cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial Tessellation Based k Coverage Scheme for 3D Wireless Sensor Network

Due to most of the existing coverage schemes unsuitable to 3 dimensional wireless sensor network for their design oriented to planar applications,in this paper w e present a k coverage scheme based on spatial tessellation theory. Firstly,the truncated octahedron is selected to fill 3 dimensional space,then a node deployment strategy w ith k coverage satisfied is proposed. In order to provide netw ork coverage,a coverage hole recovery algorithm based on individual cell is proposed. To make further improvement on the netw ork survival time,a coverage hole recovery algorithm based on cooperative neighboring cells is proposed. According to the simulation results,the k coverage in 3 dimensional w ireless sensor netw ork is realized effectively by the proposed scheme.
Getting Started with Scientific Python

Python has established itself in a wide range of applications and domains. We illustrate the key features of Python that are important for scientific and mathematical applications. Getting oriented to the Python ecosystem can be difficult for beginners, so we provide a detailed overview of the key components with some useful background information, as well as some perspectives for the future of scientific Python.
Everything is obvious, once you know the answer: How common sense fails us.

Why is the Mona Lisa the most famous painting in the world? Why did Facebook succeed when other social networking sites failed? Did the surge in Iraq really lead to less violence? How much can CEO’s impact the performance of their companies? And does higher pay incentivize people to work harder? If you think the answers to these questions are a matter of common sense, think again. As sociologist and network science pioneer Duncan Watts explains in this provocative book, the explanations that we give for the outcomes that we observe in life-explanations that seem obvious once we know the answer-are less useful than they seem. Drawing on the latest scientific research, along with a wealth of historical and contemporary examples, Watts shows how commonsense reasoning and history conspire to mislead us into thinking that we understand more about the world of human behavior than we do; and in turn, why attempts to predict, manage, or manipulate social and economic systems so often go awry. It seems obvious, for example, that people respond to incentives; yet policy makers and managers alike frequently fail to anticipate how people will respond to the incentives they create. Social trends often seem to be driven by certain influential people; yet marketers have been unable to identify these “influencers” in advance. And although successful products or companies always seem in retrospect to have succeeded because of their unique qualities, predicting the qualities of the next hit product or hot company is notoriously difficult even for experienced professionals. Only by understanding how and when common sense fails, Watts argues, can we improve how we plan for the future, as well as understand the present -an argument that has important implications in politics, business, and marketing, as well as in science and everyday life.
A recording microwave refractcmeter

In the measurement of the dielectric constant of gases or changes in the dielectric constant of solids and liquids at centimeter wavelengths, the need arises for the accurate determination of small changes in the resonance frequency of a cavity resonator. A sensitive instrument designed to measure and record such changes in frequency has been developed which is adaptable to very low loss materials.
39. Safety issues in the operating room

Safety for the intra-operative monitoring team can be divided into three concerns: (A) the patient; (B) the operating room personnel; (C) the IOM and operating room equipment. Poor electronic isolation can potentially expose the patient to higher than normal currents in either the IOM electrodes touching the patient, or even other electrical conduits touching the patient such as from the cautery system. Simple impedance test only tell you whether or not an electrode is in contact with the patient, not whether or not it is in the correct place. Improper returns can cause erroneous data by picking up large signals that can obscure the real signals. The two biggest issues with the safety of the operating room personnel are the wires that go from the patient to the IOM equipment and the needles that many groups use for recording. A third, less common safety issue is the potential for electrode wires to be knocked about or even disconnected by the surgeon or assistants. All wires, whether going from the amp and stimulation boxes to the IOM machine, or electrode wires should be neatly hidden under the patient or OR table or run in a neat way, trying to follow areas that are hard to walk over.
Severe Hydronephrosis and Perinephric Urinoma with Rupture of Renal Fornix Secondary to Postoperative Urinary Retention following Laparoscopic Umbilical Hernia Repair.

Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a known complication following a variety of procedures, with a reported incidence of 2.1–3.8% in general surgery and up to 52% in anorectal surgery. We report a case of POUR in a female resulting in severe unilateral hydronephrosis with a perinephric urinoma due to a ruptured fornix. The extent of hydroureter caused an axial rotation upon itself producing further outflow obstruction. This phenomenon of an anatomical ureter deformity secondary to urinary retention resulting in a ruptured fornix is an unusual occurrence. The patient underwent a percutaneous nephrogram where a stiff guidewire was successfully passed into the bladder by interventional radiology (IR) and allowed for placement of an indwelling ureteral stent. The case presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and therapeutic intervention are discussed.
Spline Blended Approximation of Multivariate Functions

Spline and polynomial blended approximants to a multivariate function are synthesized from approximations to univariate samplings of the function. General algebraic and analytic properties of blended and tensor product interpolants are reviewed.
Targeting BTK through microRNA in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a critical mediator of survival in B-cell neoplasms. Although BTK inhibitors have transformed therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), patients with high-risk genetics are at risk for relapse and have a poor prognosis. Identification of novel therapeutic strategies for this group of patients is an urgent unmet clinical need, and therapies that target BTK via alternative mechanisms may fill this niche. Herein, we identify a set of microRNAs (miRs) that target BTK in primary CLL cells and show that the histone deacetylase (HDAC) repressor complex is recruited to these miR promoters to silence their expression. Targeting the HDACs by using either RNA interference against HDAC1 in CLL or a small molecule inhibitor (HDACi) in CLL and mantle cell lymphoma restored the expression of the BTK-targeting miRs with loss of BTK protein and downstream signaling and consequent cell death. We have also made the novel and clinically relevant discovery that inhibition of HDAC induces the BTK-targeting miRs in ibrutinib-sensitive and resistant CLL to effectively reduce both wild-type and C481S-mutant BTK. This finding identifies a novel strategy that may be promising as a therapeutic modality to eliminate the C481S-mutant BTK clone that drives resistance to ibrutinib and provides the rationale for a combination strategy that includes ibrutinib to dually target BTK to suppress its prosurvival signaling.
Properdin: a tightly regulated critical inflammatory modulator.

The complement alternative pathway is a powerful arm of the innate immune system that enhances diverse inflammatory responses in the human host. Key to the effects of the alternative pathway is properdin, a serum glycoprotein that can both initiate and positively regulate alternative pathway activity. Properdin is produced by many different leukocyte subsets and circulates as cyclic oligomers of monomeric subunits. While the formation of non‐physiological aggregates in purified properdin preparations and the presence of potential properdin inhibitors in serum have complicated studies of its function, properdin has, regardless, emerged as a key player in various inflammatory disease models. Here, we review basic properdin biology, emphasizing the major hurdles that have complicated the interpretation of results from properdin‐centered studies. In addition, we elaborate on an emerging role for properdin in thromboinflammation and discuss the potential utility of properdin inhibitors as long‐term therapeutic options to treat diseases marked by increased formation of platelet/granulocyte aggregates. Finally, we describe the interplay between properdin and the alternative pathway negative regulator, Factor H, and how aiming to understand these interactions can provide scientists with the most effective ways to manipulate alternative pathway activation in complex systems.
Introduction to Advanced X-ray Diffraction Techniques for Polymeric Thin Films

X-ray diffraction has been a standard technique for investigating structural properties of materials. However, most common applications in the organic materials community have been restricted to either chemical identification or qualitative strain analysis. Moreover, its use for polymeric thin films has been challenging because of the low structure factor of carbon and the thin film nature of the sample. Here, we provide a short review of advanced X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques suitable for polymeric thin films, including the type of analysis that can be done and measurement geometries that would compensate low signals due to low carbon structure factor and the thin film nature of the sample. We will also briefly cover the χ -pole figure for texture analysis of ultra-thin film that has recently become commonly used. A brief review of XRD theory is also presented.
Using Network Flows to Identify Users Sharing Extremist Content on Social Media

Social media has been leveraged by many groups to share their ideas, ideology, and other messages. Some of these posts promote extremist ideology. In this paper, we propose an approach for identifying users who engage in extremist discussions online. Our approach uses detailed feature selection to identify relevant posts and then uses a novel weighted network that models the information flow between the publishers of the relevant posts. An empirical evaluation of a post collection crawled from a web forum containing racially driven discussions and a tweet stream discussing the ISIS extremist group show that our proposed method for relevant post identification is significantly better than the state of the art and using a network flow graph for user identification leads to very accurate user identification.
A Novel Indication for Panobinostat as a Senolytic Drug in NSCLC and HNSCC

Panobinostat (pano) is an FDA-approved histone deacetylase inhibitor. There is interest in evaluating alternate dosing schedules and novel combinations of pano for the treatment of upper aerodigestive and lung malignancies; thus we evaluated it in combination with Taxol, a chemotherapeutic with activity in both diseases. Dose-dependent synergy was observed in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and was due to senescence rather than potentiation of cell death. Senescence occurred following cisplatin- or Taxol-treatment in cell lines from both cancer types and was associated with decreased histone 3 (H3) acetylation and increased Bcl-xL expression: the latter a biomarker of senescence and target of anti-senescence therapeutics, or senolytics. Since H3 acetylation and Bcl-xL expression were altered in senescence, we subsequently evaluated pano as a senolytic in chemotherapy-treated cancer cells enriched for senescent cells. Pano caused cell death at significantly higher rates compared to repeat dosing with chemotherapy. This was associated with decreased expression of Bcl-xL and increased acetylated H3, reversing the expression patterns observed in senescence. These data support evaluating pano as a post-chemotherapy senolytic with the potential to kill persistent senescent cells that accumulate during standard chemotherapy in NSCLC and HNSCC.
The Impact of Russell Hamilton at the University of Minnesota

As a faculty member at the University of Minnesota for the past forty-three years and a Regents Professor the past fifteen, I would like to briefly discuss Russell Hamilton’s important contribution to the intellectual and cultural life of the University. I shall focus on three aspects that I consider extremely important.
CubeSat flight system development for enabling deep space science

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is investing in a suite of core flight system technologies to enable CubeSats to conduct missions in deep space. These will be demonstrated on currently funded missions, such as INSPIRE, MarCO, and Lunar Flashlight, which will be among the first CubeSat missions to leave Earth's orbit and explore deep space, Mars, and the Moon, respectively. Other concepts may consider using these technologies to explore Venus, asteroids, Europa, Titan, and other areas of the solar system. These missions and concepts can be enabled by the development of miniaturized yet performant command and data handling, power, software, and communications systems specifically designed for deep space applications. JPL is pushing the state of the art in small subsystems to augment NASA's history of exploration. While the CubeSat/SmallSat component market has grown significantly to benefit LEO applications, only a few vendors are actively developing avionics and instrument interface electronics capable of meeting the stringent environmental, reliability, and performance requirements of deep space missions. These electronics and systems need to be specifically designed to handle harsh radiation and thermal environments as well as extended mission durations, where a CubeSat may begin its science observations after a multi-year cruise. Deep space missions also require additional technologies, such as radio transponders for interplanetary navigation. This paper first summarizes the systems-level developments of the enabling technologies of the JPL avionics bus, looking at maturing hardware and as well as future evolutions of technologies. Second, the paper discusses potential science instruments and applications that could be accommodated by these unique flight systems, either within a CubeSat or SmallSat form factor. Finally, the paper pairs technologies and instruments and showcases potential science missions enabled by this novel capability.
MicroRNA-196 Regulates HOX Gene Expression in Human Gluteal Adipose Tissue.

Objective Lower body fat is associated with diminishing cardiometabolic risk. Physiological differences between gluteofemoral and abdominal subcutaneous adipocyte functions are known, but the molecular basis for depot differences in adipocyte function is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to identify depot differences in microRNA (miRNA) expression in human abdominal and gluteofemoral subcutaneous adipose tissues and their implication in gene regulation. Methods Abdominal and gluteofemoral adipose tissue aspirates obtained from 18 participants (9 male and 9 female, age 30 ± 1.5 y, BMI 27.3 ± 1.23 kg/m2) were analyzed for miRNA expression profiles by next-generation DNA sequencing. The raw reads were mapped to miRBase 17, and differentially expressed miRNAs were confirmed by qRT-PCR. The hsa-mimic-miR196a was transfected into cultured abdominal preadipocytes isolated from five women with obesity. Target gene expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR. Results Among the 640 miRNAs detected in adipose tissue, miR196a2, miR196a1, miR196b, and miR204 showed a higher expression in the gluteofemoral depot (fold change = 2.7, 2.3, 1.7, and 2.3, respectively) independent of sex. Bioinformatic analyses and human primary preadipocyte transfection with miR196 suggested that the differentially expressed miRNAs could directly or indirectly modulate homeobox (HOX) gene expression. Conclusions The miR196 gene family could play an important role in the regulation of HOX gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue and in fat distribution variation.
Benchmarking Process Performance Through Overall Mass Targeting

This chapter presents systematic tools for determining overall mass targets. The focus is on a “big-picture” approach for evaluating these targets without committing to specific technologies or designs, collecting or generating extensive data, detailing the design changes that must be made, or carrying out in-depth economic analysis. In other words, targeting guides the designer in determining the best possible performance of the process irrespective of the type of available technologies or the cost involved in undertaking process changes. Subsequent chapters will provide the details on how these targets can be attained, how to synthesize and screen design alternatives, and how the cost–benefit analysis is used to generate cost-effective designs.
Bipolar Plate Durability and Challenges

Durability and cost represent the two main challenges hindering the fuel technology from penetrating the energy market and competing with other energy systems. Since bipolar plates comprise more than 60% of the weight and account for 30% of the total cost of a fuel cell stack, extensive development in bipolar plate technology have been conducted by many researchers.
Interaction between a dynamically growing crack with stiff and compliant inclusions using DIC and high-speed photography

In this work, cylindrical inclusions of two different elastic moduli – stiff and compliant relative to the matrix – are examined. The former is a borosilicate glass inclusion whereas the latter is a polyurethane inclusion in an epoxy matrix. The 2D digital image correlation (DIC) technique along with high-speed photography is used to study crack growth behavior as a function of inclusion-matrix interfacial strength and the inclusion location relative to the crack under stress wave loading conditions. An ultra high-speed rotating mirror-type CCD digital camera is used to record random speckle patterns in the crack-inclusion vicinity at rates ranging from 150,000 to 300,000 frames per second. Two sets of images, one set before loading and another set during the fracture events are recorded. The crack tip deformation histories from the time of impact until complete fracture are mapped and fracture parameters are extracted. Different crack propagation patterns in terms of crack speed, crack path and stress intensity factor histories are observed followed by a macroscopic examination of fractured surfaces.
Spectrally selective solar absorber stable up to 900 °C for 120 h under ambient conditions

Abstract Concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, which converts sunlight into heat and then electricity, is an attractive alternative to photovoltaics because of its high capacity for thermal-energy storage, which can be converted to electricity after sunset. As the efficiency of this technology is limited by the Carnot efficiency, higher absorber temperatures are desirable. At high temperatures the conversion efficiency is limited by the heat loss from solar absorbers via radiation in infrared wavelengths. Hence, it is desirable to develop selective solar absorbers, which can absorb solar radiation while reflecting infrared radiation. It is also important to develop high temperature selective solar absorbers, which can work in ambient conditions to reduce cost as compared to those that work under vacuum. Here, we report a selective solar absorber made of black chrome/ITO/SiO2, deposited on stainless steel, which showed stable performance at 900 °C under ambient conditions for 120 h. The proposed selective solar absorber exhibits an absorptance of 0.9 in the solar spectrum with an infrared emittance of 0.4 beyond wavelengths of 6 μm.
Lack of consistent sex differences in d-amphetamine-induced dopamine release measured with [18F]fallypride PET

Sex differences in the dopaminergic response to psychostimulants could have implications for drug abuse risk and other psychopathology involving the dopamine system, but human data are limited and mixed. Here, we sought to investigate sex differences in dopamine release after oral d-amphetamine administration. We used [18F]fallypride positron emission tomography (PET) to measure the change in dopamine D2/3 receptor availability (%ΔBPND, an index of dopamine release) between placebo and d-amphetamine sessions in two independent datasets containing a total of 39 females (on either hormonal birth control n = 18, postmenopausal n = 10, or studied in the first 10 days of their menstrual cycle n = 11) and 37 males. Using both a priori anatomical regions of interest based on previous findings and voxelwise analyses, we failed to consistently detect broad sex differences in d-amphetamine-induced dopamine release. Nevertheless, there was limited evidence for greater right ventral striatal dopamine release in young adult males relative to similarly aged females, but this was not consistently observed across samples. Plasma estradiol did not correlate with dopamine release and this measure did not differ in females on and off hormonal birth control. While our finding in young adults from one dataset of greater %ΔBPND in males is partially consistent with a previously published study on sex differences in d-amphetamine-induced dopamine release, our data do not support the presence of consistent widespread sex differences in this measure of dopamine release.
IEEE 802.11ah SDR Implementation and Range Evaluation

The new 802.11ah standard promises to considerably extend the range of Wi-Fi networks by operating in the 902–928 MHz ISM band in the US. While the narrower band results in a lower available data rate, the new standard offers a number of advantageous features such as the restricted access window, traffic indication maps, and target wake time. However, as 802.11ah hardware is still in development, empirical outdoor results for the new standards are missing. The goal of this research project was to implement a simple 802.11ah transmitter and receiver using two software defined radios running a GNU Radio model emulating the new standard. Tests were conducted at three different test sites simulating three different test environments. Results show that 802.11ah can more than keep its promise of Wi-Fi beyond one kilometer as acceptable packet drop rates were still achieved at a distance of 2.7 km.
Education: The prevention of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Malawi

Background With an estimated prevalence of 183,200 cases, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major public health problem in Malawi. However, patients in Malawi with advanced RHD are left with substantial and life-threatening disability because there are no surgical options available in our country at present. In order to tackle this epidemic, it is critical to provide appropriate education and attempt to diagnose the disease earlier. In this study, we aimed to pilot a RHD education program that could be subsequently adopted country-wide. Methods We designed and piloted a RHD educational program targeting health providers at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. This involved three half-day workshops. These workshops were facilitated by a paediatric cardiologist and a paediatric nurse. Tests were administered before and after the workshops; we also provided questionnaires and requested feedback evaluations. A total of sixty-five participants (51 nurses, 3 doctors, 9 clinical officers and 2 unspecified personnel) participated in our workshops. Results Concerns were voiced and addressed relating to the safety of benzathine penicillin. Post-workshop questionnaires revealed that participants were much more comfortable prescribing or injecting benzathine penicillin after the workshop, as indicated by an improvement in the comfort level from 2.8 to 4.5 in nurses, and from 3.4 to 5 in clinicians (using a Likert scale of 1 to 5, p< 0.01). Pre-test knowledge scores improved from 43.8% to 78.5% (p< 0.01). Overall, the workshops received good feedback with an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 (n=61, range 3–5). Conclusion Our analysis showed that practical sessions relating to acute rheumatic fever and RHD in Malawi must address the safety and administration of penicillin. Our pilot workshops could serve as the educational backbone for a national RHD prevention program in Malawi.
Availability of the B beta(15-21) epitope on cross-linked human fibrin and its plasmic degradation products

The binding of radiolabeled monoclonal antifibrin antibody 59D8 (specific for fibrin but not fibrinogen) to a series of degraded fibrin clots showed that the availability of the B beta(15-21) epitope (against which 59D8 had been raised) was inversely proportional to the extent of clot lysis. Examination of digest supernatants revealed that the B beta(15-21) epitope was released from clots as a high molecular weight degradation product in the presence of calcium ions but that the generation of low molecular weight peptides occurred in the absence of calcium ions. To address the question of epitope accessibility, we compared levels of fibrin clot binding among four radioactively labeled antibodies: antifibrin monoclonal antibody 59D8, two antifibrinogen monoclonal antibodies that cross-reacted with fibrin, and an affinity-purified polyclonal antifibrinogen antibody. We expected that the antifibrinogen antibodies would show enhanced binding to clots in comparison with the antifibrin antibody. However, the epitope accessibility experiments showed that all four antibody preparations bound fibrin clots at comparable levels. Taken together, these studies demonstrated that one fibrin-specific epitope, B beta(15-21), remains available on clots as they undergo degradation by plasmin and, importantly, that the epitope is not solubilized at a rate faster than the rate at which the clot is itself solubilized. The availability of the B beta(15-21) epitope during the course of plasminolysis assures the potential utility of antifibrin antibodies such as 59D8 for detecting thrombi and targeting plasminogen activators.
Non-canonical lipoproteins with programmable assembly and architecture

The substrate promiscuity of an acyltransferase is leveraged to synthesize artificial lipoproteins bearing a non-canonical PTM (ncPTM). The non-canonical functionality of these lipoproteins results in a distinctive hysteretic assembly-absent from the canonical lipoproteins-and is used to prepare hybrid multiblock materials with precise and programmable patterns of amphiphilicity. This study demonstrates the promise of expanding the repertoire of PTMs for the development of nanomaterials with a unique assembly and function.
Discovering in the Storm: Alertness, Attention, and NPI in an Uncertain Environment

Using a psycholinguistic approach to measure CEO alertness and attention, we propose that a firm’s rate of new product introductions (NPIs) are predicted by these two different yet complementary co...
Limited physiological acclimation to recurrent heatwaves in two boreal tree species.

The intensity of extreme heat and drought events has drastically risen in recent decades and will likely continue throughout the century. Northern forests have already seen increases in tree mortality and a lack of new recruitment, which is partially attributed to these extreme events. Boreal species, such as paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and white spruce (Picea glauca), appear to be more sensitive to these changes than lower-latitude species. Our objectives were to investigate the effects of repeated heatwaves and drought on young paper birch and white spruce trees by examining (i) responses in leaf gas exchange and plant growth and (ii) thermal acclimation of photosynthetic and respiratory traits to compare ecophysiological responses of two co-occurring, yet functionally dissimilar species. To address these objectives, we subjected greenhouse-grown seedlings to two consecutive summers of three 8-day long, +10 °C heatwaves in elevated atmospheric CO2 conditions with and without water restriction. The data show that heatwave stress reduced net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and growth-more severely so when combined with drought. Acclimation of both photosynthesis and respiration did not occur in either species. The combination of heat and drought stress had a similar total effect on both species, but each species adjusted traits differently to the combined stress. Birch experienced greater declines in gas exchange across both years and showed moderate respiratory but not photosynthetic acclimation to heatwaves. In spruce, heatwave stress reduced the increase in basal area in both experimental years and had a minor effect on photosynthetic acclimation. The data suggest these species lack the ability to physiologically adjust to extreme heat events, which may limit their future distributions, thereby altering the composition of boreal forests.
Donanemab (LY3002813) dose‐escalation study in Alzheimer's disease

Introduction This study explored the safety and tolerability features of donanemab (LY3002813) in patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild to moderate AD dementia. Methods Patients with AD were enrolled into the single-ascending dose phase and were administered a single, intravenous (IV) dose of donanemab (five dosing cohorts from 0.1 to 10 mg/kg) or placebo followed by a 12-week follow-up period for each dose level. After the follow-up period, the same patients proceeded into the multiple-ascending dose (MAD) phase (five cohorts) and were administered IV doses of donanemab (0.3 to 10 mg/kg) or placebo approximately once per month for up to four doses depending on the initial doses (only cohort 1 went from 0.1 mg/kg to a higher dose of 0.3 mg/kg during the MAD phase). This phase concluded with a 12-week follow-up period. The relative exposure assessment of an unblinded, single, subcutaneous 3-mg/kg dose of donanemab in patients with AD was also performed, followed by a 12-week follow-up period. One cohort of healthy subjects received an unblinded, single, IV 1-mg/kg dose of donanemab. These two cohorts did not continue to the MAD phase. Results Donanemab was generally well tolerated up to 10 mg/kg. After single-dose administration from 0.1 to 3.0 mg/kg, the mean terminal elimination half-life was ≈4 days, increasing to ≈10 days at 10 mg/kg. Only the 10-mg/kg dose showed changes in amyloid positron emission tomography. Amyloid reduction of 40% to 50% was achieved. Approximately 90% of subjects developed anti-drug antibodies at 3 months after a single intravenous dose. Discussion Intravenous donanemab 10 mg/kg can reduce amyloid deposits in AD despite having a shorter than expected half-life.
Incorporating the Biological Bases of Behavior Throughout Introduction to Psychology: A Review and Application of 7½ Lessons About the Brain:

Introduction:Research suggests benefits for incorporating popular press books into courses to encourage critical thinking and student-instructor interactions about concepts.Objective:This article o...
Economics of upgrading gravel roads to Otta seal surface

ABSTRACTMaintenance of low volume roads especially gravel roads is costly, and millions of funding annually are spent for aggregate replacement alone. Otta seal, compared to other bituminous surface treatments (BSTs) for low volume roads that require high-quality materials and specialized expertise, can be constructed using cheaper local aggregates and accessible equipment. However, only three states have reported Otta seal constructions and performance in the US. In this study, an economic analysis was conducted to compare the cost of maintaining a gravel road to the cost of upgrading an existing gravel road to a double Otta seal surface. This analysis was conducted at three levels: deterministic life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA), a stochastic Monte Carlo simulation-based LCCA, and a traffic based economic analysis. A generic one-mile rural road in Midwest was considered as a case study location. Although, according to the analysis conducted in this paper, an upgrade to Otta seal investment might be justif...
No Magic Bullet: Constructing a Roadmap for Illinois Fiscal Sustainability

The state of Illinois finally ended its two-year budget impasse in July 2017 but continues to face a structural fiscal imbalance. We use comprehensive data supplied by the Illinois Comptroller to construct a time series showing Illinois state revenue and expenditures on a consistent basis since FY1998. We find that during this period Illinois’ expenditures have grown faster than its revenue and the state has had large budgetary gaps, with spending significantly exceeding sustainable revenue, since FY2000. In FY2016, when no budget was in place, the budgetary gap shrunk primarily because the state failed to reimburse medical providers for state worker healthcare, cut payments to universities and human service providers and made other unsustainable cuts. In FY2017, the state expenditures soared compared to FY2016 despite little change in revenue. FY2017 spending exceeded revenue by $13.5 billion. Despite these significant fiscal challenges, objective assessments show that Illinois has substantial economic resources that can enable it to flourish. Illinois must embark on a multi-year plan that restrains spending growth and enhances revenue growth if it is to attain a fiscally sustainable path. To do this, Illinois elected officials and residents will need honesty, commitment, compromise and cooperation.
Commentary: Instructional Materials Supporting Teachers’ Professional Learning

The premise of this special issue is that the introduction of and move toward A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards leads to the need for new, high-qualit...
Quantitative parameters for promoter clearance.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a method for quantitating the recycling probabilities of the polymerase at a promoter. The quantitation yields a parameter termed abortive probability, P i , which is the probability that a polymerase that has synthesized a nucleotide chain to the i th template position in the initial transcribed sequence (ITS) will abort at this position and not synthesize the nucleotide i + 1 in length. The collective profile of P i describes the pattern of repetitive cycling for each promoter and likely will aid in understanding the clearance transition. Abortive probability is dependent on two types of factors: intrinsic and extrinsic. The intrinsic, sequence-dependent factors include signals embedded in the promoter recognition region (PRR) and the (ITS). The exact contribution of each of these elements to promoter clearance is not clearly known and may vary from promoter to promoter. The extrinsic factors that might affect the clearance transition include NTP concentration, salt effect, ionic composition, temperature, and presence or absence of ancillary factors, etc.
Setting Goals in River Restoration: When and Where Can the River “Heal Itself”?

Stream Restorat Approaches, Anal Geophysical Mon Copyright 2011 b 10.1029/2010GM Ecological research demonstrates that the most diverse, ecologically valuable river habitats are those associated with dynamically migrating, flooding river channels. Thus, allowing the river channel to “heal itself” through setting aside a channel migration zone, or erodible corridor, is the most sustainable strategy for ecological restoration. The width and extent of channel can be set from historical channel migration and model predictions of future migration. However, the approach is not universally applicable because not all rivers have sufficient stream power and sediment load to reestablish channel complexity on a time scale of decades to years, and many are restricted by levees and infrastructure on floodplains that preclude allowing the river a wide corridor. A bivariate plot of stream power/sediment load (y axis) and degree of encroachment (urban, agricultural, etc.) (x axis) is proposed as a framework for evaluating the suitability of various restoration approaches. Erodible corridors are most appropriate where both the potential for channel dynamics and available space are high. In highly modified, urban channels, runoff patterns are altered, and bottomlands are usually encroached by development, making a wide corridor infeasible. There, restoration projects can still feature deliberately installed components such as riparian trees and trails with the social benefits of public education and providing recreation to underserved families. Intermediate approaches include partial restoration of flow and sediment load below dams and “anticipatory management”: sites of bank erosion are anticipated, and infrastructure is set back in advance of floods, to prevent “emergency” dumping of concrete rubble down eroding banks during high water.
Diagnostic procedures in female urology.

Abstract Diagnostic procedures in gynecologic urology are no longer limited to the medical history, physical examination, and Marshall test. Newer diagnostic procedures include urthroscopy, urodynamics with cystometry, urethral closure pressure profiles, uroflowmetry, electomyography of the pelvic floor musculature, and radiologic procedures. All are designed to provide a dynamic assessment of the functional capabilities of the lower urinary tract. Many of these procdures are complex and require sophisticated equipment to provide accurate measurements and are unsuitable for general office applications. This article describes these new diagnostic procedures.
Mitochondrial DNA Fragmentation as a Molecular Tool to Monitor Thermal Processing of Plant-Derived, Low-Acid Foods, and Biomaterials

Cycle threshold (Ct) increase, quantifying plant-derived DNA fragmentation, was evaluated for its utility as a time-temperature integrator. This novel approach to monitoring thermal processing of fresh, plant-based foods represents a paradigm shift. Instead of using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to detect pathogens, identify adulterants, or authenticate ingredients, this rapid technique was used to quantify the fragmentation of an intrinsic plant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene over time-temperature treatments. Universal primers were developed which amplified a mitochondrial gene common to plants (atp1). These consensus primers produced a robust qPCR signal in 10 vegetables, 6 fruits, 3 types of nuts, and a biofuel precursor. Using sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) puree as a model low-acid product and simple linear regression, Ct value was highly correlated to time-temperature treatment (R2 = 0.87); the logarithmic reduction (log CFU/mL) of the spore-forming Clostridium botulinum surrogate, Geobacillus stearothermophilus (R2 = 0.87); and cumulative F-value (min) in a canned retort process (R2 = 0.88), all comparisons conducted at 121 °C. D121 and z-values were determined for G. stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 and were 2.71 min and 11.0 °C, respectively. D121 and z-values for a 174-bp universal plant amplicon were 11.3 min and 9.17 °C, respectively, for mtDNA from sweet potato puree. We present these data as proof-of-concept for a molecular tool that can be used as a rapid, presumptive method for monitoring thermal processing in low-acid plant products. Practical Application This method could be used as another tool for thermal process validation and monitoring. It is especially useful for thermal processes over 100 °C, since temperatures above boiling rapidly damage DNA. Its advantages over enzymatic assays are that mtDNA is highly stable and can be stored at freezing temperatures for long periods. Mitochondrial DNA can be used for all plant products tested. Processors will be able to validate processes and track process deviations using rapid molecular methods. Processors can use this presumptive test prior to shipping out a product.
Antimicrobial packaging of raw beef, pork and turkey using silver‐zeolite incorporated into the material

Summary This study determined the efficacy of silver-zeolite impregnated into wrapping paper to reduce the bacterial growth on raw beef, pork and turkey cuts. This was compared with that of regular butcher paper. The samples were inoculated with Pseudomonas putida (psychrotrophic spoilage bacterium) and stored on 4% silver-zeolite and regular butcher paper for up to 4 days at 4 °C and 10 °C. Results showed that P. putida on the beef, pork and turkey samples did not increase in numbers after exposure to all paper packaging at 4 °C during the 4 days of storage. At 10 °C storage temperature, logarithmic growth patterns for the organisms were seen on all paper packaging. However, the growth rate was slower for the organisms on the silver-zeolite paper. Storage on the silver-zeolite paper accounted for one log cfu/sample mean reduction in viable cell count for the beef, pork and turkey samples when compared with the samples stored on the butcher paper at 3 days.
Generating litmus tests for contrasting memory consistency models

Well-defined memory consistency models are necessary for writing correct parallel software Developing and understanding formal specifications of hardware memory models is a challenge due to the subtle differences in allowed reorderings and different specification styles To facilitate exploration of memory model specifications, we have developed a technique for systematically comparing hardware memory models specified using both operational and axiomatic styles Given two specifications, our approach generates all possible multi-threaded programs up to a specified bound, and for each such program, checks if one of the models can lead to an observable behavior not possible in the other model When the models differs, the tool finds a minimal “litmus test” program that demonstrates the difference A number of optimizations reduce the number of programs that need to be examined Our prototype implementation has successfully compared both axiomatic and operational specifications of six different hardware memory models We describe two case studies: (1) development of a non-store atomic variant of an existing memory model, which illustrates the use of the tool while developing a new memory model, and (2) identification of a subtle specification mistake in a recently published axiomatic specification of TSO.
Myosin phosphorylation, cell motility and smooth muscle contraction

Phosphorylation of myosin regulates the actin-activated ATPase activity of human platelet, rat proliferative myoblast, Acanthamoeba myosin I and smooth muscle myosins. These in vitro findings suggest that myosin phosphorylation plays a key role in controlling cell motility and smooth muscle contraction.
Leader behavior and LMX: a constructive replication

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine if the relationships found between a leader's behavior and the quality of the exchange relationship with a subordinate can be replicated using a different measure of leader‐member exchange (LMX) and a different sample.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports the result of a survey study with a sample of 239 employees who rated specific behaviors of their manager and the quality of the LMX relationship.Findings – In a regression analysis that included several other important leader behaviors, supporting, delegating, and leading by example were statistically significant predictors of LMX.Research limitations/implications – The findings suggest that the positive relationship found in several earlier studies between LMX and a broad measure of transformational leadership was not interpreted correctly.Practical implications – The results from this study identify specific leader behaviors that are likely to be useful for developing a stronger exchange re...
MIGRATING BIRDS' USE OF STOPOVER HABITAT IN THE SOUTHwESTERN UNITED STATES

Abstract. In the arid Southwest, migratory birds are known to use riparian stopover habitats; we know less about how migrants use other habitat types during migratory stopover. Using radar data and satellite land-cover data, we determined the habitats with which birds are associated during migration stopover. Bird densities differed significantly by habitat type at all sites in at least one season. In parts of Arizona and New Mexico upland forest supported high densities of migrants, especially in fall. Developed habitat, in areas with little upland forest, also supported high densities of migrants. Scrub/shrub and grassland habitats supported low to intermediate densities, but because these habitat types dominate the Southwestern landscape, they may provide stopover habitat for larger numbers of migratory birds than previously recognized. These results are complicated by continuing challenges related to target identity (i.e., distinguishing among birds, arthropods and bats). Our results suggest that it i...
New magic numbers in the continent of isotopes

Abstract Recently, Lucas has explained that the magic numbers are really composites of several sub shells filling, rather than being single shells. In addition, his theory leads to the conclusion that protons and neutrons fill sub shells differently, because the protons tend to occupy outer shells first, while neutrons tend to occupy both outer and inner shells. Using a simple modification of Lucas’ geometrical packing scheme, new magic proton and neutron numbers were postulated for the superheavy nuclei, which matched the island of stability distribution to a large extent. These magic numbers were also tested against some nuclei in the peninsula of isotopes, and found to be relevant. Now, in consideration of a suggestion made many years ago by Linus Pauling, new magic numbers between 50 and 82 are postulated in the continent of isotopes, and compared to experimental data. These new numbers have strong support among the three elements considered by Pauling, namely Cadmium, Tin and Tellurium, and the results suggest that the range of isotopes found, their stability, and their lifetimes are strongly affected by the new magic numbers. In addition, if 58 nucleons are taken to be magic, then the double hump fission distribution for heavy isotopes may be explained semi-quantitatively.
Interstate Migration Flows in Germany Since Unification: Temporal and Spatial Patterns

Two American geographers analyze German interstate migration patterns during the period following unification of former West and East Germany (1990-2003). A specific focus of the analysis is the extent to which migration patterns established immediately following unification have changed over the ensuing years. The paper presents a variety of complementary analyses to establish the temporal and geographic patterns of German domestic migration and discusses possible reasons for the seemingly surprising stability of migration patterns throughout the period. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: J61, O15, R23. 1 figure, 9 tables, 35 references, 3 appendices.
Parton orbital angular momentum and final state interactions

Definitions of orbital angular momentum based on Wigner distributions are used to discuss the connection between the Ji definition of the quark orbital angular momentum and that of Jaffe and Manohar. The difference between these two definitions can be interpreted as the change in the quark orbital angular momentum as it leaves the target in a DIS experiment. The mechanism responsible for that change is similar to the mechanism that causes transverse single-spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering.