cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mice homozygous for a targeted disruption of Hoxd-3 (Hox-4.1) exhibit anterior transformations of the first and second cervical vertebrae, the atlas and the axis

Gene targeting in embryo-derived stem (ES) cells was used to generate mice with a disruption in the homeobox-containing gene Hoxd-3 (Hox-4.1). Mice homozygous for this mutation show a radically remodeled craniocervical joint. The anterior arch of the atlas is transformed to an extension of the basioccipital bone of the skull. The lateral masses of the atlas also assume a morphology more closely resembling the exoccipitals and, to a variable extent, fuse with the exoccipitals. Formation of the second cervical vertebra, the axis, is also affected. The dens and the superior facets are deleted, and the axis shows ‘atlas-like’ characteristics. An unexpected observation is that different parts of the same vertebra are differentially affected by the loss of Hoxd-3 function. Some parts are deleted, others are homeotically transformed to more anterior structures. These observations suggest that one role of Hox genes may be to differentially control the proliferation rates of the mesenchymal condensations that give rise to the vertebral cartilages. Within the mouse Hox complex, paralogous genes not only encode very similar proteins but also often exhibit very similar expression patterns. Therefore, it has been postulated that paralogous Hox genes would perform similar roles. Surprisingly, however, no tissues or structures are affected in common by mutations in the two paralogous genes, Hoxa-3 and Hoxd-3.
p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Is the Central Regulator of Cyclic AMP-Dependent Transcription of the Brown Fat Uncoupling Protein 1 Gene

It is well established that catecholamine-stimulated thermogenesis in brown fat requires β-adrenergic elevations in cyclic AMP (cAMP) to increase expression of the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene. However, little is known about the downstream components of the signaling cascade or the relevant transcription factor targets thereof. Here we demonstrate that cAMP- and protein kinase A-dependent activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in brown adipocytes is an indispensable step in the transcription of the UCP1 gene in mice. By phosphorylating activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) coativator 1α (PGC-1α), members of two distinct nuclear factor families, p38 MAPK controls the expression of the UCP1 gene through their respective interactions with a cAMP response element and a PPAR response element that both reside within a critical enhancer motif of the UCP1 gene. Activation of ATF-2 by p38 MAPK additionally serves as the cAMP sensor that increases expression of the PGC-1α gene itself in brown adipose tissue. In conclusion, our findings illustrate that by orchestrating the activity of multiple transcription factors, p38 MAPK is a central mediator of the cAMP signaling mechanism of brown fat that promotes thermogenesis.
Prediction of First-Grade Reading Achievement: A Comparison of Fall and Winter Kindergarten Screenings

The purpose of this study was threefold: (a) to identify a combination of predictive measures that correlate with reading achievement, (b) to examine the predictive accuracy of these measures, and (c) to determine the most accurate time frame for test administration in kindergarten. One hundred and three kindergarten students from three schools participated over a period of two years. Measures representing letter identification, phonological awareness, phonological memory, and rapid automatized naming were administered in the fall and winter of the kindergarten year. Reading achievement was measured at the end of grade 1 using measures that included passage comprehension, fluency, sight-word recognition, and phonemic decoding. Five predictive models representing a combination of the predictive constructs were analyzed. The model combining letter identification, phonological awareness, and rapid automatized naming was identified as the best predictor of early reading achievement. There was no practical, si...
53. A Descriptive Analysis of Air Medical Directors in the United States

Purpose : The practice of helicopter emergency medical services is variable in its mission profile, crew configuration, and transport capabilities. We sought to describe the characteristics of physician air medical directors in the United States. Methods : We surveyed medical directors concerning their education, training, transport experience, and roles/responsibilities in critical care air transport programs. Results : Two page surveys were mailed to 281 air medical services. Three programs merged or were dissolved. Data from 122/278 (43.9%) air medical directors were analyzed. One-hundred eleven respondents reported residency training in: Emergency Medicine (EM) 44 (39.6%), Internal Medicine (IM) 18 (16.2%), General Surgery (GS) 18 (16.2%), Family Practice (FP) 12 (10.8%), dual-trained (EM/IM, EM/FP, IM/FP) 11 (9.9%) and others 8 (7.2%). Medical directors’ roles/responsibilities consist, most frequently of: drafting protocols 108 (88.5%), QA/CQI activities 104 (85.3%), crew training 98 (80.3%), and administrative negotiations 95 (77.7%).
Operational Law in Practice: Observations from the Mission Command Training Program

The intent of this article is thus two-fold. First to provide background on what a Mission Command Training Program (MCTP) run exercise is; how it works and what can be expected of Judge Advocates participating in the exercise. Second, this article seeks to share substantive insights gained from observing hundreds of Judge Advocates executing operational law in a multitude of scenarios and all levels of command.This article contains three sections. The first section provides a brief history of the Combined Training Center program, with particular focus on MCTP. The second section discusses Army doctrine and its relevance to the JAG Corps. These sections provide important context for the final section of the article, which discusses the major Judge Advocate related observations made over the last several years. Where possible, this article seeks to articulate broad themes that are applicable to legal sections at all echelons.
A New Global Rayleigh‐ and Love‐Wave Group Velocity Dataset for Constraining Lithosphere Properties

Abstract We present a new and efficient method to measure Rayleigh‐ and Love‐wave group velocity over a broad frequency range. This technique starts in a similar fashion to the traditional frequency‐time analysis, but instead of making measurements for all frequencies for a single source–station pair, we apply cluster analysis to make measurements for all recordings from a single event at a single target frequency. We also develop an inversion method with laterally varying smoothnesses to generate 2D group velocity maps with uniform errors. These maps match large scale geologic features and fit our data very well. This dataset will be used to constrain lithospheric structure globally.
Mechanism of Aminonucleoside-Induced Nephrosis in the Rat. IV. Hepatic Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation.∗

Summary1. Phosphorylation associated with the oxidation of succinate is significantly higher in aminonucleoside-nephrotic rat liver mitochondria than in normal rat liver mitochondria. This alteration is induced as early as the 4th day during a 10-day period of induction of the disease with aminonucleo-side. 2. Phosphorylation associated with the oxidation of a-ketoglutarate, malate, fuma-rate, and β-hydroxybutyrate is not significantly altered in liver mitochondria of the aminonucleoside-nephrotic rat. 3. Phosphorylation associated with the oxidation of succinate is also increased in normal rat liver mitochondria incubated directly with aminonucleoside. In similar experiments conducted with rat liver submitochondrial phosphorylating complexes, however, aminonucleoside inhibits oxidative phosphorylation.We are indebted to Dr. J. M. Ruegsegger, Lederle Medical Research Section, American Cyanamid Co., for aminonucleoside used in this study.
A flexible computer aid for conceptual design based on constraint propagation and component-modeling

The Rubber Airplane program, which combines two symbolic processing techniques with a component-based database of design knowledge, is proposed as a computer aid for conceptual design. Using object-oriented programming, programs are organized around the objects and behavior to be simulated, and using constraint propagation, declarative statements designate mathematical relationships among all the equation variables. It is found that the additional level of organizational structure resulting from the arrangement of the design information in terms of design components provides greater flexibility and convenience.
Abstract 2085: MMP-2 knockdown leads to anoikis and inhibits migration and invasion by attenuating αvβ3/EGFR/Pak4 survival signaling in human glioma xenograft cellsin vitroandin vivo

MMP-2 plays a key role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix and thereby enhances the proliferative, invasive and metastatic potential of cancer cells. MMP-2 knockdown using siRNA (pM) in human glioma xenograft cell lines, 4910 and 5310, sensitized cells to anoikis associated with cleavage of PARP, and caspases 8 and 3. pM-inhibited cell adhesion, invasion and migration correlated with attenuation of EGFR, c-Src and Pak4 phosphorylation. High expression of Pak4 in human glioma cell lines and tumor tissues implicated its essential role in increasing glioma malignancy. Co-immunoprecipitation studies implied that MMP-2 directly interacts by complex formation with EGFR, p130CAS and Pak4 along with αvβ3 integrin and pM treatment disrupted this direct binding. Vitronectin-mediated αvβ3 activation and EGF and rhMMP-2 supplementation counteracted pM-inhibited, Pak4-mediated migration and invasion. Conversely, αvβ3 blocking antibody and ErbB-2/EGFR inhibitor (GW2974) further reduced pM-inhibited, Pak4-mediated invasiveness and migration, thereby suggesting a role of αvβ3 and EGFR in the regulation of Pak4 survival signaling. Individual treatments of pM and Pak4.si led to considerable anoikis in both 4910 and 5310 cells and simultaneous co-depletion MMP-2 and Pak4 resulted in robust increase in anoikis levels. In vivo orthotopic experiments in nude mice revealed decreased tumor size with pM treatment. Immunofluorescence analysis of pSV-tumor sections showed high expression and co-localization of MMP-2/αvβ3, which decreased upon treatment with pM along with significant decrease in phospho-EGFR, phospho-Pak4, Bcl2 and Bcl-xL levels. Our results imply a possible crosstalk between MMP-2 and Pak4 and suggest the potential of targeting both MMP-2 and Pak4 as a future therapeutic approach in glioma therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2085. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2085
The current situation of smoking and its influential factors analysis among middle school students in central and eastern regions

Objective: To investigate the current situation of smoking and its related influencing factors among junior high and high school students,and to provide evidence for making the strategy on smoking prevention and control in adolescents. Methods: 6 564 students from 12 schools in Jiangsu eastern China,Hubei provinces and Chongqing central China were randomly selected by multiple stages cluster sampling and surveyed using standardized questionmaires. The data was analysed using SPSS 17. 0. Results: 6 564 questionnaires sent out,we got 6 058 qualified questionnaires and the response rate was 92. 30%. The data showed that 21. 30% of our subjects had attempted smoking,and 5. 50% of them were regular smokers. Both rates were significantly higher in boys than in girls( P 0. 001); meanwhile,both rates were significantly higher in rural areas than in urban areas( P 0. 05).The knowledge about the harm of tobacco among students who were smokers and who had attempted smoking was less than that among non-smoking students. Multivariate analysis have showed that the population which was more likely to smoke included those who are males,aged 14-16 or above,with classmates smoking,who have seen a teacher smoking in the recent month,with poor academic performance or from rural schools. Moreover,seeing a classmate smoking and seeing a teacher smoking could raise the likelihood of smoking to 7. 265 and 2. 525 times,respectively. Conclusion: Seeing classmates or teachers smoking are the primary factors leading to a student learning to smoke,besides seeing a family member smoking. To create smoke- free schools and families,one effective method would be to work on the education about the harms of tobacco.
Early life rhinovirus wheezing, allergic sensitization, and asthma risk at adolescence

Background Early life rhinovirus (RV) wheezing illnesses and aeroallergen sensitization increase the risk of asthma at school age. Whether these remain risk factors for the persistence of asthma out to adolescence is not established. Objective We sought to define the relationships among specific viral illnesses and the type and timing of aeroallergen sensitization with the persistence of asthma into adolescence. Methods A total of 217 children were followed prospectively from birth to age 13 years. The etiology and timing of viral wheezing illnesses during the first 3 years of life were assessed along with patterns of allergen sensitization. The associations between viral wheezing illnesses, presence and pattern of aeroallergen sensitization, and asthma diagnosis at age 13 years were evaluated. Results When adjusted for all viral etiologies, wheezing with RV (odds ratio = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.5-7.1), but not respiratory syncytial virus (odds ratio = 1.0; 95% CI, 0.4-2.3), was associated with asthma at age 13 years. Age of aeroallergen sensitization also influenced asthma risk; 65% of children sensitized by age 1 year had asthma at age 13 years, compared with 40% of children not sensitized at age 1 year but sensitized by age 5 years, and 17% of children not sensitized at age 5 years. Early life aeroallergen sensitization and RV wheezing had additive effects on asthma risk at adolescence. Conclusions In a high-risk birth cohort, the persistence of asthma at age 13 years was most strongly associated with outpatient wheezing illnesses with RV and aeroallergen sensitization in early life.
Collaborative study of an assay for progestational steroids in individual contraceptive tablets.

A collaborative study of an assay for progestational steroids in individual contraceptive tablets is reported. The method has been developed for determining norethindrone norethynodrel and norgestrel. The steroids are separated from the tablet constituents on a diatomaceous earth column the chloroform eluate is reacted with isonicotinic acid hydrazide and the steroids are determined by colorimetry. Norethynodrel is isomerized to a conjugated ketosteroid prior to colorimetric determination. 14 laboratories collaboratively tested the method. The average recoveries in 3 tablet brands were: 102.6% for the sample labeled as containing .35 mg norethindrone/tablet 99.4% for the 2.5 mg norethyndrel/tablet and 98.2% for the .5 mg norgestrel/tablet. This method has been adopted as official 1st action.
Long-Term Course and Relapse Prevention in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

Although the problem of relapse in the treatment of anorexia nervosa has been well documented, there has been a paucity of clinical research aimed at developing and evaluating treatment interventions specifically aimed at relapse prevention. In the present study, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was compared to a baseline standard of care that consisted of medical management and nutritional counseling. Findings from this study indicated that CBT was more effective in preventing relapse for individuals who had been hospitalized before participating in this outpatient trial. Overall, individuals in CBT achieved a more satisfactory level of functioning during the year of outpatient treatment. These data provide empirical support for CBT in the relapse prevention of anorexia nervosa. Future efforts aimed at the development and evaluation of additional relapse prevention treatments offer the potential to further improve the long-term outcome of individuals with anorexia nervosa.
Faceted crystal formation in the northeast Greenland low-accumulation region

Snow-pit analysis in the low-accumulation region in northeast Greenland indicated a mean annual accumulation of 12 ± 1.6 cm. It also revealed numerous faceted layers that were not related to the summer horizon of previous years. In general, the faceted crystals were found under a wind crust. These crusts appear to originate during the winter. Snow- and air-temperature data from automatic weather stations suggest that the katabatic storms are responsible for the formation of the wind crusts and the faceted layers. Frequent, abrupt temperature changes up to 30°C were observed within two days, due to turbulent mixing of cold-air inversions. The near-surface air-temperature variations are correlated with wind speed, the latter leading the former by 6-9 hours for increasing wind, and 1-4 hours for decreasing wind. Because of low accumulation, katabatic storms affect the same snow surface for several months, causing repeated air-temperature fluctuations. This leads to strong vapor-pressure gradients and faceted crystal growth in the top snow layer. On average we found two faceted layers (in addition to the summer layer) per year for a 4 year record. In addition to its climatological significance in the snow record, the formation of these layers is especially important to understand for the interpretation of microwave satellite observations of the firn.
Renal Imaging: Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) account for up to 30 % of all congenital anomalies diagnosed (Schedl A. Nat Rev Genet 8(10):791–802, 2007). These anomalies are often prenatal diagnoses by screening prenatal ultrasound, but can present in childhood or adolescence with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and less commonly with pain. CAKUT diseases are responsible for around 50 % of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children in North America (Harambat J, van Stralen KJ, Kim JJ, Tizard EJ. Pediatr Nephrol 27(3):363–373, 2012). In this chapter we will discuss the relevant embryology, the scope of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), the approach to prenatal diagnosis and imaging of fetuses with CAKUT, and the approach to postnatal diagnosis and imaging of children with CAKUT. More time will be allotted to the more common congenital anomalies.
Isolation and characterization of nitrogen-fixing bacteria from American cockroach Periplaneta americana

Nitrogen fixation is the mechanism of taking atmospheric nitrogen (N 2 ) and transforming it into ammonium (NH 4 + ). This process is crucial for organisms, especially those which grow in anaerobic environments, as it provides the essential nutrients required to synthesize the basic building blocks of life. Building blocks include such necessities as nucleotides for DNA and RNA, amino acids for proteins, and formation of fatty acids. Converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonium is done by the nitrogenase enzyme, which is encoded by the nif gene. The aim of this study was to determine whether nitrogen-fixing bacteria were detected in the bacteria residing in the gut of the American cockroach Periplaneta americana . This was done by isolating bacterial cultures from the gut (foregut, midgut and hindgut) and surrounding fat body. Confirmation of the presence of the nif genes was to be done using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection, along with liquid growth culture experiment and acetylene reduction assays. The project did not move past the PCR detection and gel electrophoresis analysis as nif genes were not detected in any of the isolates obtained from the cockroach. This may have been due to the media used, or because the primers were for a different nif gene that that present in the bacterium. Further testing could be done using different primers, or growing them on different media.
Teacher learning in technology professional development and its impact on student achievement in science

ABSTRACTThis research investigated teacher learning and teacher beliefs in a two-year technology professional development (TPD) for teachers and its impact on their student achievement in science in the western part of the United States. Middle-school science teachers participated in TPD focused on information communication technologies (ICTs) and their applications in science inquiry pedagogy. Three self-reporting teacher instruments were used alongside their student achievement scores on the end-of-year state-science-test. The teacher self-reporting measures investigated technological literacy, ICT capabilities, and pedagogical beliefs about science inquiry pedagogy. Data were collected every year, and descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Pearson’s correlations were used for analysis. We found teachers’ technological skills and ICT capabilities increasing over time with significant gains each year. Additionally, teachers’ pedagogical beliefs changed to become more science inquiry oriented over time; how...
Regulation of calcium and magnesium homeostasis in plants: from transporters to signaling network

Calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) are the most abundant divalent cations in plants. As a nutrient and a signaling ion, Ca2+ levels in the cell are tightly controlled by an array of channels and carriers that provide mechanistic basis for Ca2+ homeostasis and the generation of Ca2+ signals. Although a family of CorA-type Mg2+ transporters plays a key role in controlling Mg2+ homeostasis in plants, more components are yet to be identified. Ca2+ and Mg2+ appear to have antagonistic interactions in plant cells, and therefore plants depend on a homeostatic balance between Ca2+ and Mg2+ for optimal growth and development. Maintenance of such a balance in response to changing nutrient status in the soil emerges as a critical feature of plant mineral nutrition. Studies have uncovered signaling mechanisms that perceive nutrient status as a signal and regulate transport activities as adaptive responses. This 'nutrient sensing' network is exemplified by the Ca2+-dependent CBL (calcineurin B-like)-CIPK (CBL-interacting protein kinase) pathway that serves as a major link between environmental nutrient status and transport activities. In this review, we analyze the recent literature on Ca2+ and Mg2+ transport systems and their regulation and provide our perspectives on future research.
Moya-Moya Syndrome: 1) Risk of bleeding during medical therapy 2) Risk and benefit of Medical vs. Surgical therapy

P238 Objective: To determine the risk and benefit of medical vs. surgical treatment in Moya-Moya disease. Background: The optimal management of Moya-Moya disease is unknown. Many investigators favor surgical therapy on the belief that the risk of intracranial bleeding on medical therapy is high (appx.25%). This practice is based on retrospective review of small series. Method: We reviewed retrospectively charts of 30 patients, with Moya-Moya disease treated either medically or surgically in our institution from 1986 to 2000. Risk of hemorrhage and risk of recurrent stroke were analyzed in both groups using Fisher’s exact test. Results: 20/30 patients received only medical therapy. Of these, 13 were treated with warfarin, and 15 with antiplatelet agents (8 received both warfarin and antiplatelet). 10/30 patients were treated surgically (either extracranial-intracranial bypass (ECIC), encephalodural synangiosis (EDS), or omental grafting). 7 of the surgical patients were also treated with either warfarin or antiplatelet agents. There was no hemorrhage in either the medical or surgical groups. Recurrent infarction or TIA risk was similar between the two groups. 6 medically treated patients had recurrent infarction, vs. 4 surgically treated patients (R.R 0.78, 95% C.I.0.45- 1.35, p=0.413). Conclusion: Our data does not support the belief that medical therapy (either anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy) is associated with a high risk of intracranial hemorrhage. The risk of recurrent infarction was similar in the two groups, although our numbers are too small to detect a modest difference between the two therapeutic modalities. Given the rarity of Moya-Moya disease, a multi-institutional trial will be necessary to settle this important issue.
The impact of Gender Inequality on Entrepreneurial Intentions

Intentions have been shown to be the best predictor for the establishment of new ventures. Yet, the correlations between intentions and important contextual factors related to the social and econom...
Introduction to Elliptic Fibrations

The modern study of elliptic fibrations started in the early 1960s with seminal works by Kodaira and by Neron. Elliptic fibrations play a central role in the classification of algebraic surfaces, in many aspects of arithmetic geometry, theoretical physics, and string geometry. In these notes, we introduce the reader to basic geometric properties of elliptic fibrations over the complex numbers. We start with an introduction to the geometry of elliptic curves defined over the complex numbers. We then discuss Weierstrass models, Kodaira’s classification of singular fibers of elliptic surfaces, Tate’s algorithm, and Miranda’s regularization of elliptic threefolds.
Ozone reaction with human surfaces: Influences of surface reaction probability and indoor air flow condition

Abstract It is well-established that indoor surfaces, such as building materials, act as a sink for indoor ozone. However, comparatively little research has been done regarding ozone reactions with human surfaces such as skin and clothing. Reaction characteristics of human surfaces and airflow around the human body may affect ozone removal and reaction byproduct formation. The objective of this study is to investigate effects of the reactivity of human surfaces, modeled for a range of reaction probabilities (γ), on ozone deposition and reaction byproduct formation. Computational fluid dynamics models are verified and validated with previously published studies, and used to analyze ozone reaction dynamics due to human surfaces under varying indoor air flow conditions. The results show that for indoor environments with air exchange rate
Influences of Appalachian orography on heavy rainfall and rainfall variability associated with the passage of hurricane Isabel by ensemble simulations

This study focuses on the heavy rainfall event associated with hurricane Isabel’s (2003) passage over the Appalachian mountains of the eastern United States. Specifically, an ensemble consisting of two groups of simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF), with and without topography, is performed to investigate the orographic influences on heavy rainfall and rainfall variability. In general, the simulated ensemble mean with full terrain is able to reproduce the key observed 24-h rainfall amount and distribution, while the flat-terrain mean lacks in this respect. In fact, 30-h rainfall amounts are reduced by 75% with the removal of topography. Rainfall variability is also significantly increased with the presence of orography. Further analysis shows that the complex interaction between the hurricane and terrain along with contributions from varied microphysics, cumulus parametrization, and planetary boundary layer schemes have a pronounced effect on rainfall and rainfall variability. This study follows closely with a previous study, but for a different TC case of Isabel (2003). It is an important sensitivity test for a different TC in a very different environment. This study reveals that the rainfall variability behaves similarly, even with different settings of the environment.
Progressive Hedging Innovations for a Class of Stochastic Resource Allocation Problems

Progressive hedging (PH) is a scenario-based decomposition technique for solving stochastic programs. While PH has been successfully applied to a number of problems, a variety of issues arise when implementing PH in practice, especially when dealing with very difficult or large-scale mixed-integer problems. In particular, decisions must be made regarding the value of the penalty parameter p, criteria for termination, and techniques for accelerating convergence. We investigate these issues in the context of a class of scenario-based resource allocation problem in which decision variables represent resources available at a cost and constraints enforce needs for sufficient combinations of resources. We introduce techniques for selecting p in proportion to the unit-cost of the associated decision variable, a mathematically-based heuristic for setting the p parameter, novel techniques for convergence acceleration, and methods for detecting and recovering from oscillatory behavior. The efficacy of these techniques is empirically assessed on two test cases: a difficult "laboratory" stochastic network flow problem and a largescale, real-world, robust spare parts procurement planning problem. Both test problems have integer variables in both stages. Additionally, we demonstrate that variable-specific p values are more effective than traditional fixed p values, and that the PH algorithm can serve as an effective heuristic even when the mathematical conditions for convergence are not respected.
Induction proof with rubric

In 2017 fall semester, the author participated in a course on Effective Teaching Practice through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) [1]. Toward the end of fall semester, one module that the author learned is about creating rubrics. In implementing the technique taught in the module, the author created a rubric for an Induction proof for a Discrete Mathematics class that the author was teaching. The author wanted to see if the rubric would help the students write Induction proofs. This nifty assignment first introduces the rubric that the author created. It then talks about how it was assigned and used by the students to practice before the final exam. Finally, it discusses the student performance improvement.
A Historian Looks at Chinese Painting

I know practically nothing of Chinese art in general and Chinese painting in particular. But I have a notion that Chinese art might be studied as an integral part of the history of Chinese culture. In particular, I am curious to find out whether I could apply to the study of Chinese art certain general conclusions which I have found useful in my researches in the history of Chinese literature.
Quantitative Three-Dimensional Analysis Using Focused Ion Beam Microscopy

In this chapter, we review progress in quantitative three-dimensional chemical and microstructural volume analysis using focused ion beam tomography. A brief survey of techniques previously developed for solid state tomographic reconstructions is presented and the relevance of focused ion beam tomography to these techniques is discussed. Methods for quantitatively reconstructing three-dimensional spatial and chemical maps using focused ion beam microscopy are then discussed in detail. Finally, areas for future technique development and improvement are discussed.
Discovering Behavior Patterns of Self-Regulated Learners in an Inquiry-Based Learning Environment

Inquiry-based learning has been proposed as a natural and authentic way for students to engage with science. Inquiry-based learning environments typically require students to guide their own learning and inquiry processes as they gather data, make and test hypotheses and draw conclusions. Some students are highly self-regulated learners and are able to guide and monitor their own learning activities effectively. Unfortunately, many students lack these skills and are consequently less successful in open-ended, inquiry-based environments. This work examines differences in inquiry behavior patterns in an open-ended, game-based learning environment, Crystal Island. Differential sequence mining is used to identify meaningful behavior patterns utilized by Low, Medium, and High self-regulated learners. Results indicate that self-regulated learners engage in more effective problem solving behaviors and demonstrate different patterns of use of the provided cognitive tools. The identified patterns help provide further insight into the role of SRL in inquiry-based learning and inform future approaches for scaffolding.
High-performance copper reinforced with dispersed nanoparticles

Copper (Cu) has high electrical conductivity and is widely used for many industrial applications. However, pure Cu is very soft and improving the mechanical properties of Cu comes at the great expense of electrical and thermal conductivity. In this work, high-performance Cu with superior mechanical properties and reasonable electrical/thermal conductivity was fabricated using a scalable two-step method. First, Cu micro-powders with uniformly dispersed tungsten carbide (WC) nanoparticles were created by a molten salt-assisted self-incorporation process. A bulk nanocomposite was then obtained by melting the powders under pressure. The as-solidified Cu with 40 vol% uniformly dispersed WC nanoparticles exhibits high hardness, a yield strength over 1000 MPa, a Young’s modulus of over 250 GPa, and reasonable electrical and thermal conductivity.
Comparison of Grid Following and Grid Forming Control for a High Inverter Penetration Power System

The displacement of synchronous generators with inverter-based sources in the electric grid can results in larger frequency deviations due to lower rotating inertial energy. Existing grid-tied inverters operate as grid-following sources that track the voltage angle of the grid to control their output. Even with inverter fast frequency support, frequency regulation still depends on the remaining synchronous generators. In contrast, grid-forming sources actively control their frequency output, making it possible for them to naturally support the system frequency while sharing a portion of the load change. In this work, the impact of grid-forming and grid-following inverter controllers on the system frequency dynamics is studied and compared. A simple two-source system is modeled, and the small-signal dynamic characteristics are studied at various penetration levels and varying levels of mechanical inertia. The resulting eigenvalue trajectories are presented and these analytical results are validated by the corresponding time-domain plots. The results exhibit significant dynamic response advantages of the grid-forming inverter over its grid-following counterpart, particularly under the most demanding conditions when the penetration level of inverter-based sources reaches high levels and the available system stored inertial energy drops.
Constraint-based simulation of multiple interactive elemental cycles in biogeochemical systems

Abstract Simulating multiple linked elemental cycles is a frontier in the field of biogeochemistry. The Generalized Algorithm for Nutrient, Growth, Stoichiometric and Thermodynamic Analysis (GANGSTA) is a software framework that automates the instantiation of formalized, user-defined conceptual models of linked elemental cycles as simulation model code. The GANGSTA employs first principles of stoichiometry and thermodynamics to generate models that simulate any suite of elemental cycles, compounds, metabolic processes, and microorganisms. Results demonstrated, e.g., that simulating the oxygen (O) cycle, rather than oxic versus anoxic conditions, fundamentally altered carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling - despite holding the compounds and processes involved in the C and N cycles constant. Additionally, incorporating the sulfur (S) cycle substantively changed C and N cycling, largely via shifts in the O cycle. Thus, emergent dynamics from GANGSTA-derived models can aid in the development of hypotheses to describe the specific mechanisms of interdependence among linked elemental cycles.
Modeling Relational Drug-Target-Disease Interactions via Tensor Factorization with Multiple Web Sources

Modeling the behaviors of drug-target-disease interactions is crucial in the early stage of drug discovery and holds great promise for precision medicine and personalized treatments. The growing availability of new types of data on the internet brings great opportunity of learning a more comprehensive relationship among drugs, targets, and diseases. However, existing methods often consider drug-target interactions or drug-disease interactions separately, which ignores the dependencies among these three entities. Also, many of them cannot directly incorporate rich heterogeneous information from diverse sources. In this work, we investigate the utility of tensor factorization to model the relationships of drug-target-disease, specifically leveraging different types of online data. Our motivation is two-fold. First, in human metabolic systems, many drugs interact with protein targets in cells to modulate target activities, which in turn alter biological pathways to promote healthy functions and to treat diseases. Instead of binary relationships of or , a tighter triple relationships should be exploited to better understand drug mechanism of actions (MoAs). Second, medical data could be collected from different sources (i.e., drug's chemical structure, target's sequence, or expression measurements). Therefore, effectively exploiting the complementarity among multiple sources is of great importance. Our method elegantly explores a tensor together with complementarity among different data sources, thus improves prediction accuracy. We achieve this goal by formulating the problem into a coupled tensor-matrix factorization problem and directly optimize it on the nonlinear manifold. Experimental results on real-world datasets show that the proposed model outperforms several competitive methods. Our model opens up opportunities to use large Web data to predict drugs' MoAs in pharmacological studies.
Baryon Current Matrix Elements in a Relativistic Quark Model

Current matrix elements and observables for electro- and photo-excitation of baryons from the nucleon are studied in a light-front framework. Relativistic effects are examined by comparison to a nonrelativistic model and can typically be of order 20-25%, but can be larger for certain matrix elements, such as radial transitions conventionally used to describe the Roper resonance. A systematic study shows that the violation of rotational covariance of the baryon transition matrix elements stemming from the use of one-body currents is generally small.
Touch Analysis: An Empirical Evaluation of Machine Learning Classification Algorithms on Touch Data

Our research aims at classifying individuals based on their unique interactions on the touchscreen-based smartphones. In this research, we use ‘TouchAnalytics’ dataset, which include 41 subjects and 30 different behavioral features. Furthermore, we derived new features from the raw data to improve the overall authentication performance. Previous research has already been done on the TouchAnalytics dataset with the state-of-the-art classifiers, including Support Vector Machine (SVM) and k-nearest neighbor (kNN) and achieved equal error rates (EERs) between 0% to 4%. In this paper, we propose a Deep Neural Net (DNN) architecture to classify the individuals correctly. When we combine the new features with the existing ones, SVM and k-NN achieved the classification accuracies of 94.7% and 94.6%, respectively. This research explored seven other classifiers and out of them, decision tree and our proposed DNN classifiers resulted in the highest accuracies with 100%. The others included: Logistic Regression (LR), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Gaussian Naive Bayes (NB), Neural Network, and VGGNet with the accuracy scores of 94.7%, 95.9%, 31.9%, 88.8%, and 96.1%, respectively.
A tunable modified-Hopkinson impact fatigue device

This paper presents a novel, tunable impact fatigue device that can be configured to apply compressive strikes on a variety of materials and geometries at low to intermediate strain rates, and the ability to compliment the investigations using full-field quantitative visualization of material deformation and failure properties. The device ranges in velocities between 0.5 and 4.6 (±0.1) m/s at frequencies between 0.05 and 0.25 Hz using a modified-Hopkinson pressure bar design. The corresponding control and actuation system runs autonomously and can be programmed for 105 cycles at either a constant velocity, pre-entered velocity profiles with changing parameters, or a completely random velocity profile during testing. The device capabilities are demonstrated on 2.38 mm thick polycarbonate plates under low cycle fatigue at velocities of 1 and 2 m/s and impact energies of 0.15 and 0.60 J, highlighting different visible damage mechanisms present under different loading profiles.
Dodonaea crucifolia (Sapindaceae, Dodonaeoideae), a new species from north-eastern New South Wales, Australia

Dodonaea crucifolia I.Telford & J.J.Bruhl (Sapindaceae, Dodonaeoideae), endemic to north-eastern New South Wales, Australia, and previously confused with D. hirsuta (Maiden & Betche) Maiden & Betche, is described as new. Dodonaea hirsuta is recircumscribed with the D. crucifolia components removed and with male flowers described for the first time. The distribution, habitat and conservation status of both species are discussed and a table is provided comparing selected morphological attributes. Images of the new species and D. hirsuta are provided. The identification keys in Flora of Australia and NSW FloraOnline are modified to include the new species.
Brother Malcolm, Dr. King, and Black Power – A Close and Complementary Reading

Rev. Albert Cleage’s contemporary and counterpart, Dr. James Hal Cone, emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a premier academic voice in Black theology. Cone and Cleage’s collegiality is com...
Frequency and clinical course of residual orbital masses after treatment of orbital rhabdomyosarcoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency and clinical course of residual orbital masses on imaging studies after multimodality treatment for orbital rhabdomyosarcoma. DESIGN: Retrospective case series METHODS: : We reviewed records of patients with primary orbital rhabdomyosarcoma who underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgical biopsy or debulking at 4 US centers during 1998-2019. Demographics, histologic subtype, tumor response 12 weeks after chemotherapy initiation and after completion of all treatment, and imaging findings were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Twenty-two were male, and 30 were younger than 18 years. Histologic subtype was embryonal in 22 patients, alveolar in 8, and mixed embryonal/alveolar in 2. Median follow-up time was 46 months (range, 4.9-199 months). Two patients died. Twenty-seven patients had reliable end-of-treatment imaging findings, of whom 9 had a residual mass. Three residual masses disappeared spontaneously (by 4, 32, and 53 months), 2 remained at last contact, at 2 and 7 years of follow-up, and 3 were excised; 1 progressed and underwent an exenteration. Complete response at 12 weeks was associated with complete response at the end of treatment (p<0.001). Patients with T1 or T2 tumor at presentation were more likely to have complete response at last contact than were those with T3 or T4 tumor (p<0.05). Biopsy type (incisional or excisional) was not associated with response to treatment at any time point. CONCLUSION: A residual orbital mass on imaging may be present after multimodality treatment in approximately one-third of patients. Resolution without biopsy or excision varied from months to years.
Rilonacept: A Newly Approved Treatment for Recurrent Pericarditis.

ObjectiveTo review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of rilonacept for the prevention and treatment of recurrent pericarditis (RP).Data SourcesA MEDLINE search was conducted between January 20...
Plasticized magnetic starch-based Fe3O4 clay polymer nanocomposites for phosphate adsorption from aqueous solution.

Abstract Plastics contribute a magnificent role to modern civilization, but the waste becomes a huge burden to ecology and remains intact for a thousand years. Hence, the recent movement is shifted to biodegradable plastic. In this study, an attempt was made to introduce an added value to the environment where the bio-plasticized materials were used for phosphate removal. A G-plasticized magnetic starch-based Fe3O4 clay polymer nanocomposite (PNC) was synthesized to remove phosphate from the aqueous solution. It was synthesized from activated carbon (AC), coated iron oxide nanoparticles (CIONP), nanoclay (NC), and glycerol (G) as a plasticizer. The synthesized adsorbents were characterized with UV-Vis, SEM, XRD, and FTIR. The PNC and constituent (CIONP) were tested for phosphate removal through batch adsorption experiments. The adsorption capacity increases with increasing the adsorbent dose and decreases with an increase in phosphate concentration. The synthesized PNC effectively raised the constituent optimum phosphate ion adsorption pH from acidic (pH = 3) to slightly acidic (pH = 6). At the optimal pH, the CIONP and PNC maximum phosphate adsorption capacity (MPAC) was 3.12 and 2.31 mg P/g, respectively. In addition, the phosphate removal efficiency of PNC (45-95% at pH 6) was comparable to CIONP (58-97% at pH 3) under an initial 2–100 mg P/L. The adsorbents adsorption kinetics and isotherm study best described by the pseudo-second-order and Freundlich model, in turn. The SEM images support the conclusion, in which the PNC shows a heterogenous porous surface. Therefore, the adsorption mechanisms were mainly described by multilayer and chemical adsorption, such as electrostatic and ion exchange. It can be concluded that there is a positive synergistic effect between the biopolymer (starch) and nanomaterials that form the PNC. This study results propose the multiple added values of modified bio-plasticized material (with adsorbent) for environmental (phosphate) remediation.
THE ROLE OF CYTOPROTECTIVE AND NON-PROTECTIVE AUTOPHAGY IN RADIATION SENSITIVITY IN BREAST TUMOR CELLS

ix CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Cancer 1 1.2 Breast cancer 2 1.3 Autophagy 4 1.4 Apoptosis 7 1.5 Bcl-2:Beclin-1 interaction regulates autophagy 9 1.6 Previous studies 11 1.7 Hypothesis 11 CHAPTER 2: MATERIALS AND METHODS 12 2.1 Cell lines and cell culture 12 2.2 Plasmid construction and virus infection 12 2.3 Cell viability and clonogenic survival 13 2.4 Detection and quantification of autophagic cells 14 v" " 2.5 Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analyses 15 2.6 Statistical analysis 16 CHAPTER 3: RESULTS 16 SECTION 1: Radiation induced cytoprotective autophagy in MCF-7 cell .... 16 3.1.1 Silencing of Beclin-1 inhibited autophagy and increased sensitivity in MCF-7 cell in response to radiation 16 3.1.2 The interaction between Beclin-1 and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins in MCF-7 cells 23 3.1.3 Silencing of Bcl-2 enhanced the level of radiation-induced autophagy in MCF-7 cell 25 3.1.4 Enhancement of autophagy by Bcl-2 silencing increased growth inhibition effects produced by radiation in MCF-7 cell 29 SECTION 2: Radiation induced non-protective autophagy in Hs578t cell .. 32 3.2.1 Silencing of Beclin-1 inhibited radiation-induced autophagy in Hs578t cell 32 3.2.2 The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins in MCF-7 and Hs578t cells 38 3.2.3 The interaction between Beclin-1 and the exogenous Bcl-2 in Hs578t cell 40 3.2.4 Introduction of Bcl-2 inhibited radiation-induced autophagy in Hs578t cell 42 vi" " 3.2.5 Inhibition of autophagy by exogenous expression of Bcl-2 produced minimum changes in growth inhibition effects produced by radiation in Hs578t cells 47 SECTION 4: Discussion 51 SECTION 5: Future studies 53 References 54 VITA 60