cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stark mixing in Rydberg atoms by ultralow energy collisions with ions

Abstract Quantal and classical theories developed recently for the full array of n l→ n l′ transitions (Stark mixing) in Rydberg atoms by collision with slow ions are summarized. Quantal and classical probabilities P l′l ( n ) are provided for transitions in atomic hydrogen, induced by the time-dependent (dipole) electric field generated by adiabatic collision with charged particles. A universal classical scaling law permits examination of the (rapid) convergence of the quantal probabilities onto the classical background as n is increased. The structure exhibited in the variation of P l′l ( n ) with l′ is explained and a quantal–classical correspondence is manifest. A modification to take account of quantum defects in Rydberg systems (with quantum defects) is presented. Essential agreement is obtained with measurements of Na + –Na(28d) collisions.
Chameleon: Context-Awareness inside DBMSs

Context is any information used to characterize the situation of an entity. Examples of contexts include time, location, identity, and activity of a user. This paper proposes a general context-aware DBMS, named Chameleon, that will eliminate the need for having specialized database engines, e.g., spatial DBMS, temporal DBMS, and Hippocratic DBMS, since space, time, and identity can be treated as contexts in the general context-aware DBMS. In Chameleon, we can combine multiple contexts into more complex ones using the proposed context composition, e.g., a Hippocratic DBMS that also provides spatio-temporal and location contextual services. As a proof of concept, we construct two case studies using the same context-aware DBMS platform within Chameleon. One treats identity as a context to realize a privacy-aware (Hippocratic) database server, while the other treats space as a context to realize a spatial database server using the same proposed constructs and interfaces of Chameleon.
Effect of Ultra High Temperature Processing and Storage Conditions on Rates of Sedimentation and Fat Separation of Aseptically Packaged Milk

Rates of sedimentation and fat separation were determined for stored UHT treated milk. For each of three thermal treatments used for indirect and direct heating, homogenization pressures were 0, 10.34, or 20.68 MPa. Storage temperatures were 7, 22 and 35°C. Initial sediment deposits were greater for the direct system. Sedimentation increased with increased heat, treatment and/or storage temperature but decreased as homogenization pressure increased. The indirect system had higher activation energies for sedimentation for all homogenization pressures. Fat separation rates tended to increase with increased storage temperature. The direct system tended to produce more sediment and less fat separation than the indirect system for a given thermal treatment.
Estimation of replicative senescence via a population dynamics model of cells in culture

A simple mathematical model is developed for determining the time-varying fraction of senescent cells in culture in terms of the underlying probability distribution of the number of population doublings until senescence. This functional relationship is inverted, which allows for the estimation of the probability distribution of the number of population doublings until senescence given experimental data on the time-varying fraction of senescent cells. The relationship - in particular, the lag - between these two quantities is analyzed under the assumption that the number of population doublings until senescence follows the Weibull distribution. If the number of population doublings until senescence is geometrically distributed (i.e. the Weibull with shape parameter equal to one) then the cell culture appears immortal.
Effects of Induced Vibrations on Early Age Concrete

The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a laboratory test program on how much induced vibrations on concrete during the period between initial set and final set affect the attainable strength of concrete. To achieve this purpose, a laboratory test program was conducted. The laboratory program consisted of casting 144 76 mm by 152 mm (3×6 in.) concrete cylinders and subjecting them to one of two levels of vibration for either 1 or 2 min at five different ages ranging in time from before, during, and after the setting period for the concrete. The levels of vibration correspond to typical frequencies of vibratory soil compactors and the peak particle velocity produced by the compactors. Both compression and splitting tensile tests were performed. The results of the laboratory study indicate that vibratory soil compaction should not be considered a significant hazard to foundation strength as long as the vibrations are within the limits in this study.
Multi-criteria preference analysis for systematic requirements negotiation

Many software projects have failed because their requirements were poorly negotiated among stakeholders. The paper proposes a systematic model, called "multi-criteria preference analysis requirements negotiation (MPARN)" to assist stakeholders to evaluate, negotiate, and agree upon alternatives among stakeholders during requirements analysis using multi-criteria preference analysis techniques. The eight-step MPARN model is applied to requirements gathered for an industrial-academic repository system. An initial analysis demonstrates that multi-criteria preference analysis methodology with the WinWin model potentially increases stakeholders' levels of cooperation and trust by providing a systematic approach to the design of a better negotiation process, as well as focusing on unbiased aspects within a requirements negotiation.
Cellulite: a review of its physiology and treatment.

Cellulite affects 85–98% of post‐pubertal females of all races. While not a pathologic condition, it remains an issue of cosmetic concern to a great number of individuals. Despite its high prevalence, there have been few scientific investigations into the physiology of cellulite. There have only been a few dozen peer‐reviewed articles devoted to cellulite in the medical literature in the past 30 years. There is no definitive explanation for its presentation. This greatly complicates the ability to treat or improve it. The four leading hypotheses that purport to explain the physiology of cellulite include: sexually dimorphic skin architecture, altered connective tissue septae, vascular changes and inflammatory factors. Treatment modalities can be divided into four main categories: attenuation of aggravating factors, physical and mechanical methods, pharmacological agents and laser. There are no truly effective treatments for cellulite.
Angular-momentum couplings in long-range Rb 2 Rydberg molecules

We study angular-momentum couplings in $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}{}_{2}$ Rydberg molecules formed between a Rydberg and $5{S}_{1/2}$ ground-state atom. We use a Fermi model that includes $S$-wave and $P$-wave singlet and triplet scattering of the Rydberg electron with the $5{S}_{1/2}$ atom, along with the fine-structure coupling of the Rydberg atom and hyperfine-structure coupling of the $5{S}_{1/2}$ atom. We discuss the effects of these couplings on the adiabatic molecular potentials. We obtain bound-state energies, lifetimes, and electric and magnetic dipole moments for the vibrational ground states of the $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}(nD+5{S}_{1/2})$ molecules in all adiabatic potentials, with fine and hyperfine structure included. The hyperfine structure gives rise to mixed singlet-triplet potentials. We also study the effect of the hyperfine structure on the deep ${}^{3}S$-wave- and ${}^{3}P$-wave-dominated adiabatic molecular potentials, which support high-$\ensuremath{\ell}$ $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}{}_{2}$ Rydberg molecules.
Leukoaraiosis Burden Significantly Modulates the Association Between Infarct Volume and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose—The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) provides a reliable, quantitative measure of ischemic stroke severity and is predicted by the infarct size. We sought to determine whether leukoaraiosis severity affects the association between infarct size and NIHSS. Methods—NIHSS and diffusion-weighted imaging–defined infarct volumes from 312 prospectively enrolled patients with supratentorial, ischemic strokes were analyzed. Leukoaraiosis severity was graded according to the Fazekas scale and conceptually defined as absent (0; n=44), mild (1–2; n=106), moderate (3–4; n=105), and severe (5–6; n=57). ANCOVA was used to describe the effect of leukoaraiosis on the association between infarct volume and NIHSS. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to assess whether the association of leukoaraiosis and infarct volume on NIHSS was independent of other clinically relevant covariates. Results—Overall, there was a significant correlation between the infarct volume and...
A fast, two-point, three-dimensional raytracing algorithm using a simple step search method

Abstract The simplex method of function minimization is used to find the ray that follows the path of minimum time through an arbitrary three-dimensionally varying medium. The advantage of this method is that it is extremely fast, always converges, and lends itself to a variety of velocity parameterizations. The first step in the algorithm is to find the minimum time circular arc path between the source and receiver using an exhaustive search method. Then perturbations, consisting of a sum of N sine wave harmonics with their zero crossings at the endpoints, are made to the circular arc path. The simplex method searches for the amplitude coefficients that produce the path of least time. On a VAX-750 running the VMS operating system, the first arriving ray for a station receiver distance of 96 km is computed to an accuracy of 0.02 sec, computed in a southern California velocity structure using less than 26 sec of computer time. The required computer time decreases as the ray path distance decreases.
Tuning Nanoparticle Structure and Surface Strain for Catalysis Optimization

Controlling nanoparticle (NP) surface strain, i.e. compression (or stretch) of surface atoms, is an important approach to tune NP surface chemistry and to optimize NP catalysis for chemical reactions. Here we show that surface Pt strain in the core/shell FePt/Pt NPs with Pt in three atomic layers can be rationally tuned via core structural transition from cubic solid solution [denoted as face centered cubic (fcc)] structure to tetragonal intermetallic [denoted as face centered tetragonal (fct)] structure. The high activity observed from the fct-FePt/Pt NPs for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is due to the release of the overcompressed Pt strain by the fct-FePt as suggested by quantum mechanics–molecular mechanics (QM–MM) simulations. The Pt strain effect on ORR can be further optimized when Fe in FePt is partially replaced by Cu. As a result, the fct-FeCuPt/Pt NPs become the most efficient catalyst for ORR and are nearly 10 times more active in specific activity than the commercial Pt catalyst. This struc...
Volden, Craig, and Alan E. Wiseman. Legislative Effectiveness in the United States Congress: The Lawmakers. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2014. 260 pages. $80.00 (hardcover); $29.99 (softcover).

Every election, incumbent legislators tout their many supposed virtues in an appeal to get votes. Prominent among these are claims that the lawmaker has been effective in influencing legislative de...
Agreement between pawning and rural land circulation

As China is a large agricultural country,how to make efficient use of limited land resources naturally becomes the core of China's three agricultural issues.As many problems exist in the process of land circulation in China,this paper,starting from the differences between pawning system and some similar law systems in China,attempts to illustrate that pawning system is an effective solution to the problem of private rights themes' entering rural land market under public ownership.Besides,pawning system endows farmers with a better way of gaining contractual management right of land circulation on the basis of collective ownership of land.
Power Generating Equipments and Factors Impacting the Power Generation Efficiency in Integrated Iron and Steel Works

Power is important consumption energy in steel enterprise,which accounts for around 20%of the gross energy consumption in steel industry.There are many energy-saving power generating equipments in integrated iron and steel works.The main factors which affect the electricity generating efficiency of these equipments were analyzed,and the international and domestic advanced technologies were introduced and compared.In addition,the secondary energy of Iron and steel industry and highly-efficient power generating of waste heat and energy were analyzed.The results show that the application of these technologies can bring considerable economic and social benefits to iron and steel enterprises.
Structure-Preserving Model Order Reduction of RCL Circuit Equations

In recent years, order-reduction techniques based on Krylov subspaces have become the methods of choice for generating macromodels of large multi-port RCL circuits. Despite the success of these techniques and the extensive research efforts in this area, for general RCL circuits, the existing Krylov subspace-based reduction algorithms do not fully preserve all essential structures of the given large RCL circuit. In this paper, we describe the problem of structure-preserving model order reduction of general RCL circuits, and we discuss two state-of-the-art algorithms, PRIMA and SPRIM, for the solution of this problem. Numerical results are reported that illustrate the higher accuracy of SPRIM vs. PRIMA. We also mention some open problems.
Competence for Genetic Transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: Mutations in σA Bypass the ComW Requirement for Late Gene Expression.

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae is able to integrate exogenous DNA into its genome by natural genetic transformation. Transient accumulation of high levels of the only S. pneumoniae alternative σ factor is insufficient for development of full competence without expression of a second competence-specific protein, ComW. The Δ comW mutant is 10 4 -fold deficient in the yield of recombinants, 10-fold deficient in the amount of σ X activity, and 10-fold deficient in the amount of σ X protein. The critical role of ComW during transformation can be partially obviated by σ A mutations clustered on surfaces controlling affinity for core RNA polymerase (RNAP). While strains harboring σ A mutations in the comW mutant background were transforming at higher rates, the mechanism of transformation restoration was not clear. To investigate the mechanism of transformation restoration, we measured late gene expression in σ A * suppressor strains. Restoration of late gene expression was observed in Δ comW σ A * mutants, indicating that a consequence of the σ A * mutations is, at least, to restore σ X activity. Competence kinetics were normal in Δ comW σ A * strains, indicating that strains with restored competence exhibit the same pattern of transience as wild-type (WT) strains. We also identified a direct interaction between ComW and σ X using the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay. Taken together, these data are consistent with the idea that ComW increases σ X access to core RNAP, pointing to a direct role of ComW in σ factor exchange during genetic transformation. However, the lack of late gene shutoff in Δ comW mutants also points to a potential new role for ComW in competence shutoff. IMPORTANCE The sole alternative sigma factor of the streptococci, SigX, regulates development of competence for genetic transformation, a widespread mechanism of adaptation by horizontal gene transfer in this genus. The transient appearance of this sigma factor is strictly controlled at the levels of transcription and stability. This report shows that it is also controlled at the point of its substitution for SigA by a second transient competence-specific protein, ComW.
Synthetic Lethality in PTEN-Mutant Prostate Cancer Is Induced by Combinatorial PI3K/Akt and BCL-XL Inhibition

![Figure][1] The bone-conserved metastatic phenotype of prostate cancer is a prototype of nonrandom metastatic behavior. Adhesion of prostate cancer cells to fibronectin via the integrin α5 (ITGA5) has been proposed as a candidate bone marrow niche localization mechanism. We hypothesized that the mechanisms whereby ITGA5 regulates the adhesion-mediated survival of prostate cancer cells will define novel therapeutic approaches. ITGA5 shRNA reduced expression of BCL-2 family members and induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells. In these PTEN-mutant cells, pharmacologic inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway in combination with ITGA5 knockdown enhanced apoptosis. Chemical parsing studies with BH3 mimetics indicated that PI3K/Akt inhibition in combination with BCL-XL–specific inhibition induces synergistic apoptosis specifically in PTEN-mutant prostate cancer cells, whereas single-agent PI3K/Akt inhibitors did not. Given the importance of PTEN loss in the progression of prostate and other cancers, synthetic lethality induced by combinatorial PI3K/Akt and BCL-XL inhibition represents a valuable therapeutic strategy. Implications: Activation of the PI3K pathway through PTEN loss represents a major molecular pathway in the progression of prostate and other cancers. This study defines a synthetic lethal therapeutic combination with significant translational potential. Overview: Synthetic lethality in PTEN-mutant prostate cancer cells with combined PI3K/Akt and BCL-XL inhibition. PTEN-mutant prostate cancer cells expressing ITGA5 bind to fibronectin in the putative bone marrow niche and transduce survival signals to BCL-XL. Additional PTEN-regulated signals independent of the PI3K/Akt pathway likely feed into the BCL-XL–regulated survival program to explain synthetic lethality observed with the combination. Visual Overview: [http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2016/12/02/1541-7786.MCR-16-0202/F1.large.jpg.][2] Mol Cancer Res; 14(12); 1176–81. ©2016 AACR . This article is featured in Highlights of This Issue, [p. 1171][3] [1]: pending:yes [2]: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2016/12/02/1541-7786.MCR-16-0202/F1.large.jpg [3]: /lookup/volpage/14/1171?iss=12
Performance of the proposed stray light correction algorithm for the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) onboard Landsat 8

Imagery from the Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) have exhibited scene-dependent non-uniform banding and absolute calibration artifacts since the instrument began operation in 2013. These artifacts have been attributed to a stray light effect in which radiance from outside the nominal field-of-view of the instrument enters the optical system and adds a non-uniform signal to the focal plane detectors. A major effort was launched to characterize the stray light sources and derive an operational software correction that could easily be applied to the ground processing system. The proposed solution relies on a regression analysis in which TIRS scene imagery is used in combination with a detailed optical model to calculate the extra stray light signal on the detectors. The predicted signal is then subtracted from the scene data to remove the stray light artifacts. The resulting imagery from the correction algorithm displays a vast improvement in both banding and absolute error over the current TIRS product. The algorithm has the added benefit of being able to run in 'real time' with no additional data needed. Comparisons to MODIS thermal imagery have demonstrated high performance for scenes all over the world and over different material types and temperatures. A summary of these validation studies will be discussed here.
Re-reading readability

This brief article critically examines the assumptions and shortcomings of lexico-syntactically based measures of readability, using the popular Fry’s readability scale as its prime example. Thereafter, it explores an alternative semantic approach to the issue by re-focusing upon three crucial cohesive factors in the development of textual meaning that Fry’s formula ignores, to its cost.
Wound Dressings: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review covers the advantage and limitations of some dressing materials and the current knowledge on wound dressings and emerging technologies to achieve proper wound healing. Traditional and modern dressings are helpful in the wound healing process; however, they cannot substitute lost tissue. Human skin equivalents have been developed conceptually to fill this void as they do not only facilitate wound healing but also may replace lost tissue. Several studies have shown that the addition of mesenchymal stem cells, such as in human placenta, has promising results in wound healing. A wound is defined as a disruption in the continuity of the skin or mucosa due to physical or thermal damage, or an underlying medical condition. Wound healing is a complex, dynamic, and multistep process which occurs after skin damage leading to tissue repair. Although the skin normally undergoes repair after a disruption, the healing process can be affected in different conditions such as diabetes mellitus, infections, venous/arterial insufficiency, among others. To enhance healing, a wide range of wound dressings are available; however, a thorough wound assessment (e.g., wound type, size, depth, or color) is required to choose the appropriate dressing. The emergence of new dressings has brought a new perspective of wound healing, but there is no superior product yet to treat acute and/or chronic wounds. Therefore, wound dressing research studies need to be carried out in order to help improve wound healing.
Precursor skills to writing code

Practice in programming courses is most of the time equated with programming and more specifically with writing code. However, we believe that more emphasis needs to be put in the precursor skills to writing code. Specifically, that there are three phases that students should sequentially master in the process of learning computer programming: code comprehension, code manipulation, and code writing. Further, there are other companion skills, such as understanding technical documentation (i.e., APIs), that should also be stressed in all of the three phases and that are usually overlooked in CS1 courses. In this paper we present an empirical study where we evaluate students in each of these competencies separately. The results obtained are in line with our intuition that code comprehension, code manipulation, and code writing are phases that students should sequentially master in the process of learning to write programs.
Parallel and Serial Blockade Strategies in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma

Activating mutations in BRAF are the most common somatic aberration in cutaneous melanomas. These mutations result in constitutive activation of BRAF’s catalytic activity and its downstream effectors in the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Both selective BRAF and MEK inhibitors have demonstrated high clinical response rates in metastatic melanoma patients with activating BRAF mutations. These successes have illustrated several keys to the successful development of targeted therapies, and the potential for personalized therapeutic strategies for cancer. However, the ultimate clinical benefit of BRAF and MEK inhibitors has been limited by both de novo and secondary resistance mechanisms. Initial preclinical and clinical studies support that these resistance mechanisms may broadly be characterized as those that result in (1) re-activation of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway, or (2) activation of other pro-survival mediators. These findings are now leading to the development of new combinatorial approaches that involve serial and/or parallel blockade strategies in order to overcome resistance mechanisms, and ultimately to improve outcomes in melanoma patients with activating BRAF mutations. Further, these concepts are also being explored and tested in melanoma patients with other oncogenic mutations.
The savings and investment relationship: The Feldstein–Horioka puzzle revisited

Abstract This paper revisits the Feldstein Horioka (FH) puzzle by estimating a time varying parameter model through Kalman filtering. The paper investigated the existence of savings and investment relationship for 22 OECD countries. We found evidence that the time varying saving retention coefficient has gradually declined since mid 70’s for most of the countries in our sample. Average time varying saving retention coefficient for the entire sample also showed steady decline as well. The degree of capital mobility is increasing as the world financial markets are becoming increasingly integrated over time. Therefore, the savings and investment relationship will go through a dynamic process. The current study tries to capture this dynamic relationship between savings and investment using a state-space model.
A graphene/graphite-based conductive polyamide 12 interlayer for increasing the fracture toughness and conductivity of carbon-fiber composites

A conductive thermoplastic material was developed to increase the interlaminar fracture toughness and through-the-thickness conductivity of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics materials. A polyamide 1...
Matrix Continued Fractions in System Theory

Abstract A summary of recent results obtained by the author on matrix continued fraction decompositions of linear systems is presented. Both the state-space and the input-output points of view are examined.
Persistent Urban Influence on Surface Water Quality via Impacted Groundwater

Growing urban environments stress hydrologic systems and impact downstream water quality. We examined a third-order catchment that transitions from an undisturbed mountain environment into urban Salt Lake City, Utah. We performed synoptic surveys during a range of seasonal baseflow conditions and utilized multiple lines of evidence to identify mechanisms by which urbanization impacts water quality. Surface water chemistry did not change appreciably until several kilometers into the urban environment, where concentrations of solutes such as chloride and nitrate increase quickly in a gaining reach. Groundwater springs discharging in this gaining system demonstrate the role of contaminated baseflow from an aquifer in driving stream chemistry. Hydrometric and hydrochemical observations were used to estimate that the aquifer contains approximately 18% water sourced from the urban area. The carbon and nitrogen dynamics indicated the urban aquifer also serves as a biogeochemical reactor. The evidence of surface ...
Endothelial specific SIRT3 deletion impairs glycolysis and angiogenesis and causes diastolic dysfunction

Endothelial glycolysis plays a critical role in the regulation of angiogenesis. We investigated the role of Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) on endothelial cell (EC) glycolytic metabolism, angiogenesis, and diastolic function. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that loss of SIRT3 in ECs impairs endothelial glycolytic metabolism and angiogenesis and contributes to myocardial capillary rarefaction and the development of diastolic dysfunction. Using SIRT3 deficient ECs, SIRT3 was found to regulate a metabolic switch between mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. SIRT3 knockout (KO)-ECs exhibited higher mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. SIRT3 knockout (KO)-ECs exhibited a reduction in the expression of glycolytic enzyme, PFKFB3, and a fall in glycolysis and angiogenesis. Blockade of PFKFB3 reduced glycolysis and downregulated expression of VEGF and Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in ECs. Deletion of SIRT3 in ECs also impaired hypoxia-induced expression of HIF-2α, VEGF, and Ang-1, as well as reduced angiogenesis. In vivo, endothelial-specific SIRT3 KO (ECKO) mice exhibited a myocardial capillary rarefaction together with a reduced coronary flow reserve (CFR) and diastolic dysfunction. Histologic study further demonstrated that knockout of SIRT3 in ECs significantly increased perivascular fibrosis in the coronary artery. These results implicate a role of SIRT3 in modulating endothelial function and cardiac function. Ablation of SIRT3 leads to impairment of EC glycolytic metabolism and angiogenic signaling, which may contribute to coronary microvascular rarefaction and diastolic dysfunction in SIRT3 ECKO mice.
Presentation of the 2016 Harrell L. Strimple Award of the Paleontological Society to Samuel J. Ciurca, Jr.

Among the hosts of amateur fossil collectors, very few attain the status of “world authority” or “living legends.” But this year’s Strimple Award winner, Mr. Samuel J. Ciurca, Jr., deserves both of these titles. Google eurypterids and you will find an image of a wiry man up to his knees in water, hauling a “living eurypterid” from the sea: meet Sam Ciurca, posing with a cleverly crafted model of one of the largest eurypterids, he discovered, a 1.3 m Pterygotus . I have known of Sam for nearly four decades. I got to know him quite well when I began teaching at the University of Rochester and I am still working with him to this day. Indeed, in some ways he was already mentoring students when I arrived at Rochester. My first Master’s student, Richard Hamell (who did a study of the famed eurypterid-bearing upper Silurian Bertie Dolostone), was a disciple of Mr. Ciurca, who, even then, was nicknamed “Sam the eurypterid man.” At the time, Sam worked as a chemist for the Eastman Kodak Company, but his true passion was field study of eurypterid beds. Sam began his geological pursuits as a teenager in the early 1960s with initial interests in minerals and petrified wood. Sam started to document and disseminate his findings early on: he wrote an article on celestite in upper Silurian units in 1962, and even had a “petrified wood museum” for public view. It …
Extended models for nosocomial infection: parameter estimation and model selection

We consider extensions to previous models for patient level nosocomial infection in several ways, provide a specification of the likelihoods for these new models, specify new update steps required for stochastic integration, and provide programs that implement these methods to obtain parameter estimates and model choice statistics. Previous susceptible-infected models are extended to allow for a latent period between initial exposure to the pathogen and the patient becoming themselves infectious, and the possibility of decolonization. We allow for multiple facilities, such as acute care hospitals or long-term care facilities and nursing homes, and for multiple units or wards within a facility. Patient transfers between units and facilities are tracked and accounted for in the models so that direct importation of a colonized individual from one facility or unit to another might be inferred. We allow for constant transmission rates, rates that depend on the number of colonized individuals in a unit or facility, or rates that depend on the proportion of colonized individuals. Statistical analysis is done in a Bayesian framework using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to obtain a sample of parameter values from their joint posterior distribution. Cross validation, deviance information criterion and widely applicable information criterion approaches to model choice fit very naturally into this framework and we have implemented all three. We illustrate our methods by considering model selection issues and parameter estimation for data on methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus surveillance tests over 1 year at a Veterans Administration hospital comprising seven wards.
Potent Macromolecule-Sized Poration of Lipid Bilayers by the Macrolittins, A Synthetically Evolved Family of Pore-Forming Peptides.

Pore-forming peptides with novel functions have potential utility in many biotechnological applications. However, the sequence–structure–function relationships of pore forming peptides are not understood well enough to empower rational design. Therefore, in this work, we used synthetic molecular evolution to identify a novel family of peptides that are highly potent and cause macromolecular poration in synthetic lipid vesicles at low peptide concentration and at neutral pH. These unique 26-residue peptides, which we call macrolittins, release macromolecules from lipid bilayer vesicles made from zwitterionic PC lipids at peptide to lipid ratios as low as 1:1000, a property that is almost unprecedented among known membrane permeabilizing peptides. The macrolittins exist as membrane-spanning α-helices. They cause dramatic bilayer thinning and form large pores in planar supported bilayers. The high potency of these peptides is likely due to their ability to stabilize bilayer edges by a process that requires s...
Ganglioside-Mediated Modulation of Growth Factor Receptor Function

Two classes of glycosphingolipids can be distinguished in cells; one class with long and complex carbohydrates characterizes types of cells and may play an important role in cell-cell recognition (cell social function), while the other class is composed of a few basic structures, such as GM3, lactosylceramide, and glucosylceramide, common to many types of cells. The latter class of glycosphingolipids and even some of the former class may play a basic role in regulating the function of intrinsic membrane proteins such as receptors and transporters. There have been a few lines of evidence that GM3 or GM1 ganglioside may affect and modulate the function of the receptors for fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). There is a study that has suggested a possible association of a tumor-associated glycolipid antigen (gangliotriaosylceramida, Gg3Cer) and the transferrin receptor in mouse lymphoma L5178Y. Furthermore, some data indicate that cell adhesion could be mediated by gangliosides, although much of the evidence for this possibility is still fragmentary and requires extensive further study. I will try to summarize our observations regarding the possible role of gangliosides in the regulation of receptor function.
Dragons and Dog-Headed Saints: Some Medieval Perspectives on the Significance of the Human Form

There are striking parallels between contemporary Christian engagement with transhumanism and medieval interest in the so-called monstrous races: cyclops, pygmies, dog-headed people, headless people with giant faces on their torsos, and the like. Several medieval Christians, including Augustine, either believed that these creatures existed in the far-off corners of the earth or at least countenanced the possibility of their existence. Medieval Christians did not just view the monstrous races as curiosities; they also considered the theological implications of such unusual creatures. Of particular interest was what their existence might mean for questions of human nature, original sin, divine providence, and virtue. As contemporary Christians grapple with similar questions in light of transhumanism, they can draw upon insights from the medieval engagement with the monstrous races.
Xenophon’s Hipparchikos and the Athenian Embrace of Citizen Philotimia

Although negotiations over the competing claims of honour ( time ) and awards of instantiated honours ( timai ) were central features of Athenian democracy, the dangerous ambiguities of philotimia meant that only from the 340s BC were the Athenians explicitly embracing this love of honour and celebrating its display by citizens and non-citizens alike. Here I argue that a close reading of Xenophon’s treatise on cavalry command, Hipparchikos , advances our understanding of this embrace of public-spirited honour in three ways. First, Xenophon founds the success of the cavalry on the training of knowledgeable officers who are able to harness the Athenians’ extraordinary love of honour, on display and on campaign. Second, he reveals the diverse roles played by time and philotimia throughout the entire institution of the Athenian cavalry, fostering competitive excellence as well as community amongst cavalry, polis , and gods. Third, Xenophon’s arguments about the nature and negotiation of Athenian honour anticipate the ideological and institutional embrace of citizen honour that, amply attested by epigraphic and literary records, was central to Athenian flourishing during the Lycurgan and Hellenistic eras.
The T-box transcription factor Brachyury controls tumor cell migration and invasion

4553 Elevated expression of the T-box transcription factor Brachyury has been demonstrated in various human tumors of epithelial origin and in human cell lines derived from lung, colon, and prostate carcinomas (Clin Cancer Res. 2007;13(8):2471-8). Brachyury9s high expression in tumor cells contrasts with its lack of expression in most human normal adult tissues. The function of Brachyury as a relevant gene for the development of mesoderm during gastrulation is well established; however, no reports exist so far indicating its function in the context of a tumor cell. Formation of mesoderm during embryogenesis is a manifestation of epithelial plasticity where epithelial cells change into mesenchymal cells by triggering an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Recently, EMT has been recognized as a central process in the progression of primary tumors into metastasis, which involves the acquisition of motility and invasiveness by the tumor cells. Several transcription factors involved in the control of mesoderm such as Twist, Snail and Slug have been identified as controllers or triggers of EMT. Here, we sought to investigate the role of Brachyury in the EMT process during tumor progression. Two experimental approaches were taken in which (1) the expression of Brachyury has been silenced in Brachyury-positive human lung carcinoma cells, or (2) Brachyury has been over-expressed in various human tumor cell lines that are Brachyury-negative. Our results demonstrated that stable silencing of Brachyury expression in carcinoma cells results in down-regulation of mesenchymal markers and up-regulation of epithelial markers with concomitant loss of cell migration and invasion functions. In contrast, the over-expression of Brachyury in several tumor cell lines resulted in up-regulation of mesenchymal markers and down-regulation of epithelial markers, and increased both the migration and invasiveness of the tumor cells. Therefore, our results demonstrate that the transcription factor Brachyury plays a role in the EMT process during tumor progression, conferring on the tumor cells a mesenchymal phenotype as well as migratory and invasive abilities. The high expression of Brachyury in tumor cells and its potential role in the metastatic conversion of tumors make Brachyury an attractive target candidate for anti-tumor mediated therapies.
Translating the biology of aging into novel therapeutics for Alzheimer disease

Aging is the leading risk factor for most chronic illnesses of old age, including Alzheimer disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease with currently no therapies that prevent, slow, or halt disease progression. Like other chronic diseases of old age, the progressive pathology of AD begins decades before the onset of symptoms. Many decades of research in biological gerontology have revealed common processes that are relevant to understanding why the aging brain is vulnerable to AD. In this review, we frame the development of novel therapeutics for AD in the context of biological gerontology. The many therapies currently in development based on biological gerontology principles provide promise for the development of a new generation of therapeutics to prevent and treat AD.
Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity: 1996-2007

The rate of entrepreneurial activity among women dropped sharply in 2007 while the activity rate among men and immigrants surged, according to a national assessment of entrepreneurial activity by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. According to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, the only annual study to measure business startup activity for the entire United States adult population at the individual owner level, 495,000 new businesses per month were started in 2007 with 0.30 percent of the adult population (or 300 out of 100,000 adults) involved in the startup process. This entrepreneurial activity rate is a slight increase over the 2006 rate of 0.29 percent.Several surprising findings from the Kauffman Index are:1. Immigrants far outpaced native-born Americans in entrepreneurial activity, increasing from 0.37 percent in 2006 to 0.46 percent in 2007. Immigrants are now substantially more likely to start businesses than are native-born Americans, which remained constant at 0.27 percent.2. Men are now twice as likely as women to start a business each month, a larger differential than in any previous year of the KIEA study. For men, the entrepreneurial activity rate increased from 0.35 percent in 2006 to 0.41 percent in 2007. The rate decreased from 0.23 percent to 0.20 percent for women.3. The entrepreneurial activity rate among Latinos increased from 0.33 percent in 2006 to 0.40 percent in 2007, the largest increase for any major ethnic or racial group.Data for the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity are derived from the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS), a national population survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The detailed demographic information available allows researchers to estimate rates of entrepreneurial activity by race, education, region, age and immigrant status and is the most up-to-date estimate of new business activity and the only estimate of business creation by detailed demographic group. Unlike other studies that primarily capture the creation of new employer firms, the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity captures all adults 20-64 who initially start a business, including those who own incorporated or unincorporated businesses and those who are employers and non-employers. Capturing new business owners in their first month of significant business activity serves as a leading indicator of new business creation in the United States.
Majority Rule in Nonlinear Opinion Dynamics

Using a nonlinear model of opinion dynamics on networks, we show the existence of asymmetric majority rule solutions for symmetric initial opinion distributions and symmetric network structure. We show that this occurs in triads as the result of a pitchfork bifurcation and arises in both chain and complete topologies with symmetric as well as asymmetric coupling. Analytical approximations for bifurcation boundaries are derived which closely match numerically-obtained boundaries. Bifurcation-induced symmetry breaking represents a novel mechanism for generating majority rule outcomes without built-in structural or dynamical asymmetries; however, the policy outcome is fundamentally unpredictable.
Father-Child Sports Participation and Outdoor Activities: Patterns and Implications for Health and Father-Child Relationships

Using Fragile Families data (N = 2,581), this study analyzes father’s engagement in sports and outdoor activities with their nine year-old child. It also considers the implications of these interactions for health and father-child relationships. First, the results indicate patterns of relatively high levels of father engagement. Most fathers reported doing sports or outdoor activities with their child once per week or more. Second, the results show socioeconomic, gender, and family structure discrepancies in the likelihood that fathers engage in sports or outdoor activities with their child. Finally, the findings reveal that father-child interactions in sports and outdoor activities are positively associated with reports of health and father-child closeness, for both fathers and children. Thus, it seems that father-child interactions in sports and outdoor activities can serve as purposive forms of leisure that can have positive effects for health and relationships.
Perspectives on community solar policy adoption across the United States

This paper focuses on community shared solar photovoltaics (PV), an innovative solar energy program design that allows multiple consumers to share the costs and benefits of ownership in an off-site solar PV facility, opening market access to a wider variety of individuals. Community shared solar has been shown in prior literature to achieve cost reductions through economies of scale, as well as ideal project locations, collaborative emissions goals, and enhanced community cohesion, among other positive attributes. However, only 16 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia currently allow community shared solar implementation via formal legislation. Using a punctuated equilibrium framework and semi-structured telephone interviews with policy experts across the U.S. from the solar industry, environmental groups, government, and electric utilities, this research discovers that electric utility lobbying and an overall lack of attention have hindered community solar enabling legislation. However, opportunities exist for future development via increased participation, collaboration, and key events that may alter the policy equilibrium. Such research is useful in understanding how historically laggard energy policy states may adopt community shared solar legislation in the future.
The dark side of doing good: a qualitative study to explore perceptions of local healthcare providers regarding short-term surgical missions in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

## Background In response to the increasing global burden of surgical diseases, medical providers from high-income countries are increasingly volunteering in underserved regions. Short-term surgical missions are growing in number but lack appropriate oversight. Many studies on volunteers’ perspectives have been published, but few have examined the perspectives of local healthcare providers. ## Aim To explore perceptions of Haitian healthcare providers regarding short-term volunteer missions in order to identify positive and negative perceptions. ## Methods A qualitative approach utilizing interpretivist epistemology and a social constructivist perspective captured perceptions of participants in their social setting. Interpretivism recognizes that perceptions are subjective and socially constructed. After purposive sampling, 17 participants were recruited. In-depth recorded interviews with assistance from local interpreters explored participants’ perceptions. Using thematic content analysis, unexpected themes emerged. ## Results Four themes emerged: general perceptions, perceived effect on healthcare system, perceived effect on healthcare workers, and future recommendations. In general, local healthcare workers appreciate the skills and knowledge that teams impart and the improved access to surgical services for the poor. However, volunteers working independent of local teams create negative perceptions, stress local healthcare providers, and strain hospital resources. Future teams should utilize local perceptions to measure impact and effectiveness of their efforts. ## Conclusions Perceived impact of short-term surgical missions is dependent on participant perspective. This study addresses negative perceptions and offers recommendations for before, during, and after a mission. Surgical missions that emphasize training local staff and forming long-term relationships have a greater impact on surgical capacity than do missions that focus primarily on surgical volume. Further research on local perceptions is essential to ensure that local voices continue to be heard and that altruistic efforts of volunteers do not inadvertently cause negative effects.