precipitate (e.g., sheep serum vs. anti-serum) or concentrated as a surface film on a cellular antigen (sensitized cells; agglutinated bacteria), the reaction is fundamentally the same. 4. As yet, it is unknown whether this adsorption is determined by the physical state of the precipitate, and thus, differs only quantitatively from that by Kaolin, charcoal, normal bacteria, heat-denatured proteins, etc.; or whether the comparatively enormous avidity of these aggregates for complement is due to a specific chemical affinity.
The Dragon in the Room: China's Anti-Monopoly Law and International Merger Review

In today's world, where companies and their transactions often transcend national borders, multi-jurisdictional antitrust review is a reality of major mergers and acquisitions. A new hurdle appeared in the path of these transactions in August 2008, when China’s Anti-Monopoly Law (AML) came into effect. Antitrust review by a government that is historically wary of market forces raises both substantive and procedural concerns for parties to mergers with connections to China. Substantively, the AML empowers Chinese regulators to consider factors beyond the competitive effect of a merger, which could result in efficient mergers being blocked for nationalistic or parochial reasons, to the detriment of consumers and the economy both in China and worldwide. Procedurally, imposing yet another regulatory burden on mergers may deter economically efficient mergers, particularly where the procedure of review remains unclear. This Note argues that a phased-implementation approach to merger review, starting with a focus on domestic mergers (and other areas of AML enforcement) before moving on to cross-border transactions, gives the best chance of a Chinese merger review regime that protects and benefits Chinese consumers without creating friction in the global economy. Using this approach, a new antitrust regime that initially appeared to be a threat to international mergers may provide valuable lessons for antitrust in developing countries and ultimately improve multi-jurisdictional merger review.
Acute Kidney Injury After Carotid Artery Stenting.

Percutaneous carotid artery stenting for significant stenoses has considerably advanced over the years with improved catheters, guidewires, and embolic protection devices. However, the aorta from the bifurcation to the carotids is crossed with wires and catheter exchanges, and the vessels are
Registering functional defects into periodic holographic structures

In this paper, we present two methods for registering desired defect lattices within background periodic lattices through spatial light-modulator-based holographic lithography. In the first method, the diffraction efficiency from the engineered phase pattern was used to locally modify the fill fraction of polymerized materials in holographic structures, and, at the same time, we achieved the lattice matching between modified and background regions. In the second method, we registered spatially variant lattices for a 90 deg bend within the background periodic lattices through two steps of phase engineering of the laser beam.
Bone Quality in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an enormous, and growing, public health problem. While patients with T2DM are at significant risk for premature morbidity and mortality due to macrovascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, it is also clear that T2DM patients are at increased risk for fragility fractures. As efforts to understand the underlying pathogenesis of skeletal abnormalities in T2DM have primarily focused on rodent models, major gaps in our understanding of diabetic bone disease in humans remain. Nonetheless, mounting evidence now suggests that fragility fractures in T2DM may result from compromised bone “quality” (i.e., altered bone material properties and/or bone microarchitecture) rather than reduced bone mineral density. Consistent with this, recent work has demonstrated, using in vivo microindentation technology, that bone material properties are compromised in patients with T2DM compared to nondiabetic controls, and that, in patients with T2DM, poor chronic glycemic control is associated with worse bone material properties. Thus, our current understanding of the pathogenesis of skeletal fragility in diabetes suggests that poor glucose control in patients with T2DM leads to increases in advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that have negative effects on osteoblasts, which in turn causes a reduction in bone formation. This defect in bone formation subsequently results in low bone turnover in T2DM patients, which prolongs the lifespan of type I collagen in bone, thereby leaving it particularly vulnerable to damage from increased AGEs. Ultimately, this creates a “vicious cycle” that may contribute to reduced bone quality and increased fracture risk in patients with T2DM.
Mechanisms of Mammalian Sperm-Egg Interaction Leading to Fertilization

Mammalian fertilization, a species-specific event, is the net result of a highly orchestrated process that collectively results in the fusion of two radically different-looking haploid cells, sperm and egg, to form a diploid zygote, a cell with somatic chromosome numbers. Prior to the interaction of the opposite gametes, mammalian spermatozoa undergo many fascinating changes during development in the testis, maturation in the epididymis, and capacitation in the female genital tract. Only the capacitated spermatozoa interact with the extracellular coat, the zona pellucida, which surrounds the mammalian oocyte. The tight and irreversible binding of the opposite gametes in the mouse and many other mammals studied, including human, starts a ca2+- dependent signal transduction pathway that results in the exocytosis of acrosomal contents at the site of the sperm binding. The hydrolytic action of the acrosomal glycohydrolases and proteinases, released at the site of the sperm-egg binding, along with the enhanced thrust generated by the hyperactivated spermatozoon, are important factors that regulate the penetration of the zona pellucida and fusion of the oppositegametes. The purpose of this editorial is to highlight the well programmed molecular events that are necessary before sperm-egg adhesion. In addition, my intention is to discuss the increasing controversy about the mechanism(s) that regulate mammalian sperm-egg interactions.
Investigation on Mental Health of High School Teachers in Laiwu City

[Objective]To understand the mental health of high school teachers in Laiwu city,and provide scientific evidence for proposing effective measures of psychological intervention.[Methods]Stratified cluster sampling method was adopted to select 426 high school teachers from city and countryside.SCL 90 symptoms self-rating scale was used for psychological evaluation.[Results]14.55% high school teachers had moderate or severe mental health problems in sequence of being interpersonal sensitivity,forced,depression,hostility and paranoia.[Conclusion] Female high school teachers have a relatively low level of mental health,targeted psychological education and intervention should be taken on them.
Paid Parental Leave Laws in the United States: Does Short-Duration Leave Affect Women's Labor-Force Attachment?

Abstract I analyze the effects of short-duration paid parental leave on maternal labor supply. Using monthly longitudinal data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation, my event-study research design estimates impacts of paid leave laws in California and New Jersey on women's labor-force outcomes around childbirth. I find that paid leave laws are associated with a substantial increase in labor-force attachment in the months directly around birth. While US-style short-duration leave is unlikely to change prolonged exits from the labor force, my findings imply that paid leave laws induce some women stay more attached to jobs, particularly low-skill women.
"It's Not Just Going to Collect Dust on a Shelf": Faculty Perceptions of the Applied Dissertation in the New California State University (CSU) Ed.D. Programs Leadership Education from within a Feminist Ethos.

The launch of independent Ed.D. programs in 2007 at campuses of the California State University (CSU) is significant for its large program size and timing amidst national debate on Ed.D. programs. These applied programs for practitioners require a traditional dissertation based on rigorous research that address problems of practice. This qualitative case study explores how CSU doctoral faculty and program directors conceptualize the purpose and nature of the applied dissertation and the professional and institutional factors that shape their views. It is important to document program norms at this critical early stage to guide improvements at these and other new Ed.D. programs and to contribute to the ongoing debate. Interviews and document review revealed mixed evidence, with some programs stressing scholarly rigor similar to a Ph.D. and others advocating a more relevant, practitioner-oriented approach, such as esummaries of dissertations geared toward educators at the research site. Participants agreed,...
Pearls & Oy-sters: A rare presentation of chronic intracranial hypertension with concurrent deafness and blindness

Isolated elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) classically presents with headache and papilledema without focal neurologic signs.1 Cranial nerve palsies, particularly abducens nerve palsy, have been described as false localizing signs.2,3 However, if elevated ICP remains unrecognized, it may lead to permanent neurologic deficits. We report a rare presentation of chronic idiopathic ICP elevation with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and central retinal vein occlusions (CRVOs).
Bio-politics between Nation and Empire

The Polish Eugenics Society, founded in 1915, wielded considerable influence in the founding years of the Polish Second Republic. Leading medical experts in the Society placed issues of venereal contamination and the expansion of public sex at the forefront of their concerns. Unlike similar movements in Western Europe and North America, however, Polish eugenicists rarely attacked ethnic or religious difference and the organization included several prominent assimilated Jewish doctors. This article looks at the roots of Polish eugenics in the context of late imperial East-Central Europe, showing how scientific experts used their heightened public stature to challenge the governing empires. It demonstrates the ways in which the movement sought to protect the upper classes while promoting sterilization of unworthy lower-class citizens. The piece argues that the Polish eugenics movement was more classist than racist and that its scientific vocabulary helped position the Polish nation, broadly conceived, as more progressive than the imperial states governing Polish territory.
A Critical Policy Analysis of the Politics, Design, and Implementation of Student Assignment Policies

Legal rulings on school segregation have played critical roles in shaping the demographic make-up of public schools in ways that we continue to struggle with long after separate schools were declared unequal. School districts’ efforts to racially diversify their schools are not only impacted by these rulings but the politics (local, state, federal) surrounding student assignment policies also influence their design and implementation. Pairing a critical policy analysis approach with a policy implementation framework, I provide a nuanced analysis of the complexities behind the development and implementation of three student assignment policies that use a number of factors in assigning students to schools in order to achieve racial and socioeconomic diversity, paying particular attention to how and why decisions are made, and the (un)intended consequences of the policy implementation process. By examining different student assignment policies in different contexts, we can begin to understand what types of policies may work best to achieve racial and socioeconomic diversity.
FLAVOR EVALUATION OF VARIOUS MILK, VEGETABLE, AND MARINE PROTEIN SOURCES

Sensory and analytical measurements were made on eight milk and six vegetable and marine protein samples. Sensory panel scores for blandness were recorded for odors of dry products and for odor and taste of 3% suspensions in water. Gross composition, GLC headspace vapor analysis, and carbonyl level were obtained. Odor of cottonseed flour powder was judged the most bland, whereas reconstituted low heat NFDM rated most bland in both odor and taste. The least bland product was fish protein concentrate. Moisture and protein ranged from 2.1 to 9.6 and 11.8 to 92.0%, respectively. All milk products had lower total GLC vapor peak areas than the vegetable proteins. Carbonyls varied from 2 mg/kg in sodium and calcium caseinate to 220 mg/kg in toasted defatted soy flour. In most instances, total GLC vapor areas of carbonyl levels did not agree with sensory panel data.
50. Jonson’s Fit of Rime against Rime

(1954). 50. Jonson’s Fit of Rime against Rime. The Explicator: Vol. 12, No. 8, pp. 108-111.
Scale-model study of refraction along an irregular interface

abstract An irregular boundary scatters waves refracted along it, acting as a low-pass filter. This effect is similar to that produced by refraction along an intermediate velocity layer or by a linear-gradient transition zone. Such scatter could explain why reflections from the Mohorovicic discontinuity are hard to record. If this is the case, they should be easier to record if frequencies above 5 cps are filtered out of the seismogram.
Crime Trajectories and Crime Desistance

This chapter will examine how life course theory and social control theory can alter the criminal trajectory for female offenders. The evidence cited about the rehabilitative effects of prison programming and the need for HIV programming in prison will be examined as a way to modify the crime trajectory during incarceration. Using the life course model, an explanation for our question of “why” some offenders persist in their criminal endeavors as adults will be explored.
Prey selectivity of common predators on Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix): controlled laboratory experiments support field observations

Silver Carp Hypophthalmicthys molitrix (Valenciennes, 1844) are an invasive species in the Mississippi River Basin and their current role in this novel ecosystem is not fully understood. Juvenile Silver Carp can and do occur in great numbers after a successful spawn. These massive schools of small Silver Carp seem to be an obvious prey source for the common predators of the Mississippi River system. The level to which native piscivores are consuming this novel prey item is unclear. Therefore, the goal of this research was to assess the diets of native piscivores collected in Pool 26 and the Open River reach of the Mississippi River. Using diet contents and catch rates of small fishes, selection or avoidance could be determined for predator prey interactions. Then a controlled laboratory experiment was conducted to determine if common predators [White Bass Morone chrysops and Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede, 1802)] would select for or against this novel prey in the presence of two native prey fish [Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum (Lesueur, 1818) and Emerald Shiner Notropis atherinoides]. Understanding how predator-prey interactions occur in a controlled laboratory experiment may provide insight to trends observed in the field. The majority of native piscivores appeared to be avoiding Silver Carp in both reaches and selecting native prey fishes. The order in which prey fish were consumed by both predators showed significant avoidance of Silver Carp. It appears that the trends observed in the field were supported by our controlled laboratory experiment. The effectiveness of different native piscivores to consume Silver Carp may have impacts on future management decisions.
Disclosing Sex Trading Histories to Providers: Barriers and Facilitators to Navigation of Social Services Among Women Impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation:

Sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) can lead to devastating health and mental health consequences for women, such as elevated rates of substance use, trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and HIV. Consequently, engagement with services that address addiction, mental health, and housing, and provide general advocacy is critically important to women's increased safety, stabilization, and quality of life. The purpose of this study is to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to service access and engagement with social services among women involved in CSE. Drawing from a larger grounded theory study that partnered with an anti-trafficking coalition and a substance use treatment center for women, in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 adult women who traded sex as adults and 20 service providers who come into contact with this population. Women engaging in services were sampled through maximum variation sampling (n = 24) and women not engaged with services (n = 6) were recruited through snowball sampling. Providers were recruited through purposive sampling through the coalition (n = 10) and nominations sampling (n = 10). Open and focused coding were conducted. Multiple enhancements to methodological and analytic rigor were taken, including collaboration with multiple key stakeholders, use of nonstigmatizing language, self-reflexivity processes, analytic memo-writing, and member checking. Findings suggest that women experienced judgment when disclosing sex trading in social service intakes, and individual and group sessions from providers and other women in the groups. Although some women saw disclosure as helpful in addressing the complex feelings stemming from sex trading, as well as the desire to help or relate to other women in similar situations, they also identified risk of harm and multiple barriers to disclosing during intake meetings and individual sessions with providers as well as group sessions with providers and other clients. Implications for individual and group practice are discussed.
A practical synthesis of xylo- and arabinofuranoside precursors by diastereoselective reduction using Corey-Bakshi-Shibata catalyst.

The Corey-Bakshi-Shibata (CBS) catalyst provides an efficient mechanism to reduce ketones and achieve desired enantiopure alcohols. Herein, the diastereoselective reduction of C-2′ and C-3′-keto ri...
Femtosecond laser crosslinking of the cornea for non-invasive vision correction

The prevalence of myopia has increased worldwide over the last 50 years. Its incidence in the United States and Europe is now almost twice that 50 years ago, and it is even more prevalent in East Asia. Spectacles and contact lenses remain the most common means of vision correction, but the permanent correction of refractive errors, by refractive surgery, has emerged as an attractive alternative. However, such surgery is an invasive procedure that may compromise corneal structure, and post-surgical complications have been reported. We propose a novel, non-invasive approach to permanent vision correction based on a different mode of laser–cornea interaction. Our approach induces the formation of a low-density plasma that produces reactive oxygen species, which react with the surrounding proteins, forming crosslinks and triggering spatially resolved changes in mechanical properties. We show that the proposed method changes the refractive power of the eye, and confirm its safety and stability. Laser-driven crosslinking of molecules at the cornea offers a non-invasive alternative to surgical correction of the refractive power of the eye.
Uncovering the Nucleus of Social Networks

Many social network studies have focused on identifying communities through clustering or partitioning a large social network into smaller parts. While community structure is important in social network analysis, relatively little attention has been paid to the problem of "core structure'' analysis in many social networks. Intuitively, one may expect that many social networks possess some sort of a "core'' which holds various parts of the network (or constituent "communities'' ) together. We believe that it is just as important to uncover and extract the "core'' structure -- referred to as the "nucleus'' in this paper -- of a social network as to identify its community structure. In this paper, we propose a scalable and effective procedure to uncover the "nucleus'' of social networks by building upon and generalizing ideas from the existing k-shell decomposition approach. We employ our approach to uncover the nucleus in several example communication, collaboration, interaction, location-based and online social networks. Our methodology is very scalable and can also be applied to massive networks (hundreds million nodes and billion edges).
Texture simulation of a severely cold rolled low carbon steel using polycrystal modeling

Abstract Characteristic textures of cold-rolled low carbon steel consist of the RD// 〈 110 〉 fiber (α fiber) and ND// ⟨ 111 ⟩ fiber (γ fiber). Although the development of the γ fiber has been successfully modeled by the relaxed constraints polycrystal plasticity model, modeling of the α fiber has been less successful. In this work, we investigate mechanisms underlying the development of a strong α fiber in a low carbon steel during cold rolling to large thickness reductions of 90%, 98%, and 99.8%. We compare the deformation textures measured using X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction methods with those simulated using polycrystal models, employing one of four homogenization schemes: the Taylor model, Secant model, Tangent model and an intermediate stiffness model between the Secant and Tangent models. The measured textures consist of an extremely strong α fiber and unusually weak γ fiber. The calculated textures achieve the best agreement with the measured ones when (1) the intermediate stiffness model is used to account for grain shape effects, (2) the flow rule exponent (n) is chosen to allow for multiple slip in grains, (3) latent hardening effects are suppressed, (4) ⟨ 111 ⟩ slip on { 110 } , { 112 } and { 123 } planes is made available for deformation, and (5) the grains shape is permitted to evolve individually. Taken together, these aspects represent indirectly the effects of cross slip on slip activity, suggesting that the strong α fiber in severely cold rolled steel results from cross slip. Although the cross slip is a well accepted mechanism in b.c.c. crystals, its connection to α fiber dominance in texture development during severe rolling deformation has not been established before.
Autonomous Modal Parameter Estimation: Application Examples

Autonomous modal parameter estimation is an attractive approach when estimating modal parameters (frequency, damping, mode shape, and modal scaling) as long as the results are physically reasonable. Frequently, significant post processing is required to tune the autonomous estimates. A general autonomous method is demonstrated with no post processing of the modal parameters. Example case histories are given for simple measurement cases taken from the laboratory (circular plate) as well as realistic field measurement cases involving significant noise and difficulty (bridge). These application case histories explore the successes and failures of the autonomous modal parameter estimation method and demonstrate the limitations of practical application of automated methods.
Weight-space mapping of fMRI language tasks

In the past several years, there has been tremendous growth in mapping cortical activity using neuroimaging, including the ability to map multiple spatial scales simultaneously. Beyond delineating functional regions and observing their sequencing in time, one would hope to learn some of the fundamental computational principles governing the dynamics of those regions. Essential components of this approach include characterizing the spatial and temporal activity at different scales and comparing dynamic network topologies across scales. These aspects are interconnected. In this report, we test the hypothesis that the neocortex is comprised of nested functional clusters that emerge simultaneously across spatial scales. We further posit that the rules of structure and dynamics of these clusters are similar across levels (Sutton and Anderson, 1995).
Apprenticeship in Sorcery

Since criticism is easier than art, it is less difficult to explain the tricks the master has learned than to perform them. The true master’s presence is rarely visible on the face of the conjured world that is made real principally by the sounds of his creative voice. To learn these tricks, it should come as no surprise, the apprentice may stammer, stutter, or lisp; his words remain sounds, audible to the ear but intractable to the mind, transmitting static more often than announcing the miraculous birth of a world. But with time and practice and patient reflection on the still resources of the inner voice, the miracle becomes easier, and the voice will talk itself out until even its own stillness has found expression, in the silence surrounding that one last creative ping.
The Impact of Television on Cognitive Development and Educational Achievement

Two opposing trends have characterized discussions of children’s television viewing and its’ relationship to educational achievement. First, there has been a popular belief that television viewing, regardless of its content, may be detrimental to cognitive and educational development. The second and contradictory trend has been widespread popular support for the use of TV at home as an educational tool.
Urban School Leadership and Community Violence: Principal Perspectives and Proactive Responses to Student Mental Health Needs.

This article examines how urban principals can proactively respond to neighborhood violence through a community-oriented leadership framework. We analyzed principal interviews to understand the imp...
Antidepressants and Suicidality—Controversies and Possible Mechanisms

Abstract Shortly after fluoxetine, the first SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), entered the marketplace in the late 1980s, it was suggested that this medication could induce suicidal urges in some vulnerable patients. Early epidemiological studies and meta-analyses, however, cast doubt on the link, and the possibility of a causal connection was largely dismissed by the medical community for over a decade. Despite accumulating evidence, which would ultimately result in the placement of a class-wide black box warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the issue remains controversial to this day. Here, we review the history of the discovery of antidepressant-induced suicidal ideation and behavior, highlight the strengths and limitations of the evidence investigating the phenomenon, explore hypothetical mechanisms of action and discuss future directions.
Detecting Anomalies by using Self-Organizing Maps in Industrial Environments.

Detecting anomalies caused by intruders are a big challenge in industrial environments due to the complex environmental interdependencies and proprietary fieldbus protocols. In this paper, we proposed a network-based method for detecting anomalies by using unsupervised artificial neural networks called Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs). Therefore, we published an algorithm which identifies clusters and cluster centroids in SOMs to gain knowledge about the underlying data structure. In the training phase we created two neural networks, one for clustering the network data and the other one for finding the cluster centroids. In the operating phase our approach is able to detect anomalies by comparing new data samples with the first trained SOM model. We used a confidence interval to decide if the sample is too far from its best matching unit. A novel additional confidence interval for the second SOM is proposed to minimize false positives which have been a major drawback of machine learning methods in anomaly detection. We implemented our approach in a robot cell and infiltrated the network like an intruder would do to evaluate our method. As a result, we significantly reduced the false positive rate to 0.07% using the second interval while providing an accuracy of 99% for the detection of network attacks.
A welfare analysis of China's tariffs on U.S. hardwood products

Abstract China has been the top importer of U.S. log and lumber since 2010. With the ongoing trade disputes between the U.S. and its trading partners, especially with China, it is of great interest to assess the potential impacts of different trade interventions on U.S. forest sector. In this study, we focus on hypothetical uniform tariffs by China on U.S. hardwood products in four scenarios: tariffs imposed on log, lumber, and veneer, respectively, and on these products altogether. With an emphasis on U.S. timberland owners as log producers, a two-stage partial equilibrium displacement model is applied to measure the vertical linkage between log and its secondary products, lumber and veneer, as well as the horizontal linkage between lumber and veneer. Assuming a 25% uniform tariff, our results show that the welfare effects on stakeholders in four scenarios highly differ but U.S. timberland owners suffer substantial welfare loss as a whole in all scenarios. U.S. consumers of lumber and veneer, on the contrary, benefit from China's uniform tariffs in general. The total of China's consumer surplus is negative with its import tariffs on log, lumber, and all three products. Vertical and horizontal linkages within the U.S. hardwood sector are confirmed in all scenarios. Lastly, trade deflection effect is captured as the U.S. would export more hardwood products to the rest of world (ROW), resulting in positive but small changes in consumer surplus in the ROW, in all scenarios.
NONLINEAR FUNCTIONALS OF EMPIRICAL MEASURES

This paper is a summary of the three preprints [D1], [D2] and [D3], where detailed statements and proofs are given. Let (X, ∣ ∣) be a normed space and T a nonlinear operator from X into another normed space (Y, ∥ ∥). T will be differentiable at a point x 0 ∈ X if there is an affine map, in other words a linear operator T’(x 0)(.) from X into Y plus an element T(x 0) of Y, such that the graph of T has a tangent hyperplane at (x 0 T(x 0)) given by the graph of the affine map. Specifically, T is said to be Gâteaux differentiable at x 0 if T is defined on a neighborhood of x 0 and T’(x 0) is a bounded linear operator from X into Y such that for each x ∈X, $$\left \|T(x_0+tx)-T(x_0)-t{T}'(x_0)(x)\right \|=0(|t|) as\, t\rightarrow 0 \, in\, R$$ .
A Programmably Compliant Origami Mechanism for Dynamically Dexterous Robots

We present an approach to overcoming challenges in dynamical dexterity for robots through programmably compliant origami mechanisms. Our work leverages a one-parameter family of flat sheet crease patterns that folds into origami bellows, whose axial compliance can be tuned to select desired stiffness. Concentrically arranged cylinder pairs reliably manifest additive stiffness, extending the programmable range by nearly an order of magnitude and achieving bulk axial stiffness spanning 200–1500 Nm $^{-1}$ using 8 mil thick polyester-coated paper. Accordingly, we design origami energy-storing springs with a stiffness of 1035 N m $^{-1}$ each and incorporate them into a three degree-of-freedom (DOF) tendon-driven spatial pointing mechanism that exhibits trajectory tracking accuracy less than 15% rms error within a ( $\sim$ 2 cm) $^3$ volume. The origami springs can sustain high power throughput, enabling the robot to achieve asymptotically stable juggling for both highly elastic (1 kg resilient shotput ball) and highly damped (“medicine ball”) collisions in the vertical direction with apex heights approaching 10 cm. The results demonstrate that “soft” robotic mechanisms are able to perform a controlled, dynamically actuated task.
Unravelling the complex genetics of common kidney diseases: from variants to mechanisms

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of loci associated with kidney-related traits such as glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria, hypertension, electrolyte and metabolite levels. However, these impressive, large-scale mapping approaches have not always translated into an improved understanding of disease or development of novel therapeutics. GWAS have several important limitations. Nearly all disease-associated risk loci are located in the non-coding region of the genome and therefore, their target genes, affected cell types and regulatory mechanisms remain unknown. Genome-scale approaches can be used to identify associations between DNA sequence variants and changes in gene expression (quantified through bulk and single-cell methods), gene regulation and other molecular quantitative trait studies, such as chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation, protein expression and metabolite levels. Data obtained through these approaches, used in combination with robust computational methods, can deliver robust mechanistic inferences for translational exploitation. Understanding the genetic basis of common kidney diseases means having a comprehensive picture of the genes that have a causal role in disease development and progression, of the cells, tissues and organs in which these genes act to affect the disease, of the cellular pathways and mechanisms that drive disease, and of potential targets for disease prevention, detection and therapy.
A wonderful life of holography, interferometry, and optical testing

The author had a very enjoyable career working with holography, interferometry, and optical testing and during this talk several projects the author worked on during his career will be discussed including 1) Use of computer generated holograms for testing aspheric optics, 2) temporal phase-shifting interferometry, 3) lateral shearing interferometry and adaptive optics, 4) computerized interference microscope, and 5) dynamic (single-shot) phase-shifting interferometry. It will be shown that as technology improves many things that were very difficult to do 30 or 40 years ago are now very simple to do and many ideas that were useless many years ago are now useful.
Preaching and Culture: Introduction

In Christ and Culture, H. Richard Niebuhr posits that from a theological perspective, any definition of the term culture must not only consider the sociological implication such as “human social or...
YAP/TAZ Transcriptional Coactivators Create Therapeutic Vulnerability to Verteporfin in EGFR-mutant Glioblastoma.

Purpose: Glioblastomas (GBMs), neoplasms derived from glia and neuroglial progenitor cells, are the most common and lethal malignant primary brain tumors diagnosed in adults, with a median survival of 14 months. GBM tumorigenicity is often driven by genetic aberrations in receptor tyrosine kinases, such as amplification and mutation of EGFR. Experimental Design: Using a Drosophila glioma model and human patient–derived GBM stem cells and xenograft models, we genetically and pharmacologically tested whether the YAP and TAZ transcription coactivators, effectors of the Hippo pathway that promote gene expression via TEA domain (TEAD) cofactors, are key drivers of GBM tumorigenicity downstream of oncogenic EGFR signaling. Results: YAP and TAZ are highly expressed in EGFR-amplified/mutant human GBMs, and their knockdown in EGFR-amplified/mutant GBM cells inhibited proliferation and elicited apoptosis. Our results indicate that YAP/TAZ-TEAD directly regulates transcription of SOX2, C-MYC, and EGFR itself to create a feedforward loop to drive survival and proliferation of human GBM cells. Moreover, the benzoporphyrin derivative verteporfin, a disruptor of YAP/TAZ-TEAD–mediated transcription, preferentially induced apoptosis of cultured patient-derived EGFR-amplified/mutant GBM cells, suppressed expression of YAP/TAZ transcriptional targets, including EGFR, and conferred significant survival benefit in an orthotopic xenograft GBM model. Our efforts led us to design and initiate a phase 0 clinical trial of Visudyne, an FDA-approved liposomal formulation of verteporfin, where we used intraoperative fluorescence to observe verteporfin uptake into tumor cells in GBM tumors in human patients. Conclusions: Together, our data suggest that verteporfin is a promising therapeutic agent for EGFR-amplified and -mutant GBM.
A Neutralizing Antibody-Conjugated Photothermal Nanoparticle Captures and Inactivates SARS-CoV-2

The outbreak of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in a global pandemic. Despite intensive research including several clinical trials, currently there are no completely safe or effective therapeutics to cure the disease. Here we report a strategy incorporating neutralizing antibodies conjugated on the surface of a photothermal nanoparticle to actively capture and inactivate SARS-CoV-2. The photothermal nanoparticle is comprised of a semiconducting polymer core and a biocompatible polyethylene glycol surface decorated with neutralizing antibodies. Such nanoparticles displayed efficient capture of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses, excellent photothermal effect, and complete inhibition of viral entry into ACE2-expressing host cells via simultaneous blocking and inactivating of the virus. This photothermal nanoparticle is a flexible platform that can be readily adapted to other SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and extended to novel therapeutic proteins, thus providing a broad range of protection against multiple strains of SARS-CoV-2.
Testing f ( R ) gravity with scale dependent cosmic void velocity profiles

We study the impact of cosmological scale modifications to general relativity on the dynamics of halos within voids by comparing N-body simulations incorporating Hu-Sawicki $f(R)$ gravity, with $|{f}_{R0}|={10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ and ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$, to those of $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}\mathrm{CDM}$. By examining the radial velocity statistics within voids classified based on their size and density-profile, as ``rising'' ($R$-type) or ``shell'' ($S$-type), we find that halo motions in small $R$-type voids, with effective radius $l15\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{Mpc}/h$, reveal distinctive differences between $f(R)$ and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}\mathrm{CDM}$ cosmologies. To understand this observed effect, we study the linear and nonlinear fifth forces, and develop an iterative algorithm to accurately solve the nonlinear fifth force equation. We use this to characterize the Chameleon screening mechanism in voids and contrast the behavior with that observed in gravitationally collapsed objects. The force analysis underscores how smaller $R$-type voids exhibit the highest ratios of fifth force to Newtonian force, which source distinguishable differences in the velocity profiles and thereby provide rich environments in which to constrain gravity.
Whole body periodic acceleration (pGz) improves endotoxin induced cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction and attenuates the inflammatory response in mice

Sepsis-induces myocardial contractile dysfunction. We previously showed that whole body periodic acceleration (pGz), the sinusoidal motion of the supine body head-foot ward direction significantly improves survival and decreases microvascular permeability in a lethal model of sepsis. We tested the hypothesis that pGz improves LPS induced cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction and decreases LPS pro-inflammatory cytokine response when applied pre- or post-treatment. Isolated cardiomyocytes were obtained from mice that received LPS who had been pre-treated with pGz for three days (pGz-LPS) or control. Peak shortening (PS), maximal velocity of shortening (+dL/dt), and relengthening (-dL/dt) as well as diastolic intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca+2]d), sodium ([Na+]d), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cardiac troponin (cTnT) production were measured. LPS decreased PS, +dL/dt, and -dL/dt, by 37%, 41% and 35% change respectively (p < 0.01), increased [Ca+2]d, [Na+]d, ROS, and cTnT by 343%, 122%, 298%, and 610% change respectively (p < 0.01) compared to control. pGz pre-treatment attenuated the parameters mentioned above. In a separate cohort, the effects of a lethal dose of LPS on protein expression of nitric oxide synthases (iNOS, eNOS, nNOS), pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in hearts of mice was studied in pre-treated with pGz for three days prior to LPS (pGz-LPS) and post-treated with pGz 30 min after LPS (LPS-pGz) were determined. LPS increased expression of early and late iNOS and decreased expression of eNOS, phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS), and nNOS. Both pre- and post-treatment with pGz markedly reduced early and late pro-inflammatory surge. Therefore, pre- and post-treatment with pGz improves LPS-induced cardiomyocyte dysfunction, decreases iNOS expression, and increases cytoprotective eNOS and nNOS, with decreased pro-inflammatory response. Such results have potential for translation to benefit outcomes in human sepsis.