cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measure Twice, Shoot Once: Higher Care for CIA-Targeted Killing

For almost a decade, the United States has deployed unmanned aerial vehicles, or "drones," to kill targeted members of Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) drone strikes in Pakistan have, in particular, stirred strong debates over the legality of such actions. Some commentators insist that these strikes are legal under international humanitarian law (IHL) or as a matter of self-defense. Others insist that the United States' targeted killing amounts to murder. It is critical for the law to determine how to control killer drones and the future of warfare. As technology evolves, drones will develop sharper senses and become more precise and lethal. The power to use drones to find and kill specific human targets-and states' temptation to use (and abuse) that power- will grow over time. On other fronts, drones may become fully automated, and their use in surveillance may spread along the borders with Canada and Mexico and into the U.S. heartland. To rein in the killer drones, this Article looks to foundational IHL principles to develop limits on the CIA's campaign in Pakistan and on the possible extension of that campaign to other countries outside the United States. In particular, this Article argues that IHL's requirements of distinction and military necessity generally require the CIA to achieve a very high level of certainty that a targeted person is a legitimate object of attack before carrying out a drone strike. To capture this level of certainty, one might borrow the "beyond reasonable doubt" standard from the criminal law, the "clear and convincing" standard from civil law, or create some new phrase. Also, to honor * Professor of Law, William Mitchell College of Law. (Professor Radsan was assistant general counsel at the Central Intelligence Agency from 2002 to 2004. By extensive references to public sources, the authors make clear that they are not relying on Radsan's CIA experience for any factual assertions about targeted killing; these facts are not officially confirmed or denied.) Many thanks to Professors Richard Rosen, Geoffrey Corn, and Jordan Paust for their comments on earlier drafts. ** AT&T Professor of Law, Texas Tech University School of Law.
Executive Function Skills and Academic Achievement Gains in Prekindergarten: Contributions of Learning-Related Behaviors

Although research suggests associations between children's executive function skills and their academic achievement, the specific mechanisms that may help explain these associations in early childhood are unclear. This study examined whether children's (N = 1,103; M age = 54.5 months) executive function skills at the beginning of prekindergarten (pre-K) predict their learning-related behaviors in the classroom and whether these behaviors then mediate associations between children's executive function skills and their pre-K literacy, language, and mathematic gains. Learning-related behaviors were quantified in terms of (a) higher levels of involvement in learning opportunities; (b) greater frequency of participation in activities that require sequential steps; (c) more participation in social-learning interactions; and (d) less instances of being unoccupied, disruptive, or in time out. Results indicated that children's learning-related behaviors mediated associations between executive function skills and literacy and mathematics gains through children's level of involvement, sequential learning behaviors, and disengagement from the classroom. The implications of the findings for early childhood education are discussed.
Self-report questionnaires in five rheumatic diseases: comparisons of health status constructs and associations with formal education level.

Self-report questionnaire scales to assess various constructs of health status were compared in 602 patients with five rheumatic diseases, including 134 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 216 osteoarthritis (OA), 84 fibromyalgia, 124 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 43 scleroderma patients. RA patients showed significantly higher degrees of difficulty, dissatisfaction, and pain in performing eight activities of daily living (ADL) compared to patients with the other four diseases (P < 0.01), while SLE patients reported the least difficulty, dissatisfaction and pain. Fibromyalgia patients showed significantly higher scores on a visual analog pain scale than patients with the other four diseases (P < 0.05), followed by OA patients. Fibromyalgia patients reported significantly higher levels of learned helplessness, assessed according to a rheumatology attitudes index (RAI), than patients with all other diseases, and scleroderma patients showed significantly lower RAI scores (P < 0.05). Patients with all five diseases who had not completed high school showed poorer clinical status than patients who had completed high school on all six scales. Significant differences in questionnaire scores were seen for 24 of 30 comparisons (five diseases and six scales) according to formal education level, versus only two according to age, and none according to duration of disease.
Regulation of myosin and overall protein degradation in mouse C2 skeletal myotubes.

We compared the breakdown of total cellular protein with that of the contractile protein, myosin, in cultured C2 mouse skeletal myotubes. The degradation of long-lived cellular proteins (which comprise the vast majority of myotube proteins) was inhibited by serum, insulin, and rat insulin-like growth factor-2. A physiological concentration of insulin was effective, but most of the effect of insulin occurred at concentrations well above the physiological range. IGF-2 inhibited protein breakdown at concentrations well within the range of total IGF-2 known to be present in the serum of fetal and neonatal rats. The breakdown of short-lived proteins was not altered by insulin or serum. We measured myosin degradation using a monoclonal antibody directed against myosin heavy chain. The half-life of myosin was 27 hours, and myosin breakdown was not altered by withdrawal of serum. Therefore, the enhanced protein degradation in response to serum withdrawal applies to certain proteins, but not to others.
Microbiota modulate transcription in the intestinal epithelium without remodeling the accessible chromatin landscape

Microbiota regulate intestinal physiology by modifying host gene expression along the length of the intestine, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unresolved. Transcriptional specificity occurs through interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and cis-regulatory regions (CRRs) characterized by nucleosome-depleted accessible chromatin. We profiled transcriptome and accessible chromatin landscapes in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) from mice reared in the presence or absence of microbiota. We show that regional differences in gene transcription along the intestinal tract were accompanied by major alterations in chromatin accessibility. Surprisingly, we discovered that microbiota modify host gene transcription in IECs without significantly impacting the accessible chromatin landscape. Instead, microbiota regulation of host gene transcription might be achieved by differential expression of specific TFs and enrichment of their binding sites in nucleosome-depleted CRRs near target genes. Our results suggest that the chromatin landscape in IECs is preprogrammed by the host in a region-specific manner to permit responses to microbiota through binding of open CRRs by specific TFs.
Thomas Holt-White on Johnson's Lives of Prior and Milton

(2000). Thomas Holt-White on Johnson's Lives of Prior and Milton. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews: Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 24-27.
Operations on Sets

In this chapter, certain relations between and operations on subsets of an abstract space are described. When numbered relations are paired, as in (1.1), each relation of the pair yields the other relation when the sets involved are replaced by their complements. Proofs of easily verifiable assertions are omitted.
A comparison of the effectiveness of two suturing techniques for the coronally positioned tunnel procedure with an acellular dermal matrix allograft.

A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO SUTURING TECHNIQUES FOR THE CORONALLY POSITIONED TUNNEL PROCEDURE WITH AN ACELLULAR DERMAL MATRIX ALLOGRAFT. Courtney Tyler Shearer, DMD
Walking the Trail of Physical Therapy Research

In the “Plan to Foster Clinical Research in Physical Therapy,” adopted by the American Physical Therapy Association, clinical research is defined as “a systematic process for formulating and answering questions about the uses of, the bases for, and the effectiveness of physical therapy practice.”1 Central to physical therapy is the notion of movement dysfunction.2 Pathokinesiology is a term that, in my judgment, is analogous to movement dysfunction. In this context, how do we conceptualize the trail of research and where does the trail lead? Physical therapy is a health profession whose primary purpose is the promotion of health and function through the application of scientific principles to prevent, identify, correct, and alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunction. To be consistent with science at large, the basic aim of the research in physical therapy should be to generate and test theories.…
Modeling the Chemo-mechanical Behavior of Reactive Polymer Gels

We consider a theoretical model of a reactive polymer gel in which the reaction can proceed in an oscillatory regime and generate traveling chemical waves accompanied by waves of local swelling-deswelling. This type of gel could be used for fabricating chemo-mechanical devices with self-sustained rhythmic action, and gel-based pumps. We assume that the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction takes place in the reactive gel. The BZ reaction generates periodic reduction-oxidation (redox) changes of a metal catalyst covalently bonded to a hydrogel that is immersed in a solution containing the rest of the BZ reagents. The redox changes in the metal affect the polymer-solvent interactions, resulting in variations in the gel volume. The self-oscillation of the gel volume, and the traveling waves of local swelling in a hydrogel with the BZ reaction have been experimentally observed by Yoshida and co-workers. To describe the system theoretically, we employ the Oregonator model of the BZ reaction, and the two-fluid model of gel dynamics. Propagation of one-dimensional wave trains through the reactive gel is simulated. The structure of the traveling swelling-deswelling waves is studied.
Some Bat Records from Southeastern Indiana

During the summer of 1953 while a student at the University of Kentucky the author began some occasional bat collecting in Ripley and Jefferson counties, Indiana, under the direction of Dr. Roger Barbour. The work has been continued under the direction of Dr. Jack Gottschang of the University of Cincinnati. During the course of the investigation 176 specimens were examined. Skins and skulls were prepared of 159 of these specimens and are at present in possession of the author but will later be deposited in the University of Kentucky Zoological Museum and the University of Cincinnati Zoological Museum. The author acknowledges the aid of Mr. Russell E. Mumford and Mr. James B. Cope for examination and identification of specimens of the species Myotis and Mr. Charles O. Handley, Jr. for examination and subspecific determinations of Pipistrellus subflavus . In the following annotated list all measurements are in millimeters; averages are given first followed by extremes in parentheses. Myotis lucifugus lucifugus (LeConte). Little brown bat.—Thirty-six specimens of this species were taken from Jefferson County and five from Ripley County. Measurements of 20 males are: Total length, 90.8 (87–95); tail, 38.9 (35–41); hind foot, 7.8 (7–9). Average weight is 5.4 (3.5–7.8) grams. Twenty-one females have these measurements: Total length, 92.3 (86–100); tail, 38.8 (32–43); hind foot, 8.0 (7–9). Average weight of the females is 5.6 (4.7–6.6) grams. One specimen was found crawling about inside the stovepipe of …
3D printed cellular solid outperforms traditional stochastic foam in long-term mechanical response

3D printing of polymeric foams by direct-ink-write is a recent technological breakthrough that enables the creation of versatile compressible solids with programmable microstructure, customizable shapes, and tunable mechanical response including negative elastic modulus. However, in many applications the success of these 3D printed materials as a viable replacement for traditional stochastic foams critically depends on their mechanical performance and micro-architectural stability while deployed under long-term mechanical strain. To predict the long-term performance of the two types of foams we employed multi-year-long accelerated aging studies under compressive strain followed by a time-temperature-superposition analysis using a minimum-arc-length-based algorithm. The resulting master curves predict superior long-term performance of the 3D printed foam in terms of two different metrics, i.e., compression set and load retention. To gain deeper understanding, we imaged the microstructure of both foams using X-ray computed tomography, and performed finite-element analysis of the mechanical response within these microstructures. This indicates a wider stress variation in the stochastic foam with points of more extreme local stress as compared to the 3D printed material, which might explain the latter’s improved long-term stability and mechanical performance.
Research on Definition Development and Main Content of Zero Energy Building

Since 1970s,several developed countries have proposed the concept of (Net or Nearly) Zero Energy Building (ZEB).Recently,this concept has been widely used in major economies countries government energy policies and technical roadmaps for building energy efficiency. In this paper,the definitions and policies in major economies for Zero Energy Building were reviewed. Key elements such as building boundary,different end use energy,evaluation criteria,energy conversion and evaluation period were discussed. The specific definition of Chinese zero energy building was developed on basis of these discussion and analysis.
Preparation of RDX/vAP/SiO_2 composite energetic materials by sol-gel method

RDX/AP/SiO2 composite energetic material was prepared by sol-gel method.The structure of RDX/AP/SiO2 composite material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive spectrometer and BET method.The result shows that SiO2 gel and RDX/AP are the matrix and filler respectively.Using thermal analysis(TGA/DSC),the thermal properties of the composite materials were measured.It shows that the decomposition temperature of AP in the composite materials is decreased greatly.Most of AP decomposes along with decomposition of RDX.The decomposition enthalpy of the composite material increases by 603.7 J/g,compared to that of physical mixtures.Therefore the strong interaction of RDX and AP can accelerate the decomposition of each other.
Infrastructure in the Wild: What Mapping in Post-Earthquake Nepal Reveals about Infrastructural Emergence

Disasters and their impacts have unavoidable spatial characteristics. As such, maps are necessary and omnipresent features of the information landscapes that surround and support disaster response. Professional and volunteer GIS services are increasingly in demand to support map-based information visualization during crises. This paper investigates the work of mapmakers working on the response to the 2015 Nepal earthquakes. In comparison to prior events, we found significantly more collaboration and spatial data sharing took place between map producers working across humanitarian organizations and parts of the Nepal government. Collaboration between mapping practitioners was supported by a complex and emergent information infrastructure composed of social and technical elements, some of which were brought through experience with prior disaster events, and some which were shaped anew by the availability and acceptance of open data sources. Our research investigates these elements of the spatial information infrastructure in post-earthquake Nepal to consider infrastructural emergence.
Tumor cell expression of MMP3 as a prognostic factor for poor survival in pancreatic, pulmonary, and mammary carcinoma

Breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers collectively represent one third of all diagnosed tumors and are responsible for almost 40% of overall cancer mortality. Despite improvements in current treatments, efforts to develop more specific therapeutic options are warranted. Here we identify matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) as a potential target within all three of these tumor types. MMP3 has previously been shown to induce expression of Rac1b, a tumorigenic splice isoform of Rac1. In this study we find that MMP3 and Rac1b proteins are both strongly expressed by the tumor cells of all three tumor types and that expression of MMP3 protein is prognostic of poor survival in pancreatic cancer patients. We also find that MMP3 gene expression can serve as a prognostic marker for patient survival in breast and lung cancer. These results suggest an oncogenic MMP3-Rac1b signaling axis as a driver of tumor progression in three common poor prognosis tumor types, further suggesting that new therapies to target these pathways could have substantial therapeutic benefit.
Two-photon absorption imaging with shaped femtosecond laser pulses

Femtosecond laser pulse shaping permits background-free detection of two-photon absorption, which tends to refill spectral holes. This opens up new spectroscopic windows for monitoring tissue characteristics.
Gubernatorial Popularity and Power in Iowa Since 1969

Drawing on over 200 measures of job approval of Iowa governors from 1969 to 2014 from the JAR database and the Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, this chapter tests whether the popularity of Iowa governors is explained by the same set of political and economic factors as shown in previous research. While the results tend to fit with such research, when estimating popularity for each governor independently, the effect of economic factors is inconsistent across models. The chapter concludes by asking: If economic factors are not consistently predictive of electoral success of recent Iowa governors, what is missing from the model? More importantly, why were Iowa voters less apt to punish Governors Branstad and Vilsack for poor economic conditions, but seemingly more likely to do so with Governor Culver?
Asymptoten. Scheitel. Achsen

Die Gl. (2) enthalt nur quadratische Glieder in x und y, woraus wir schliesen, das die Hyperbel achsensymmetrisch bezuglich der Koordinatenachsen und zentrisch symmetrisch in bezug auf den Nullpunkt ist. O heist der „Mittelpunkt“ der Hyperbel. Die vollstandige Hyperbel besteht aus den zwei zur Y-Achse symmetrischen „Asten“. Wir losen Gl. (2) nach y auf: $$y = \pm \frac{b}{a}\sqrt {{x^2} - {a^2}} $$ (1)
Punished and Nonpunished Responding in A Multiple Schedule in Humans: A Brief Report

Four male subjects responded on a multiple schedule in which responding was maintained by a random interval 20-sec (RI20) schedule of point presentation. Responding was suppressed in alternating components by an added variable ratio 30 (VR30) schedule of point subtractions. Each component was accompanied by distinctive stimulus lights. Subjects were exposed to the multiple schedule from the initial session. Two subjects experienced four 50-min sessions daily (Experiment 1) and the other two subjects participated in one 50-min session daily (Experiment 2). Once responding in the punished components had stabilized, responding in the nonpunished components continued to increase across sessions. Nonpunished responding did not stabilize even after as many as 36 sessions. These results are discussed in the context of previous studies using animals which employed multiple schedules with punished and nonpunished response contingencies.
Community-based participatory research to engage parents in childhood obesity prevention

T is growing interest in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) among funders and researchers, especially in the field of childhood obesity research where there have been challenges engaging parents and sustaining their participation. The inclusion of parents is essential because they model eating behavior and provide home nutrition environment. Further, parenting styles influence nutrition and other obesity related behaviors. CBPRincreases quality and validity of research, enhancesdata relevance, and improves intervention design and translation. CBPR involves stakeholders as equal participants throughout the research process and combines research knowledge and action to promote health. I will present on how the communities for healthy living project used a parent focused CBPR approach to engage parents in the design, implementation, and evaluation of childhood obesity prevention intervention that targeted low-income, head Start families. Communities for healthy living administered a four pronged intervention that included a print media campaign, modification of organizational processes for informing parents of weight status, nutrition counseling sessions, and a six week intensive parent program. This project used gold standard measures of childhood obesity risk factors and a parent survey in a repeated-measure research design to evaluate the intervention. I will present strategies for engaging low-income parents in the research process and the intervention. I will also present how parent engagement benefited the research, including improving the saliency of the intervention and relevance of the outcome data. A discussion of challenges of the CBPR process and how to address some of those challenges will also be included in the presentation.
Modeling Manufacturing Impacts on Aging and Reliability of Polyurethane Foams

Polyurethane is a complex multiphase material that evolves from a viscous liquid to a system of percolating bubbles, which are created via a CO2 generating reaction. The continuous phase polymerizes to a solid during the foaming process generating heat. Foams introduced into a mold increase their volume up to tenfold, and the dynamics of the expansion process may lead to voids and will produce gradients in density and degree of polymerization. These inhomogeneities can lead to structural stability issues upon aging. For instance, structural components in weapon systems have been shown to change shape as they age depending on their molding history, which can threaten critical tolerances. The purpose of this project is to develop a Cradle-to-Grave multiphysics model, which allows us to predict the material properties of foam from its birth through aging in the stockpile, where its dimensional stability is important.
Chapter 16 – General Flow Theory of Knowledge

Chapter Summary In this chapter, we propose a methodology for quantifying the flow of knowledge based on simple rules of flow that govern the flow of current, heat or fluids. Knowledge being radically different from any of these established down to earth concepts starts to display that the approach based on conduction theory soon become ineffective, if not futile to be very precise in the quantification the flow of knowledge. However, the inroads of these discipline carved out over many decades offer a rough mapping of potentials, resistances, path impedances, work-done, and energies transferred. At the outset, knowledge does not abide by universal law of conservation of energy nor by the basic laws of fluid mechanics, instead knowledge needs its own laws and precepts to quantify its flow, rate of flow, and energies transferred from one knowledge centric object (KCO) to another. The conceptual framework evolved in this chapter, together with the tools of characterization of KCOs in any given discipline offers the explanation that the knowledge potential acquired by anyone depends on the differences of knowledge potentials, the duration of interaction, and the resistance to flow of knowledge between the participants. Concepts developed here are generic and they can be used most disciplines and in most places. The chapter also identifies the makeup of the “source” and the “receptor” KCOs and addresses the process of knowledge transfer wherein the constitution of the KCOs is altered and adjusted by the “work done” during the knowledge energy transfer. By adapting and enhancing equations from heat-, current-, or fluid-flow laws of physics, electrical engineering or fluid mechanics, we propose the knowledge flow be similarly quantified. Though simple and direct, this approach is coarse and approximate. It yields values for knowledge entities that happen at a subconscious level for human minds and for animate objects and at data and knowledge levels in intelligent communication systems and machines.
Linking Fourier and PCA Methods for Image Look-Up

We show a simple, yet effective, method for storing images, such that retrieval of nearby images is both fast and accurate. The main ingredients are discrete Fourier transforms to extract low frequency components, principal components analysis (PCA) for further compression, and storage in k-D trees. We illustrate the quality of results on the MNIST digit suite and also apply it to chromosome segments.
Image Dejittering Based on Slicing Moments

Since the celebrated works of Rudin, Osher, and Fatemi (Physica D, 60:259-268, 1992), the space of functions with bounded variations (BV) has become a powerful mathematical model for approximating generic image signals in contemporary imaging and vision sciences. Motivated by the important application of image and video dejittering, we study the mathematical properties of the slicing moments of BV images. The regularity characterization leads to a novel model for the dejittering problem based upon the Bayesian/Tikhonov principle. Analytical as well as computational results are developed for this novel dejittering approach.
ID: 108: Spatial insights in the interaction between the RIG-I like receptor pathway and viral proteins

The innate immune response relies on a set of Pathogen Recognition Receptors (PRRs) that sensor pathogen patterns (PAMPs). RIG-I is a cytosolic PRR that detects 5’-triphosphate double-stranded RNAs produced during infection. Once activated, the pathway leads to the induction of type I IFN and proinflammatory cytokines, leading to a cellular antiviral state. Upon recognition of the RNA, RIG-I hydrolyzes ATP and changes its conformation to an active state. The CARD domains are then exposed and become K63-linked polyubiquitinated by E3-ligases, such as TRIM25. The activation of this pathway is complex and well characterized, but most of the spatio-temporal events, and the subcellular localization where the essential proteins interact, are still under interrogation. Through different techniques, we analyzed how these proteins form complexes that are distributed and reorganized spatially within the cell in order to create an efficient antiviral state. RIG-I is the main sensor for recognition of viruses such as Paramyxoviruses, Flaviviruses, Rhabdoviruses and Orthomyxoviruses. Many of them have developed numerous and different strategies to overcome the activation of the RLR pathway. We will discuss and show new insights on how, where, and when, viral proteins can counteract the activation of the RLR pathway. NS1 of Influenza A virus, or NS3/4A of Hepatitis C Virus, as an example, are IFN antagonistic viral proteins that interact with specific complexes in very well defined areas in the host cell in order to inhibit the antiviral state in an infected cell.
The role of cetuximab in induction chemotherapy: Comparison of APF-C (nab-paclitaxel, cisplatin, 5-FU + cetuximab) with APF, both followed by chemoradiation therapy (CRT), in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

6042 Background: Cetuximab (C) improved overall survival (OS) in patients (pts) with HNSCC when added to definitive RT or to palliative chemotherapy; however, the role of cetuximab in induction che...
Dynamic Feedback and Disturbance Rejection in Large Scale Composite Systems

Abstract A system is modelled in Large Scale Composite (LSC) form. Local dynamic feedback is implemented, with step-disturbance rejection by proportional-integral control being studied in detail. Controllability questions are treated in the context of tandem-connected subsystems. An economic application illustrates the approach.
Vehicle-Driver Communications to Reduce Rear-End Collisions: What Makes Sense and Why?:

Rear-end collisions are a common type of accident that involves two or more vehicles. But, during the last thirty years only modest changes have been introduced or required in the rear lighting and...
Wavelet ANOVA approach to model validation

Abstract Model validation is that critical component in the simulation development process that ensures a model is truly representative of the system that it is meant to model. Although there are numerous validation techniques described in the literature, many of these techniques still require some amount of subjective analysis in order to assess validity. This is particularly true with dynamic simulation output. To reduce or eliminate this subjectivity, this paper proposes a validation process that uses wavelet analysis of variance (WANOVA) as an effective method to statistically accept or reject a model as valid. This WANOVA validation approach performs statistical inference in the time-frequency domain to take advantage of wavelet sparsity and decorrelation. This process uses a test statistic based on thresholded wavelet coefficients to test the null hypothesis that the set of system data and model data are statistically equivalent. The validation technique is illustrated using a simulation study and empirical data from an automobile crash study.
Vitamin D and dental health

Common oral diseases include gingivitis (inflammation of soft ‘gum’ tissue), periodontitis (infection of hard and soft tissues around teeth) and caries (infection of teeth). These conditions are influenced by the body’s immune function as well as its ability to promote mineralization of hard tissues in the area. As a mediator of mineralization and immunity, vitamin D levels may influence these conditions. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial roles in the oral cavity. Its anti-inflammatory effects are a result of many different interactions including activation of both acquired and innate immunity. The presence of vitamin D also provides indirect antimicrobial effects through increasing cathelicidin levels, which destroy both gram negative and gram positive bacteria. As a result, vitamin D deficiency may compromise immunity and allow bacterial growth within the oral cavity, ultimately increasing local inflammation and the development of periodontal disease. Vitamin D is also necessary for mineralization of dental tissues including alveolar bone, enamel, and dentin. Inadequate mineralization of these tissues as a result of vitamin D deficiency can contribute to decreased integrity of these structures, placing them at higher risk for disease. In the presence of inflammation and pathogenic bacteria, which is also exacerbated by vitamin D deficiency, oral conditions such as periodontitis and caries may be at higher risk of development. While most evidence shows an association between vitamin D deficiency and conditions of the oral cavity, it is important to remember that oral diseases are often multifactorial. Evidence linking vitamin D deficiency with increased risk for oral disease requires more investigation to show causality and determine the magnitude of the contribution. Vitamin D is involved in many vital aspects of mineralization, immunity, and tissue integrity that suggest a key role in preventing oral disease.
Measurement agreement of FITNESSGRAM aerobic capacity and body composition standards

Introduction: FITNESSGRAM is a fitness testing program developed by The Cooper Institute. The FITNESSGRAM program provides two different tests for assessing aerobic capacity (VO2 max), the PACER and the one-mile run. The FITNESSGRAM program also provides two major options for assessing body composition, body fat using skinfold measurements or bioelectrical impedance analyzers (BIA) and body mass index (BMI). Criterion-referenced standards are used in FITNESSGRAM to determine the child’s level of fitness compared to the level of fitness needed for good health. New standards were recently developed that classify student’s fitness level into 3 zones based on potential risk for developing metabolic syndrome (Healthy Fitness Zone (low risk), Needs Improvement – Low Risk (moderate risk), and Needs Improvement – High Risk (high risk)). The new standards were also designed to improve classification agreement between alternative fitness assessments. Preliminary results have supported the utility of the new standards but additional validation research is needed. Purpose: The present study examined the measurement agreement and classification agreement between alternative indicators of aerobic capacity and body composition assessments in FITNESSGRAM. Methods: Data were collected in partnership with a local school district that agreed to let researchers administer aerobic capacity and body composition tests as part of normal physical education testing. Data were collected at a high school (grades 9 – 12) and a junior high school (grades 7, 8). Data were combined across grades to enable measurement agreement to be examined at both the junior high school and high school level. Separate two-way (gender x school type) ANOVA analyses were used to evaluate grade and gender differences in fitness levels with
Joint force sensing for unified motor learning

Motor learning consists of using in-built sensors to learn more about one’s own motion behavior. In this paper, we present an approach for motor learning based on a perturbed parameter scheme. A technique is developed for determining the link inertias based on joint reaction data, obtained through force sensors. Due to inexactness of the model, the parameters thus estimated are likely to differ from their true values. This perturbed parameter set can be thought of as a “learned” model of the executed motion. Running the dynamics procedure with these altered parameters results in a more accurate prediction of the control torques needed for the desired motion.
Mechanisms of Mucus Induction in Asthma

Mucus hypersecretion is a defining feature of asthma and contributes significantly to airway obstruction. The mechanisms by which a normal airway epithelium is converted to a mucus-producing epithelium in asthma are complex. Inflammation in asthma promotes metaplasia of ciliated and Clara cells into goblet cells after both EGFR activation and the effects of IL-13 on Stat6 activation. Recently identified transcription factors and proteins highlight critical steps in the pathway that leads to the transition to a mucus-secreting airway epithelium.
Weighted Differential Topographic Function: A Refinement of Topographic Function

Topology preservation of Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs) is an advantageous property for correct clustering. Among several existing measures of topology violation, this paper studies the Topographic Function (TF) (1). We find that this measuring method, demonstrated for low-dimensional data in (1), has a reliable foundation in its distance metric for the interpretation of the neighborhood relationship in the input space, for high-dimensional data. Based on the TF, we present a Differential Topographic Function (DTF) to reveal the topology violation more clearly and informatively. In addition, a Weighted Differential Topographic Function (WDTF) has been developed. For real world data, the DTF and WDTF unravel more details than the original TF, and help us estimate the topology preservation quality more accurately.
Sex and Sovereignty: Angela Carter’s Medieval Toyshop

While it has often been noted that Angela Carter studied medieval literature at the University of Bristol from 1963–64 just before beginning her writing career, few critical discussions extensively...
Convexity, IV: Bhatia–Hiai–Sano (BHS) Theorem

In Chapter 5, given a C1 function, f, on \((a,b) \subset {\mathbb {R}}\), we defined the Loewner matrix by.
The Basics of Uterine Manipulators: A Beginner's Guide to this Essential Gynecologic Tool

Video Objective In this video, we discuss the basic types of uterine manipulators, review how to select the best uterine manipulator for the intended procedure, and demonstrate how to utilize the uterine manipulator during surgery. Setting Uterine manipulators are essential tools for gynecologic surgeons during laparoscopic procedures. These devices can be challenging for new assistants to differentiate as well as manipulate appropriately. Factors to consider when selecting a uterine manipulator are how much movement of the uterus will be needed during surgery, whether or not evaluation of tubal patency is necessary during the procedure, how long the anticipated procedure will last, and whether you need to create a colpotomy. Based on these factors, we discuss the most appropriate tool for basic adnexal surgery, simple and extensive myomectomy, and laparoscopic hysterectomies. Interventions N/A Conclusion Viewers should be able to differentiate the basic types of uterine manipulators, understand how to select a uterine manipulator, and be able to utilize uterine manipulators during surgery.
Improving Gain of a Broadband Antipodal Vivaldi Array fed by a Tapered Excitation

The application of a tapered excitation to the antenna elements of an array is recommended in order to reduce the height of the sidelobe in the far-field antenna pattern improving the link in the forward direction. To implement a specific excitation function, it is desirable to have a power divider in the frequency range of operation. Here, we present two designs: a) using a broadband equal power divider with a variable attenuator and b) unequal power divider. In both cases, the input excitations are reduced to limit the amplitude of the excitation at a particular port. We have selected three tapered functions: Chebyshev, Kaiser, and the zeroth order Prolate spheroidal wave function. For each tapered excitation, we calculate the spatial power distribution of the far-field H-plane pattern.
Allometry and Resharpening in Experimental Folsom-Point Replicas: Analysis Using Inter-Landmark Distances

If different parts of curated stone tools were resharpened to different degrees, then allometric patterns reside in tools’ variation. Allometry and the related reduction thesis have important typological and theoretical implications that warrant their study. To seek allometric pattern in Folsom replicas, this study uses conventional orthogonal dimensions but also the inter-landmark distances by which Buchanan (Journal of Archaeological Science, 33, 185–199, 2006), applying the Huxley-Jolicoeur approach, found allometry in archaeological Folsom points. Like Buchanan’s, it computes bivariate and multivariate allometric coefficients for several variable sets to test models of Folsom-point resharpening. In bivariate analysis, plan area as gross-size measure yields results consistent with the Huxley-Jolicoeur approach; gross-size measures mass, centroid size, and total length do not scale as expected. Multivariate results are robust to gross-size measure. Length variables are positively, width variables and thickness negatively, allometric. Using different variables, results corroborate the allometric variation found in earlier studies. Distributions derived from multifactorial synthesis of multivariate and other reduction measures demonstrate the value of this approach by linking stone-tool allometry to behavioral-ecology models of broad scope. Allometric analysis requires careful variable selection and rewards approaches that separately characterize those constituent parts of the whole objects that are points.
Strengthening U.S. Politicians’ Reputation

Reputation is a prime concern for politicians. Drawing from the literature in marketing and strategic management, this study aims to facilitate politicians to strengthen their reputation performance and to expand the theory of resource-based view (RBV) in the political arena. Using RBV, a tool that sees resources as key to superior firm performance, the researchers aim to develop a model of drivers and outcomes of social media in the United States. By applying correlation analysis, this research examines the relationship between social media and (1) specific organizational capabilities, and (2) political reputation performance. Data collected from 128 U.S. elected politicians to reveal that adaptation and relationship-building are statistically significant factors and have a relatively strong positive relationship with social media. In turn, social media is statistically significant and has a moderately high positive relationship with political reputation performance. The findings of this study provide important implications for political parties, political candidates, elected politicians, political advisors, and scholars, and offer guidance for future academic research.
Ventromedial prefrontal value signals and functional connectivity during decision-making in suicidal behavior and impulsivity.

Suicide is linked to impaired value-based decision-making and impulsivity, but whether these risk factors share neural underpinnings is unclear. Disrupted ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) value signals may underlie this behavioral phenotype. We investigated vmPFC value signals, vmPFC–frontoparietal connectivity, and the impact of impulsivity during decision-making in depressed individuals with and without suicidal behavior. Middle-aged and older adults (n = 116; 35 with a history of suicide attempts, 25 with ideation only, 25 depressed controls with no ideation, and 31 nonpsychiatric controls) completed a decision-making task with drifting reward probabilities during fMRI. Values of choices, estimated by a reinforcement learning model, were regressed against BOLD signal. VmPFC value activation was compared between groups. Moderating effects of impulsivity on vmPFC–frontoparietal connectivity were assessed in nonpsychiatric controls and compared among patient groups. VmPFC value responses in participants with a history of suicide attempts were reduced relative to nonpsychiatric controls (p < 0.05). In nonpsychiatric controls, vmPFC–frontoparietal connectivity was negatively moderated by impulsivity (pFWE corrected < 0.05). This effect was preserved in comparison patient groups but abolished in suicide attempters (p < 0.001). This change in neural connectivity patterns also affected behavior: people with a history of suicide attempts showed a disrupted effect of vmPFC–frontoparietal connectivity, impulsivity, and reinforcement on choice quality (p < 0.001). These effects were specific to vmPFC and not to striatum. In summary, findings from this study largely support disrupted vmPFC value signals in suicidal behavior. In addition, it uncovers an altered pattern of vmPFC–frontoparietal connectivity in impulsive people with suicidal behavior, which may underlie disrupted choice processes in a suicidal crisis.
DYSSYNCHRONOUS VENTRICULAR ACTIVATION AS ETIOLOGY OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN WOLFF-PARKINSON-WHITE SYNDROME WITH COMPLETE RECOVERY AFTER CATHETER ABLATION

Left ventricular dysfunction and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) are infrequently associated with sustained tachyarrhythmias in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. DCMP has also been rarely reported (primarily in infants and children) in the absence of arrhythmia with a presumed
Composition of ruminal bacteria harvested from steers as influenced by dietary forage level and fat supplementation.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of dietary forage level and fat supplementation on the chemical composition of mixed ruminal bacteria (MRB). Six ruminally cannulated beef steers (354 kg +/- 18) were given ad libitum access to six diets (13.2% CP; DM basis) that were offered twice daily in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. Treatments were arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with two forage levels (70 vs 30% of dietary DM as corn silage) and three forms of fat supplementation including no canola seed or canola seed added at 10% of dietary DM as whole treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide or untreated crushed. Canola seed contributed 5% added fat to the total diet. The remaining dietary ingredients were corn, canola meal, molasses, and urea. No interactions (P > .05) between dietary forage level and canola seed supplementation were observed. Concentrations of OM, N, and all amino acids were higher (P .05) by dietary forage level or canola seed supplementation. Canola seed supplementation did not affect (P > .05) concentrations of OM, N, or most of the amino acids in MRB. Concentrations of four essential amino acids (i.e., isoleucine, leucine, lysine, and phenylalanine) in MRB were decreased (P .05) concentrations of long-chain fatty acids in MRB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Treating cannabis use disorder: Exploring a treatment as needed model with 34-month follow-up

Abstract Research has demonstrated that motivational enhancement (MET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are some of the most effective interventions for adults with cannabis use disorder (CUD). As few as two sessions of combined MET and CBT has produced abstinence and reductions in cannabis use greater than delayed treatment controls. Despite their efficacy, outcomes in previous studies yielded abstinence rates from cannabis in the range of 20–30% at follow-ups of 6 to 12 months, and CUD remained a chronic condition for many. Additional models of providing treatment “as needed” (PRN), rather than as a single fixed-dose, are necessary to meet the different needs of adults with CUD and reengage those who do not respond to treatment initially or who relapse later. In the current study, 87 adults who met DSM-IV criteria for cannabis dependence were randomly assigned to receive either a fixed-dose of nine sessions of MET/CBT or to a PRN condition that provided a smaller initial dose of treatment, but allowed repeated access to treatment for 28 months. Cannabis use and associated problems were assessed every six months throughout a 34-month period. More than one-third of participants in the PRN condition accessed additional treatment episodes, but the total number of treatment sessions that participants utilized was comparable across conditions. Both treatments yielded significant reductions in cannabis use and associated problems at each follow-up. Contrary to hypotheses, the PRN condition did not yield better outcomes at the longer-term follow-ups. The fixed-dose condition produced greater rates of abstinence at the first follow-up, but otherwise there were no between group differences in outcomes. Future studies should test active approaches to reengaging participants with treatment when initial outcomes are less than optimal.