cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absorption of pesticidal carbamates from perfused intestinal loops in conscious swine

Abstract Five carbamate pesticides (carbyne, zectran, baygon, mobam and carbaryl) dissolved in isotonic saline in a concentration of 10 −6 were perfused in sequence through an isolated intestinal loop of a miniature pig. The disappearance half-times were approximately 30 min, although the rate of absorption varied somewhat with the structure of the carbamate. The perfusion system used was constructed entirely of teflon and the results obtained reflected the true intestinal absorption of the carbamates.
Visual identification of an insulinoma using methylene blue

Intravenous infusion of methylene blue stained an insulin-secreting islet cell adenoma a reddish-blue colour. It appears that certain vital dyes localize in pancreatic islet cells.
Timing of elective brain irradiation: a critical factor for brain metastasis-free survival in small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Risk factors for brain metastasis in small cell lung cancer were studied in 260 patients without brain metastasis at presentation who were treated on 5 protocols. The first three protocols offered elective brain irradiation (EBI) to all available patients after 2 or 3 courses of chemotherapy (early EBI), whereas the other two offered it after 5 or 6 courses of chemotherapy (late EBI). The overall incidence of brain metastasis was higher in the late EBI group than in the early EBI group (23.6% vs. 143%, p = 0.08), primarily due to the higher incidence of brain metastasis developing before EBI in the former. There was a higher incidence of brain metastasis in patients without than in patients with bone marrow metastasis (21.4% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.04), in patients less than 60 years old than in patients 60 years or older (23.4% vs. 13A%, p = 0.06), and in patients with than in patients without bone metastasis (30.2% vs. 16.8%, p = 0.07). Major risk factors for short brain metastasis-free survival were bone metastasis ( p = 0.008), late EBI ( p = 0.03), and failure to achieve complete remission after induction chemotherapy ( p = 0.001) or as a best response ( p = 0.0001). The early EBI group had a longer brain metastasis-free survival than the late EBI group, even among patients with bone metastasis ( p = 0.02) or bone marrow metastasis ( p = 0.05) and those who achieved complete remission after induction chemotherapy ( p = 0.06) or as a best response ( p = 0.05). These results indicate that timing of EBI is a critical factor in brain metastasis in patients with small cell lung cancer. There was no difference in overall survival between the two groups, however, even among patients who achieved complete remission as a best response.
Pricing for Coordination in Open–Loop Differential Games

Abstract We provide a method for designing a quadratic pricing scheme to induce a desired local Nash equilibrium in an open-loop differential game with nonlinear dynamics. In addition, we present conditions when the induced equilibrium is a global equilibrium. The results are applied to the problem of inducing network managers to invest in security in a multi-network with an epidemic model of the spread of malware.
Maximum Frequency Indication: Minima Counting Versus Zero-Crossing Counting

Certain Doppler blood flow measurements are well done by extracting the greatest momentarily present frequency; an alternative method involving counting of minima is presented, along with a circuit type that directly produces a volume-indicating integral.
The RETSINA communicator

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Coherent Averaging and Correlation of Anisotropic Spin Interactions in Oriented Molecules

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been widely used to study liquid crystalline phases and molecules dissolved in these oriented phases. However, the observed spectra are complex and difficult to assign. This complexity arises from the existence of unaveraged intramolecular dipolar couplings, D ij , the magnitudes of which exceed typical chemical shift differences, leading to second-order spectra. Also, the spectral complexity increases rapidly with the size of the molecular spin system, or with a lowering of the symmetry. The second-order spectra can be difficult to analyze, but they possess a wealth of information about the structure, conformation, and orientational order of the molecules. Various techniques have been designed to simplify the second-order spectra to facilitate analysis.
Appreciating and Embodying the Dynamics of Large-Scale Systems: Some Examples From the Present and the Past

This article explores the view in which individuals can be seen to appreciate as well as embody the dynamics of large-scale systems. In exploring this model, I draw on 3 relatively straightforward cases in which large-scale dynamical systems can be seen to have functioned so as to afford the individual subsumed by them with an appreciation of the states of dynamical system as well as with an accompaniment of beliefs. Proposed large-scale dynamical systems are mathematically formalized with regard to their operational components, and then the mathematical descriptions of these systems are analyzed. Based on the analyses, it is argued that the dynamical systems are credible and that individuals were likely appreciating as well as embodying aspects of the dynamical systems of which they were a part. Appreciation can be demonstrated by interpreting the actions that were taken by individuals, whereas embodiment can be demonstrated by interpreting the material expressions left behind by the members of the syste...
Do the magnocellular and parvocellular visual pathways contribute differentially to subitizing and counting

We investigated the neurobiologies! basis of visual processes involved in object enumeration. Subitizing, the ability to rapidly and accurately enumerate four or fewer objects, is thought to depend on preattentive processing of visual stimuli, whereas counting of more numerous objects is thought to require serial shifts of attention. We attempted to distinguish between the hypothesis that the magnocellular (M) visual pathway is the preferential route for subitizing, and the alternative hypothesis that there is no selectivity for the M pathway or its counterpart, the parvocellular (P) visual pathway, in visual object enumeration. Green rectangles were presented on an equiluminant red background to impair M pathway processing. This slowed enumeration performance relative to a control condition in which object/background luminance differed, especially when the rectangles were relatively large and widely spaced and had constant retinal eccentricity. When low luminance contrast was used to impair processing along the P pathway, enumeration performance was slowed relative to a high-contrast control condition, especially when the rectangles were small and closely spaced. Overall, our manipulations affected enumeration performance without selectivity for subitizing or counting ranges and without altering the slope of the functions relating reaction time to numerosity. Thus, our results favor the hypothesis that visual enumeration does not depend preferentially on either the M or the P pathway.
Vesicles and Targetoid Lesions in a Postpartum Woman

A woman in her 20s was seen with a widespread, intensely pruritic eruption that had started 4 days postpartum. The patient had had an uneventful pregnancy and did not have pruritus during her third trimester. Her child was born full-term, with no cutaneous lesions. Physical examinationof thepatient revealedanextensive cutaneous eruption involving all 4 extremities andmost of her trunk, including the periumbilical area. There was no involvement of the ocular, oral, or external genitalmucousmembranes.Her skin lesions had multiple morphologies, including polycyclic vesicles overlying erythematous plaques on the lateral chest (Figure, A) and targetoid erythematous plaques with dusky centers on the abdomen (Figure, B). Punch biopsy specimens were obtained from a vesicle and perilesional skin and were submitted for histologic examination with routine hematoxylin-eosin staining (Figure, C) and direct immunofluorescence, respectively. What is your diagnosis?
Teaching two-dimensional array concepts in Java with image processing examples

Two-dimensional arrays (2d-arrays) are fundamental data structures in many software programs and must be mastered by beginning programming students. Teachers of introductory programming are challenged to devise new and interesting exercises for teaching 2d-array concepts. We believe image processing (IP) examples can provide stimulating, challenging, and fun exercises for students. We describe briefly the new Java2 Image I/O API and show how it can be used to read and write images in GIF, JPEG, and PNG formats. We also provide Java code for an Image class that hides the complexity of this API from the student. We conclude with several sample student exercises that can be used to teach 2d-array programming.
Determinants of perceived barriers to condom use among HIV-infected middle-aged and older African-American men.

Title Determinants of perceived barriers to condom use among HIV-infected middle-aged and older African-American men
Identification of Risk Factors for Elevated Transaminases in Methotrexate Users Through an Electronic Health Record

Objective To determine the predictors of elevated transaminases in an incident user cohort of older adult patients with rheumatic diseases receiving methotrexate (MTX) using elements derived from an electronic health record. Methods Using a national, administrative database of patients seen through the Veterans Health Administration that included pharmacy and laboratory data, we performed an observational cohort study of veterans ages ≥65 years who were new users of MTX to identify risk factors for elevated transaminases. Results We studied 659 incident users of MTX. We found a 6% incidence of moderate (≥1.5 × the upper limit of normal) elevations in aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase over a mean followup period of 7 months. We identified predictors of moderate transaminase elevations to include obesity (per body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), total cholesterol >240 mg/dl, pre-MTX liver function test (LFT) elevations, use of biologic agents, and lack of folic acid supplementation. A patient with these characteristics and >3 comorbid conditions would be predicted to have a 90% chance of developing a moderate transaminase elevation in the 7 months after starting MTX. Conclusion Moderate LFT abnormalities were uncommon in the first 7 months of MTX use, but were more likely to occur in patients with obesity, untreated high cholesterol, pre-MTX LFT elevations, biologic agent use, and lack of folic acid supplementation. Future work should aim to develop a robust, automated prediction rule for identifying patients at high risk for MTX-related liver toxicity.
Substructure in dark matter haloes: towards a model of the abundance and spatial distribution of subclumps

I develop a model for the abundance and spatial distribution of dark matter subclumps. The model shows that subclumps of massive parent haloes formed at earlier times than subclumps of the same mass in lower mass parents; equivalently, haloes in dense regions at a given time formed earlier than haloes of the same mass in less dense regions. This may provide the basis for interpreting recent observations which indicate that the stellar populations of the most massive elliptical galaxies are also the oldest, and that star formation rates are lower in dense environments.
p44/p42-MAP kinase expression in papillary thyroid carcinomas

Abstract Background. Recent studies suggest that mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase contributes to the growth and tumorigenesis of human epithelial cancers. Furthermore, blockade of this pathway may inhibit the growth of epithelial cancers. To determine whether MAP kinase is activated in human papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), we analyzed the presence of native MAP kinase (MAPK) and activated phosphorylated MAP kinase (pMAPK) in papillary thyroid cancers and thyroid carcinoma cell lines. Methods. Protein from paired specimens of 10 patients with PTC was analyzed by immunoblot for MAPK and pMAPK. In addition, MAPK protein expression and cell growth were analyzed in 3 thyroid tumor cell lines treated with a mitogen extracellular kinase inhibitor, U0126. Results. All 10 PTCs had equal expression of MAPK in the tumors and adjacent normal tissue. Six of the 10 tumors demonstrated increased expression of the pMAPK in the tumor specimen compared to the adjacent normal tissue. Interestingly, 3 of 4 patients without differential expression had multifocal PTC. The pMAPK was expressed constitutively in 3 thyroid cancer cell lines. The MAPK inhibitor treatment decreased pMAPK expression and decreased serum-induced growth in all 3 cell lines. Conclusions. MAP kinase activation is common in PTCs and may offer a potential target for growth inhibition of PTCs. (Surgery 2001;130:936-40.)
Flame Retardant Finishing of Cotton Fleece Fabric: Part VI. The Combination of a Hydroxyl-Functional Organophosphorus Oligomer and 1,2,3,4-Butanetetracarboxylic Acid

The use of flame retardant finishing becomes necessary for cotton fleece to pass the U.S. government regulation ‘Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles’ (16 CFR 1610). The objective of this research was to reduce the flammability of cotton fleece using a flame retardant finishing system consisting of a hydroxyl-functional organophosphorus oligomer (HFPO) as a flame retardant and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) as a bonding agent. We investigated the role triethanolamine (TEA) played as a reactive additive in the HFPO/BTCA finishing system on cotton fleece. We also applied micro-scale calorimeter (MCC) to study the effectiveness of HFPO and BTCA in reducing the flammability of cotton. BTCA alone was able to reduce the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of cotton as demonstrated by the MCC data. Combining BTCA with HFPO decreased PHRR further and also significantly reduced the decomposition temperature and the temperature at PHRR of cotton. The cotton fleece treated with HFPO/BTCA/TEA passed the federal regulation (16 CFR Part 1610) and achieved ‘Class 1’ flammability. The treated cotton fleece was durable to multiple home laundering cycles. The use of TEA enhanced the performance of HFPO/BTCA and the treatment caused no significant changes in fabric physical properties.
IUGG Quadrennial Report Overview: Solar‐Planetary Relationships: Aeronomy 1979–1982

Aeronomy is the study of the physics and chemistry of the upper atmosphere. The upper atmosphere is usually defined as the region of the atmosphere above the tropopause extending upward to the point where electric and magnetic fields dominate the phenomena rather than the atmospheric atoms and molecules. The lower part of this region, from about 10 to 90 kilometers altitude, has become known as the middle atmosphere. An international program called MAP (Middle Atmosphere Program) is now underway to intensively study this region. Three reviews of work in the middle atmosphere appear in this volume covering the composition, dynamics, and electrodynamics. Susan Solomon's paper, “Minor Constituents in the Stratosphere and Mesosphere,” documents the continued growth in knowledge concerning the composition of the middle atmosphere, the mechanisms which maintain this composition, and its possible response to outside influences. Dennis Hartman's review, “Middle Atmosphere Dynamics,” examines the large-scale dynamics and climatology of the middle atmosphere, particularly pointing out the importance of the introduction of transformed Eulerian mean equations for dynamics and transport and the realization of the importance of gravity waves for the momentum budget of the stratosphere. Michael Kelley's review, “Middle Atmosphere Electrodynamics,” discusses a variety of new techniques that have been used to obtain “existing and controversial” results including large (several volt/meter) fair weather electric fields in the mesosphere.
Lower health literacy predicts smoking relapse among racially/ethnically diverse smokers with low socioeconomic status

Nearly half of U.S. adults have difficulties with health literacy (HL), which is defined as the ability to adequately obtain, process, and understand basic health information. Lower HL is associated with negative health behaviors and poor health outcomes. Racial/ethnic minorities and those with low socioeconomic status (SES) are disproportionately affected by poor HL. They also have higher smoking prevalence and more difficulty quitting smoking. Thus, lower HL may be uniquely associated with poorer cessation outcomes in this population. This study investigated the association between HL and smoking cessation outcomes among 200, low-SES, racially/ethnically diverse smokers enrolled in smoking cessation treatment. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographics (i.e., age, gender, race/ethnicity, relationship status), SES-related characteristics (i.e., education, income), and nicotine dependence were conducted to investigate associations between HL and smoking relapse at the end of treatment (3 weeks post quit day). Results indicated that smokers with lower HL (score of < 64.5 on the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine [REALM]) were significantly more likely than those with higher HL (score of ≥ 64.5 on the REALM) to relapse by the end of treatment, even after controlling for established predictors of cessation including demographics, SES, and nicotine dependence (OR = 3.26; 95% CI = 1.14, 9.26). Findings suggest that lower HL may serve as an independent risk factor for smoking relapse among low-SES, racially/ethnically diverse smokers enrolled in treatment. Future research is needed to investigate longitudinal relations between HL and cessation outcomes and potential mechanisms of this relationship.
Infantile stimulation and ultrasonic signaling: a possible mediator of early handling phenomena.

Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi were either handled or not handled daily during the first 10 days of life. Handling consisted of removing the infant mice from the litter, placing them in small individual compartments where they remained for 3 min, and then replacing them in the nest. Immediately following the handling, simultaneous video and audio recordings were made of nest behavior for two 30-sec recording sessions. The nonhandled controls were treated comparably except that pups were never removed from the nest. Handled litters differed from nonhandled in terms of the average number of signals per recording session (132.5 vs. 16.5), the average signal duration (0.108 sec vs. 0.045 sec), and the average peak frequency of signals (22.216 kHz vs. 11.990 kHz). During those recording sessions in which no vocalizations were detected no physical interaction appeared between the mother and the infants. During all sessions in which vocalizations were emitted the mother was retrieving and grooming the infants. The data suggest a possible interpretation of the effects of early handling in terms of modified mothering, medidiated by modified vocalizations of infant mice as a function of the handling.
Investigating ageing methods of Large Magellanic Cloud star clusters using integrated colours

We present an investigation of 84 star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) galaxy using different broad-band photometric, age-estimation methods. Because of its intermediate distance, the LMC is uniquely positioned to compare its clusters that have previously been aged using both resolved photometry [colour–magnitude diagrams (CMDs)] of the constituent stars and unresolved methods (integrated, broad-band colour photometry). In our comparison between the published CMD ages to three similar, but different methods based on UBV integrated colours, we find poor matches. We attribute this primarily to two things. First, the UBV integrated broad-band ageing methods require matching a cluster with an expected model prediction of the cluster colours as a function of age. The biggest problem we find is that the stellar clusters in our sample do not typically lie on the model line based on their known age and extinction. That is to say, real cluster colours often do not match the model colours and can be found some distance from expected model values. The second issue, which has been previously documented in numerous studies, is the strong degeneracy between age and extinction in the UBV plane. Certainly, providing more photometric bands will reduce degeneracy between age and reddening. Better yet, if extinction can be independently determined, we show that ages from methods based on integrated colours will more closely match those obtained from CMD ages. However, the underlying issue remains. Simple stellar population models often do not accurately represent the colours of real stellar clusters due to the incomplete and stochastic sampling of the stellar mass function in low- and moderate-mass stellar clusters.
BEECLUST swarm algorithm: analysis and implementation using a Markov chain model

In this paper, we analyse a new swarm search algorithm based on the behaviour of social insects, specifically honey bees. The new algorithm, called BEECLUST, is unique because it does not require any bot-bot communication and does not require the bots to know their position. In this paper, we describe the BEECLUST algorithm and model the algorithm using a birth and death Markov chain. From the Markov model, we answer two questions: 1 Will the bots eventually congregate or cluster near the targets maxima in the search space? 2 How long does it take the bots to cluster? We corroborate the time-to-cluster analysis with laboratory measurements. The experimental results were done with epuck robots in two different search spaces. In general, the BEECLUST algorithm shows promise for using very simple bots in swarm search applications if conditions during the search allow for bot-bot collisions near the target.
Effects of imperfect blind channel estimation on performance of linear CDMA receivers

In a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, signal detection under multipath distortion typically requires estimation of unknown channel parameters first. In such a scenario, performance of receivers highly relies on the accuracy of channel estimates. In this paper, effects of channel estimation errors on the performance of linear CDMA receivers due to finite data samples are studied when channel parameters are estimated blindly by a recently proposed covariance-matching technique. Those receivers include zero-forcing (ZF), direct matrix-inversion (DMI) minimum mean-square-error (MMSE), subspace MMSE, and RAKE receivers. Their output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios (SINRs) and bit-error-rates (BERs) are adopted for performance measures. Expressions for performance indicators under such an imperfect condition are derived from a perturbation perspective and verified by simulation examples.
Resonant Lines in Radio Circuits

Resonant transmission lines may be used as circuit elements in the ultra-short wave range as a means of obtaining high impedance with low loss. The lines may be of either concentric tubes or 2 wires, and are sufficiently small that they may be placed within the apparatus. These circuits can be made highly selective, and when used to control oscillator frequency will give stability comparable to that of a crystal. The mathematical relations governing their operation and several applications are discussed in this paper.
Metastatic Tumors and Lymphomas

Metastases from distant organs and direct extension of tumors from adjacent structures are uncommon but important to recognize in fine needle aspiration (FNA) samples of thyroid nodules. In rare cases, a metastasis to the thyroid can even be the initial presentation of a distant malignancy. Tumors of nearby structures that can involve the thyroid include those of the pharynx, larynx, esophagus, mediastinum, and nearby lymph nodes. The most common origins of metastases to the thyroid are cancers of the lung, breast, skin (especially melanoma), colon, and kidney. The incidence varies in surgical vs. autopsy series (2.7–4.0%). Metastases, including micrometastases, are found in up to 10% of cancer necropsies. Metastatic carcinomas characteristically present in one of three patterns; (1) multiple small discrete nodules (less than 2 mm); (2) solitary large nodules; and (3) diffuse involvement. When small nodules are present, neoplastic cells are admixed with indigenous follicular epithelial cells. With large nodules, the malignant cells are not mixed with follicular epithelial cells. With routine and special stains, distinction of metastatic carcinoma from a primary neoplasm of the thyroid is achievable, but, to assist with this, clinicians are expected to supply the history of malignancy on the requisition form.
Occupied and Unoccupied States of Clean Stepped Cu(775) Surfaces

We report angle-resolved photoemission and two-photon photoemission measurements of occupied and unoccupied states of clean stepped Cu(775) surfaces using tunable synchrotron and ultrafast femtosecond laser sources.
Looking Forward: A Simulation of Decision Aids in Tomorrow's Classroom

Although there are many examples of successful application, the introduction of decision aids into the home, school and workplace has frequently failed to produce expected gains. The present study sought to determine if undergraduates could effectively use a decision aid to improve their scores on a multiple-choice test. The design was a 2 (Aid Accuracy: 60%, 80%) × 3 (Trial Type: Aid Given On Request (OR), Aid Given On Every Trial (OET), No Aid Available). Results revealed a statistically significant Aid Accuracy × Trial Type interaction. Providing undergraduates with an aid that whose recommendations were correct on 60% of the trials did not enhance their test scores. However, equipping students with an was 80% accurate increased performance above the no aid condition. More molecular analyses yielded a series of results that further defined the effects of the decision aid on student performance. The most important of these was the discovery of a “mere presence” effect. Thirty 30 of 44 students requested...
Inactivated Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus Vaccine Complexed with Specific Antibody: Enhanced Primary Immune Response and Altered Pattern of Antibody Class Elicited

Complexes of formalinized Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus vaccine and specific IgG formed at antigen-antibody equivalence enhanced the immune responses of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The predomonant class of antibody elicited by complexes was IgG. In contrast, lower titers of antibody and a more biphasic (IgG-IgM) response were observed after exposure of monkeys to the vaccine alone. In comparison to the response of monkeys primed with antigen, a more rapid secondary response was obtained in monkeys primed with the complexes of antigen and antibody formed at equivalence. A sustained level of protection of 88% was afforded mice 24 hr after immunization with antigen-antibody complexes; development of protection after administration of antigen required eight days to reach this level. Passive protection (80%-100%) was conferred by IgG controls for seven to eight days after immunization. This level of protection was not significantly affected by X-irradiation 24 hr prior to administration of IgG; however, protection in mice similarly irradiated prior to immunization with antigen-antibody complexes was significantly decreased. Early protection afforded by the complexes was not nonspecific (interferon) but was mediated by specific immunologic mechanisms and may be caused by an early formation of IgG.
Dynamic Compression System: An Effective Nonoperative Treatment for Pectus Carinatum: A Single Center Experience in Basel, Switzerland.

Background Several nonoperative treatments are currently available for the correction of pectus carinatum (PC). Objective The objective of this study is to report our single center experience with the dynamic compression system (DCS). Materials and Methods The DCS is a rigid aluminum brace. PC is reshaped into a normal appearance through anterior-posterior pressure and lateral expansion of the chest. Patients with chondrogladiolar PC were considered suitable for the nonoperative treatment with DCS. Results In this study, 53 of 68 children (78%) with chondrogladiolar PC were assessed retrospectively: 2 children were corrected by surgery, 12/53 (23%) treated by a conventional orthesis, 11/53 (21%) remained without therapy because of minor PC, and 36/53 (68%) were treated using the DCS. Of these 36 patients, 17 (47%) are already cured with a good (7/17) to excellent (10/17) cosmetic result after a median treatment period of 9 months (range, 2.5-16 months). The mean daily time of wearing of the device for those 17 patients was 9 hours (range, 5-18). None abandoned the treatment and there were almost no complications. Conclusions Lateral expansion of the chest and the possibility to measure the applied pressure seemed to be the key to DCSs success. We propose the DCS as first choice in the treatment of chondrogladiolar PC in children.
HoliCoW: automatically breaking team-based software projects to motivate student testing

Intensive testing is often applied by professional software engineers to assure the quality of enterprise information technology (IT) systems. For example, Netflix’s Simian Army consists of services that generate various types of failures, detect abnormal conditions, and test the ability of cloud-based enterprise IT software to survive them. Although software engineering students should be taught these types of rigorous testing techniques, it is often hard to motivate students to produce high-quality test suites for their assignments since classroom environments lack the harsh outcomes of unexpected system failures. This paper provides two contributions to work on strengthening coding and testing skills of software engineering students by aligning educational environment more closely with real-world industries. First, we describe the Holistic Code-Wrecker (HoliCoW), which is our testing method and tool that simulates production environments through forced logical error injections into student projects. The modified versions are then run against regression tests written by students, and the test results are analyzed to determine the robustness of original software. Second, this paper describes preliminary results from our ongoing experience applying HoliCoW to Software Engineering project courses at Vanderbilt University, where the tool is used to automatically evaluate student software project submissions to determine whether regression tests they define detect errors injected into their code.
Preliminary results for an economic exchange game designed to measure of an aspect of antisocial behavior

Abstract This study provides preliminary evidence for an economic exchange game (Thieves' Game), to measure the effects of a lack of guilt or remorselessness on behavior. The study examined the relationship between performance in the Thieves' Game, antisocial personality traits, and self-report of guilt. The sample was composed of 169 community volunteers. Points stolen in the Thieves' Game, male gender, Machiavellianism, Neuroticism, lower Agreeableness, lower Conscientiousness, and lower concern over harming others, were all found to correlate with antisocial traits. When these significant associations were entered into a hierarchical linear regression, with gender, Machiavellianism, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and concern over harming others entered in the first step and Thieves' Game performance entered in the second step, the Thieves' Game was a significant predicator and was responsible for a statistically significant R-squared change . In a second set of analyses designed to assess the relationship between guilt and stealing behavior in the Thieves' Game, a linear regression using self-report of guilt to predict stealing behavior while controlling for the effects of demographics and personality traits demonstrated that self report of experienced guilt was the only significant predictor of stealing behavior.
Incremental risk factors for spinal cord injury following operation for acute traumatic aortic transection

Of 35 patients operated upon for acute traumatic transection of the upper descending thoracic aorta between 1967 and March 31, 1980, 33 had sufficient information for us to analyze the incidence of spinal cord injury (paraplegia or paresis). This event occurred in eight patients. Multivariate analyses indicated that spinal cord injury was more likely to occur with long aortic cross-clamp times (p = 0.08) when no shunt was employed to perfuse the distal aorta during cross-clamping. The data suggest that if an aortic cross-clamp time exceeding about 30 minutes is anticipated, a shunt should be employed during aortic cross-clamping.
Integrity of laser-based feature extraction and data association

In this paper, a new integrity risk evaluation method is developed and tested for laser and radar-based navigation algorithms using feature extraction (FE) and data association (DA). This work is intended for safety-critical autonomous vehicle navigation. FE and DA are two pre-estimator measurement processing steps that aim at repeatedly and consistently identifying landmarks in the environment. A major risk for safety in FE and DA is caused by incorrect associations (mistaking one landmark for another). To assess this risk, a criterion is first introduced at FE: it establishes the minimum normalized separation between landmarks ensuring that they can be reliably, quantifiably distinguished. Then, an innovation-based DA process is designed, which provides the means to evaluate the probability of incorrect associations while considering all potential measurement permutations. These algorithms are analyzed and tested, showing the impact of incorrect associations on safety risk.
Sensorimotor Rhythm BCI with Simultaneous High Definition-Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Alters Task Performance.

Abstract Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used to alter the excitability of neurons within the cerebral cortex. Improvements in motor learning have been found in multiple studies when tDCS was applied to the motor cortex before or during task learning. The motor cortex is also active during the performance of motor imagination, a cognitive task during which a person imagines, but does not execute, a movement. Motor imagery can be used with noninvasive brain computer interfaces (BCIs) to control virtual objects in up to three dimensions, but to master control of such devices requires long training times. Objective To evaluate the effect of high-definition tDCS on the performance and underlying electrophysiology of motor imagery based BCI. Methods We utilize high-definition tDCS to investigate the effect of stimulation on motor imagery-based BCI performance across and within sessions over multiple training days. Results We report a decreased time-to-hit with anodal stimulation both within and across sessions. We also found differing electrophysiological changes of the stimulated sensorimotor cortex during online BCI task performance for left vs. right trials. Cathodal stimulation led to a decrease in alpha and beta band power during task performance compared to sham stimulation for right hand imagination trials. Conclusion These results suggest that unilateral tDCS over the sensorimotor motor cortex differentially affects cortical areas based on task specific neural activation.
The Bear River's History and Diversion: Constraints, Unsolved Problems, and Implications for the Lake Bonneville Record

Abstract The shifting course of the Bear River has influenced the hydrologic balance of the Bonneville basin through time, including the magnitude of Lake Bonneville. This was first recognized by G.K. Gilbert and addressed in the early work of Robert Bright, who focused on the southeastern Idaho region of Gem Valley and Oneida Narrows. In this chapter, we summarize and evaluate existing knowledge from this region, present updated and new chronostratigraphic evidence for the Bear River's drainage history, and discuss implications for the Bonneville record as well as future research needs. The Bear River in Plio-Pleistocene time joined the Snake River to the north by following the present-day Portneuf or Blackfoot drainages, with it likely joining the Portneuf River by middle Pleistocene time. An episode of volcanism in the Blackfoot-Gem Valley volcanic field, sparsely dated to ~ 100–50 ka, diverted the Bear River southward from where the Alexander shield volcano obstructed the river's path into Gem Valley. Previous chronostratigraphic and isotopic work on the Main Canyon Formation in southern Gem Valley indicates internal-basin sedimentation during the Quaternary, with a possible brief incursion of the Bear River ~ 140 ka. New evidence confirms that the Bear River's final diversion at 60–50 ka led to its integration into the Bonneville basin by spillover at a paleo-divide above present-day Oneida Narrows. This drove rapid incision before the rise of Lake Bonneville into the canyon and southern Gem Valley. Bear River diversion at 60–50 ka coincides with the end of the Cutler Dam lake cycle, at the onset of marine isotope stage 3. The Bear River subsequently contributed to the rise of Lake Bonneville, the highest pluvial lake known in the basin, culminating in the Bonneville flood. Key research questions include the prior path of the upper Bear River, dating and understanding the complex geologic relations within the Gem Valley-Blackfoot volcanic field, resolving evidence for possible earlier incursions of Bear River water into the Bonneville basin, and interpreting the sedimentology of the Main Canyon Formation.
High temporal resolution load variability compared to PV variability

While solar variability has often been quantified and its impact to distribution grids simulated, load variability, especially high-frequency (e.g., 1-second) load variability, has been given less attention. The assumption has often been made that high-frequency load variability is much smaller than PV variability, but with little evidence. Here, we compare load and PV variability using 1-second measurements of each. The impact on voltage regulator tap change operations of using low-resolution (e.g., 15- or 30-minute) interpolated load profiles instead of 1- second is quantified. Our results generally support the assumption that distribution feeder aggregate PV variability is much greater than aggregate load variability.
Attractive and Repulsive Signaling in Nerve Growth Cone Navigation

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes some of the putative signaling pathways that have been shown to participate in growth cone navigation. The function of the nervous system depends on complex and precise connections between nerve cells. The formation of specific connections during development often requires the growing axons to navigate over considerable distances to reach their final target cells. This long-range navigation is achieved by guidance factors within the developing tissue that regulate the motility or directionality of the growing tip of the axon, the growth cone. This chapter illustrates a general scheme of signal transduction cascades from the receptor activation to cytoskeletal rearrangements. Based on this, two types of guidance signals may be distinguished, signals that convey a “stop or go” command regulating growth cone motility, and signals that provide directional instructions to the growing axon, triggering turning responses of the growth cone. Axon guidance factors are multifunctional molecules capable of conferring attractive, repulsive, or stop signals. The precise behavior of a growth cone is determined by the nature of specific receptors and the status of cytoplasmic signal cascades, which are under the influence of a variety of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. An area of interest for future studies is determining the mechanisms that control or modulate the recruitment and activation of these cytoplasmic factors, and that amplify the signals conveyed by the receptors.
Estimulación cognitiva para adultos mayores en situación de pobreza

Pueden realizarse intervenciones educativas de estimulacion cognitiva en adultos mayores con la finalidad de mantenerlos autovalentes por mayor tiempo. En condiciones de alta vulnerabilidad social, los adultos mayores pueden ser objeto de intervenciones simples, pero estimulantes, realizadas por profesionales tecnicos competentes en el area. De este modo, es posible lograr el estimulo mental del adulto mayor. Este logro puede alcanzarse a traves del simple razonamiento matematico acerca de la suma o resta de los insumos que compro para preparar su almuerzo o del ordenamiento y distribucion de sus gastos del mes; en el area de lenguaje, pueden realizarse ejercicios con refranes o aprender el significado de una nueva palabra, lo que permitira al adulto ampliar sus conocimientos. Lo importante es que la entrega de esta informacion sea didactica y acorde con su nivel educacional.
Investigating Clinically and Scientifically Useful Cut Points on the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory.

Abstract Introduction One of the major obstacles to conducting epidemiologic research and determining the incidence and prevalence of compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) has been the lack of relevant empirically derived cut points on the various instruments that have been used to measure the concept. Aim To further develop the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI) through exploring predictive validity and developing an empirically determined and clinically useful cut point for defining CSB. Methods A sample of 242 men who have sex with men was recruited from various sites in a moderate-size Midwestern city. Participants were assigned to a CSB group or a control group using an interview for the diagnosis that was patterned after the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The 22-item CSBI was administered as part of a larger battery of self-report inventories. Main Outcome Measures Receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to compute area-under-the-curve measurements to ascertain the predictive validity of the total scale, the control subscale, and the violence subscale. Cut points were determined through consensus of experts balancing sensitivity and specificity as determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. Results Analyses indicated that the 22-item CSBI was a good predictor of group membership, as was the 13-item control subscale. The violence subscale added little to the predictive accuracy of the instrument; thus, it likely measures something other than CSB. Two relevant cut points were found, one that minimized false negatives and another, more conservative cut point that minimized false positives. Conclusion The CSBI as currently configured measures two different constructions and only the control subscale is helpful in diagnosing CSB. Therefore, we decided to eliminate the violence subscale and move forward with a 13-item scale that we have named the CSBI-13. Two cut points were developed from this revised scale, one that is useful as a clinical screening tool and the other, more conservative measurement that is useful for etiologic and epidemiologic research. Miner MH, Raymond N, Coleman E, Swinburne Romine R. Investigating Clinically and Scientifically Useful Cut Points on the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Inventory. J Sex Med 2017;14:715–720.
Expression and Purification of the Cas10-Csm Complex from Staphylococci

CRISPR-Cas (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated proteins) is a class of prokaryotic immune systems that degrade foreign nucleic acids in a sequence-specific manner. These systems rely upon ribonucleoprotein complexes composed of Cas nucleases and small CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs). Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus are bacterial residents on human skin that are also leading causes of antibiotic resistant infections (Lowy, 1998; National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance, 2004; Otto, 2009). Many staphylococci possess Type III-A CRISPR-Cas systems (Marraffini and Sontheimer, 2008; Cao et al., 2016), which have been shown to prevent plasmid transfer and protect against viral predators (Goldberg et al., 2014; Hatoum-Aslan et al., 2014; Samai et al., 2015) in these organisms. Thus, gaining a mechanistic understanding of these systems in the native staphylococcal background can lead to important insights into the factors that impact the evolution and survival of these pathogens. Type III-A CRISPR-Cas systems encode a five-subunit effector complex called Cas10-Csm (Hatoum-Aslan et al., 2013). Here, we describe a protocol for the expression and purification of Cas10-Csm from its native S. epidermidis background or a heterologous S. aureus background. The method consists of a two-step purification protocol involving Ni2+-affinity chromatography and a DNA affinity biotin pull-down, which together yield a pure preparation of the Cas10-Csm complex. This approach has been used previously to analyze the effects of mutations on Cas10-Csm complex integrity (Hatoum-Aslan et al., 2014), crRNA formation (Hatoum-Aslan et al., 2013), and to detect binding partners that directly interact with the core Cas10-Csm complex (Walker et al., 2016). Importantly, this approach can be easily adapted for use in other Staphylococcus species to probe and understand their native Type III-A CRISPR-Cas systems.
Comparing Policies Across US Drug Markets

In democracies, drug policy is shaped by expectations of problems as well as by public preferences and political realities. As public preferences shift, so too will the systems of control. But systems of control have their own costs. There are the costs of maintaining the regulatory system, the costs of the black markets that emerge in response to the regulation, the costs of criminalizing behavior of otherwise law-abiding citizens, and the costs of forgone liberties. Some markets, such as heroin, are entirely prohibited. In contrast, in states that have legalized recreational marijuana in the United States, the focus is on product safety and reducing problem use and youth access, with targeted regulation and taxation. Some harmful substances are permitted under the ordinary regulations that apply to any sort of commerce (such as sugar) or with special regulation and taxes (such as alcohol). The relative social costs and benefits of systems of control are hard to assess, and these calculations are rarely performed. The challenge is in designing a system that does less harm than the harmful behavior it targets.