cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Tale of Two SNPS: Polymorphism Analysis of Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Adapter Proteins: A Dissertation

The innate immune system is the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Recognition of microbial ligands by the innate immune system relies on germ-line encoded, evolutionarily conserved receptors called pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are one such family of PRRs and are involved in innate defenses to a variety of microbes. At the core of TLR signaling pathways are Toll interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain containing adapter proteins. Much of the specificity of TLR pathways arise from the differential use of these adapter proteins. The TLR signaling cascade that ensues upon ligand recognition is marked by finely orchestrated molecular interactions between the receptor and the TIR domain containing adapter proteins, as well as various downstream kinases and effector molecules. Conserving the structural integrity of the TLR components is thus essential for maintaining a robust host defense system. Sometimes, changes in a protein can be brought about by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Studies carried out in this thesis focus on polymorphisms in MyD88 adapter-like (Mal) and myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88), two TIR domain-containing adapter proteins, which incidentally are also highly polymorphic. Mal is a 235 amino acid protein that is involved in TLR2 and TLR4 signaling. The known polymorphisms in the coding region of Mal were screened with an aim to identify SNPs with altered signaling potential. A TIR domain polymorphism, D96N, was found to be completely defective in TLR2 and TLR4 signaling. Immortalized macrophage-like cell lines expressing D96N have impaired cytokine production as well
Identification of a Subspecies-Specific Capsular Antigen from Bacteroides melaninogenicus Subspecies asaccharolyticus by Immunofluorescence and Electron Microscopy

An indirect fluorescent antibody test was developed with the use of hyperimmune rabbit antiserum to a purified capsular polysaccharide of Bacteroides melaninogenicus subspecies asaccharolyticus. All of 23 strains of B. melaninogenicus subspecies asaccharolyticus were fluorescence-positive in this test. All 11 strains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus subspecies intermedius tested and three strains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus subspecies melaninogenicus were fluorescence-negative. Thirty-one strains of other bacterial species were also fluorescence-negative. The indirect fluorescent antibody test demonstrated the presence of a subspecies-specific capsular antigen from B. melaninogenicus subspecies asaccharolyticus. The capsular antigen was further demonstrated by electron microscopy with ruthenium red, a polysaccharidestaining material.
Kinematic Differences Between the Flat, Kick, and Slice Serves Measured Using a Markerless Motion Capture Method

Tennis injuries have been associated with serving mechanics, but quantitative kinematic measurements in realistic environments are limited by current motion capture technologies. This study tested for kinematic differences at the lower back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and racquet between the flat, kick, and slice serves using a markerless motion capture (MMC) system. Seven male NCAA Division 1 players were tested on an outdoor court in daylight conditions. Peak racquet and joint center speeds occurred sequentially and increased from proximal (back) to distal (racquet). Racquet speeds at ball impact were not significantly different between serve types. However, there were significant differences in the direction of the racquet velocity vector between serves: the kick serve had the largest lateral and smallest forward racquet velocity components, while the flat serve had the smallest vertical component (p < 0.01). The slice serve had lateral velocity, like the kick, and large forward velocity, like the flat. Additionally, the racquet in the kick serve was positioned 8.7 cm more posterior and 21.1 cm more medial than the shoulder compared with the flat, which could suggest an increased risk of shoulder and back injury associated with the kick serve. This study demonstrated the potential for MMC for testing sports performance under natural conditions.
ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase signaling mediates early demyelination induced by leprosy bacilli

Demyelination is a common pathologic feature in many neurodegenerative diseases including infection with leprosy-causing Mycobacterium leprae. Because of the long incubation time and highly complex disease pathogenesis, the management of nerve damage in leprosy, as in other demyelinating diseases, is extremely difficult. Therefore, an important challenge in therapeutic interventions is to identify the molecular events that occur in the early phase before the progression of the disease. Here we provide evidence that M. leprae-induced demyelination is a result of direct bacterial ligation to and activation of ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling without ErbB2-ErbB3 heterodimerization, a previously unknown mechanism that bypasses the neuregulin-ErbB3-mediated ErbB2 phosphorylation. MEK-dependent Erk1 and Erk2 (hereafter referred to as Erk1/2) signaling is identified as a downstream target of M. leprae-induced ErbB2 activation that mediates demyelination. Herceptin (trastuzumab), a therapeutic humanized ErbB2-specific antibody, inhibits M. leprae binding to and activation of ErbB2 and Erk1/2 in human primary Schwann cells, and the blockade of ErbB2 activity by the small molecule dual ErbB1-ErbB2 kinase inhibitor PKI-166 (ref. 11) effectively abrogates M. leprae-induced myelin damage in in vitro and in vivo models. These results may have implications for the design of ErbB2 RTK-based therapies for both leprosy nerve damage and other demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases.
Nanoscale Structural and Mechanical Analysis of Bacillus anthracis Spores Inactivated with Rapid Dry Heating

ABSTRACT Effective killing of Bacillus anthracis spores is of paramount importance to antibioterrorism, food safety, environmental protection, and the medical device industry. Thus, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of spore resistance and inactivation is highly desired for developing new strategies or improving the known methods for spore destruction. Previous studies have shown that spore inactivation mechanisms differ considerably depending upon the killing agents, such as heat (wet heat, dry heat), UV, ionizing radiation, and chemicals. It is believed that wet heat kills spores by inactivating critical enzymes, while dry heat kills spores by damaging their DNA. Many studies have focused on the biochemical aspects of spore inactivation by dry heat; few have investigated structural damages and changes in spore mechanical properties. In this study, we have inactivated Bacillus anthracis spores with rapid dry heating and performed nanoscale topographical and mechanical analysis of inactivated spores using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our results revealed significant changes in spore morphology and nanomechanical properties after heat inactivation. In addition, we also found that these changes were different under different heating conditions that produced similar inactivation probabilities (high temperature for short exposure time versus low temperature for long exposure time). We attributed the differences to the differential thermal and mechanical stresses in the spore. The buildup of internal thermal and mechanical stresses may become prominent only in ultrafast, high-temperature heat inactivation when the experimental timescale is too short for heat-generated vapor to efficiently escape from the spore. Our results thus provide direct, visual evidences of the importance of thermal stresses and heat and mass transfer to spore inactivation by very rapid dry heating.
The Role of Lipid Physical Properties in Lipid Barriers

SYNOPSIS. The hydrophobic nature of lipids means that they provide good barriers to the movement of charged and polar molecules. Barrier function appears to depend on the physical state of the lipids. Two well-investigated examples include cell membranes and epicuticular lipids of arthropods. Ecologically relevant changes in temperature significantly affect lipid properties, and both evolutionary and acclimatory differences in lipid composition appear to preserve the physical properties of lipids under different environmental conditions. These differences are generally believed to be beneficial to the organism, but rigorous examination of their adaptive significance is rare. Important issues are how lipid properties are regulated; which properties are physiologically relevant, how are these properties sensed, and what biochemical and molecular mechanisms regulate lipid properties? Progress has recently been made in understanding how membrane lipid properties are regulated, but regulatory mechanisms for cuticular lipids and other lipid systems remain completely unknown.
MEASUREMENT OF VALUES EXPRESSION IN SPORTS AND ATHLETICS

Research on psychological variables involved in sport has emphasized personality traits and attitudes. This report introduces an instrument for measuring the role of personal values in sport. The S...
Turning research into practice: characteristics of display-based interaction

This research investigates how several characteristics of display-based systems support or hinder the exploration and retention of the functions needed to perform tasks in a new application. In particular it is shown how the combination of the type of interface action, the number of interaction objects presented on the screen, and the quality of the label associated with these objects interact in supporting discovery and retention of the functionality embedded in those systems. An
Reconstruction of digital nerves with collagen conduits.

Purpose Digital nerve reconstruction with a biodegradable conduit offers the advantage of providing nerve reconstruction while providing a desirable environment for nerve regeneration. Many conduit materials have been investigated, but there have been few reports of human clinical trials of purified type I bovine collagen conduits. Methods We report a prospective study of 22 isolated digital nerve lacerations in 19 patients reconstructed with a bioabsorbable collagen conduit. The average nerve gap measured 12 mm. An independent observer performed the postoperative evaluation, noting the return of protective sensation, static 2-point discrimination, and moving 2-point discrimination, and recording the patient's pain level using a visual analog scale. Minimal follow-up was 12 months and mean follow-up was 20 months after surgery. Results All patients recovered protective sensation. The mean moving 2-point discrimination and static 2-point discrimination measured 5.0 and 5.2 mm, respectively, for those with measurable recovery at final follow-up visit. Excellent results were achieved in 13 of 22 digits, good results in 3 of 22 digits, and fair results in 6 of 22 digits, and there were no poor results. Reported pain scores at the last postoperative visit were measured universally as 0 on the visual analog scale. Conclusions Our data suggest that collagen conduits offer an effective method of reconstruction for digital nerve lacerations. This study confirms that collagen conduits reliably provide a repair that restores nerve function for nerve gaps measuring less than 2 cm. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Implementing effective automatic cryptographic protocol analysis

A cryptographic protocol is a short series of message exchanges, usually involving encryption, intended to establish secure communication over an insecure network. A protocol fails if an active wiretapper can obtain confidential information or impersonate a legitimate user, without performing cryptanalysis, by blocking, replaying, relabeling or otherwise modifying messages. Since the number of possible wiretapper-induced distortions of a protocol grows exponentially with the size of the protocol, most tools for detecting protocol failure require extended, expert user guidance. The Automatic Authentication Protocol Analyzer, 2nd Version (AAPA2), in contrast, automatically correctly identifies 88% of the protocols in an independently selected collection of protocols as failed or not failed, on a modest computer, in an average of only 2.6 minutes per protocol. This paper summarizes the AAPA2's results, sketches how it produces them and gives references providing more information.
Some ruminations about inculpable non-belief

This article presents a discussion of the concept of ‘non-belief’, focusing on a variety of difficulties it raises for the theist. After considering how the notion of ‘non-belief’ may be construed, I catalogue five major problems facing the theist who insists on maintaining the traditional notion of ‘non-belief’. Those theists who insist on maintaining this traditional notion sometimes appeal to the ‘sin defence’ in an attempt to defend their position. I critique this defence and conclude with a mention of how rejecting the traditional notion of ‘non-belief’ will lead us towards revisionary theologies.
Producing primate embryonic stem cells by somatic cell nuclear transfer

Derivation of embryonic stem (ES) cells genetically identical to a patient by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) holds the potential to cure or alleviate the symptoms of many degenerative diseases while circumventing concerns regarding rejection by the host immune system. However, the concept has only been achieved in the mouse, whereas inefficient reprogramming and poor embryonic development characterizes the results obtained in primates. Here, we used a modified SCNT approach to produce rhesus macaque blastocysts from adult skin fibroblasts, and successfully isolated two ES cell lines from these embryos. DNA analysis confirmed that nuclear DNA was identical to donor somatic cells and that mitochondrial DNA originated from oocytes. Both cell lines exhibited normal ES cell morphology, expressed key stem-cell markers, were transcriptionally similar to control ES cells and differentiated into multiple cell types in vitro and in vivo. Our results represent successful nuclear reprogramming of adult somatic cells into pluripotent ES cells and demonstrate proof-of-concept for therapeutic cloning in primates.
Smoking attenuates transforming growth factor-β-mediated tumor suppression function through downregulation of Smad3 in lung cancer.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that most cases of lung cancers (85-90%) are directly attributable to cigarette smoking. Although much information has been gained about the effects of cigarette smoking on various signaling pathways causing lung cancer, nothing is known about the effect cigarette smoking on the TGF-β-induced tumor suppressor function in lung cancer. To address this issue, lung adenocarcinoma A549 and immortalized bronchial epithelial HPL1A cells were chronically treated with cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) and Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO, as a control) to mimic the conditions of long-term cigarette smoking. Prolonged exposure of these cells to CSC resulted in a decrease in Smad3 and Smad4 complex formation and TGF-β-mediated transcription due to reduced expression of Smad3. Long-term CSC treatment reduced apoptosis, increased cell viability, decreased TGF-β-mediated growth inhibition, and enhanced tumorigenicity. The decrease in apoptosis is due to the up-regulation of Bcl-2, which is a downstream target of Smad3. Re-expression of Smad3 in the CSC treated cells restored TGF-β signaling, increased apoptosis and decreased cell viability and tumorigenicity. Withdrawal of CSC treatment resulted in the restoration of Smad3 expression, reduction in cell viability and increased TGF-β-mediated growth inhibition. Expression of Smad3 is lower in lung tumors of current smokers compared to that observed in never-smokers. Collectively, these data provide evidence that cigarette smoking promotes tumorigenicity partly by abrogating TGF-β-mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis by reducing expression of Smad3.
FAKING IN PERSONNEL SELECTION: TRADEOFFS IN PERFORMANCE VERSUS FAIRNESS RESULTING FROM TWO CUT‐SCORE STRATEGIES

Most faking research has examined the use of personality measures when using top-down selection. We used simulation to examine the use of personality measures in selection systems using cut scores and outlined a number of issues unique to these situations. In particular, we compared the use of 2 methods of setting cut scores on personality measures: applicant-data-derived (ADD) and nonapplicant-data-derived (NADD) cut-score strategies. We demonstrated that the ADD strategy maximized mean performance resulting from the selection system in the face of applicant faking but that this strategy also resulted in the displacement of deserving applicants by fakers (which has fairness implications). On the other hand, the NADD strategy minimized displacement of deserving applicants but at the cost of some mean performance. Therefore, the use of the ADD versus NADD strategies can be viewed as a strategic decision to be made by the organization, as there is a tradeoff between the 2 strategies in effects on performance versus fairness to applicants. We quantitatively outlined these tradeoffs at various selection ratios, levels of validity, and amounts of faking in the applicant pool. This study deals with faking on self-report personality instruments and proposes a cut-score method that minimizes the displacement of deserving applicants by fakers (by “deserving applicants,” we simply mean those who would have been selected if no faking had occurred; we will use the term “deserving applicants” throughout the rest of this paper). Faking, in this context, refers to a focused, intentional effort to respond in a socially desirable manner on a personality test in order to increase the likelihood of attaining a job. That the faking behavior is intentional and focused on the specific goal of increasing test performance to attain employment is
XGRID: A Scalable Many-Core Embedded Processor

The demand for compute cycles needed by embedded systems is rapidly increasing. In this paper, we introduce the XGRID embedded many-core system-on-chip architecture. XGRID makes use of a novel, FPGA-like, programmable interconnect infrastructure, offering scalability and deterministic communication using hardware supportedmessage passing among cores. Our experiments with XGRID are very encouraging. A number of parallel benchmarks are evaluated on the XGRID processor using the application mapping technique described in this work. We have validated our scalability claim by running our benchmarks on XGRID varying in core count. We have also validated our assertions on XGRID architecture by comparing XGRID against the Graphite many-core architecture and have shown that XGRIDoutperforms Graphite in performance.
Disaster Preparedness and Response

A consistent approach to disasters, based on an understanding of their common features and the response expertise they require, is becoming the accepted practice throughout the world. This strategy, called the Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Response, has the primary objective of reducing the mortality and morbidity caused by the disaster. All surgeons need to incorporate the key principles of the MCI response in their training. Lessons from previous disasters are important in distinguishing myths (misconceptions) from facts (evidence-based data).
Variationally fitting the total electron-electron interaction

Density fitting is used throughout quantum chemistry to simplify the electron-electron interaction energy (EE). A fundamental property of quantum chemistry, and DFT in particular, is that a variational principle connects the EE to a potential. Density fitting generally does not preserve this connection. Herein we describe the construction of a robust EE that is variationally connected to fitted potentials in all electronic structure methods. For DFT, this results in fitting equations that are satisfied at an energy saddle point in multidimensional fitting space.
The Evidence Base for Health Information Exchange

Abstract Health information exchange (HIE) has been promoted to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quality, and safety of health care delivery. This chapter describes the evidence base to support that assertion, describing a systematic review of the effectiveness, use, usability, implementation, and sustainability of HIE. The review identified 136 studies: 34 on effectiveness, 58 on the use of HIE, 22 on usability and facilitators and barriers to use of HIE, 45 on facilitators or barriers to HIE implementation, and 17 on factors related to sustainability. No studies reported on clinical outcomes (eg, mortality and morbidity) or identified harms. Low-quality evidence generally finds that HIE reduces duplicative laboratory and radiology testing, emergency department costs, hospital admissions (less so for readmissions), and improves public health reporting, ambulatory quality of care, and disability claims processing. Most clinicians attributed positive changes in care coordination, communication, and knowledge about patients to HIE. The use of HIE has increased over time, but within organizations the number of users or HIE-accessed visits was generally low. Barriers to HIE use were lack of critical mass of data, inefficient workflow, and poorly designed interface as well as update features. Greater usability was associated with greater use but not with effectiveness. Facilitators of HIE implementation were characteristics of the organization (eg, leadership) or the HIE system, while barriers included competition or lack of a business case for HIE. Although the evidence supports a benefit of HIE in reducing the use of specific resources and may improve quality of care, the full impact of HIE on clinical outcomes and potential harms is inadequately studied. Future studies should address comprehensive questions, use more rigorous designs, and employ a standard for describing types of HIE.
Social Comparisons of Health and Cognitive Functioning Contribute to Changes in Subjective Age

Objective As individuals age, they monitor how well they are aging by comparing themselves with their peers. We examined whether such social comparisons contribute to change in one's subjective age over time and whether they mediate the relationship of health and cognitive functioning with subjective age. Method A total of 3,427 participants from the Midlife in the United States study were assessed on subjective age on two occasions 10 years apart. Measures of cognition and health were taken at the second wave along with social comparison measures for health and memory. Results The results showed that social comparisons of memory and health mediated the relationship between memory performance and level of subjective age as well as the relationship between functional health and subjective age change. Discussion The results suggest that those who have better functioning in aging-relevant domains have a more favorable view of themselves compared with others, which in turn predicted a younger subjective age and smaller increases in subjective age over 10 years. When social comparisons were considered, those who had better health and memory and more favorable comparative assessments did not feel that they had aged as much as those who had lower functioning and assessments.
Academic Degree Reform of Harvard Graduate School of Education

Harvard Graduate School of Education launched a new and practice-based doctoral program,"Doctor of Education Leadership Program"(Ed.L.D),and created new interfaculty Ph.D. programs in education to be offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 2014,to succeed and replace its nearly 90-year-old Ed.D degree.The reform has transformed research and study in a single subject into interfaculty collaboration.Drawing upon intellectual resources of the entire university,the new Ph.D.programs aim at addressing the most important issues of the 21st century,cultivating leadership in education,and continuing the liberal arts tradition and spirit of Harvard University.The interfaculty collaboration and joint degree offering at Harvard University can offer a good example for Chinese higher education institutions.
Amebiasis and trypanosomiasis.

Parasitic diseases, once limited to developing countries, may be seen in the United States with increasing frequency as air travel links continents. When cutaneous manifestations of these diseases are a part of the clinical picture, dermatologists are often called upon to contribute to the diagnosis. Amebiasis may result in painful anogenital ulcers; African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) often begins with the trypanosomal chancre at the site of parasitic entry, and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) most commonly presents as Romana's sign. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, immunology, clinical presentation, and treatment are reviewed for each of these diseases.
LIPOPROTEINS, STATIN THERAPY, CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUE VULNERABILITY AND STIFFNESS: A STUDY OF NOVEL ULTRASOUND METHODS UTILIZING MICROBUBBLE CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT AND SHEAR WAVE ELASTOGRAPHY

Background: Microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) detects intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) associated with plaque vulnerability. Shear wave elastography (SWE) assesses mechanical stiffness of tissues by measuring shear wave speed (SWS): SWS is faster in stiffer tissues. We explored the
Instructing Learning Disabled Children to Make Continued and General Use of a Strategy for Memorizing Information

Developmental dyslexia differs from acquired dyslexia in that developmental dyslexia is a reading disorder arising as the child learns to read. Developmental dyslexia can be characterized as failure or inordinate difficulty in the acquisition of normal reading skills, given adequate native ability and adequate instruction (Critchley, 1970). There is evidence that the reading disorder described as developmental dyslexia may co-exist with failures in arithmetic and mathematics achievement (Fleischner, Garnett & Shepherd, 1982; Satz, this volume), spelling failure (Frith, this volume), poor social skills (Bryan, 1981), and poor performance on tasks requiring short-term memory (Torgesen, 1982). This evidence suggests that general difficulty with learning or the acquisition of new skills may be the defining factor in developmental dyslexia. Thus, the terms “learning disability” or “learning disabled” may be used to describe children who might otherwise be called dyslexic (Kirk, 1963).
Dos-A-Cero: US Soccer Mythology and Columbus, Ohio

With eight victories in 15 years by the USA men’s national team against Mexico by the same 2-0 score, “Dos A Cero” has become a foundational myth of US soccer cultural identity. To understand this mystical score line requires an examination of the power of nostalgia as it is linked to sport, place, and rhetorical discourses of memory. This chapter begins by exploring the significance of place and memory in what has become the USMNT’s symbolic home stadium in Columbus, Ohio, and concludes by considering how “Dos A Cero” functions today—and will function in the future—as a fully matured nostalgic myth.
Low Frequency Rotary Traveling Wave Oscillators

A methodology is presented in order to automate the selection of a design style for low frequency operation of ultra low power rotary traveling wave oscillators (RTWOs). The methodology systemically analyzes the power dissipation profiles of design styles with two priori known resonant frequency dividers, a static and a dynamic frequency divider. The proposed methodology is very effective in leading to a unique design style solution for systems with one frequency target. For systems with multiple frequency targets, the proposed methodology not only leads to a unique solution but also provides guidance on re-selection of frequency targets for improved performance. A 1.2 GHz RTWO is used to generate a target frequency of 135 MHz, while consuming 0.82× the power of an RTWO for that frequency using a static frequency divider. A dynamic frequency divider is used to generate two target frequencies of 137 MHz and 204 MHz using a master clock of 1.2 GHz, while consuming 0.75× and 0.8× the power respectively for that RTWO frequency.
Decision Making Under Uncertainty (DMUU)

Uncertainties about climate and nexus issues stimulate new thinking about water planning. Building resilience involves the capacity to look ahead, ask “what if” questions about the future, remain flexible in the face of uncertainty, and seek out policies that provide good outcomes no matter what the future climate brings in terms of water impacts. This chapter introduces the idea of wicked problems characterized by uncertainty, complexity, and controversy. Decision Making Under Uncertainty (DMUU) strategies are appropriate for managing wicked problems. The shift to DMUU in the water sector involves a paradigm change because it calls for new modeling strategies, a new role for science in water planning, public engagement, knowledge mobilization, and learning to live with uncertainty.
Fiscal Federalism, Risk Sharing and the Persistence of Shocks

When individuals are risk adverse, they dislike volatility in consumption. In an environment where economic fluctuations are driven by exogenous real shocks, governments try to prevent these exogenous real shocks from inducing consumption volatility. Taking the process that determines these exogenous fluctuations as given, there are two methods through which the government can intervene and prevent excessive consumption volatility. They can use the various tools of government, like monetary policy or government consumption, to smooth aggregate demand and aggregate output in the face of these exogenous shocks. Similarly they can allow fluctuations in output, but use fiscal policy through direct taxes and transfers to smooth any consumption fluctuations. It should be clear from the title that this paper will focus on the latter method. In a currency union like the euro zone, individual national governments ceded their national monetary policies to the European Central Bank. Thus individual governments in the euro zone no longer have monetary policy as a tool to prevent country-specific real shocks from driving fluctuations in country-specific output. As will be clear in a later section, this paper will not model the role of government consumption in smoothing output fluctuations (see Fatas and Mihov 1999, for a discussion on the output stabilizing role of government spending). Instead this paper will focus on the role of a government tax and transfer scheme in smoothing consumption fluctuations given fluctuations in output.
Cross-Battery Approach to the Assessment of Executive Functions

Increasing attention has been paid to the role of executive functions in school learning and achievement in recent years (e.g., Dawson, 2012; Maricle & Avirett, 2012; McCloskey, 2012; Meltzer, 2007, 2012; Miller, 2007, 2013). For example, within the emerging subdiscipline of school neuropsychology, attempts have been made to integrate psychometric and neuropsychological theories in an effort to better understand brain–behavior relationships (e.g., Flanagan, Alfonso, Ortiz, & Dynda, 2010; Miller, 2007). In addition, some intelligence test developers offer a cognitive processing model as a basis for interpreting test performance and provide clinical clusters, such as “executive processes,” “cognitive fluency,” and “broad attention” as part of their battery (e.g., WJ III NU; Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001, 2007). Other test authors developed tests that more directly purport to measure executive functions, including planning and attention. For example, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (KABC-II; Kaufman & Kaufman, 2004), although based on the Cattell–Horn–Carroll (CHC) theory of the structure of cognitive abilities, maintains its roots in the Lurian model of cognitive processing and measures “Fluid Reasoning (Gf)/Planning,” for example. Likewise, the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS; Das & Naglieri, 1997) is based on a Lurian cognitive processing theory of intelligence and measures planning, attention, and simultaneous and successive processes, of which the former two are often conceived of as executive functions (Maricle & Avirett, 2012; Naglieri, 2012).
DYNAMICAL EFFECTS IN THE "PHASE CHANGE" BEHAVIOR OF SMALL CLUSTERS*

Results of a detailed dynamical simulation study of a 13-particle Lennard-Jones cluster are presented. They point to the fact that the pattern of the time-evolution of the cluster, and thus its “phase” and “phase change” properties, depend not only on the total energy of the system but also on its initial state. It is found that the maximal Liapunov number can adequately label the different “phases” of a cluster system.
The messages of tourist art

African art is an object of exchange and communication and, as such, is an important vehicle for examining cultural change. Although popular graphic arts do not involve the same order of didactic and dramatic display as do theater and oratory (cf. Peacock, 1968:217–218), they do contain a performative element. Each object is like an utterance—a communication between producers and consumers both within and across cultures. If this communicative process is regarded as a whole, it has much information to impart about social theories of development and change. This message is closely tied to an analysis of how tourist art has evolved. The fact that artists intend their work for a particular consumer audience does not mean that it will ultimately reach that audience. The willingness of the audience to accept visual signs does not assure that consumers and art brokers will understand what the artist hopes to convey (cf. Goffman, 1959:51). The tourist art system thrives on juxtaposition, tautology, and contradiction. Although it contains both visual imagery and conceptual representations, these elements alone do not account for the exchange value of objects within the system.
New product development in automotive upholstery

Abstract: The automotive industry has played a vital role in industrial development since the early twentieth century and has become a driving force of manufacturing and globalization. Contributing to the success of vehicle brands has been the development of an industry whose sole purpose is to supply interior fabrics that meet the performance and aesthetic properties necessary for the automotive industry. As long as there are automobiles, textiles will be employed in their interiors. Understanding the new product development process for automotive textiles will increase the success rate of the vehicle and the industry.
Evaluating Delivery of Low Tidal Volume Ventilation in Six ICUs Using Electronic Health Record Data.

Objectives Mechanical ventilation with low tidal volumes is recommended for all patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and may be beneficial to other intubated patients, yet consistent implementation remains difficult to obtain. Using detailed electronic health record data, we examined patterns of tidal volume administration, the effect on clinical outcomes, and alternate metrics for evaluating low tidal volume compliance in clinical practice. Design Observational cohort study. Setting Six ICUs in a single hospital system. Patients Adult patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation more than 12 hours. Interventions None. Measurements and main results Tidal volumes were analyzed across 1,905 hospitalizations. Although mean tidal volume was 6.8 mL/kg predicted body weight, 40% of patients were exposed to tidal volumes greater than 8 mL/kg predicted body weight, with 11% for more than 24 hours. At a patient level, exposure to 24 total hours of tidal volumes greater than 8 mL/kg predicted body weight was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.20-2.78), whereas mean tidal volume exposure was not (odds ratio, 0.87/1 mL/kg increase; 95% CI, 0.74-1.02). Initial tidal volume settings strongly predicted exposure to volumes greater than 8 mL/kg for 24 hours; the adjusted rate was 21.5% when initial volumes were greater than 8 mL/kg predicted body weight and 7.1% when initial volumes were less than 8 mL/kg predicted body weight. Across ICUs, correlation of mean tidal volume with alternative measures of low tidal volume delivery ranged from 0.38 to 0.66. Conclusions Despite low mean tidal volume in the cohort, a significant percentage of patients were exposed to a prolonged duration of high tidal volumes which was correlated with higher mortality. Detailed ventilator records in the electronic health record provide a unique window for evaluating low tidal volume delivery and targets for improvement.
Improving Care for Elders Who Prefer Informal Spaces to Age-Separated Institutions and Health Care Settings

Background and objectives Despite advantages of urban areas (such as walkability, public transportation, nearby shopping, and health care services), challenges remain for elders aging in place to access care. The changing demographics of older adults, with higher rates of divorce, singlehood, and childlessness, often living alone and far from family, necessitate new strategies to support health and well-being. Research design and methods Drawing on 5 years of ethnographic fieldwork and 25 interviews with elders in New York City, this study presents empirical insights into older adults' use of "third places" close to home, in conjunction with more formal settings. Results This article identifies external and internalized ageism and complicated age-based identity as important reasons why older adults preferred "third places" to age-separated spaces such as senior centers and formal settings such as health care settings. We find that neighborhood "third places" offer important physical venues for older adults to process negative or hurried interactions in other formal and age-separated places. Discussion and implications This article makes policy suggestions for increasing access and usage of essential services, including developing attractive and appealing intergenerational spaces in which older community members can obtain services and dispatching caseworkers to public spaces where elders congregate. Furthermore, this article recommends improving exchanges between health care providers and older adults so that they feel recognized, respected, and cared for, which can improve health care outcomes.
Data-Driven Nonparametric Chance-Constrained Optimization for Microgrid Energy Management

In this article, we present a data-driven nonparametric chance-constrained optimization for microgrid energy management. The proposed approach imposes no assumption on probability density and distribution functions of solar generation and load. Adaptive kernel density estimator is utilized to construct a confidence set for each random parameter based on the historical data. The constructed confidence sets encompass the ambiguous true distribution and density functions. The concept of $\phi $ -divergence tolerance is applied to compute the distance between the estimated and true probability distribution functions (PDF)s. The estimated distributions are used to formulate a set of data-driven nonparametric chance constraints and model system/component restrictions. To account for the impact of errors in the forecast distributions on system economics and security, confidence levels of the chance constraints are adjusted with respect to pointwise errors of the estimated PDFs. This adjustment ensures that the microgrid chance constraints are satisfied with a predetermined confidence level even if the true realizations of solar generation and load do not exactly fit on the estimated PDFs. The chance constraints are converted into algebraic constraints. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach for microgrid management.
Reversal of turbulent gyroBohm isotope scaling due to nonadiabatic electron drive

The influence of kinetic electrons on the isotope scaling of gyrokinetic turbulent energy flux is assessed. A simple framework is used to study the transition from ion-dominated turbulence regimes to regimes where electron and ion transport levels are comparable. In the ion-dominated regime, the turbulent ion energy flux increases as the ion mass increases, in agreement with simple gyroBohm scaling arguments. Conversely, in the latter regime for which the influence of electrons is significant, a strong reversal of the gyroBohm scaling is observed which cannot be captured by mixing length estimates. In this reversed regime, the turbulent ion energy flux decreases as ion mass increases. The reversal is controlled by the finite electron-to-ion mass-ratio dependence of the nonadiabatic electron response. This mass-ratio dependence is dominated by the parallel motion terms in the electron gyrokinetic equation and provides a correction to the bounce-averaged-electron limit which is independent of the mass ratio. The finite-mass correction is larger for light ions and explains the observed gyroBohm reversal for hydrogen plasmas. An implication is that isotope scaling may not be properly described by simplified fluid or bounce-averaged electron equations.The influence of kinetic electrons on the isotope scaling of gyrokinetic turbulent energy flux is assessed. A simple framework is used to study the transition from ion-dominated turbulence regimes to regimes where electron and ion transport levels are comparable. In the ion-dominated regime, the turbulent ion energy flux increases as the ion mass increases, in agreement with simple gyroBohm scaling arguments. Conversely, in the latter regime for which the influence of electrons is significant, a strong reversal of the gyroBohm scaling is observed which cannot be captured by mixing length estimates. In this reversed regime, the turbulent ion energy flux decreases as ion mass increases. The reversal is controlled by the finite electron-to-ion mass-ratio dependence of the nonadiabatic electron response. This mass-ratio dependence is dominated by the parallel motion terms in the electron gyrokinetic equation and provides a correction to the bounce-averaged-electron limit which is independent of the mass ratio...
Fabrication of optical components using a consumer-grade lithographic printer

The ability to 3D print optical elements will greatly expand the accessibility of optical fabrication. Here, we report on two fabrication techniques for plano-convex lens files using a consumer-grade lithographic printer. Lenses were post-processed using a simple spin coating technique with the resin used in the printing process or by curing directly on glass concave lenses. Average RMS roughness values were between 13 and 28 nm and RMS wavefront deviations were between 0.297 and 0.374 wave for spin-coated lenses. The average roughness RMS for the glass-cured lenses was 6 nm and the average form RMS was 0.048 wave.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Applied to the Dorsolateral and Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortices in Smokers Modifies Cognitive Circuits Implicated in the Nicotine Withdrawal Syndrome

Abstract Background The nicotine withdrawal syndrome remains a major impediment to smoking cessation. Cognitive and affective disturbances are associated with altered connectivity within and between the executive control network, default mode network (DMN), and salience network. We hypothesized that functional activity in cognitive control networks, and downstream amygdala circuits, would be modified by application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the left (L) dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC, executive control network) and right (R) ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC, DMN). Methods A total of 15 smokers (7 women) and 28 matched nonsmokers (14 women) participated in a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, exploratory crossover study of 3 tDCS conditions: anodal-(L)dlPFC/cathodal-(R)vmPFC, reversed polarity, and sham. Cognitive tasks probed withdrawal-related constructs (error monitoring, working memory, amygdalar reactivity), while simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging measured brain activity. We assessed tDCS impact on trait (nonsmokers vs. sated smokers) and state (sated vs. abstinent) smoking aspects. Results Single-session, anodal-(L)dlPFC/cathodal-(R)vmPFC tDCS enhanced deactivation of DMN nodes during the working memory task and strengthened anterior cingulate cortex activity during the error-monitoring task. Smokers were more responsive to tDCS-induced DMN deactivation when sated (vs. withdrawn) and displayed greater cingulate activity during error monitoring than nonsmokers. Nicotine withdrawal reduced task engagement and attention and reduced suppression of DMN nodes. Conclusions Cognitive circuit dysregulation associated with nicotine withdrawal may be modifiable by anodal tDCS applied to L-dlPFC and cathodal tDCS applied to R-vmPFC. tDCS may have stronger effects as a complement to existing therapies, such as nicotine replacement, owing to possible enhanced plasticity in the sated state.
Ontology of Consumer Health Vocabulary: providing a formal and interoperable semantic resource for linking lay language and medical terminology

The Consumer Health Vocabulary has been an important contribution to the health informatics field since its introduction in 2006. Many studies have utilized the vocabulary for various scientific research to bridge the gap between consumers and health experts. Given the flat file format of the Consumer Health Vocabulary dataset, we developed a SKOS-based ontology of the dataset. As an ontology, this dataset can be semantically linked to other resources to provide consumer-level meaning. In addition with this artifact, we plan to further expand the terminology.
MVTS-Data Toolkit: A Python package for preprocessing multivariate time series data

Abstract We developed a domain-independent Python package to facilitate the preprocessing routines required in preparation of any multi-class, multivariate time series data. It provides a comprehensive set of 48 statistical features for extracting the important characteristics of time series. The feature extraction process is automated in a sequential and parallel fashion, and is supplemented with an extensive summary report about the data. Using other modules, different data normalization methods and imputation are at users’ disposal. To cater the class-imbalance issue, that is often intrinsic to real-world datasets, a set of generic but user-friendly, sampling methods are also developed.
Adaptive Polynomial Modelling of the Reflectance Map for Shape Estimation from Stereo and Shading

This paper is concerned with estimation of the reflectance map and its use in surface shape estimation by a method that combines stereo and shading information. There are many advantages to the integrated approach. However, shape from shading algorithms are limited in their applicability by ihe assumption of idealized reflectance and lighting models involving many preset or hard to estimate parameters. In this paper, it is shown that the dificulties involved in estimation of the reflectance function and light source distribution can be eliminated through direct estimation of the reflectance map using adapiiue polynomial models. The refleciance map estimate is used wiih a surface esiimaie provided by stereo in an integrated approach to surface shape estimation.