cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Public management in the shadow of the constitution

An unresolved issue in American constitutional governance is the role of public officials in a Madisonian scheme of separated institutions sharing power. Proposed answers range from broad delegation with reliance on expertise and professionalism to minimal delegation with formal checks on official discretion. In between are various pragmatic or realist views that accept discretion as both necessary and inevitable and offer normative principles of administrative conduct to guard against official abuse of power. None of these answers, however, satisfies criteria of constitutional legitimacy. The authors argue that such criteria can be derived by combining insights from traditional, normative literatures of public administration and from positive political theory and political economics. If the role of public managers is defined as maintaining a credible commitment to performing their duties pursuant to a precept of managerial responsibility that incorporates accountability, judgment, balance, and rationalit...
New Social Movements and their Implications for Adult Education

The purpose of this article is to show how adult education is linked to the emerging crisis of modernity; in fact, education has been conceived from its very beginning as part of the project of modernity. If adult education follows the same paths as traditional education, it will end up, like modernity, in crisis too. A sign of this crisis in our field is the increasing split between vocational training and personal development. I will develop my argument by using the example of the so-called “new movements”: new movements herald a cultural transformation, where the individual becomes increasingly a central focus and where social transformation will occur through the transformation of the person. It is argued that adult education will develop its full potential only once it has admitted that it is, as a discipline, another expression of the same cultural transformation the new movements foreshadow.
A FUNCTIONAL AND ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE EXCRETION OF HEMOGLOBIN BY THE KIDNEY

1. The anatomical and functional findings in hemoglobin excretion are best explained by the assumption of a filtration of this substance through the glomerulus and an additional excretion of it by the tubule cells. 2. Absorption of water aids in the concentrating process, and is most marked in the collecting tubules.
Perceptual learning in detoxified alcoholic men: contributions from explicit memory, executive function, and age.

Background: Visuospatial and visuoperceptual deficits have consistently been observed in detoxified alcoholics; however, the severity of impairment varies with test and task type. Identifying the component processes and factors that underlie a particular deficit may reveal why some visuospatial and visuoperceptual tasks are more compromised than others and may lead to the specification of neural systems that are particularly vulnerable in alcoholism. Methods: We examined visuoperception and perceptual learning with a picture fragment identification task in 51 recently detoxified nonamnesic alcoholic men (aged 29–66 years) compared with 63 normal control men (aged 21–70 years). Executive function and explicit declarative memory were also assessed. Results: Despite deficits in the primary components of visuoperception and explicit memory for visuospatial stimuli, the alcoholics showed normal perceptual learning. Although the alcoholics and controls performed at comparable levels on the perceptual learning task, multiple regression analyses indicated that the factors accounting for perceptual learning variance differed between and within groups. Visuoperceptual abilities consistently predicted perceptual learning in the control subjects but not the alcoholic subjects. Explicit memory contributed to perceptual learning performance in both the alcoholic and control groups. Frontal executive ability consistently predicted perceptual learning in the alcoholic subjects, but it had predictive ability only in the control subjects as time elapsed. Age was significantly correlated with perceptual learning performance in both groups. Lifetime alcohol consumption, but not alcoholism duration, was an independent predictor of 1-hr perceptual learning. Conclusions: These correlational analyses suggest that controls invoke basic visuospatial processes to perform a perceptual learning task, whereas alcoholics invoke higher-order cognitive processes (i.e., frontal executive systems) to perform the same task at normal levels. Use of more demanding cognitive systems by the alcoholics may be less efficient and more costly to processing capacity than those invoked by controls.
TENTS AND HAREMS : APPARENT DEFENCE OF FOLIAGE ROOSTS BY TENT-MAKING BATS

Palmate umbrella tents used by tent-making bats in Trinidad, West Indies, were observed in three species of Neotropical palms, Sabal mauritiiformis, Coccothrinax barbadensis and Mauritia flexuosa. Tents were most common in palm leaves that have supporting petioles angled at 50–70° above the horizontal. The shape and volume of tents is influenced mostly by leaf morphology (leaf width and leaflet length) and age of the tent. Tent-crowns varied from being heart-shaped in S. mauritiiformis, oval or round in C. barbadensis and spade-shaped in M. flexuosa. Leaves in which tents were constructed were most often beneath overhanging vegetation, and were generally free of vegetation below, allowing bats to enter and depart from tents without being impeded by the clutter of adjacent vegetation.Singles and small apparent harem groups of two bat species, Artibeus jamaicensis and Uroderma bilobatum, were captured and observed in tents made from the leaves of S. mauritiiformis and C. barbadensis. No bats were observed in tents constructed in leaves of M. flexuosa. The apparent harem social organization in these and other tent-making bat species suggests that leaves modified into tents may provide critical and defendable resources that promote the evolution of polygyny. This hypothesis is based on the observed patchy distribution of suitable palm trees, the inappropriateness of many palm leaves as potential tents and the resultant architecture provided by palmate umbrella tents. We suggest that tent-making is an adult male behaviour.
Interdependence, social motives, and outcome satisfaction in multiparty negotiation

What makes negotiators satisfied with their outcomes? In this study, we examined whether interpersonal interdependence, in the context of multi-party multi-issue negotiation, affected negotiators' satisfaction with their individual and group outcomes. We integrated principles from interdependence, social comparison, and social value theories to generate hypotheses about the social-evaluative nature of satisfaction with negotiation outcomes. Controlling for differences in quality of individual outcomes, we found a positive association between satisfaction and individual outcome and a negative association between satisfaction and group outcome. Relative to those with prosocial social value orientation, negotiators with an individualistic social value orientation were less satisfied with the group outcome, regardless of induced motivational orientation. Neither motivational orientation nor an interaction between motivational orientation and social value orientation were related to satisfaction. We discuss the implications of our results for research on interdependence processes in negotiations and the role of social motives. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The travelling salesman problem and the Hopfield neural network

The author outlines a simple method of defining and implementing the traveling salesman problem (TSP) by using a Hopfield neural network. The pitfalls and problems encountered during implementation are explained. It is concluded that optimization problems such as the TSP can be better solved by using the Hopfield network than by a computer intensive search of all possible solutions to the problem. By a proper choice of network parameters it is possible to ensure valid solutions to the problem. An illustrative four-city example effectively points out the practical considerations required for a novice in this area to implement this problem successfully. For the example, the solutions obtained for random, normalized intercity distances were always valid. In addition, 90% of the results were optimal solutions. The rest of the results were usually the second best path for the tour. >
Locating the faulty component in a malfunctioning repetitive operation

When the output of a repetitive operation is nonconforming, it is desirable to use a method that can locate the particular component that caused the nonconforming output. To minimize the probability of a wrong decision, a Bayes decision approach is used to develop a criterion for locating the source. The criterion is the ratio of the posterior and prior probability values of the parameters associated with each component when parameters assume values within their tolerance ranges. This criterion provides an ordering of inspection of the components of the process and locates the most likely malfunctioning component. It can be applied to an existing faulty model whose parameters can have been determined in an arbitrary way (physical principles, brainstorming, etc.). The criterion can be used in conjunction with expert opinion to improve decision accuracy. It is particularly suitable when there is little information about the performance of the components of an operating process. Supporting examples are provided. >
An improved method for propagating oligodendrocyte progenitors in vitro

Many investigators studying oligodendrocytes in vitro have sought out cell lines because it has been difficult to obtain sufficient numbers of primary oligodendrocytes for study. This paper describes three methodological improvements that facilitate culturing oligodendrocytes. We show that by detaching progenitor cells using papain instead of trypsin the total yield of oligodendrocyte progenitors can be doubled. We also show that papain can be used to subculture differentiated oligodendrocytes. Finally we report that primary O-2A progenitors can be cryo-preserved, reducing the demand upon laboratory personnel to produce and propagate them.
Learning and Teaching College Algebra at University level: Challenges and Opportunities: A Case Study of USIU

This study sets out to establish the reasons why many students had difficulty in solving mathematical problems. Questionnaires distributed to six hundred and fifty students undertaking College Algebra over a period of three semesters of my teaching College Algebra at USIU in 2007 yielded responses which confirmed that indeed most of the students had difficulty in mathematics and gave varied reasons why this was the case. Lack of persistence, determination and confidence in oneself were some of the reasons established as the main obstacles that hinder most students from enjoying an otherwise exciting and interesting course. Further analysis of the performance of every student right from his/her final mathematics results at school upto his/her final mathematics examination results at the Fall 2007 in College Algebra gave additional reasons, stated else where in this study, for their poor performance in College Algebra. Key words : Mathematics, college algebra, confidence, persistence, determination, performance.
Hypoxic and hypercapnic drives to breathe generate equivalent levels of air hunger in humans.

Anecdotal observations suggest that hypoxia does not elicit dyspnea. An opposing view is that any stimulus to medullary respiratory centers generates dyspnea via “corollary discharge” to higher cen...
The Murder of Police Officers in American Cities

The rates at which police officers were murdered in American cities were calculated. City characteristics and police department characteristics were correlated with these rates, and a number of significant correlates were identified. City characteristics were more often associated with the police officer murder rate than were police department characteristics. Various multiple correlational techniques accounted for between 32% and 74% of the variation in the rates at which police officers were murdered.
Broadband digital optical switches based on a SOI Mach-Zehnder lattice

A broadband, low-power optical switch is a key element for circuit-switched on-chip optical networks. We present a novel switch design based on a Mach-Zehnder lattice in SOI, featuring digital, broadband switching, low cross talk, and low insertion loss.
New Child-Caregiver Attachment Relationships: Entering Childcare when the Caregiver Is and Is Not an Ethnic Match.

The goal of the research reported in this article was to examine the process of forming attachment to caregivers in children new to childcare. We examined child and adult behaviors and the adult's perception of the child at entry, and the ethnic/racial match between the child and caregiver as predictors of attachment relationship quality measured six months later. Adult perceptions of the child did not predict attachment security. Children who did not share an ethnic heritage with their caregiver and had conflictual interactions with her at entry or at Time 2 had the lowest attachment security at Time 2. Children who shared an ethnic heritage with their caregivers and either did or did not engage in conflictual interaction and children who did not share an ethnic heritage and had low conflict at entry and at Time 2 were similar in security.
Processes Linking Work and Family: A Critical Review and Research Agenda

This paper critically reviews the theoreticalframeworks currently used to explain the processes through which work and family are linked, i.e., segmentation, compensation, and spillover. In the literature, these processes are treated as competing explanations, even though evidence and logic suggests that all three operate to link work and family. Moreover, it is likely that other processes also link the two. Most notably, workers may limit their involvement in work, or in family life, so that they can better accommodate the demands of the other. Clarified causal models and suggestions for advancing knowledge in this area are presented and discussed. It is argued that a fuller understanding of the processes linking work and family life is necessary to adequately evaluate the effectiveness of the family supportive policies currently being implemented by many U.S. firms, as well as to identify additional strategies for helping workers find satisfaction in both their work and personal roles.
Rat whisker motor cortex is subdivided into sensory-input and motor-output areas

Rodent whisking is an exploratory behavior that can be modified by sensory feedback. Consistent with this, many whisker-sensitive cortical regions project to agranular motor (MI) cortex, but the relative topography of these afferent projections has not been established. Intracranial microstimulation (ICMS) evokes whisker movements that are used to map the functional organization of MI, but no study has compared the whisker-related inputs to MI with the ICMS sites that evoke whisker movements. To elucidate this relationship, anterograde tracers were placed in posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and in the primary (SI) and secondary (SII) somatosensory cortical areas so that their labeled projections to MI could be analyzed with respect to ICMS sites that evoke whisker movements. Projections from SI and SII terminate in a narrow zone that marks the transition between the medial (AGm) and lateral agranular (AGl) cortical areas, but PPC projects more medially and terminates in AGm proper. Paired recordings of MI neurons indicate that the region between AGm and AGl is highly responsive to whisker deflections, but neurons in AGm display negligible responses to whisker stimulation. By contrast, AGm microstimulation is more effective in evoking whisker movements than microstimulation of the transitional region between AGm and AGl. The AGm region was also found to contain a larger concentration of corticotectal neurons, which could convey whisker-related information to the facial nucleus. These results indicate that rat whisker motor cortex is comprised of at least two functionally distinct subregions: a sensory processing zone in the transitional region between AGm and AGl, and a motor output region located more medially in AGm proper.
The control of large-scale nonlinear econometric systems

After pointing out the special characteristics of existing econometric models which form the basis of the application of optimal control techniques for macroeconomic policy analysis and formulation, this paper surveys the use of econometric models for the projection of the economic consequences of alternative policies and the formulation of optimal policies. It presents both the theory and the computational aspects of a particular approach of applying feedback control to study policy options using large-scale nonlinear systems of simultaneous econometric equations. It then illustrates this approach by solving an optimal control problem using the Michigan Quarterly Econometric Model Some topics of further research are suggested in the conclusion.
Introduction to the Special Section on the 32nd Annual IEEE Compound Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Symposium

The four papers in this special section were originally presented at the 2010 Compound Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Symposium, held in Monterey. California, October 3-6, 2010.
Poecilogony as a tool for understanding speciation: Early development of Streblospio benedicti and Streblospio gynobranchiata (Polychaeta:Spionidae)

Summary The marine spionid polychaete, Streblospio benedicti, is poecilogonous, a single species that produces two different larval types, obligate planktotrophic and facultative planktotrophic. This study compares the early cleavage of both forms of S. benedicti to that of a recently described (Rice and Levin 1998), closely related species, Streblospio gynobranchiata, which exhibits obligate planktotrophic development. Embryos were evaluated for blastomere and polar lobe size and the rate of the first four cleavages. All three Streblospio populations possessed large polar lobes and the 2d cell was equal to if not larger than the 2D cell; thus, these cleavage traits are likely selectively conserved because of their functional importance. Although there were significant differences between S. benedicti obligate planktotrophs and facultative planktotrophs, the S. benedicti and S. gynobranchiata obligate planktotrophic populations were identical in all respects. For example, embryos of both obligate planktot...
The AtGRF family of putative transcription factors is involved in leaf and cotyledon growth in Arabidopsis

Summary Previously, we identified a novel rice gene, GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR1 (OsGRF1), which encodes a putative transcription factor that appears to play a regulatory role in stem elongation. We now describe the GRF gene family of Arabidopsis thaliana (AtGRF), which comprises nine members. The deduced AtGRF proteins contain the same characteristic regions—the QLQ (Gln, Leu, Gln) and WRC (Trp, Arg, Cys) domains—as do OsGRF1 and related proteins in rice, as well as features indicating a function in transcriptional regulation. Most of the AtGRF genes are strongly expressed in actively growing and developing tissues, such as shoot tips, flower buds, and roots, but weakly in mature stem and leaf tissues. Overexpression of AtGRF1 and AtGRF2 resulted in larger leaves and cotyledons, as well as in delayed bolting of the inflorescence stem when compared to wild-type plants. In contrast, triple insertional null mutants of AtGRF1–AtGRF3 had smaller leaves and cotyledons, whereas single mutants displayed no changes in phenotype and double mutants displayed only minor ones. The alteration of leaf growth in overexpressors and triple mutants was based on an increase or decrease in cell size, respectively. These results indicate that AtGRF proteins play a role in the regulation of cell expansion in leaf and cotyledon tissues.
Constrained peptides: models of bioactive peptides and protein substructures.

PERSPECTIVES AND SUMMARy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 387 Scope of the Review. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389 Conformational Analysis of Constrained Peptides. . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 390 TYPES OF CONSTRAINTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391 Local Cons traints . ........ . . . 392 Global Constraints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394 BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE PEPTIDES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395 Gonadotropin·Releasing Hormone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397 a·Melanotropin. .... . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 Oxytocin and Vasopressin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 Tachy kinins . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . '" 402 MIMICS OF PIECES OF PROTEINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403 {3 Turns . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404 f3 Shee ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407 Cl Helices.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408 Larger Domains . Active Site Models. and Entire Proteins... . . . ..... . . . .... . . . ... . . . . ... 4 1 1
Sexual Ethics in the Roman Catholic Tradition

The Roman Catholic tradition in sexual ethics and sexual understanding has had a long history and a great influence on people and attitudes both within and outside the Roman Catholic Church down to the present day. However, at the present time the Catholic tradition and teaching are being questioned by many Catholics themselves.
Visualizing Lives: New Pathways for Analyzing Life Course Trajectories

The goal of statistical analysis is to find patterns in data. Most statistical methods rely on analyzing the effect of the same set of variables on the population under study, i.e., nomothetic analysis. Therefore, when data are collected in the social sciences, most often they are put in a framework that resembles a spreadsheet: each row represents a separate individual, and each column represents a separate characteristic (or variable) that pertains to that individual.
But You Don’t Look Like A Scientist!: Women Scientists with Feminine Appearance are Deemed Less Likely to be Scientists

Two studies examined whether subtle variations in feminine appearance erroneously convey a woman’s likelihood of being a scientist. Eighty photos (half women) of tenured/tenure-track science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) faculty at elite research universities were selected from the Internet. Participants, naive to the targets’ occupations, rated the photos on femininity and likelihood of being a scientist and an early childhood educator. Linear mixed model analysis treated both participants and stimuli as random factors, enabling generalization to other samples of participants and other samples of stimuli. Feminine appearance affected career judgments for female scientists (with increasing femininity decreasing the perceived likelihood of being a scientist and increasing the perceived likelihood of being an early childhood educator), but had no effect on judgments of male scientists. Study 2 replicated these findings with several key procedural modifications: the presentation of the stimuli was manipulated to either be blocked by gender or completely randomized, questions pertaining to the stimuli’s appearance were removed, and a third career judgment likelihood rating was added to avoid tradeoffs between scientist and early childhood educator. In both studies, results suggest that for women pursuing STEM, feminine appearance may erroneously signal that they are not well suited for science.
Principal Component Analysis of Diffusion Tensor Images to Determine White Matter Injury Patterns Underlying Postconcussive Headache

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Principal component analysis, a data-reduction algorithm, generates a set of principal components that are independent, linear combinations of the original dataset. Our study sought to use principal component analysis of fractional anisotropy maps to identify white matter injury patterns that correlate with posttraumatic headache after mild traumatic brain injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging and neurocognitive testing with the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test were performed in 40 patients with mild traumatic brain injury and 24 without posttraumatic headache. Principal component analysis of coregistered fractional anisotropy maps was performed. Regression analysis of the major principal components was used to identify those correlated with posttraumatic headache. Finally, each principal component that correlated with posttraumatic headache was screened against other postconcussive symptoms and demographic factors. RESULTS: Principal component 4 (mean, 7.1 ± 10.3) correlated with the presence of posttraumatic headache in mild traumatic brain injury (odds ratio per SD, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.29–4.67; P = .01). Decreasing principal component 4 corresponded with decreased fractional anisotropy in the midsplenium and increased fractional anisotropy in the genu of the corpus callosum. Principal component 4 identified patients with posttraumatic headache with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.73 and uniquely correlated with posttraumatic headache and no other postconcussive symptom or demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Principal component analysis can be an effective data-mining method to identify white matter injury patterns on DTI that correlate with clinically relevant symptoms in mild traumatic brain injury. A pattern of reduced fractional anisotropy in the splenium and increased fractional anisotropy in the genu of the corpus callosum identified by principal component analysis can help identify patients at risk for posttraumatic headache after mild traumatic brain injury.
Fin1-PP1 helps clear spindle assembly checkpoint protein Bub1 from kinetochores in anaphase

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) monitors chromosome attachment defects, and the assembly of SAC proteins at kinetochores is essential for its activation, but the SAC disassembly process remains unknown. We found that deletion of a 14-3-3 protein, Bmh1, or hyperactivation of Cdc14 early anaphase release (FEAR) allows premature SAC silencing in budding yeast, which depends on a kinetochore protein Fin1 that forms a complex with protein phosphatase PP1. Previous works suggest that FEAR-dependent Fin1 dephosphorylation promotes Bmh1-Fin1 dissociation, which enables kinetochore recruitment of Fin1-PP1. We found persistent kinetochore association of SAC protein Bub1 in fin1Δ mutants after anaphase entry. Therefore, we revealed a mechanism that clears SAC proteins from kinetochores. After anaphase entry, FEAR activation promotes kinetochore enrichment of Fin1-PP1, resulting in SAC disassembly at kinetochores. This mechanism is required for efficient SAC silencing after SAC is challenged, and untimely Fin1-kinetochore association causes premature SAC silencing and chromosome missegregation.
Transport and channel functions in EAATs: the missing link.

Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters (EAATs) are integral membrane proteins that subserve multiple functions during neurotransmission. They are secondary-active transporters that catalyze the movemen...
Traubella, a new genus of flea (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae)

The flea Amphipsylla neotomae I. Fox, 1940 was described from the Desert Wood Rat, Neotoma lepida , taken southern California in March of 1934 by H. S. Gentry. This species is referable to the family Ceratophyllidae, rather than to the family Leptopsyllidae to which the genus Amphipsylla belongs. A new genus, Traubella , is erected for neotomae , and species is redescribed.
Prolongation of Skin Homograft Survival in Rabbits by 6-Mercaptopurine.

Summary6-MP, a powerful metabolic antagonist to nucleic acid synthesis, prolongs survival time of skin homografts in rabbits when administered after grafting. Treatment must be given continuously to maintain graft viability. However, toxicity of 6-MP limits the length of time treatment may be given.
Quantum Dots for GaAs-Based Long Wavelength Edge-Emitting and Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers

InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) are very promising for extending the lasing wavelength of GaAs-based devices, including vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), edge-emitting lasers, and microcavity light emitting diodes, into the 1.0 µm to 1.3 µm wavelength range.
Exploring GPU Acceleration of Apache Spark

Apache Spark is one of the most active open-source cluster computing frameworks. However, there has been very limited research on improving Spark performance using GPUs. This paper explores the feasibility and benefits of offloading Spark core operations to GPUs. Experimental results from popular Spark applications show a performance improvement of up to 17X for a K-Means Clustering application. The results are used to suggest the type of applications that will benefit the most from offloading Spark workloads to GPUs.
Relationship between periodontitis and lifestyle and health status

The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between periodontitis and lifestyle and health status. The subjects were 349 male workers aged on 40s and 50s, who had been working on the development and manufacture of computers. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the existence of periodontitis was associated positively with age, the Brinkman index, systolic blood pressure, number of white blood cells, feeling of irritation, and negatively with the use of interdental cleaners. It is therefore important to practice more active oral health promotion in cooperation with the medical staff concerned, as a part of THP (Total Health Promotion) in the workplace.
Examining the occurrence of mammal species in natural areas within a rapidly urbanizing region of Texas, USA

Abstract In much of the United States and elsewhere, urbanization continues to transform landscapes. In central Texas, anthropogenic conversion of land is due in part to a rapidly growing population in the Austin and San Antonio metro areas and the subsequent infrastructure and resources needed to support that growth. Protected natural areas adjacent to urbanized landscapes are often intended to mitigate the impact of land development by serving as wildlife habitat. To maximize the potential of this habitat, we must assess how urbanization influences the occurrence of species in these natural areas (e.g., parks, greenspaces, preserves). We used motion-activated cameras to survey 72 sites (points) across six different regions throughout the urban corridor from San Antonio to Austin. Using occupancy modeling, we examined the influence of ten different urbanization factors (model covariates) on the occurrence of a variety of medium-sized mammal species. Generalist species, such as raccoons and opossums, had an increased probability of occurrence at sites with greater urban influence and were most likely to occur in smaller more urbanized study areas. Ringtails and grey foxes appeared to be unaffected by urbanization and were equally likely to occur across all sites. None of the other examined species were found to have a conclusively positive or negative response to urbanization. Knowledge of the effect of urbanization on wildlife will be important in evaluating current preserves as well as planning future preserves. Our study suggests that natural areas within urbanizing landscapes can be effective in providing habitat for some wildlife species.
Short Palate, Lung, and Nasal Epithelial Clone 1 Has Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities against the Burkholderia cepacia Complex

The opportunistic bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are extremely pathogenic to cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and acquisition of Bcc bacteria is associated with a significant increase in mortality. Treatment of Bcc infections is difficult because the bacteria are multidrug resistant and able to survive in biofilms. Short palate, lung, and nasal epithelial clone 1 (SPLUNC1) is an innate defense protein that is secreted by the upper airways and pharynx. While SPLUNC1 is known to have antimicrobial functions, its effects on Bcc strains are unclear. We therefore tested the hypothesis that SPLUNC1 is able to impair Bcc growth and biofilm formation. We found that SPLUNC1 exerted bacteriostatic effects against several Bcc clinical isolates, including B. cenocepacia strain J2315 (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 0.28 μM), and reduced biofilm formation and attachment (IC50 = 0.11 μM). We then determined which domains of SPLUNC1 are responsible for its antimicrobial activity. Deletions of SPLUNC1's N terminus and α6 helix did not affect its function. However, deletion of the α4 helix attenuated antimicrobial activity, while the corresponding α4 peptide displayed antimicrobial activity. Chronic neutrophilia is a hallmark of CF lung disease, and neutrophil elastase (NE) cleaves SPLUNC1. However, we found that the ability of SPLUNC1 to disrupt biofilm formation was significantly potentiated by NE pretreatment. While the impact of CF on SPLUNC1-Bcc interactions is not currently known, our data suggest that understanding this interaction may have important implications for CF lung disease.
Converting purchase commitments into purchase fulfillments: An examination of salesperson characteristics and influence tactics

Abstract This study explores the roles that salesperson characteristics and influence tactics play in converting customer commitments to sales fulfillments. A sample of 258 salesperson-customer interactions revealed that, by offering recommendations and exchanging information with customers, salespeople can increase the propensity for fulfillment of customers' purchase commitments. Conversely, it was discovered that salespeople fail to convert commitments into fulfillments when they utilize threats, promises, ingratiation, or inspirational tactics. Additionally, long-term orientation, customer orientation, and adaptive selling behaviors were not found to have an impact on the commitment-fulfillment relationship.
DREAM plays an important role in platelet activation and thrombogenesis

Downstream regulatory element antagonist modulator (DREAM), a transcriptional repressor, is known to modulate pain responses. However, it is unknown whether DREAM is expressed in anucleate platelets and plays a role in thrombogenesis. By using intravital microscopy with DREAM-null mice and their bone marrow chimeras, we demonstrated that both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell DREAMs are required for platelet thrombus formation following laser-induced arteriolar injury. In a FeCl3-induced thrombosis model, we found that compared with wild-type (WT) control and nonhematopoietic DREAM knockout (KO) mice, DREAM KO control and hematopoietic DREAM KO mice showed a significant delay in time to occlusion. Tail bleeding time was prolonged in DREAM KO control mice, but not in WT or DREAM bone marrow chimeric mice. In vivo adoptive transfer experiments further indicated the importance of platelet DREAM in thrombogenesis. We found that DREAM deletion does not alter the ultrastructural features of platelets but significantly impairs platelet aggregation and adenosine triphosphate secretion induced by numerous agonists (collagen-related peptide, adenosine 5′-diphosphate, A23187, thrombin, or U46619). Biochemical studies revealed that platelet DREAM positively regulates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity during platelet activation. Using DREAM-null platelets and PI3K isoform-specific inhibitors, we observed that platelet DREAM is important for α-granule secretion, Ca2+ mobilization, and aggregation through PI3K class Iβ (PI3K-Iβ). Genetic and pharmacological studies in human megakaryoblastic MEG-01 cells showed that DREAM is important for A23187-induced Ca2+ mobilization and its regulatory function requires Ca2+ binding and PI3K-Iβ activation. These results suggest that platelet DREAM regulates PI3K-Iβ activity and plays an important role during thrombus formation.
Quantitative Trait Loci That Regulate Susceptibility to Both Butylated Hydroxytoluene-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation and Lung Tumor Promotion in CXB Recombinant Inbred Mice

2002;121;82S Chest Kleeberger Al Malkinson, Richard Radcliffe, Alison Bauer, Lori Dwyer-Nield and Steven * CXB Recombinant Inbred Mice Inflammation and Lung Tumor Promotion in Hydroxytoluene-Induced Pulmonary Susceptibility to Both Butylated Quantitative Trait Loci That Regulate http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/121/3_suppl/82S.1.full.html can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services ) ISSN:0012-3692 http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( distributed without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved. No part of this article or PDF may be reproduced or College of Chest Physicians, 3300 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. has been published monthly since 1935. Copyright2002by the American is the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. It Chest
Status of PBFA II for Inertial Confinement Fusion with light ions

The Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator II (PBFA II) is being constructed at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) with initial operation scheduled for January 1986. PBFA II is the only facility currentl...
Porous Carbons for Hydrogen Storage

Porous carbon-based materials are promising candidates as adsorbents to increase the gravimetric and volumetric uptake of hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures and moderate pressures. In most cases, this uptake increases linearly with surface area, but strategies to increase uptake beyond that predicted by this “chahine rule,” to increase surface area, and to otherwise improve these materials are discussed.
Shape memory polyurethanes with oxidation-induced degradation: In vivo and in vitro correlations for endovascular material applications.

The synthesis of thermoset shape memory polymer (SMP) polyurethanes from symmetric, aliphatic alcohols and diisocyanates has previously demonstrated excellent biocompatibility in short term in vitro and in vivo studies, although long term stability has not been investigated. Here we demonstrate that while rapid oxidation occurs in these thermoset SMPs, facilitated by the incorporation of multi-functional, branching amino groups, byproduct analysis does not indicate toxicological concern for these materials. Through complex multi-step chemical reactions, chain scission begins from the amines in the monomeric repeat units, and results, ultimately, in the formation of carboxylic acids, secondary and primary amines; the degradation rate and product concentrations were confirmed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, in model compound studies, yielding a previously unexamined degradation mechanism for these biomaterials. The rate of degradation is dependent on the hydrogen peroxide concentration, and comparison of explanted samples reveals a much slower rate in vivo compared to the widely accepted literature in vitro real-time equivalent of 3% H2O2. Cytotoxicity studies of the material surface, and examination of the degradation product accumulations, indicate that degradation has negligible impact on cytotoxicity of these materials.
Changes and Drivers in Contemporary Terrorism

Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, terrorist tactics have evolved by adapting to geopolitical changes, embracing new technologies, and shifting targets in response to counterterrorism efforts. T...
Prevalence, Attitudes, Risk Factors, and Selected Health-Related Outcomes Associated with Spousal Physical Violence During Pregnancy in Egypt

Violence against women is often referred to as gender-based based violence because of its association with the subordinate status of women in many societies. It includes intimate partner violence (IPV), a term often used interchangeably with spousal violence. This may comprise physical violence, the most common form of IPV, as well as sexual, emotional and financial abuse. Husbands are more often the perpetrators and women bear the heavy burden of such abuse. IPV is a serious, costly and widespread problem. It has multiple adverse physical, mental and social impacts for women, children and families, communities and societies (Campbell 2002; Coker et al. 2000, 2002; Ellsberg et al. 2008; Garcia-Moreno et al. 2006; Watts and Zimmerman 2002). The reproductive health consequences may often include unintended pregnancies and poor pregnancy outcomes, as well as more hospitalizations, greater use of outpatient care for acute problems, and less preventive care (Cronholm et al. 2011). Physical violence has also been associated with a range of common gynecological disorders such as fibroids, decreased libido, chronic pelvic pain, pain on intercourse, urinary tract, vaginal, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Letourneau et al. 1999).
Accelerating demand for residential solar photovoltaics: Can simple framing strategies increase consumer interest?

Abstract Household adoption of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies has the potential to significantly reduce emissions from electricity generation. High upfront costs, however, are often a barrier to adoption, even when costs may be offset by future energy savings. Through a series of randomized experiments, we examine whether framing strategies grounded in behavioral economics and psychology can be used to increase the financial appeal of such products. Using mock ads for residential solar photovoltaics (PV), we test four frames: gain/loss framing, temporal framing, varied savings amounts, and simple vs. detailed savings calculations. Overall, we find that reframing the financial benefits of PV does not greatly influence the appeal of solar or the likelihood to respond to the mock ads. Instead, underlying consumer motivations and predispositions (i.e., perceived social support, consumer innovativeness, and personal pro-environmental norms) are the primary factors driving interest in adopting solar. Our findings suggest that tailoring messages to targeted consumer segments may be more effective than attempts to market the financial benefits of PV to broad audiences. The results also contribute to behavioral economics and psychology research by identifying contexts under which the gain/loss framing bias and the present/future framing bias may not apply.
Credibility and the Distribution of Epistemic Goods

What is the norm governing our credibility assessments of others? According to Miranda Fricker, the answer is “obvious”: we should match the level of credibility attributed to others to the evidence that they are offering the truth. In this paper, I will show that this evidentialist norm of credibility assessments is seriously wanting. In particular, I will identify and develop two kinds of testimonial injustice, which I call distributive and normative, and argue that this norm is fundamentally incapable of ruling them out. Finally, I will develop and defend an alternative norm—what I call the Wide Norm of Credibility—that not only avoids the problems afflicting the evidentialist version, but also makes vivid both the relational and normative dimensions of our credibility assessments.
Advanced Regression Models with SAS and R

Advanced Regression Models with SAS and R exposes the reader to the modern world of regression analysis. The material covered by this book consists of regression models that go beyond linear regression, including models for right-skewed, categorical and hierarchical observations. The book presents the theory as well as fully worked-out numerical examples with complete SAS and R codes for each regression. The emphasis is on model accuracy and the interpretation of results. For each regression, the fitted model is presented along with interpretation of estimated regression coefficients and prediction of response for given values of predictors. Features: Presents the theoretical framework for each regression. Discusses data that are categorical, count, proportions, right-skewed, longitudinal and hierarchical. Uses examples based on real-life consulting projects. Provides complete SAS and R codes for each example. Includes several exercises for every regression. Advanced Regression Models with SAS and R is designed as a text for an upper division undergraduate or a graduate course in regression analysis. Prior exposure to the two software packages is desired but not required. The Author: Olga Korosteleva is a Professor of Statistics at California State University, Long Beach. She teaches a large variety of statistical courses to undergraduate and master’s students. She has published three statistical textbooks. For a number of years, she has held the position of faculty director of the statistical consulting group. Her research interests lie mostly in applications of statistical methodology through collaboration with her clients in health sciences, nursing, kinesiology, and other fields.
The extended self, product valuation, and the endowment effect

Various explanations have been proposed to account for discrepancies in product valuation, pertaining particularly to the buyer-seller valuation gap called the endowment effect. Previous research has examined the roles of loss sensitivity, strategic responding, differences between buyers and sellers in information processing, self-enhancement, and psychological ownership as causes of the endowment effect. This article presents a conceptual perspective based on the theory of the extended self that integrates previously proposed mechanisms for the endowment effect. The self-extension perspective generates novel predictions about possible moderators of the endowment effect. Further, the self-extension perspective also raises questions for product valuation in general. By integrating previous research and posing new questions, the self-extension perspective provides a new base for the advancement of research on product valuation.
Fault Dynamics in a Multi-Generator MVDC Marine Power System Architecture

Medium Voltage direct current (MVdc) architectures are being actively studied for adoption into the next generation power systems for surface naval vessels. Power generation and distribution design philosophy are set to change in order to integrate an array of evolving technologies such as pulsed power mission loads consisting of solid state lasers, high powered radar systems and electromagnetic aircraft launching systems. Future MVdc electric ships will exhibit new dynamic behavior and fault signatures versus traditional ac shipboard power systems. This paper investigates various types of fault dynamics that may be encountered in MVdc electric ship architectures.