cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An agent-based and market-oriented approach to distributed ISR resource allocation

Dominant trends in emerging Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) systems include the widespread availability of global secure communications and open systems interoperability. These trends have encouraged information sharing through the decentralization of the distribution of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets and consumers. ISR producer and consumer relationships are now possible across previously closed geographic, system, and service boundaries. While access to ISR products and consumers has improved, little development has gone into global planning and control of ISR assets to suit this new open, distributed environment. We believe that Market-Oriented Programming (MOP) using a distributed agent-based architecture is a good control mechanism for optimally allocating resources for ISR tasks in this new environment. Agent technology will allow MOP to be encapsulated and distributed to ISR consumers and producers allowing for dynamic allocation and distribution of ISR resources. This paper describes a MOP solution to ISR management and an agent architecture used to implement it.
Iterative decoding for MIMO channels via modified sphere decoding

In recent years, soft iterative decoding techniques have been shown to greatly improve the bit error rate performance of various communication systems. For multiantenna systems employing space-time codes, however, it is not clear what is the best way to obtain the soft information required of the iterative scheme with low complexity. In this paper, we propose a modification of the Fincke-Pohst (sphere decoding) algorithm to estimate the maximum a posteriori probability of the received symbol sequence. The new algorithm solves a nonlinear integer least squares problem and, over a wide range of rates and signal-to-noise ratios, has polynomial-time complexity. Performance of the algorithm, combined with convolutional, turbo, and low-density parity check codes, is demonstrated on several multiantenna channels. The results for systems that employ space-time modulation schemes seem to indicate that the best performing schemes are those that support the highest mutual information between the transmitted and received signals, rather than the best diversity gain.
Parent-reported health status after pediatric thoracic organ transplant.

Abstract Background Thoracic organ transplantation is a life-changing event for a child and family from both a physical and a psychosocial perspective. Accurate pre-transplantation counseling and effective post-transplantation follow-up depend on a good understanding of post-transplantation health status, especially as perceived by families. Methods The Child Health Questionnaire—Parent Form 50 (CHQ-P50), an instrument that assesses parent-reported health status of pediatric patients, was administered to 47 pediatric thoracic organ transplant recipients (41 heart, 6 lung) 5 to 18 years of age. Results Transplant recipients scored lower on the Physical Health Summary (PhS) score than the general population, as evidenced by a lower median score (50.6 vs 55.1, p p = 0.001), skewed toward the lower quartiles of the general population. The distribution of PhS scores in transplant recipients was comparable to scores of 3 groups of pediatric patients with other chronic health conditions (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy and asthma). The distribution of the Psychosocial Health Summary (PsS) scores was similar to that of the general population, but the median score was lower (51.5 vs 53.2, p = 0.02). Transplant patients clearly scored lower than the general population on 4 of 12 sub-scales, including those assessing general health, physical functioning, family activities and parental emotional impact. No difference was found in sub-scales reflecting self-esteem, mental health, behavior, pain, peer interactions, family cohesion or parental time demands. Conclusions Thoracic organ transplantation in children ages 5 to 18 years is associated with an ongoing deficit in parent-perceived physical health status.
Optimization of Complex Nested Queries in Relational Databases

Due to the flexible structures of SQL, no general approach works efficiently for all kinds of queries. Some special kinds of queries can be further optimized for better performance. In this dissertation, we study two kinds of such queries: one is queries having non-aggregate subqueries and the other is queries having redundancy. To deal uniformly with non-aggregate subqueries in SQL, we propose the nested relational approach based on the nested relational model. To deal with redundancy in complex SQL queries, we propose the redundancy awareness method with the introduction of the for-loop operator. The main contribution of this dissertation is to provide more efficient solutions for these two kinds of queries than existing techniques.
Modern salt-marsh and tidal-flat foraminifera from Sitkinak and Simeonof Islands, southwestern Alaska

We describe the modern distribution of salt-marsh and tidal-flat foraminifera from Sitkinak Island (Trinity Islands) and Simeonof Island (Shumagin Islands), Alaska, to begin development of a dataset for later use in reconstructing relative sea-level changes caused by great earthquakes along the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone. Dead foraminifera were enumerated from a total of 58 surface-sediment samples collected along three intertidal transects around a coastal lagoon on Sitkinak Island and two intertidal transects on Simeonof Island. Two distinctive assemblages of salt-marsh foraminifera were recognized on Sitkinak Island. Miliammina fusca dominated low-marsh settings and Balticammina pseudomacrescens dominated the high marsh. These two species make up >98% of individuals. On Simeonof Island, 93% of individuals in high-marsh settings above mean high water were B. pseudomacrescens . The tidal flat on Simeonof Island was dominated by Cibicides lobatulus (60% of individuals), but the lower limit of this species is subtidal and was not sampled. These results indicate that uplift or subsidence caused by repeated earthquakes along the Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone could be reconstructed in coastal sediments using alternating assemblages of near monospecific B. pseudomacrescens and low-marsh or tidal-flat foraminifera.
Observation of individual microtubule motor steps in living cells with endocytosed quantum dots.

We report the observation of individual steps taken by motor proteins in living cells by following movements of endocytic vesicles that contain quantum dots (QDs) with a fast camera. The brightness and photostability of quantum dots allow us to record motor displacement traces with 300 μs time resolution and 1.5 nm spatial precision. We observed individual 8 nm steps in active transport toward both the microtubule plus- and minus-ends, the directions of kinesin and dynein movements, respectively. In addition, we clearly resolved abrupt 16 nm steps in the plus-end direction and often consecutive 16 nm and occasional 24 nm steps in minus-end directed movements. This work demonstrates the ability of the QD assay to probe the operation of motor proteins at the molecular level in living cells under physiological conditions.
Design, Synthesis And Evaluation Of Constrained Methoxyethyl (cMOE) and Constrained Ethyl (cEt) Nucleoside Analogs

Antisense drug discovery technology is a powerful method to modulate gene expression in animals and represents a novel therapeutic platform.(1) We have previously demonstrated that replacing 2'O-methoxyethyl (MOE, 2) residues in second generation antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) with LNA (3) nucleosides improves the potency of some ASOs in animals. However, this was accompanied with a significant increase in the risk for hepatotoxicity.(2) We hypothesized that replacing LNA with novel nucleoside monomers that combine the structural elements of MOE and LNA might mitigate the toxicity of LNA while maintaining potency. To this end we designed and prepared novel nucleoside analogs 4 (S-constrained MOE, S-cMOE) and 5 (R-constrained MOE, R-cMOE) where the ethyl chain of the 2'O-MOE moiety is constrained back to the 4' position of the furanose ring. As part of the SAR series, we also prepared nucleoside analogs 7 (S-constrained ethyl, S-cEt) and 8 (R-constrained Ethyl, R-cEt) where the methoxymethyl group in the cMOE nucleosides was replaced with a methyl substituent. A highly efficient synthesis of the nucleoside phosphoramidites with minimal chromatography purifications was developed starting from cheap commercially available starting materials. Biophysical evaluation revealed that the cMOE and cEt modifications hybridize complementary nucleic acids with the same affinity as LNA while greatly increasing nuclease stability. Biological evaluation of oligonucleotides containing the cMOE and cEt modification in animals indicated that all of them possessed superior potency as compared to second generation MOE ASOs and a greatly improved toxicity profile as compared to LNA.
Computer Integration within Problem Solving Process

he problem we address in this paper is the integration of the computer as a brain assistant within the human problem solving process. Original computers have not been developed as problem solving tools. Rather, computers were developed as number crunching tools to be used by mathematicians and engineers.
The nervous system of the Glossiphoniid leechHaementeria ghilianii

Synaptic pathways linking sensory neurons, interneurons and motoneurons participating in local bending and whole-body shortening reflexes inHaementeria ghilianii were found to be generally similar in both connectivity pattern and physiology to those ofHirudo medicinalis, although some difference in detail was observed. In both species the local bending reflex is accounted for in part by direct connections from the mechanosensory neurons to the segmental body wall shortening motoneuron cell L: rectifying electrical synapses from cells T, P and N and excitatory chemical synapses from cells P and N. Moreover, in both species the whole-body shortening reflex involves the giant intersegmental nerve fiber formed by longitudinal articulation of the axon of serial homologs of interneuron S; it is excited by T, P and N mechanosensory neurons and in turn excites cell L along the whole body. However, impulses evoked in cell S by intracellular stimulation reliably elicit whole-body shortening only inHaementeria, and not inHirudo. Thus theHaementeria cell S, but not theHirudo cell S, may be considered a putative command neuron, although both may play a similar role in the control of whole-body shortening. This neural difference in the cell S circuitry may account for the difference in behavioral response ofHirudo andHaementeria to sensory stimuli that excite cell S. And, in contrast to its homolog inHirudo, the Retzius cell ofHaementeria was found to elicit inhibitory junctional potentials in longitudinal muscle fibers. The pathway of Retzius cell-mediated inhibition appears to be indirect, passing via inhibitory motoneurons.
The Development of Water Rights in Colorado: An Empirical Analysis

According to Anderson (1982), property rights will be more carefully defined and enforced when the value of a resource rises or the probability of losing it increases. This theory is applied to the development of water rights during the early years of irrigated farming in Colorado. Water rights enforcement is measured as the number of court cases. An empirical model is estimated on data for the years 1884 to 1920. The estimates suggest that the property rights theory cannot fully explain the empirical facts. It appears necessary to also take into account the predictions of the theory of agricultural protection.
Memoirs: A Study of the Mitochondria of Trypanosomes

Mitochondria have been demonstrated in the adult forms of the following species of trypanosomes: Trypanosoma lewisi, Trypanosoma duttoni, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma equiperdum. They have been shown also in the crithidial forms of Trypanosoma cruzi from culture, and of Trypanosoma melophagium from the insect vector, Melophagus ovinus. No essential morphological variations in the mitochondria among the five species of trypanosomes studied, nor in those among the several growth stages, were observed.
Effect of time and vascular pressure on permeability and cyclic nucleotides in ischemic lungs.

We previously found that increased intravascular pressure decreased ischemic lung injury by a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanism (Becker PM, Buchanan W, and Sylvester JT. J Appl Physiol 84: 803–...
Mathematical modelling in electro-optics II: Numerical modelling of laser instabilities

Spontaneous pulsation phenomena in xenon lasers are now well known, and related effects have been observed with other laser types. Most theoretical analyses of such pulsations are formulated for unidirectional ring lasers, whereas most experiments involve standing-wave resonator geometries. Described here are rigorous semiclassical models governing the spontaneous pulsation instability in standing-wave laser oscillators. Numerical solutions of the model yield close agreement with time-domain and frequency-domain experimental results. Several factors affect the accuracy of the numerical solutions, and in some cases an apparently more accurate numerical representation can be farther away from the exact solution.
Primary Hepatic Leiomyosarcoma: A report of two cases

Two cases of primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma are reported. Review of the literature reveals only seven previous reports. Cases presented predominantly with either hepatomegaly or ascites. Neither history nor physical and laboratory examination distinguished these patients with primary leiomyosarcomas from those with other hepatic tumors. Analysis of the cases reviewed suggests that aggressive hepatic surgery may improve prognosis.
Price Impact of ETP Demand on Underliers

Does the increasingly popular passive investments via Exchange Traded Products (ETF/ETNs) affect underliers? Yes, at least for the most liquid ETP sector: VIX ETPs. This paper exploits rich instruments in VIX market as a perfect laboratory to test both level and roll effects of ETP demand on underliers. I show clean evidence that VIX futures (ETP underliers) have persistently priced in significant “fear premium” above fair value, and this non-fundamental component is predominantly driven by dealers' ETP hedging demand. While providing liquidity to ETPs as issuers, dealers pass hedging pressure to underlying futures. Analogous to the normal backwardation theory, net long hedging pressure steepens VIX contango. By exploiting exogenous demand shift from mechanical daily ETP roll, price impact is identifiable using a novel instrument. Given reduced-form evidence of the ETP feedback channel, I construct a structural model with preferred-habitat demands to endogenize VIX futures' “carry”. My estimates indicate that the tail wags the dog.
An algorithm for computing the gene tree probability under the multispecies coalescent and its application in the inference of population tree

Motivation: Gene tree represents the evolutionary history of gene lineages that originate from multiple related populations. Under the multispecies coalescent model, lineages may coalesce outside the species (population) boundary. Given a species tree (with branch lengths), the gene tree probability is the probability of observing a specific gene tree topology under the multispecies coalescent model. There are two existing algorithms for computing the exact gene tree probability. The first algorithm is due to Degnan and Salter, where they enumerate all the so-called coalescent histories for the given species tree and the gene tree topology. Their algorithm runs in exponential time in the number of gene lineages in general. The second algorithm is the STELLS algorithm (2012), which is usually faster but also runs in exponential time in almost all the cases. Results: In this article, we present a new algorithm, called CompactCH, for computing the exact gene tree probability. This new algorithm is based on the notion of compact coalescent histories: multiple coalescent histories are represented by a single compact coalescent history. The key advantage of our new algorithm is that it runs in polynomial time in the number of gene lineages if the number of populations is fixed to be a constant. The new algorithm is more efficient than the STELLS algorithm both in theory and in practice when the number of populations is small and there are multiple gene lineages from each population. As an application, we show that CompactCH can be applied in the inference of population tree (i.e. the population divergence history) from population haplotypes. Simulation results show that the CompactCH algorithm enables efficient and accurate inference of population trees with much more haplotypes than a previous approach. Availability: The CompactCH algorithm is implemented in the STELLS software package, which is available for download at http://www.engr.uconn.edu/ywu/STELLS.html. Contact: ude.nnocu.rgne@uwy Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Abstract WP307: Social Factors That influence Follow-up in Stroke Clinic

Background and Objective: Follow-up in outpatient stroke clinic after hospitalization for ischemic stroke is an integral aspect of the management of stroke patients. This study sought to investigat...
Role for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resected small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States (1). Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 13% of all patients with lung cancer (2). SCLC has traditionally been staged using the Veterans’ Affairs Lung Study Group staging system, which subdivides tumors into limited-stage (LS-SCLC) and extensive-stage (ES-SCLC) based on the presence of tumor confinement into one hemithorax and included in one radiotherapy port (3). More recently, patients with SCLC have been staged using the AJCC system. Although further subdivision of patients with LS-SCLC using the tumor (T) and lymph node (N) status usually does not affect the treatment decision, it has prognostic implications, with significant differences in overall survival (OS) among the TNM subsets for stages I to III (4).
Emotion Regulation Mediates Effects of Alexithymia and Emotion Differentiation on Impulsive Aggressive Behavior

ABSTRACTAlexithymia and low emotion differentiation restrict access to emotional information and increase propensity toward dysregulated and deviant behaviors, such as impulsive aggression. However, mechanisms underlying such effects are largely unknown. This study examined the mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between restricted access to emotional information and impulsive aggression. Alexithymic features and emotion differentiation explained 43% of the variance in impulsive aggression; these relationships were fully mediated by emotion-regulation difficulty. Contrary to previously held assumptions, alexithymic features and emotion differentiation were uncorrelated with one another, each limiting the translation of unique emotion information necessary for adaptive emotion and behavior regulation.
A Computational and Experimental Study of Mixing and Chemical Reaction in a Stirred Tank Reactor Equipped with a Down-pumping Hydrofoil Impeller using a Micro-Mixing-Based CFD Model

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the fast parallel competing reactions scheme—A+B →P+R and A+C→Q+S, which are modeled in a stirred tank reactor using CFD, and the results are compared with original experimental data. The experimental system comprises of a cylindrical stirred tank reactor fitted with an axial down-pumping hydrofoil impeller operated in semi-batch mode, with the limiting reagent being slowly added to the contents of the reactor. The final yield, Xs , of the undesired product S is experimentally measured. The flow field in the reactor is simulated using the Reynolds Stress turbulence model. The full impeller geometry is incorporated in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation using the Multiple Reference Frames (MRF) model. The reaction zone is modeled in a Lagrangian way using a multi-phase model (Volume of Fluid (VOF) model). The interaction of turbulence and reaction is accounted for by means of the engulfment model for micro mixing. The micro-mixing model, in conjunction with CFD, predicts a final value of Xs in close agreement with the experimental data, demonstrating that the proposed approach can be successfully used to model turbulent reactive systems without the need for experimental inputs.
Gender Differences in Relations among Perceived Family Characteristics and Risky Health Behaviors in Urban Adolescents.

Research regarding the role of gender in relations between family characteristics and health risk behaviors has been limited. This study aims to investigate gender differences in associations between family processes and risk-taking in adolescents. Adolescents (N = 249; mean age = 14.5 years) starting their first year at an urban high school in the northeastern USA completed self-report measures that assessed family characteristics (i.e., parental monitoring, family social support, family conflict) and health behaviors (i.e., tobacco use, alcohol use, marijuana use, sex initiation) as part of a prospective, community-based study. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate gender differences in associations between the family characteristics and health behaviors. Among males, higher levels of perceived parental monitoring were associated with lower odds of using tobacco and having ever engaged in sex. Among females, higher levels of perceived parental monitoring were associated with lower odds of marijuana use, alcohol use, and having ever engaged in sex. However, in contrast to males, among females (a) higher levels of perceived family social support were associated with lower odds of alcohol use and having ever engaged in sex and (b) higher levels of perceived family conflict were associated with higher odds of marijuana use and having ever engaged in sex. Family processes were more strongly related to health behaviors among adolescent females than adolescent males. Interventions that increase parental monitoring and family social support as well as decrease family conflict may help to protect against adolescent risk taking, especially for females.
Physical Activity, Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases

Sedentary lifestyle and overweight are major public health, clinical, and economical problems in modern societies. The worldwide epidemic of excess weight is due to imbalance between physical activity and dietary energy intake. Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and consequent overweight and obesity markedly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Regular physical activity 45-60 min per day prevents unhealthy weight gain and obesity, whereas sedentary behaviors such as watching television promote them. Regular exercise can markedly reduce body weight and fat mass without dietary caloric restriction in overweight individuals. An increase in total energy expenditure appears to be the most important determinant of successful exercise-induced weight loss. The best long-term results may be achieved when physical activity produces an energy expenditure of at least 2,500 kcal/week. Yet, the optimal approach in weight reduction programs appears to be a combination of regular physical activity and caloric restriction. A minimum of 60 min, but most likely 80-90 min of moderate-intensity physical activity per day may be needed to avoid or limit weight regain in formerly overweight or obese individuals. Regular moderate intensity physical activity, a healthy diet, and avoiding unhealthy weight gain are effective and safe ways to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases and to reduce premature mortality in all population groups. Although the efforts to promote cardiovascular health concern the whole population, particular attention should be paid to individuals who are physically inactive, have unhealthy diets or are prone to weight gain. They have the highest risk for worsening of the cardiovascular risk factor profile and for cardiovascular disease. To combat the epidemic of overweight and to improve cardiovascular health at a population level, it is important to develop strategies to increase habitual physical activity and to prevent overweight and obesity in collaboration with communities, families, schools, work sites, health care professionals, media and policymakers.
Implications for a Stem Cell Regenerative Medicine Based Approach to Human Intervertebral Disk Degeneration.

The human body develops from a single cell, the zygote, the product of the maternal oocyte and the paternal spermatozoon. That 1-cell zygote embryo will divide and eventually grow into an adult human which is comprised of ~3.7x1013 cells. The tens of trillions of cells in the adult human can be classified into approximately 200 different highly specialized cell types that make up all of the different tissues and organs of the human body. Regenerative medicine aims to replace or restore dysfunctional cells, tissues and organs with fully functional ones. One area receiving attention is regeneration of the intervertebral discs (IVDs), which are located between the vertebrae and function to give flexibility and support load to the spine. Degenerated discs are a major cause of lower back pain. Different stem cell based regenerative medicine approaches to cure disc degeneration are now available, including using autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and even attempts at direct transdifferentiation of somatic cells. Here we discuss some of the recent advances, successes, drawbacks and the failures of the above-mentioned approaches.
The Skewness of the Price Change Distribution: A New Touchstone for Sticky Price Models

We present a new way of empirically evaluating various sticky price models used to assess the degree of monetary non-neutrality. While menu cost models uniformly predict that price change skewness and dispersion fall with inflation, in the Calvo model both rise. However, CPI price data from the late 1970's onwards shows that skewness does not fall with inflation, while dispersion does. We develop a random menu cost model that, with a menu cost distribution that has a strong Calvo feature, can match the empirical patterns found. The model therefore exhibits much more monetary non-neutrality than existing menu cost models.
Self-reported Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Chinese Adults in Chicago.

Background Discrimination is part of life for many Americans, especially ethnic minorities. Focusing on older Chinese Americans, this study examines the association between self-reported discrimination and depressive symptoms and identifies subgroups that are more likely to report experiencing discrimination. Methods We conducted cross-sectional analysis of data collected from adults (age 60+ years) of Chinese origin residing in the Greater Chicago area (N = 3,004). Self-reported discrimination was assessed by the Experiences of Discrimination instrument and was dichotomized (yes vs no). Depressive symptoms were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Logistic regression of self-reported discrimination and negative binominal regression of depressive symptoms were conducted. Results About 21.5% of the sample reported having experienced discrimination. The odds of reporting discrimination are higher for those who are younger, have higher education and income, are more acculturated, have been in the United States longer, live outside Chinatown, and have higher levels of neuroticism and conscientiousness. Self-reported discrimination is significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms, independent of sociodemographic characteristics, migration-related variables, and personality factors. Conclusion Findings suggest a robust relationship between self-reported discrimination and depressive symptoms in older Chinese Americans. They further suggest that the relatively advantaged groups-younger, higher socioeconomic status, more acculturated, and living outside Chinatown-are more likely to report experiencing discrimination.
Influence of Irrigation Regime on Water Stress and Growth of Ligustrum japonicum and Myrica cerifera During Establishment

Native plants are often promoted for water conservation in urban landscapes. However, direct comparisons between native and introduced species utilizing physiological measures of plant water stress are unavailable to support or refute such recommendations. Ligustrum japonicum and Myrica cerifera, representing evergreen introduced and native species, respectively, were selected based on similar landscape function, non-stressed photosynthetic rates, and water use efficiencies. Both species were transplanted into a fine sand soil to evaluate establishment rates and growth characteristics under two irrigation regimes, irrigated either daily or every 3 d at 1.3 cm (0.5 in) of irrigation per event for the first 8 months after transplanting (MAT). Water potentials were recorded on two consecutive days each month, with cumulative stress intervals calculated. Water potential was significantly influenced by day of water stress level. On days without irrigation, water stress was generally greater and affected growth...
From food waste to value-added surplus products (VASP): Consumer acceptance of a novel food product category

Over one third of the food we produce is never consumed. Such a high rate of food waste is appalling. To address this, researchers have focused on creating foods from surplus ingredients or ingredients obtained during the manufacturing of other foods. We term such foods as value-added surplus products. But will consumers accept products made from ingredients destined for the trash bin? A series of studies that test 3 different cues that consumers utilize to evaluate foods suggests strong potential for consumer acceptance, and even preference for such foods. Study 1 tested description for value-added surplus products alongside those for conventional and organic foods to understand whether consumers discriminate between these foods. Study 2 tested consumer preference for 9 product labels for value-added surplus products. Study 3 examined whether benefits to self or to others will differentially influence consumers' perceptions of such value-added foods. Collectively, these studies suggest a strong potential for such foods to command position as a new category of foods that is distinct from both conventional as well as organic foods.
An intelligent mobile information consultation and sharing multi-agent system

This paper presents Dr. What-Info II as an upgrade of Dr. What-Info, a prototype master multi-agent system asking what information it is. WIAS-supported universal application interface (UAI) technology is analyzed, designed and researched for different data formats, as a way to construct the network service system APIs of desired information with the support of OpenData@Taiwan/Taipei and domain ontology. This move not only upgrades the quality of mobile information consultation and sharing, but also enhances the correctness, authenticity and integrity of location-based information provision. Dr. What-Info II is experimentally demonstrated as a successful technology integration, and stands as an innovative piece of work in the literature.
Extended bioreactor conditioning of mononuclear cell-seeded heart valve scaffolds.

The tissue-engineered heart valve may be the ideal valve replacement option but still must overcome challenges in leaflet recellularization. This study sought to investigate the potential for leafl...
Predicting malicious intention in CPS under cyber-attack

Modern autonomous cyber-physical systems (CPS) have been demonstrated to be vulnerable to cyber-attacks like sensor spoofing in which an attacker compromises sensor readings while remaining stealthy to hijack the system toward undesired states. The majority of security techniques developed today are, however, reactive and concerned with detection and interdiction of attacks without considering predicting the intention of the attack. To deal with such problem, we propose a Reachability-based approach and a Bayesian Inverse Reinforcement Learning technique that leverages the history of sensor data and control inputs to assess the risk and predict the goal of sensor spoofing attacks, determine which sensors are compromised, and recover the system.
Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein and Atherogenesis

The development of atherosclerosis and ultimately obstructive coronary artery disease is a complex process. A critical step in this process is the oxidization of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles and their deposition in the arterial wall. These particles are particularly unstable. Current imaging techniques only allow one to note static views of atherosclerotic changes. Imaging of oxidized particles of LDL (OxLDL) through the use of antibodies directed against these particles has the potential of allowing clinicians to distinguish stable plaque from plaque that is more prone to rupture and result in arterial occlusion.
Youth Movements in Post-Communist Societies: A Model of Nonviolent Resistance

Over the past decade, the rise of youth movements applying nonviolent methods of resistance against autocratic incumbents occurred in the post-Soviet region. This protest cycle was set in motion by the spectacular mobilization of Serbia’s social movement Otpor against Slobodan Milosevic in 2000. Similarly, Ukraine’s Pora in 2004 and, to a lesser extent, Georgia’s Kmara in 2003 mobilized large numbers of young people to demand political change in the aftermath of fraudulent elections. In contrast, Belarus’ Zubr in 2001/2006 and an assortment of Azerbaijan’s youth groups in 2005 were less effective in staging nonviolent struggle against autocratic incumbents. This paper provides an explanation for divergent social movement outcomes in non-democracies by investigating the dynamics of tactical interaction between challenger organizations and the ruling elite. The paper argues that both civic activists and autocratic incumbents engaged in processes of political learning. Hence, tactical innovation was vital to the success of youth movements, especially late risers in the protest cycle.
Recreational Fisheries Biology

The difficulties of determining the extent and value of recreational fishing, together with the concept of an “inexhaustible sea,” have discouraged biological research on recreational species. Because many species are of both recreational and commercial value, commercial fisheries” research results (stimulated by population declines) have been utilized for the needs of recreational fisheries. The effects of increased fishing pressure on limited stocks of freshwater sport fish recently has encouraged research on the status of marine sport fish stocks (Table 17.1). Unfortunately for research needs on recreational species, when it came to budgeting funds, the high value of commercial fisheries appropriated the majority of available funds.
Transition-State Affinity as a Basis for the Design of Enzyme Inhibitors

To bring about the large rates of reaction which occur in the presence of enzymes, the interaction between reacting substrates and enzymes must be strong and intimate. The fact that substrates form complexes with enzymes has been known since the time of Henri(1) and Michaelis and Mentent(2) and has been exploited in the design of inhibitors that resemble substrates. Enzyme—substrate affinity is far surpassed by the affinity which is developed transiently during catalysis, as was recognized by Paulingt(3) before much was known about enzyme mechanisms. This enhanced affinity can be exploited to produce more effective inhibitors, designed to resemble the substrate during its transformation to form products.(4–8) These inhibitors, usually designated “transition-state analogs,” (4) are bound very much more tightly than substrates. As of mid-1975, some 60 possible examples were known, and several potential transition-state analogs had also been found in nature.t(9,10)
Unusual Complications From Babesia Infection: Splenic Infarction and Splenic Rupture in Two Separate Patients.

Abstract Background Babesiosis is a zoonotic parasitic infection transmitted by the tick, Ixodes scapularis. Splenic infarct and rupture are infrequent complications of Babesia parasitemia, and have not been previously reported in the emergency medicine literature. Case Report We present two separate cases seen within 1 month at our institution: a case of splenic rupture and another case of splenic infarction due to Babesia parasitemia. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Babesia infection in humans is increasingly prevalent in both the United States and worldwide, and clinical manifestations can range from subclinical to fulminant infections. An unusual but potentially fatal complication of babesiosis is splenic infarctions and rupture. Due to the endemicity of this parasite, a careful history and level of suspicion will enable the emergency physician to consider and test for babesiosis in patients with splenic injuries and without obvious traditional risk factors.
Atomic-Level Description of Protein Folding inside the GroEL Cavity

Chaperonins (ubiquitous facilitators of protein folding) sequester misfolded proteins within an internal cavity, thus preventing protein aggregation during the process of refolding. GroEL, a tetradecameric bacterial chaperonin, is one of the most studied chaperonins, but the role of the internal cavity in the refolding process is still unclear. It has been suggested that rather than simply isolating proteins while they refold, the GroEL cavity actively promotes protein folding. A detailed characterization of the folding dynamics and thermodynamics of protein substrates encapsulated within the cavity, however, has been difficult to obtain by experimental means, due to the system’s complexity and the many steps in the folding cycle. Here, we examine the influence of the GroEL cavity on protein folding based on the results of unbiased, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. We first verified that the computational setup, which uses a recently developed state-of-the-art force field that more accurately rep...
Centralized, decentralized, and distributed control for Energy Internet

Abstract The original term of Energy Internet refers to the integration of energy flow with information flow to form a true cyber-physical social system that allows high customer participation in active energy transaction. All these cyber-physical social components can closely interact with others by sharing both energy and information. Control systems are critical components that can help the Energy Internet come to fruition. There are three major control methods, namely, centralized, decentralized, and distributed control methods. This chapter discusses these three control methods that can be used to manage the flow of energy and information in the Energy Internet.
Local government reform as state building: What the Polish case says about “decentralisation”

Objective: Since 1990, Poland has become one of the most decentralised states in Europe. Local governments now control a third of all public expenditures. They have also delivered the goods, modernising the country’s infrastructure and restructuring its schools. This article attempts to explain why local government reform was so successful in Poland, and what it tells us about “decentralisation” elsewhere. Research Design & Methods: Historical research, practitioner experience, comparative analysis. Findings: The success of Polish local government reform was not due to “bottom up” accountability arising from either civic engagement or local taxation. Instead, “decentralisation” was largely a technocratic revolution from above. But accountability was created through an array of mezzo level institutions that trained and professionalised newly elected local elites, while also embedding them in the regulatory structure of the state and forcing them to monitor themselves. Implications / Recommendations: “Decentralisation” is less dependent on “getting the rules right” or mobilising popular engagement than it is on creating institutions that encourage public officials to learn from, and monitor, each other. Contribution: Reappraisal of what needs to be done to make “decentralisation” work. History of local government reform in Poland.
Effects of supplemental LED lighting on water quality and Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) performance in intensive recirculating systems

Abstract Indoor shrimp production systems allow production of fresh shrimp year-round near specific markets. However, there is typically little to no natural light available, and it is unclear whether artificial lighting may benefit systems. This study examined the effects of supplemental light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, designed for plant growth, on shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) production, water quality, and nutritional dynamics in intensive indoor shrimp systems. Four 1-m3 round tanks with settling chambers and external biofilters were assigned to one of three treatments. One treatment received 24 h of lighting per day (Full Light, FL), another had 12 h of lighting (Partial Light, PL), and the third treatment had no supplemental lighting provided (No Extra Light, NL). All tanks were stocked with 250 shrimp with an average initial weight of 1.2 g and were harvested after 84 days. Shrimp FCR was significantly lower and total biomass was significantly higher in the FL treatment compared with PL and NL treatments. Growth rate and final individual weight were significantly greater in FL and PL treatments, and survival was significantly higher in the FL treatment than the PL treatment. Turbidity, suspended solids, and nitrate concentration were significantly lower in the FL treatment versus PL and NL treatments. Shrimp in the FL and PL treatments contained significantly higher concentrations of n-6 fatty acids and lower docosahexaenoic acid than NL shrimp. The results of this study indicate that supplemental lighting in intensive indoor shrimp systems can improve shrimp production and have effects on biofloc and shrimp nutritional characteristics.
All-Optical Control of Light in Micro- and Nanophotonics

The pursuit of high-speed and chip-scale signal processing has promoted extensive exploration of all-optical control of light in micro- and nanophotonic platforms. All-optical switching and modulation are essential operations for optical communication systems and data networks and have been implemented by exploiting varieties of linear and nonlinear optical processes. In this regard, the optical control of materials’ refractive index is the primary technique, which facilitates the modulation of light attributes in a fast and reversible manner. A sustainable progress in the field of all-optical control primarily requires a deep understanding of optical phenomena that govern the manipulation of the refractive index. However, since most of such optical processes are intrinsically weak, utilizing resonating photonic structures of various kinds is often necessary to pave the way for the practical implementation of all-optical modulators for real-world applications. In this Perspective, we first present a conci...
Assessment of Inhibition of Bovine Hepatic Cytochrome P450 by 43 Commercial Bovine Medicines Using a Combination of In Vitro Assays and Pharmacokinetic Data from the Literature

Background There has been a lack of information about the inhibition of bovine medicines on bovine hepatic CYP450 at their commercial doses and dosing routes. Objective The aim of this work was to assess the inhibition of 43 bovine medicines on bovine hepatic CYP450 using a combination of in vitro assay and Cmax values from pharmacokinetic studies with their commercial doses and dosing routes in the literature. Methods Those drugs were first evaluated through a single point inhibitory assay at 3 μM in bovine liver microsomes for six specific CYP450 metabolisms, phenacetin o-deethylation, coumarin 7- hydroxylation, tolbutamide 4-hydroxylation, bufuralol 1-hydroxylation, chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation and midazolam 1'-hydroxylation. When the inhibition was greater than 20% in the assay, IC50 values were then determined. The potential in vivo bovine hepatic CYP450 inhibition by those drugs was assessed using a combination of the IC50 values and in vivo Cmax values from pharmacokinetic studies at their commercial doses and administration routes in the literature. Results Fifteen bovine medicines or metabolites showed in vitro inhibition on one or more bovine hepatic CYP450 metabolisms with different IC50 values. Desfuroylceftiour (active metabolite of ceftiofur), nitroxinil and flunixin have the potential to inhibit one of the bovine hepatic CYP450 isoforms in vivo at their commercial doses and administration routes. The rest of the bovine medicines had low risks of in vivo bovine hepatic CYP450 inhibition. Conclusion This combination of in vitro assay and in vivo Cmax data provides a good approach to assess the inhibition of bovine medicines on bovine hepatic CYP450.
Studies on the secretion of maize root-cap slime : III. Histochemical and autoradiographic localization of incorporated fucose.

Autoradiography was used to localize the sites of incorporation of L-[3H]fucose into root tips of maize (Zea mays L. cv. S.X. 17). By light microsocpy, accumulation of label from [3H]fucose could be seen in the peripheral cells of the root cap. Extraction of sections prepared by freeze-substitution showed that most of the label in the cytoplasm of peripheral root-cap cells is water-soluble whereas label associated with the wall is sodiumhydroxide-soluble. In the electron microscope, glutaraldehyde-fixed peripheral cells of maize root caps are characterized by the presence of numerous dictyosomes and vesicles. The distended dictyosome cisternae and vesicles have large deposits of silver after staining with periodic acid-silver methanamine. An accumulation of material similar to that found in dictyosomes and vesicles is observed between the cell membrane and wall in glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde-fixed tissue. At the electron-microscope level label in peripheral root cap cells incubated in [3H]fucose for periods from 10 to 120 min was found primarily over dictyosomes and dictyosome vesicles. In pulse-chase experiments label was chased from the dictyosomes and vesicles to the exterior of the cell in 20–30 min. Less than 19% of the label in pulse-chase experiments was associated with organelles other than dictyosomes or dictyosome vesicles.
Mixture network autoregressive model with application on students' successes

We propose a mixture network regression model which considers both response variables and the node-specific random vector depend on the time. In order to estimate and compare the impacts of various connections on a response variable simultaneously, we extend it into p different types of connections. An ordinary least square estimators of the effects of different types of connections on a response variable is derived with its asymptotic property. Simulation studies demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method in the estimation of the mixture autoregressive model. In the end, a real data illustration on the students’ GPA is discussed.