cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Natural Flavonoid Pinocembrin: Molecular Targets and Potential Therapeutic Applications

Pinocembrin is a natural flavonoid compound extracted from honey, propolis, ginger roots, wild marjoram, and other plants. In preclinical studies, it has shown anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects as well as the ability to reduce reactive oxygen species, protect the blood-brain barrier, modulate mitochondrial function, and regulate apoptosis. Considering these pharmaceutical characteristics, pinocembrin has potential as a drug to treat ischemic stroke and other clinical conditions. In this review, we summarize its pharmacologic characteristics and discuss its mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications.
The Utilisation of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Substations

Nowadays, most transmission and distribution substations are equipped with batteries. These batteries are used as an emergency power supply for critical loads and therefore play a crucial role in substation availability. At present vented lead-acid batteries are deeply entrenched in the market but are big, heavy, and require regular maintenance. These disadvantages inhibit substation development in areas which have limited space and also need more emergency capability due to having more DC motors and actuators connected. With technology development and cost reduction, relative to lead-acid, lithium-ion batteries now offer an attractive combination of ldquogreenerrdquo materials, compact, light, maintenance free, long life and high power and energy density. This paper presents the lithium-ion battery characteristics and the integration of lithium-ion batteries into substations. Simulation and experimental results are also presented and discussed.
Comparison of sub-bandage pressures achieved by 3 abdominal bandaging techniques in horses

Summary Reasons for performing study Clinicians frequently place post operative abdominal bandages on horses undergoing laparotomies. Presently, no information exists on the amount of incisional support provided by these bandages. Determination of sub-bandage pressure provides a means of comparing the ability of different bandages to support incisions. Objectives Determination of sub-bandage pressure over a 24 h period using 3 bandaging techniques. Study design A randomised, crossover design using 9 healthy horses. Methods Horses were randomly assigned to a treatment regimen consisting of placement of 3 abdominal bandage types, namely an elastic bandage (ELA), the CMTM Hernia Heal Belt (CM) or a nylon binder (NYL). The sub-bandage pressures for each bandage were measured with the Picopress® compression-measuring system at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h after application. Results No time and treatment interactions were observed, and bandage pressures were maintained within each treatment group over the 24 h period. Mean sub-bandage pressures were different between all treatment groups (P<0.001) at 39 (95% confidence interval, 36.7–40.5 mmHg), 25 (95% confidence interval, 23.9–27.7 mmHg) and 5 mmHg (95% confidence interval, 4.1–7.8 mmHg) for CM, ELA and NYL bandages, respectively. Horses were more likely to lie down with the CM (P = 0.02) and ELA treatments (P = 0.0002) when compared with the NYL treatment. The ELA bandages were more likely to displace caudally compared with both CM and NYL bandages. Conclusions The CM bandage was superior to both ELA and NYL bandages with regard to measured sub-bandage pressure over the 24 h period. The clinical significance of the differences in sub-bandage pressure between treatments cannot be determined by this study.
Screening for intrauterine growth retardation using the ultrasound biparietal diameter

Fifteen hundred patients were scanned to predict fetal age and weight by biparietal diameter measurement. three hundred eleven patients had more than one scan. Forty-three small for gestational age (SGA) babies were ultimately delivered in this population. Prenatal ultrasound screening criteria for grouping into appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA) categories were: a) only an absolute biparietal diameter below the third percentile for the reference Rochester region population; b) only delta BPD calculated as less than 50 percent of the mean growth rate for the reference population; and c) a combination of these two factors. Intrauterine growth retardation was most accurately determined when an absolutely small biparietal diameter was found (at the time of the last ultrasound examination) in a woman with accurate gestational age assessment. Least accurate was the prediction based on one biparietal diameter measurement in a woman with poor clinical dates. A 50 percent false positive detection rate and poor sensitivity to intrauterine growth retardation were found using ultrasound biparietal diameter measurements as a screening test in this manner.
A decomposition of apparent power in polyphase unbalanced networks in nonsinusoidal operation

This letter describes a physics-based methodology for decomposing the apparent power into orthogonal components. The framework unifies several results from the literature and enables useful extensions and generalizations.
Text independent speaker identification using automatic acoustic segmentation

An acoustic-class-dependent technique for text-independent speaker identification on very short utterances is described. The technique is based on maximum-likelihood estimation of a Gaussian mixture model representation of speaker identity. Gaussian mixtures are noted for their robustness as a parametric model and their ability to form smooth estimates of rather arbitrary underlying densities. Speaker model parameters are estimated using a special case of the iterative expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm, and a number of techniques are investigated for improving model robustness. The system is evaluated using a 12 reference speaker population from a conversational speech database. It achieves 80% average text-independent speaker identification performance for a 1-s test utterance length. >
Lofting curve networks using subdivision surfaces

Lofting is a traditional technique for creating a curved shape by first specifying a network of curves that approximates the desired shape and then interpolating these curves with a smooth surface. This paper addresses the problem of lofting from the viewpoint of subdivision. First, we develop a subdivision scheme for an arbitrary network of cubic B-splines capable of being interpolated by a smooth surface. Second, we provide a quadrangulation algorithm to construct the topology of the surface control mesh. Finally, we extend the Catmull-Clark scheme to produce surfaces that interpolate the given curve network. Near the curve network, these lofted subdivision surfaces are C2 bicubic splines, except for those points where three or more curves meet. We prove that the surface is C1 with bounded curvature at these points in the most common cases; empirical results suggest that the surface is also C1 in the general case.
An APPL1/Akt signaling complex regulates dendritic spine and synapse formation in hippocampal neurons

The formation and plasticity of dendritic spines and synapses, which are poorly understood on a molecular level, are critical for cognitive functions, such as learning and memory. The adaptor protein containing a PH domain, PTB domain, and leucine zipper motif (APPL1) is emerging as a critical regulator of various cellular processes in non-neuronal cells, but its function in the nervous system is not well understood. Here, we show that APPL1 localizes to dendritic spines and synapses and regulates the development of these structures in hippocampal neurons. Knockdown of endogenous APPL1 using siRNA led to a significant decrease in the number of spines as well as synapses and this defect could be rescued by expression of siRNA-resistant APPL1. Expression of exogenous APPL1 increased the spine and synaptic density and the amount of surface GluR1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPARs). Deletion of the C-terminal phosphotyrosine binding domain of APPL1, which binds the serine/threonine kinase Akt, resulted in a significant decrease in the spine and synaptic density, suggesting a role for Akt in regulating the development of these structures. Consistent with this, knockdown of Akt with siRNA or expression of dominant negative Akt led to a dramatic decrease in spine and synapse formation. In addition, APPL1 increased the amount of active Akt in spines and synapses and the effects of APPL1 on these structures were dependent on Akt, indicating that Akt is an effector of APPL1 in the regulation of these processes. Moreover, APPL1 signaling modulates spine and synapse formation through p21-activated kinase (PAK). Thus, our results indicate that APPL1 signaling through Akt and PAK is critical for spine and synaptic development and point to a role for APPL1 and its effectors in regulating cognitive function.
Job scheduling on parallel machines using simulated annealing

The authors consider the problem of scheduling a set of simultaneously available jobs on several parallel machines. Specifically, the minimization of the time to finish all the jobs assigned to all machines of scheduling sequence under job deadline constraints for the n jobs, m machines problem is formulated. The simulated annealing and fast simulated annealing algorithms are reviewed and adopted for the scheduling problem. A large number of simulations were carried out which provides an empirical basis for comparing the application of classical simulated annealing and fast simulated annealing algorithms to the scheduling problem. >
Common sub-expression elimination in PAPR reduction of OFDM system

This paper presents an optimized solution to peak to average power (PAPR) reduction system for hardware mapping. One of the critical issues of systems utilizing orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is the high PAPR of OFDM signals. PAPR reduction schemes increases the computational complexity of high throughput systems. The proposed optimized solution uses common subexpression elimination for reducing the complexity of the OFDM system employing a PAPR reduction scheme. A precoded OFDM system has been used. Constant multiplications involved in the precoding are decomposed into shifts and additions and then common subexpression elimination involving multiple variables is employed to reduce the number of operations involved. This results in improved performance, less area coverage and reduced power consumption.
Multiple features of the p59fyn src homology 4 domain define a motif for immune-receptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) binding and for plasma membrane localization.

The src family tyrosine kinase p59fyn binds to a signaling motif contained in subunits of the TCR known as the immune-receptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). This is a specific property of p59fyn because two related src family kinases, p60src and p56lck, do not bind to ITAMs. In this study, we identify the residues of p59fyn that are required for binding to ITAMs. We previously demonstrated that the first 10 residues of p59fyn direct its association with the ITAM. Because this region of src family kinases also directs their fatty acylation and membrane association (Resh, M.D. 1993, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1155:307-322; Resh, M.D. 1994. Cell. 76:411-413), we determined whether fatty acylation and membrane association of p59fyn correlates with its ability to bind ITAMs. Four residues (Gly2, Cys3, Lys7, and Lys9) were required for efficient binding of p59fyn to the TCR. Interestingly, the same four residues are present in p56lyn, the other src family tyrosine kinase known to bind to the ITAM, suggesting that this set of residues constitutes an ITAM recognition motif. These residues were also required for efficient fatty acylation (myristoylation at Gly2 and palmitoylation at Cys3), and plasma membrane targeting of p59fyn. Thus, the signals that direct p59fyn fatty acylation and plasma membrane targeting also direct its specific ability to bind to TCR proteins.
Amici Curiae and Dissensus on the U.S. Supreme Court

A great deal of empirical research has focused on explaining why U.S. Supreme Court Justices partake in nonconsensual opinion writing. However, little attention has been paid to the role of organized interests in contributing to a Justice's decision to write or join a separate opinion. I argue that a Justice's decision to engage in this behavior is a partial function of interest group amicus curiae participation in the Court. By providing the Justices with a myriad of information regarding how cases should be resolved, organized interests create ambiguity in the Justices' already uncertain decision making, at the same time providing them with a substantial foundation for concurring or dissenting opinions. I subject this argument to empirical validation by examining the Justices' decisions to author or join regular concurring, special concurring, and dissenting opinions during the 1946–1995 terms. The results indicate that organized interests play a considerable role in increasing dissensus on the Supreme Court.
Activated charcoal in the home: helpful and important or simply a distraction?

In the December 2001 issue of Pediatrics , Spiller and Rodgers1 present data showing that parents were able to administer a dose of activated charcoal to their children, at home, in a timely manner after an unintentional ingestion. Activated charcoal has long been preferred for decontamination in the emergency department. Some readers may be quick to anticipate substitution of activated charcoal for syrup of ipecac in the home. However, before we start a discussion of replacing syrup of ipecac with activated charcoal in the home, we need to finish the discussion about the place of home decontamination in pediatric health care and whether we should expend additional public education efforts or limited anticipatory guidance time on it. Unintentional pediatric ingestion of drugs and poisons continues to be a problem. In 2000, members of the American Association of Poison Control Centers received 1 142 796 calls about poison exposures to children younger than 6 years of age.2 Significant progress in reducing morbidity and mortality has been made through legislation …
Consistent personality differences in house-hunting behavior but not decision speed in swarms of honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Speed-accuracy tradeoffs are a common feature of decision-making processes, both in individual animals and in groups of animals working together to reach a single collective decision. Individual organisms display consistent differences in their “impulsivity,” and vary in their tendency to make rapid, impulsive choices as opposed to slower, more accurate decisions. However, we do not yet know whether groups of animals consistently differ in their tendency to prioritize decision speed over accuracy. We challenged 17 swarms of honey bees (Apis mellifera) to simultaneously choose a new nest site in each of three locations, and measured their decision speeds in each trial. We found that swarms displayed consistent personality differences in the number of waggle dances and shaking signals they performed and in how actively they scouted for new nest sites. However, swarms did not consistently differ in how long they took to choose a nest site. We suggest that house-hunting A. mellifera swarms may place an especially high emphasis on decision accuracy when choosing a nest site, and that chance events—such as the time when each swarm discovers a sufficiently high-quality nest site—may consequently play a greater role in determining a swarm’s decision speed than intrinsic characteristics such as a swarm’s “impulsivity.”
Affinity Purification of the Arabidopsis 26 S Proteasome Reveals a Diverse Array of Plant Proteolytic Complexes

Selective proteolysis in plants is largely mediated by the ubiquitin (Ub)/proteasome system in which substrates, marked by the covalent attachment of Ub, are degraded by the 26 S proteasome. The 26 S proteasome is composed of two subparticles, the 20 S core protease (CP) that compartmentalizes the protease active sites and the 19 S regulatory particle that recognizes and translocates appropriate substrates into the CP lumen for breakdown. Here, we describe an affinity method to rapidly purify epitope-tagged 26 S proteasomes intact from Arabidopsis thaliana. In-depth mass spectrometric analyses of preparations generated from young seedlings confirmed that the 2.5-MDa CP-regulatory particle complex is actually a heterogeneous set of particles assembled with paralogous pairs for most subunits. A number of these subunits are modified post-translationally by proteolytic processing, acetylation, and/or ubiquitylation. Several proteasome-associated proteins were also identified that likely assist in complex assembly and regulation. In addition, we detected a particle consisting of the CP capped by the single subunit PA200 activator that may be involved in Ub-independent protein breakdown. Taken together, it appears that a diverse and highly dynamic population of proteasomes is assembled in plants, which may expand the target specificity and functions of intracellular proteolysis.
Schedulable regions and equilibrium cost for multipath flow control: the benefits of coordination

In this paper we consider deterministic differential equation models for the varying number of flows in a network. These arise naturally as limits of stochastic models under joint scaling of flow arrival rates and network capacities. We compare these dynamics under (i) coordinated multipath routing and (ii) parallel, uncoordinated routing. We show that for identical traffic demands, parallel uncoordinated routing can be unstable while balanced multipath routing is stable. In other words, coordination can strictly increase the schedulable region, that is the set of demand vectors for which the system is stable. We also show that, even when uncoordinated multipath routing stabilises the system, coordination can bring further benefits, as it naturally minimises network costs at equilibrium.
The Legacy of the Magna Carta in Recent Supreme Court Decisions on Detainees' Rights

The legacy of the Magna Carta is apparent in the Supreme Court's recent decisions regarding detainees' rights. Asked to evaluate strong claims of executive power, the Court has had occasion to consider the origin and scope of habeas corpus, which many scholars see as a product of the Magna Carta. The majority opinion in Boumediene v. Bush (2008) traced the history of the writ of habeas corpus back to the Magna Carta and relied on that lineage to rule that Guantanamo detainees were entitled to petition for habeas corpus, even though Congress had explicitly denied them that right in the 2006 Military Commissions Act (MCA) and the 2005 Detainee Treatment Act (DTA).
Getting Serious about Similarity

Although most philosophical accounts about model/world relations focus on structural mappings such as isomorphism, similarity has long been discussed as an alternative account. Despite its attractions, proponents of the similarity view have not provided detailed accounts of what it means that a model is similar to a real-world target system. This article gives the outlines of such an account, drawing on the work of Amos Tversky.
A Content Analysis of 10 Years of Clinical Supervision Articles in Counseling.

This content analysis follows Borders's (2005) review of counseling supervision literature and includes 184 counselor supervision articles published over the past 10 years. Articles were coded as representing 1 of 3 research types or 1 of 3 conceptual types. Articles were then analyzed for main topics producing 11 topic categories.
Protective Role for B-1b B Cells and IgM in Obesity-Associated Inflammation, Glucose Intolerance, and Insulin Resistance

Objective—Little is known about the role(s) B cells play in obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction. This study used a mouse with B-cell–specific deletion of Id3 (Id3Bcell KO) to identify B-cell functions involved in the metabolic consequences of obesity. Approach and Results—Diet-induced obese Id3Bcell KO mice demonstrated attenuated inflammation and insulin resistance in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and improved systemic glucose tolerance. VAT in Id3Bcell KO mice had increased B-1b B cells and elevated IgM natural antibodies to oxidation-specific epitopes. B-1b B cells reduced cytokine production in VAT M1 macrophages, and adoptively transferred B-1b B cells trafficked to VAT and produced natural antibodies for the duration of 13-week studies. B-1b B cells null for Id3 demonstrated increased proliferation, established larger populations in Rag1−/− VAT, and attenuated diet-induced glucose intolerance and VAT insulin resistance in Rag1−/− hosts. However, transfer of B-1b B cells unable to secrete IgM had ...
A simulation study of the LTE interference on WiFi signal detection

To address the spectrum scarcity problem and enhance spectrum utilization efficiency, spectrum sharing and coexistence of different wireless communication systems are important ongoing research topics. Unlicensed use of the ISM band by the long-term evolution (LTE) wireless cellular system is expected to bring large performance enhancement to users of LTE, but its coexistence with incumbent Wi-Fi users must be carefully considered. In this paper, we implement a simulation-based study to investigate the effect of LTE interference on an IEEE 802.11a system, in terms of physical-layer packet error rate (PER) and throughput. Simulation results show that the considered LTE interference waveform generates colored-noise like effect on Wi-Fi receivers, and is less harmful on Wi-Fi detection performance than full-band white noise, given the same power.
Photoinduced Metal-Free Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Acrylonitrile

Photoinduced metal-free atom transfer radical polymerization has been successfully extended to the synthesis of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with predictable molecular weights and low dispersities. This was achieved using phenothiazine derivatives as photoredox catalysts, which activate dormant alkyl bromides to reversibly form propagating radicals. Both 1H NMR spectroscopy and chain-end extension polymerization show highly preserved Br chain-end functionality in the synthesized PAN.
The Educational and Professional Goals of International Students in Public Service Degrees

ABSTRACTInternational student enrollment in public service degrees such as Public Administration in the United States has grown rapidly. Harnessing this growth to improve the knowledge and expertise of employees in public service is a vital opportunity. However, our survey of public service schools shows that international students perceive an extensive lack of support with financial and linguistic challenges. Furthermore, schools practice little performance evaluation concerning international student experience. We conclude that schools collect more data on international students and communicate better information about programs to improve services and ensure that students know accurately what to expect from their overseas education.
Women and minorities are less likely to receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Introduction Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) improve survival in patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). We investigated whether women and minorities are as likely as white men to receive an ICD for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Methods and results We reviewed the electronic medical records of patients with cardiomyopathy by nuclear single-photon emission computed tomography imaging (EF ≤ 35%), who had no prior history of sustained ventricular arrhythmias. Clinical and demographic data were collected and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was calculated for each patient. A total of 233 non-selected patients (age = 68 ± 12 years, 29% women, 21% black, EF 24 ± 6%, CCI 6.62 ± 2.9) were included in this analysis of whom 111 (48%) received an ICD. In univariate analysis, ICD recipients were more likely to be Caucasian men compared with black men or women from all races. After adjusting for race, gender, EF, and the CCI in a multivariate logistic regression model, women were 61% less likely than men [odds ratio (OR) = 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.74, P= 0.004] and blacks were 72% less likely than whites (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.13-0.59, P= 0.001) to receive an ICD. Conclusions Even after adjusting for comorbid conditions, gender, and racial discrepancies in the implantation of ICDs for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death exist. Further investigations into the root causes of these discrepancies are needed before any corrective measures can be adopted.
On Web-based College English Autonomous Learning

With the deepening of the autonomous learning research,the autonomous learning theory has produced great impact on the college English learning and teaching.The paper first illustrates the advantages of web-based college English autonomous learning and then further analyzes the problems the college students encounter in the course of web-based English autonomous learning.Finally,the paper puts forward some corresponding solutions in the hope of providing some implications for better carrying out web-based college English autonomous learning.
Scale and Durability of Leader Effects

Using Britain as a test case, the analysis to this point has confirmed the need to reconceptualize our understanding of modern parliamentary elections to take account of the personalities of the party leaders being substantial influences on their outcomes. Political parties’ growing dependence on television as their campaigning vehicle of preference has obliged them more than in the not-too-recent past to project themselves and shape their popular image through their principal spokesperson, their leader and de facto prime ministerial candidate. By simultaneously encouraging and taking their cues from this more personalized style of campaigning, the print and electronic media in turn have come to lavish more attention on the party leaders and, in so doing, have helped to make them more salient and powerful electoral stimuli for the voting public. The evidence presented in the previous three chapters of this book makes for a persuasive case that British general elections have, in terms of both presentation and impact, become more presidential. To make this argument, however, does not exhaust all there is to be said about this change since it neglects two related, if distinct, facets of the personalization of election campaigns — namely, its scale and durability. That is, not addressed to this point are the questions of, first, how influential the party leaders are relative to each other and to other short-term determinants of the vote and, second, how permanent a change to the dynamics of parliamentary election contests is presidentialism likely to represent.
Radiolabeled IL-2-Human Serum Albumin Fusion Protein (Albuleukin™) as a Potential New Reagent for Radioimmunoimaging / Therapy of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Abstract Objectives: CD25 (IL-2Rα) is overexpressed on the cell surface by a variety of malignant diseases including Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and its surrounding lymphoid infitrate. A soluble form of this receptor (sCD25) may limit a targeting agent's ability to bind to the tumor cells which may result in decreased therapeutic efficacy. Albuleukin is a fusion protein of recombinant native IL-2 and human serum albumin with a molecular mass of 82kD. Albuleukin possesses the immunomodulatory characteristics of IL-2 with a significantly extended circulatory half-life and better localization in lymphocyte rich tissues than IL-2. We investigated the targeting and pharmacokinetic properties of Albuleukin in a human CD25+ HL xenograft model as a potential novel radioimmunodiagnostic/-therapeutic agent. Materials & Methods: Albuleukin was conjugated with a DOTA bifunctional chelating agent. DOTA-Albuleukin was radiolabeled with 111In (specific activity 3μCi/μg; 91–100% labeling efficiencies). Human HL (L540) tumor bearing nude mice were injected i.v. with 111In-Albuleukin (5μCi) with and without unlabeled humanized anti-CD25 (daclizumab; 5μg 4h prior) to investigate its potential impact on pharmacokinetics and tumor targeting. Mice were sacrificed at various time points and tumors, blood and major organs were collected and analyzed for radioactivity. Serum samples were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC-) HPLC. Serial whole body γ-imaging studies (15μCi) were also performed. Results: Biodistribution and imaging studies of 111In-Albuleukin exhibited rapid blood clearance (4%ID/g at 24h), specific tumor localization (18%ID/g at 24h) and favorable tumor:blood ratios (22:1 at 48h). Adding anti-CD25 MAb did not alter the biodistribution profile or targeting of Albuleukin. No breakdown products of Albuleukin or formation of complexes between Albuleukin and sCD25 (with or without anti-CD25) were detected by SEC-HPLC in the mouse serum. Conclusions: Unlike small MAb fragments of comparable size, Albuleukin did not accumulate in metabolizing organs such as liver and kidneys. The low affinity of Albuleukin to sCD25 may explain the absence of immunocomplexes, as we have observed with the radiolabeled anti-CD25 alone, and unaltered biodistribution when unlabeled anti-CD25 was added. The good tumor targeting of the Albuleukin may be due to the involvement of the cell surface high affinity receptor including beta- and gamma-chains. The rapid blood clearance in concert with low normal organ uptake and good tumor targeting as well as its presumed low immunogenicity in humans makes 111In-Albuleukin a potential new reagent for radioimmunoimaging, and possibly for treatment of CD25+ lymphoma utilizing 90Y.
Measles, misinformation, and risk: personal belief exemptions and the MMR vaccine

Across the United States, children entering schools are required to get a series of vaccinations that includes the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.1 Designed to prevent those three devastating childhood illnesses, the MMR vaccine has proven highly effective and low risk. By the year 2000, decades of the vaccine's use in the US led to the official elimination of measles in this country;2 during those decades, children had severe, vaccine-associated adverse reactions so infrequently that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not report them as causally linked.3 Nonetheless, a now-retracted 1998 paper linked the MMR vaccine with the development of autism. This paper set off the most-recent anti-vaccination movement—a wave of fear and mistrust of vaccines (and particularly of MMR) that persists in some communities to this day.4 Because of a clustering of such communities in affluent regions of California,5 epidemiological conditions in the state became favorable for a new, widespread outbreak of measles.6 Such an outbreak began at Southern California's Disneyland in early 2015.7 As the outbreak spread to 23 other states and the District of Columbia, it reignited debates about states' exemptions from their MMR mandates. Those exemptions fall into two categories: medical and non-medical. Generally, the latter category further divides into religious exemptions and philosophical exemptions; the latter of these often becomes the tool that anti-vaccine parents use to avoid MMR. Though only two states (California and Vermont) have entirely eliminated their philosophical exemptions in response to the Disneyland outbreak, several other states have at least considered either restriction or complete elimination of philosophical exemptions as a means to improve vaccination rates. In doing so, those states have sparked debates about the ethics of MMR immunization mandates and their exemptions. This paper first outlines some of the basic science around measles and the MMR vaccine. This science is essential to understanding the debates around the vaccine exemption laws. This paper then discusses the different types of exemption laws with a focus on who uses them. After summarizing the specific circumstances of the 2015 Disneyland outbreak, this paper considers the two main sides of the ethical debate around vaccine exemption. This consideration leads to the conclusion that states considering changes to their vaccine exemption laws should balance the concerns of both those who support and those who oppose vaccines. Striking that balance will be crucial to developing the right changes to the laws around the MMR vaccine—which will promote higher vaccination rates and prevent future harm to children from measles outbreaks.
Development of kinetic parameters for polyurethane thermal degradation modeling featuring a bioinspired catecholic flame retardant

Abstract A recently developed flame retardant (FR) nanocoating of polydopamine (PDA) was applied to flexible polyurethane foam (PU) and thermogravimetrically analyzed (TGA). Thermal degradation kinetics were described by a simplified multi-component, Arrhenius expression coupled with a first-order reaction model. Kinetic parameters were then extracted via an optimization solver. By limiting the number of optimized parameters, a mesh adaptive direct search algorithm was employed to extract meaningful kinetic parameters that better simulate the TGA data compared to graphical methods. Through TGA, it was shown that the effect of the PDA nanocoating on PU degradation differs between oxidative (78 vol% nitrogen (N2) and 21 vol% oxygen) and inert (100% N2) environments. In nitrogen, the mass loss is delayed and diminished in the first PU reaction, which is the opposite effect of a traditional halophosphate FR. In an oxidative environment, the first reaction of PU is greatly delayed by the PDA coating, but once the reaction begins, it becomes accelerated.
Thermomechanical failure response of notched NiTi coupons

Abstract Emerging applications of shape memory alloys (SMAs) functioning as actuators in areas such as the aeronautic and automotive industries, require better understanding of their failure mechanisms and mechanics under combined thermomechanical loading. In this paper we examine the thermomechanically–assisted fracture of double notched NiTi coupons during thermal cycling sweeps under isobaric loading conditions. This loading path is an idealization of typical loading paths that utilize these alloys as actuators. A new high performance full-field measurement technique known as Direct Strain Imaging is used to produce full-field strain measurements that are of both higher accuracy and higher spatial resolution than previously achievable. Failure by the formation of an unstable crack during cooling is observed in the experiments for bias load levels that are a fraction of the isothermal load needed for failure at the beginning of cooling (at a temperature well above austenite–finish temperature). This is an intriguing response, characteristic of SMAs, that from an energetic point of view is in disagreement with the general view of dissipative processes, such as phase transformation, resulting in fracture toughness enhancement.
Natural killer cell cytotoxicity is enhanced in the presence of 1 h post-exercise serum

Natural Killer-cell cytotoxicity (NKCA) increases during recovery from exercise. The mechanism(s) underlying enhanced NKCA remain unknown. We therefore investigated the role of exercise-induced changes in cortisol and NK-cell subsets on NKCA. Methods Thirteen adults (7 women; 32 ± 7 years) cycled 30 min 15% above lactate threshold. NK-cells from pre-, post-, and 1 h post-exercise were incubated with U266 tumor-target cells in the presence of autologous serum. NKCA was assessed after 4 h in a flow cytometry based assay. To determine the effect of cortisol released during exercise, pre-exercise NK-cells and targets were incubated with pre-, post- and 1 h post-exercise serum. To determine the effect of shifts in NK-cell subsets, pre-, post-, and 1 h post-exercise NK-cells and targets were incubated with pre- exercise serum. Serum cortisol was assessed by ELISA. Results were analyzed using linear mixed models. Results The NKCA of pre-exercise NK-cells was enhanced in the presence of 1 h post-exercise serum (p Conclusions Serum obtained 1 h post-exercise enhanced resting NKCA and decreased the proportion of inhibitory NK-cells. This suggests that factors present in serum after exercise can alter effector cell function. Future work will analyze cytokines present in 1 h post-exercise serum.
Control strategies for a high frequency DC-DC converter for electrified vehicles

In this paper, three control strategies for a wide band-gap bidirectional DC-DC converter (BDC) are introduced and combined to improve the vehicle traction system performance. A feed-forward control algorithm is proposed to reduce the voltage ripple of DC-link capacitor located between the BDC and traction inverter. Through voltage control of the BDC, both three-phase short and uncontrolled generator operation may be avoided for an improved fault tolerant response of the interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor drive system. With coordinated control of the converter output voltage, the traction system efficiency can be improved, when compared with constant DC bus voltage operation. The proposed control algorithms are validated through simulation and experiment.
Stakeholder approach to bureaucratic responsiveness: A network-based framework to analyze public administrator value preferences

The environment in which public administrators are working is increasingly becoming one that is based on network relationships and expectations for active collaboration. Within this evolving environment the value preferences of administrators are subject to challenge and possible change. This article offers an approach to understand the dynamics of value preferences of public administrators through the lenses of stakeholder theory and bureaucratic responsiveness. A set of propositions are offered for future empirical study and to begin a discussion on the relationship between responsiveness, value creation, and the ultimate achievement of successful collaboration
Evaluación de calidad de calificaciones en exámenes escritos a través del modelo multifocal de lente y la teoría de medición de Rasch

Lens models have been used extensively for the examination of human judgments. Applications of lens model have occurred in a variety of contexts including judgments of reading achievement, clinical diagnosis, and personality characteristics. Rater-mediated writing assessments involve human judgments toward student essays. The judgmental process determines the quality of ratings, and this directly affects validity and fairness of ratings. Lens models provide a theoretical framework to evaluate rater judgment in rater-mediated assessments. Rasch measurement theory offers an alternative methodological approach for studying human judgments, and we propose combining Rasch measurement theory with a multifocal lens model. In order to illustrate our approach, the ratings of three expert raters and 20 operational raters from a state writing assessment program in the United States are examined in this study. There are only 35% of the students with comparable writing proficiency measures based on a comparison of ratings from operational raters and expert raters. The combination of a multifocal lens model with Rasch measurement theory offers a new pathway for understanding the quality of ratings for rater-mediated assessments.
Characterizing spatio-temporal variation in survival and recruitment with integrated population models

ABSTRACT Efforts to understand population dynamics and identify high-quality habitat require information about spatial variation in demographic parameters. However, estimating demographic parameters typically requires labor-intensive capture–recapture methods that are difficult to implement over large spatial extents. Spatially explicit integrated population models (IPMs) provide a solution by accommodating spatial capture–recapture (SCR) data collected at a small number of sites with survey data that may be collected over a much larger extent. We extended the spatial IPM framework to include a spatio-temporal point process model for recruitment, and we applied the model to 4 yr of SCR and distance-sampling data on Canada Warblers (Cardellina canadensis) near the southern extent of the species' breeding range in North Carolina, USA, where climate change is predicted to cause population declines and distributional shifts toward higher elevations. To characterize spatial variation in demographic parameters ...
The impact of parenting on child mental health among children of prostituting mothers

Abstract While a growing body of literature documents adverse outcomes among prostituting women, very little research has focused on their parenting practices or the unique risk factors their children experience. This is of particular interest as majority of prostituting women have children, that are vulnerable to experiencing adverse outcomes. Among the general population, the positive impact of effective parenting styles on children's mental health has been well-documented; however, there is a paucity of information on the relationship between parenting practices and mental health outcomes for children of prostituting mothers. The current study examined the parenting practices of prostituting mothers and their effects on child mental health outcomes utilizing data from a larger randomized clinical trial. Mothers and their children were recruited through a local substance use treatment facility. Results indicated that children of prostituting mothers reported experiencing less parental monitoring and worse mental health functioning compared to other children. The joint influences of parental monitoring and psychological autonomy on children's mental health outcomes were different among these children, compared to those of non-prostituting mothers. Specifically, as support for children's psychological autonomy increased, so did children's mental health functioning, but only for those that experienced low to moderate levels of parental monitoring. This combination of low monitoring and increased psychological autonomy likely fostered independence and may have allowed these children to distance themselves from potential hazards and avoid experiences of abuse. To our knowledge, this is the first study to quantitatively examine parenting practices and child mental health outcomes among this population.
Exploring Watts’ Cascade Boundary

Watts’ “Simple Model of Global Cascades on Random Networks” used percolation theory to derive conditions under which a small trigger causes a finite fraction of an infinite number of nodes to flip from “off” to “on” based on the states of their neighbors according to a simple threshold rule. The lower boundary of this region (at approximately Z = 1) was determined by the disintegration of the network while the upper boundary (at values of Z that depend on the threshold) was determined by the resistance of nodes to being flipped due to their many connections to stable nodes. Experiments on finite networks revealed a similar upper boundary, displaced upward from the theoretical boundary toward larger values of Z. In this paper we study cascades on finite networks in this upper boundary region via simulations. We distinguish two kinds of cascades: total network cascades (or TNCs) that essentially consume the entire finite network, and cascades corresponding to those predicted by percolation theory that consume only the initially struck vulnerable clusters and possibly a few others.
Short-Range Antiferromagnetic Correlations and the Photoemission Spectrum

We present Quantum Monte Carlo results on the antiferromagnetic correlations and the one-electron excitations of the doped two-dimensional Hubbard model. These results are helpful in interpreting the NMR, neutron scattering and photoemission experiments on the layered cuprates.
American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer, 2005†

Each January, the American Cancer Society (ACS) publishes a summary of its recommendations for early cancer detection, including guideline updates, emerging issues that are relevant to screening for cancer, and a summary of the most current data on cancer screening rates for US adults. In 2004, there were no updates to ACS guidelines. In this article, we summarize the current guidelines, discuss recent evidence and policy changes that have implications for cancer screening, and provide an update of the most recent data pertaining to participation rates in cancer screening by age, gender, and insurance status from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Reverse Disability Simulation in a Virtual Environment

Disability Simulation (DS) is an approach used to modify attitudes regarding people with disabilities. DS places people without disabilities in situations that are designed for the users to experience a disability. In this research we investigate reverse disability simulation (RDS) in a virtual reality environment. In a RDS people with disabilities perform tasks that are made easier in the virtual environment compared to the real world. We hypothesized that putting people with disabilities in a RDS will increase confidence and enable efficient task completion. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a within-subjects experiment in which participants performed a virtual “kicking a ball” task in two different conditions: a normal condition without RDS (i.e., same difficulty as in the real world) and an easy condition with RDS (i.e., physically easier than the real world but visually the same). The results from our study suggest that RDS increased participants' confidence.