cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Build peer support network for CS2 students

Introductory computer science courses (i.e., CS1 and CS2) have seen high dropout and failure rates, and such common phenomenon still exists nationwide. Studies have shown that students with effective peer support networks have a better chance to success in CS1 and CS2. Unfortunately, it is hard for most students, especially lower division students, to form their own peer support networks. To help students build their peer support networks, instructors of CS1 and CS2 have to, with the help of pedagogical tools, provide a friendly learning environment to foster the interactions among students inside and outside of the classroom. This paper discusses the usage of PeerSpace, an integrated peer collaborative learning environment to help instructors achieve such goal. Comparative studies were conducted to measure the effectiveness of PeerSpace in helping students build their own peer support networks; and preliminary results are positive.
The infectious march: the complex interaction between microbes and the immune system in asthma

There has been significant progress in our knowledge about the relationship between infectious disease and the immune system in relation to asthma, but many unanswered questions still remain. Respiratory tract infections such as those caused by respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus during the first 2 years of life are still clearly associated with later wheezing and asthma, but the mechanism has not been completely worked out. Is there an "infectious march" triggered by infection in infancy that progresses to disease pathology or are infants who contract respiratory infections predisposed to developing asthma? This review focuses on the common themes in the interaction between microbes and the immune system, and presents a critical appraisal of the evidence to date. The various mechanisms whereby microbes alter the immune response and how this might influence asthma are discussed along with new and promising clinical practices for prevention and therapy. Recent advances in using sensitive polymerase chain reaction detection methods have allowed more rigorous testing of the causality hypothesis of virus infection leading to asthma, but the evidence is still equivocal. Various exceptions and inconsistencies in the clinical trials are discussed in light of new guidelines for subject inclusion/exclusion in hopes of providing some standardization. Despite past failures in vaccination and disappointing results of some clinical trials, the new strategies for prophylaxis including RNA interference and targeted delivery of microbicides offer a large dose of hope to a world suffering from an increasing incidence of asthma as well as a huge burden of health care cost and loss of quality of life.
Crossing Symmetry and Hadron Dynamics

A method of carrying out bootstrap calculations is described in which analyticity properties enter indirectly. There are two main features: the use of a nonlinear Bethe-Salpeter equation which automatically maintains the symmetry properties of amplitudes, and the use of crossing symmetry in the construction of effective propagators. Two illustrative examples are considered. One is a simplified nonlinear equation for the familiar static model of baryon-meson interactions. The other is a model for interactions mediated by vector mesons.
Optimization of InGaAsP/InP buried heterostructure DFB lasers for 10-Gbit/s operation up to 100 C

The optimization of a 1300nm buried heterostructure(BH)InGaAsP/InP DFB laser for uncooled directly modulated 10Gbit/s operation is described. The development process as well as the key process parameters are discussed and results are presented on an optimized structure. Bandwidths in excess of 10GHz were measured at 90C chip base temperature. Clean open eye diagrams were recorded over the full temperature range, resulting in error free transmission over 40km. To our knowledge the results represent the current state of the art for uncooled BH DFB lasers operating at 1300nm.
The pre-mRNA binding K protein contains a novel evolutionary conserved motif

Abstract The K protein is among the major pre-mRNA-binding proteins (hnRNPs) in vertebrate cell nuclei. It binds tenaciously to cytidine-rich sequences and is the major oligo(rC/dC)-binding protein in vertebrate cells. We have cloned a cDNA of the Xenopus laevis hnRNP K and determined its sequence. The X.laevis hnRNP K is a 47 kD protein that is remarkably similar to its human 66 kD counterpart except for two large internal deletions. The sequence of hnRNP K contains a 45 amino acid repeated motif which is almost completely conserved between the X.laevis and human proteins. We found that this repeated motif, the KH motif (for K homology), shows significant homology to several proteins some of which are known nucleic acids binding proteins. The homology is particularly strong with the archeabacterial ribosomal protein S3 and with the saccharomyces cerevisiae protein MER1 which is required for meiosis-specific splicing of the MER 2 transcript. As several of the proteins that contain the KH motif are known to bind RNA, this domain may be involved in RNA binding.
Treatment of fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, and related disorders

Chronic muscle pain is a common complaint among patients who seek care for musculoskeletal disorders. A spectrum of clinical presentations exists, ranging from focal or regional complaints that usually represent myofascial pain syndromes to more wide spread pain that may meet criteria for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This article addresses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management of myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. These conditions are challenging to treat and require physiatrists to be aware of the wide range of pharmacologic, rehabilitative,and psychosocial interventions that can be helpful.
Electron scattering from baryon resonances in nuclei

Abstract A zero parameter model calculation of deep inelastic electron scattering in the energy range of the Δ(1236) resonance is presented. It is assumed that the major effect of the virtual photon is to excite a Δ(1236) from a nucleon, and that this resonance is bound to the remaining nucleons. The results are compared with existing experimental data and with other theoretical results.
Does past volatility affect investors' price forecasts and confidence judgements?

This study investigates the influence of past volatility on individual investors' forecasting behavior. We conducted two experiments in which we used real stock prices to construct low- and high-volatility time series, and asked participants to make both point estimates and interval forecasts of future values. We focus on two main aspects of investors' future expectations: (1) forecasts of future price, and (2) subjective confidence of future stock price, which includes 50%, 70% and 90% confidence intervals. Past volatility has a weak effect on future forecasts that are sensitive to minor changes in the characteristics of price series. We found strong evidence that low past volatility increases participants' confidence and improves forecast accuracy. The calibration of the confidence intervals was not affected by the stocks' volatility. However, most confidence intervals were skewed, suggesting that participants use asymmetric confidence intervals to hedge their price forecasts.
Reflective terahertz imaging of porcine skin burns

A reflective pulsed terahertz imaging system based on direct detection was developed and used to obtain high-resolution images of a porcine skin specimen with superficial partial-thickness (second-degree) burns. Images were also obtained of the sample through ten layers of dry medical (cotton) gauze with minimal image degradation. The burned and unburned regions of skin had large differences in terahertz reflectivity, displaying clear delineation [20 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) difference signal] between both regions in the images. The terahertz images also exhibited a "halo" surrounding the burn areas that may correlate to the extent of burn injury. The system operated at a center frequency of 500 GHz with 125 GHz of 3 dB bandwidth and used whiskbroom scanning to generate images with a spatial resolution of 1.5 mm. Each pixel was acquired with a 16 ms integration time, resulting in a 40 dB postdetection SNR. The simplicity and high SNR of the reflective terahertz system are promising steps toward real-time terahertz medical imaging.
Visualizing agents for short-chain fatty acids in TLC

Fatty acids from ethanoic to octanoic have been chromatographed on silica gel with n -hexane-acetone, 4 + 1 ( v/v ), and acetone-water-chloroform-ethanol-aqueous ammonia, 30 + 1 + 3 + 5 + 1 ( v/v ), as mobile phases. New visualizing agents and selected visualizing agents described in the scientific literature have been used for detection. The results obtained for the free fatty acids and their ammonium salts by use of the individual visualizing agents depend on method of application — spraying or dipping. Dipping of chromatographic plates into solutions of the visualizing agents leads to chromatographic spots of the fatty acids with better contrast than the spots obtained by direct spraying of the plates. In general better visualization was achieved with ammonium salts of the fatty acids than with the free acids. Of the agents described in the scientific literature free fatty acids from ethanoic to octanoic can be detected only by use of bromocresol green, bromophenol blue, potassium permanganate, and met...
Evaluation of a Portable Fourier Transform Infrared Gas Analyzer for Measurements of Air Toxics in Pollution Prevention Research

A portable Fourier transform infrared gas analyzer with a photoacoustic detector performed reliably during pollution prevention research at two industrial facilities. It exhibited good agreement (within approximately 6%) with other analytical instruments (dispersive infrared and flame ionization) when analyte concentrations were high and relatively steady. It did not show good agreement when analyte concentrations were low (approximately 10 parts per million [ppm]) or were varying rapidly (less than 1.5 min). The precision for total acetates measurements was estimated to be approximately 40 ppm for measurements in the 0- to 700-ppm region. The precision for styrene measurements was estimated to be approximately 10 ppm for measurements in the 0- to 90-ppm region.
Tumor scanning agents

Nuclear imaging studies currently play a major role in the detection, staging, and management of malignant disease. However, most imaging methods with agents currently in use localize malignant disease indirectly by revealing changes in "normal" anatomy or physiology. These methods are inherently nonspecific. The development of direct tumor scanning agents, which localize in the tumor itself, holds considerable promise. Substances currently in use include radiolabeled metabolites, radioactive cations, and radiolabeled anti metabolites. At least some of these agents show good specificity. Radiolabeled antibodies to tumor-associated antigens are currently undergoing initial investigation as direct scanning agents with high tumor specificity.
An evaluation of medication errors—the pediatric surgical service experience

Abstract Background Medication errors in pediatric patients are well recognized. The need for weight-adjusted dosing and changes in pharmacokinetic parameters make this patient population susceptible. Surgical literature discussing this topic is limited. The purpose of this study was to review the medication errors (variances) on surgical services at a major children's teaching hospital. Methods Medication variances occurring from January 2004 to June 2006 were reviewed. Data included service, physician, medication, type of variance, severity, explanation of variance, and time of occurrence. Results There were 757 patients affected hospital-wide by a medication variance (n = 1340) for which 180 patients were on a surgical service (n = 308 variances). Residents accounted for 82% of all variances. Medication variances occurred most frequently on the general (36%) and neurosurgery services (20.5%). Seventy-one percent of the variances were classified as potential to cause harm but were corrected before reaching the patient. Five percent of variances reached the patient and caused temporary harm. Incorrect dose accounted for 72% of variances, followed by incorrect dosage form or omission in 5%, and missed allergies in 4%. Antibiotics were implicated in 31% of variances. Most errors occurred during daytime work hours. Conclusion Our data show that most of prescribing medication variances never reached the patient and were recognized by pharmacy or nursing. There is a continued need to enhance local education (resident) using a service-specific clinical pharmacist to focus on appropriate dosing especially in regard to antibiotics. Computerized physician order entry when implemented will help to minimize some of these errors. However, in the interim, a service-specific medication dosing card is being implemented. Quarterly service-specific data will be incorporated into the resident/fellow clinical conferences to minimize future variance occurrences.
Systemic morphine reduces GABA release in the lateral but not the medial portion of the midbrain periaqueductal gray of the rat.

Neuroanatomical, electrophysiological and pharmacological studies have provided indirect evidence indicating that GABAergic neurons play a key role in opiate analgesia mediated by the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) and ventromedial medulla. Although these studies suggest that systemic administration of opiates inhibits GABA release in the PAG, there have been no investigations to date that have directly examined this issue. The present study was thus designed to determine whether systemic morphine injection inhibits GABA release in the PAG of awake, freely moving rats using in vivo microdialysis and subsequent HPLC analysis. Extracellular levels of GABA, glutamate, aspartate, glycine, homocysteic acid and taurine were monitored with the microdialysis technique in either the lateral or medial portion of the ventrocaudal PAG in unanesthetized, unrestrained rats. Amino acid release was induced by infusing veratridine (75 μM, a sodium channel activator) directly through the dialysis probe. The effect of veratridine alone and the effect of veratridine in the presence of systemic morphine on the concentrations of amino acids in the PAG dialysate were determined. There were no significant differences in the basal concentrations of GABA, taurine, aspartate, glutamate, homocysteic acid and glycine between dialysates collected from the medial versus the lateral ventrocaudal PAG. Glycine, taurine and glutamate were present in the highest concentrations in dialysis samples both before and after treatment with veratridine, whereas GABA, homocysteic acid and aspartate were present in the lowest concentrations. Perfusion of veratridine into the ventrocaudal PAG resulted in significant elevation of all amino acids investigated. Except for taurine, no significant difference in veratridine-induced release between the lateral and medial PAG was observed. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) significantly blocked veratridine-induced release of GABA, aspartate, glutamate, glycine and taurine but not homocysteic acid. When rats were injected with morphine (10 mg/kg i.p.), veratridine-induced release of GABA was selectively and significantly decreased in the lateral but not the medial PAG as compared to control rats injected with saline followed by veratridine perfusion. Systemic injection of morphine or saline caused no significant change in the basal concentration of amino acids in PAG dialysate samples. These findings are consistent with the proposed mechanism of action of morphine in the lateral ventrocaudal PAG and offer the first direct evidence that systemic opiates decrease GABA release in this midbrain region.
Binder energy cumulant for SU(3) lattice gauge theory

Abstract We have carried out Monte Carlo simulations of SU(3) lattice gauge theory on LtL3 lattices with Lt = 4 and L=4, |, 20. We consider the action per plaquette E= 1 3 Tr (U(∂p)) and show that with our presently available data its Binder cumulant does not provide evidence in favour of a first order phase transition.
Teaching Socrates, Aristotle, and Augustine on Akrasia

A long-standing debate among moral philosophers centers on the question of whether ignorance is always at the root of moral wrongdoing, or whether, in certain cases, wrongdoing stems from something else—namely akrasia. This paper is a discussion of how undergraduate core curriculum teachers can incorporate Augustine’s work into this debate. I begin by briefly reconstructing Socrates’ and Aristotle’s accounts of wrongdoing, and then I sketch an Augustinian approach to the issue. Socrates contends that ignorance is the fundamental source of all wrongdoing; hence, akrasia is illusory. Though Aristotle’s view can seem more roundabout than Socrates’, it, too, is plausibly interpreted as entailing that robust, open-eyed akrasia is impossible. For Augustine, prior to receiving the illumination that comes with God’s grace, an individual’s sinfulness can be characterized as being the result of ignorance concerning the proper focus of one’s love. However, after receiving this illuminating grace, sinful action can be characterized as an instance of akrasia.
Excimer laser coronary angioplasty: relative risk analysis of clinical results

Reports of successful use of excimer laser coronary angioplasty for complex coronary artery disease abound, yet firm indications for its use have not been defined. We attempted to treat 858 coronary stenoses in 764 consecutive patients (mean age 61 years; range 32 - 91 years; 75% men; 76% with Class III or IV angina) with excimer laser angioplasty at 308 nm. Successful treatment was achieved in 86% of patients, as indicated by 20 mm), total occlusions and calcified lesions were treated as successfully as all other lesion types. Successful treatment with excimer laser coronary angioplasty was also achieved in almost all patients (15/16) who had a prior unsuccessful attempt at balloon angioplasty in the lesion was crossed with a guidewire yet resists either balloon catheter passage or full dilatation. Follow-up angiography was obtained in 70% of eligible patients. Angiographic restenosis, defined by > 50% stenosis, was seen in 60% of patients. Relative risk analysis showed an increased risk of restenosis when adjunctive balloon angioplasty was not used (OR equals 1.68; 95% CI equals 1.02, 2.28; P equals 0.039). Other variables known to affect the outcome of balloon angioplasty, such as lesion length or stenosis in degenerated saphenous vein bypass graft, did not influence the restenosis rates. This analysis defines the profile of risk for excimer laser angioplasty and now provides a sound basis for future, rigorous comparison of excimer laser and balloon angioplasty to balloon angioplasty for a group of lesions that appear to have acceptable success rates with excimer laser coronary angioplasty, which we have denoted the `alpha class' -- saphenous vein lesions, long lesions, ostial stenoses, lesions in calcified vessels, total occlusions, and balloon dilatation failures. Although adjunctive balloon angioplasty may be beneficial, restenosis remains a significant limitation of the procedure and will restrict the usefulness of excimer laser coronary angioplasty for may other types of lesions.
A SUMMARY OF MODELS AND STANDARDS‐BASED APPLICATIONS FOR GRADE‐TO‐GRADE GROWTH ON STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Recently growth-based approaches to accountability have received considerable attention because they have the potential to reward schools and teachers for improving student performance over time by measuring the progress of students at all levels of the performance spectrum (including those who have not yet reached proficiency on state accountability assessments). While the use of growth in accountability holds promise for students with disabilities, measuring changes over time in their academic performance is complex. This paper summarizes models and approaches that use individual student test scores from multiple years for 3 different purposes: determination of adequate yearly progress under the federal accountability system, research on individual growth trajectories, and evaluation of the contribution of teachers and schools to student learning. Practical challenges in measuring and modeling growth for students with disabilities are then discussed. Finally, 3 areas in need of research on the measurement of growth from large-scale annual accountability assessments are identified and described: testing accommodations, test difficulty, and understanding the longitudinal characteristics of the population of students with disabilities.
THERMOMAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF RARE-EARTH REPLACEMENT CRITICAL MAGNETIC MATERIALS FROM DFT CALCULATION: MnBi AND MnSb

MnBi has gained much attention as a replacement for critical rare earth magnetic material not only due to its strong magnetization and coercive power, but also because of its capability to retain magnetization at elevated temperatures while most other compounds decline. To investigate the origin of this temperature dependence, we have performed a series of first principles electronic structure calculations on the thermomagnetic properties of MnBi and compared it with MnSb, another ferromagnetic material with a strong magnetic energy product, same crystal structure at room temperature and similar Curie temperature. Three structural phases were considered in this study: NiAs-type (B81), MnP-type (B31) and a zincblende-type (B3) structures. Calculated magnetizations demonstrated structural effects on temperature dependent magnetization. For the same NiAs-type structure, MnBi has a monotonic increase in magnetization with increasing temperature while MnSb decreases. In the other two structures, magnetization in MnBi and MnSb are much less sensitive to temperature. Results from this study suggest a structural design rule for the development of new MnBi related materials.
Social networks as health feedback displays

Social networks have thus far served primarily as analytic tools for social scientists. By leveraging pervasive computing, this new research transforms social-network models into behavioral feedback displays. These ambient displays, which reflect data on remote and face-to-face interaction gathered by wireless sensor networks, were intended to raise awareness of social connectedness as a dynamic and controllable aspect of well being. An interdisciplinary health technology research group at Intel recently developed and tested prototypes in the homes of older adults and their caregivers. This article reviews the psychological rationale for the project and highlights some reactions of participants to the displays.
Real-time wireless monitoring of workpiece material and debris characteristics in micro-electro-discharge machining

Wireless signals are generated with each discharge in micro-electro-discharge machining (muEDM), providing an opportunity to directly monitor discharge quality. Unlike traditional methods of monitoring progress in machining, which rely on electrical characteristics at the discharge supply terminals, this method is less affected by parasitics. The depth location of a metal-metal interface can be distinguished in the wireless signal. This is useful for determining the stop depth in certain processes. For example, in machining through samples of stainless steel into an electroplated Cu backing layer, a 10 dBm change in wireless signal strength for the 300-350 MHz band and a 5 dBm average change across the full 1 GHz bandwidth defined the transition. As debris accumulate in the discharge gaps, shifts in the wireless spectra can also indicate spurious discharges that could damage workpiece and tool. For example, when copper micromachining became debris dominated, the 800-850 MHz band dropped 4 dBm in signal strength with a 2.2 dBm average drop across the full 1 GHz bandwidth.
Driving Under the Influence: The Nature of Selling Sport Utility Vehicles

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are becoming increasingly popular by assuming the role of passenger care in urban transport. Many characteristics of the SUV are unsuited to the urban transport task and have higher environmental costs than passenger cars. Marketing of SUVs has focused on their off road used and relationship with the great outdoors. This article examines some the factors behind this anomalous relationship with the environmental by describing and interpreting the manner in which nature is represented in SUV marketing.
Lysosomes and the plasma membrane: trypanosomes reveal a secret relationship

Studies of the cell invasion mechanism of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi led to a series of novel findings, which revealed a previously unsuspected ability of conventional lysosomes to fuse with the plasma membrane. This regulated exocytic process, previously regarded mostly as a specialization of certain cell types, was recently shown to play an important role in the mechanism by which cells reseal their plasma membrane after injury.
Gli1 can rescue the in vivo function of Gli2

In mice, three Gli genes are thought to mediate sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling collectively. Mis-expression studies and analysis of null mutants for each gene have indicated that the Gli proteins have different functions. In particular, Gli1 appears to be a constitutive activator, and Gli2 and Gli3 have repressor functions. To determine the precise functional differences between Gli1 and Gli2, we have expressed Gli1 in place of Gli2 from the endogenous Gli2 locus in mice. Strikingly, a low level of Gli1 can rescue all the Shh signaling defects in Gli2 mutants; however, only in the presence of a wild-type Shh gene. These studies demonstrate that only the activator function of Gli2 is actually required, and indicates that in specific situations, Shh can modulate the ability of Gli1 to activate target genes. Furthermore, expression of both copies of Gli1 in place of Gli2 does not disrupt spinal cord patterning, but does result in new gain-of-function defects that lead to lethality. We show that the defects are enhanced when Gli3 function is reduced, demonstrating that an important difference between Gli1 and Gli2 is the ability of Gli1 to antagonize Gli3 function.
Exploring the association between the 2-repeat allele of the MAOA gene promoter polymorphism and psychopathic personality traits, arrests, incarceration, and lifetime antisocial behavior

A line of research has revealed that a polymorphism in the promoter region of the MAOA gene is related to antisocial phenotypes. Most of these studies examine the effects of low MAOA activity alleles (2-repeat and 3-repeat alleles) against the effects of high MAOA activity alleles (3.5-repeat, 4-repeat, and sometimes 5-repeat alleles), with research indicating that the low MAOA activity alleles confer an increased risk to antisocial phenotypes. The current study examined whether the 2-repeat allele, which has been shown to be functionally different from the 3-repeat allele, was associated with a range of antisocial phenotypes in a sample of males drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Analyses revealed that African-American males who carried the 2-repeat allele were, in comparison with other African-American male genotypes, significantly more likely to be arrested and incarcerated. Additional analyses revealed that African-American male carriers of the 2-repeat allele scored significantly higher on an antisocial phenotype index and on measures assessing involvement in violent behaviors over the life course. There was not any association between the 2-repeat allele and a continuously measured psychopathic personality traits scale. The effects of the 2-repeat allele could not be examined in Caucasian males because only 0.1% carried it.
Origin of a ‘Southern Hemisphere’ geochemical signature in the Arctic upper mantle

An abrupt mantle compositional boundary exists on the the Gakkel ridge, with basalts from west of the boundary displaying affinities to the 'Dupal' isotopic province, previously observed only in the Southern Hemisphere. It is concluded that the source of the Dupal signature is subcontinental lithospheric mantle that delaminated and became integrated into the convecting Arctic asthenosphere. The Gakkel ridge, which extends under the Arctic ice cap for ∼1,800 km, is the slowest spreading ocean ridge on Earth. Its spreading created the Eurasian basin, which is isolated from the rest of the oceanic mantle by North America, Eurasia and the Lomonosov ridge. The Gakkel ridge thus provides unique opportunities to investigate the composition of the sub-Arctic mantle and mantle heterogeneity and melting at the lower limits of seafloor spreading. The first results of the 2001 Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge Expedition (ref. 1) divided the Gakkel ridge into three tectonic segments, composed of robust western and eastern volcanic zones separated by a ‘sparsely magmatic zone’. On the basis of Sr–Nd–Pb isotope ratios and trace elements in basalts from the spreading axis, we show that the sparsely magmatic zone contains an abrupt mantle compositional boundary. Basalts to the west of the boundary display affinities to the Southern Hemisphere ‘Dupal’ isotopic province2, whereas those to the east—closest to the Eurasian continent and where the spreading rate is slowest—display affinities to ‘Northern Hemisphere’ ridges. The western zone is the only known spreading ridge outside the Southern Hemisphere that samples a significant upper-mantle region with Dupal-like characteristics. Although the cause of Dupal mantle has been long debated, we show that the source of this signature beneath the western Gakkel ridge was subcontinental lithospheric mantle that delaminated and became integrated into the convecting Arctic asthenosphere. This occurred as North Atlantic mantle propagated north into the Arctic during the separation of Svalbard and Greenland.
Sulfated carbohydrate compounds prevent microbial adherence by sexually transmitted disease pathogens

Heparan sulfate (HS) serves as a receptor for adherence of herpes simplex viruses, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and, indirectly, human immunodeficiency virus. Using primary human culture systems, we identified sulfated carbohydrate compounds that resemble HS and competitively inhibit infection by these pathogens. These compounds are candidates for intravaginal formulations for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
Wi-Fi 2.0: Price and quality competitions of duopoly cognitive radio wireless service providers with time-varying spectrum availability

The whitespaces (WS) in the legacy spectrum provide new opportunities for the future Wi-Fi-like Internet access, often called Wi-Fi 2.0, since service quality can be greatly enhanced thanks to the better propagation characteristics of the WS than the ISM bands. In the Wi-Fi 2.0 networks, each wireless service provider (WSP) temporarily leases a licensed spectrum band from the licensees and opportunistically utilizes it during the absence of the legacy users. The WSPs in Wi-Fi 2.0 thus face unique challenges since spectrum availability of the leased channel is time-varying due to the ON/OFF spectrum usage patterns of the legacy users, which necessitates the eviction control of in-service customers at the return of legacy users. As a result, to maximize its profit, a WSP should consider both channel leasing and eviction costs to optimally determine a spectrum band to lease and a service tariff. In this paper, we consider a duopoly Wi-Fi 2.0 market where two co-located WSPs compete for the spectrum and customers. The competition between the WSPs is analyzed using game theory to derive the Nash Equilibria (NE) of the price (of the service tariffs) and the quality (of the leased channel, in terms of channel utilization) competitions. The NE existence condition and market entry barriers are also derived. Via an extensive numerical analysis, we show the tradeoffs between leasing/eviction cost, customer arrivals, and channel usage patterns by the legacy users.
Efficacy, Biodistribution, and Pharmacokinetics of CD22-Targeted Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin in a B-cell Non–Hodgkin's Lymphoma Xenograft Mouse Model

Purpose: Non–Hodgkin9s lymphoma (NHL) is the sixth most common cause of cancer death in the U.S. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is a liposomal form of doxorubicin (DXR) that causes less toxicity than does free DXR. To further enhance efficacy and decrease toxicity, we conjugated HB22.7, an anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody to PLD, thus creating CD22-targeted immunoliposomal PLD (IL-PLD). Experimental Design: In vitro cytotoxicity of IL-PLD and PLD was assessed in CD22-positive and CD22-negative cell lines. Biodistribution, myelotoxicity, and plasma pharmacokinetics were measured in NHL xenograft–bearing mice treated with IL-PLD or PLD. Survival, tumor volume, and toxicity (WBC counts, body weights) were assessed in mice receiving a single dose (8, 12, or 16 mg DXR/kg) or three doses (8 mg DXR/kg/dose) of IL-PLD; controls were PLD, free DXR, PLD plus unconjugated HB22.7, IL-null (HB22.7-conjugated empty liposome), and nontreated mice. Results: IL-PLD improved cytotoxicity over PLD only in CD22-positive cells. IL-PLD displayed similar pharmacokinetics and toxicities as PLD. Tumor DXR accumulation was greater and tumor/normal tissue ratios were similar (spleen) or greater (kidney, lung, and liver) in mice treated with IL-PLD versus PLD. IL-PLD reduced tumor volume more effectively than PLD at all doses; the three-dose regimen was superior. The three-dose regimen was used in confirmatory studies, which showed that IL-PLD produced significantly greater tumor volume reduction and enhanced survival versus PLD. Conclusion: IL-PLD has increased efficacy without increased toxicity compared with PLD. This suggests that IL-PLD may be an improved form of DXR-based therapy of NHL. Clin Cancer Res; 16(10); 2760–8. ©2010 AACR.
Convex relaxation methods for graphical models: lagrangian and maximum entropy approaches

Graphical models provide compact representations of complex probability distributions of many random variables through a collection of potential functions defined on small subsets of these variables. This representation is defined with respect to a graph in which nodes represent random variables and edges represent the interactions among those random variables. Graphical models provide a powerful and flexible approach to many problems in science and engineering, but also present serious challenges owing to the intractability of optimal inference and estimation over general graphs. In this thesis, we consider convex optimization methods to address two central problems that commonly arise for graphical models. First, we consider the problem of determining the most probable configuration also known as the maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimate—of all variables in a graphical model, conditioned on (possibly noisy) measurements of some variables. This general problem is intractable, so we consider a Lagrangian relaxation (LR) approach to obtain a tractable dual problem. This involves using the Lagrangian decomposition technique to break up an intractable graph into tractable subgraphs, such as small "blocks" of nodes, embedded trees or thin subgraphs. We develop a distributed, iterative algorithm that minimizes the Lagrangian dual function by block coordinate descent. This results in an iterative marginal-matching procedure that enforces consistency among the subgraphs using an adaptation of the well-known iterative scaling algorithm. This approach is developed both for discrete variable and Gaussian graphical models. In discrete models, we also introduce a deterministic annealing procedure, which introduces a temperature parameter to define a smoothed dual function and then gradually reduces the temperature to recover the (non-differentiable) Lagrangian dual. When strong duality holds, we recover the optimal MAP estimate. We show that this occurs for a broad class of "convex decomposable" Gaussian graphical models, which generalizes the "pairwise normalizable" condition known to be important for iterative estimation in Gaussian models. In certain "frustrated" discrete models a duality gap can occur using simple versions of our approach. We consider methods that adaptively enhance the dual formulation, by including more complex subgraphs, so as to reduce the duality gap. In many cases we are able to eliminate the duality gap and obtain the optimal MAP estimate in a tractable manner. We also propose a heuristic method to obtain approximate solutions in cases where there is a duality gap. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Scheduling speculative tasks in a compute farm

Users often behave speculatively, submitting work that initially they do not know is needed. Farm computing often consists of single node speculative tasks issued by, e.g., bioinformaticists comparing dna sequences and computer graphics artists rendering scenes who wish to reduce their time waiting for needed tasks and the amount they will be charged for unneeded speculation. Existing schedulers are not effective for such behavior. Our batchactive scheduling exploits speculation: users submit explicitlylabeled batches of speculative tasks, interactively request outputs when ready to process them, and cancel tasks found not to be needed. Users are encouraged to participate by a new pricing mechanism charging for only requested tasks no matter what ran. Over a range of simulated user and task characteristics, we show that: batchactive scheduling improves visible response time - a new metric for speculative domains - by at least 2X for 20% of the simulations; batchactive scheduling supports higher billable load at lower visible response time, encouraging adoption by resource providers; and a batchactive policy favoring users who use more of their speculative tasks provides additional performance and resists a denialof- service.
Localization of two potassium channel β subunit genes, KCNA1B and KCNA2B

The gating properties and current amplitudes of mammalian voltage-activated Shaker potassium channels are modulated by at least two associated {beta} subunits (Kv{beta}1.1 and Kv{beta}1.2). The human Kv{beta}1.1 gene (KCNA1B) resides on chromosome 3, as indicated by somatic cell hybrid mapping. More precise localization of KCNA1B to 3q26.1 was obtained with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and was corroborated by PCR screening of the CEPH YAC library. The human Kv{beta}1.2 gene (KCNA2B) resides on chromosome 1, as indicated by somatic cell hybrid mapping, and has been localized by FISH to 1p36.3. 20 refs., 2 figs.
One’s Enough for Now: Children, Disability, and the Subsequent Childbearing of Mothers

This mixed-methods study explores the subsequent childbearing of mothers whose firstborn children have disabilities. I make use of matched data from the 1993 NHIS - 1995 NSFG (N = 4,468) to determine the effects of child disability on the hazard of a second birth and draw on a series of 24 in-depth interviews that explore the lived experience of raising children with disabilities. My findings suggest that mothers whose firstborn children are disabled have a lower hazard of a second birth. This reduction stems from mothers’ recognition that children with disabilities have extensive needs and that, in order to meet those needs and maximize their potential, they need to make strategic choices such as delaying subsequent childbearing.
The epistemic force of perceptual experience

What is the metaphysical nature of perceptual experience? What evidence does experience provide us with? These questions are typically addressed in isolation. In order to make progress in answering both questions, perceptual experience needs to be studied in an integrated manner. I develop a unified account of the phenomenological and epistemological role of perceptual experience, by arguing that sensory states provide perceptual evidence due to their metaphysical structure. More specifically, I argue that sensory states are individuated by the perceptual capacities employed and that there is an asymmetric dependence between their employment in perception and their employment in hallucination and illusion. Due to this asymmetric dependence, sensory states provide us with evidence.
Objective identification of ankle equinus deformity and resulting contracture.

A quantitative diagnostic technique is described for identifying contracture at the ankle joint in patients with equinus deformity, hence addressing the shortcoming of the conventional clinical diagnostic procedure. To gain a better understanding of how contracture contributes to equinus deformity, a study was designed that compared the torque about the ankle joint before and after administering a tibial nerve block to equinus patients and to a control group. Functional equinus, manifested by walking and early heel rise, is defined as inadequate dorsiflexion for normal gait. The ability to accurately identify an equinus condition, and contracture as the contributing factor in equinus deformity, has important implications for the type of treatment prescribed and the evaluation of treatment effectiveness.
Chronic pain, perceived stress, and cellular aging: an exploratory study

Chronic pain conditions are characterized by significant individual variability complicating the identification of pathophysiological markers. Leukocyte telomere length (TL), a measure of cellular aging, is associated with age-related disease onset, psychosocial stress, and health-related functional decline. Psychosocial stress has been associated with the onset of chronic pain and chronic pain is experienced as a physical and psychosocial stressor. However, the utility of TL as a biological marker reflecting the burden of chronic pain and psychosocial stress has not yet been explored. The relationship between chronic pain, stress, and TL was analyzed in 36 ethnically diverse, older adults, half of whom reported no chronic pain and the other half had chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Subjects completed a physical exam, radiographs, health history, and psychosocial questionnaires. Blood samples were collected and TL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Four groups were identified characterized by pain status and the Perceived Stress Scale scores: 1) no pain/low stress, 2) no pain/high stress, chronic pain/low stress, and 4) chronic pain/high stress. TL differed between the pain/stress groups (p = 0.01), controlling for relevant covariates. Specifically, the chronic pain/high stress group had significantly shorter TL compared to the no pain/low stress group. Age was negatively correlated with TL, particularly in the chronic pain/high stress group (p = 0.03). Although preliminary in nature and based on a modest sample size, these findings indicate that cellular aging may be more pronounced in older adults experiencing high levels of perceived stress and chronic pain.
The Firm Strikes Back: Non-compete Agreements and the Mobility of Technical Professionals

This study explores how firms shape labor markets and career paths using employee non-compete agreements. The sociology of work has overlooked non-competes, but data indicate that nearly half of te...
Selective Tropism of Seneca Valley Virus for Variant Subtype Small Cell Lung Cancer

We assessed the efficacy of Seneca Valley virus (SVV-001), a neuroendocrine cancer-selective oncolytic picornavirus, in primary heterotransplant mouse models of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), including three lines each of classic and variant SCLC. Half-maximal effective concentrations for cell lines derived from three variant heterotransplants ranged from 1.6×10(-3) (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1×10(-3) to 2.5×10(-3)) to 3.9×10(-3) (95% CI = 2.8×10(-3) to 5.5×10(-3)). Sustained tumor growth inhibition in vivo was only observed in variant lines (two-sided Student t test, P < .005 for each). Doses of 10(14) vp/kg were able to completely and durably eradicate tumors in a variant SCLC heterotransplant model in two of six mice. Gene expression profiling revealed that permissive lines are typified by lower expression of the early neurogenic transcription factor ASCL1 and, conversely, by higher expression of the late neurogenic transcription factor NEUROD1. This classifier demonstrates a sensitivity of .89, specificity of .92, and accuracy of .91. The NEUROD1 to ASCL1 ratio may serve as a predictive biomarker of SVV-001 efficacy.
1-Week Withdrawal from 8 Weeks Alcohol Consumption Protects the Heart from Sepsis-Induced Dysfunction

Gram-negative sepsis causes a depression of the myocardium such that ventricular function curves generated on isolated perfused hearts removed from septic rats are displaced downward and to the right of control. Alcohol consumption can also cause a depression of the myocardium, especially if the period of alcohol feeding is prolonged. However, even before overt changes in the myocardium can be measured as a result of alcohol consumption, chronic alcoholism can result in a potentiation of sepsis-induced cardiac depression (Am. J. Physiol. 250:H1857-H1863, 1991). The purpose of the present study was to determine if 1 week of withdrawal of alcohol from the diet after 8 weeks of alcohol consumption would reverse the potentiation by alcohol of sepsis-induced cardiac depression. Animals were fed an ethanol-containing diet in which ethanol contributed 36% of the total calories. Rats were fed this diet or a control liquid diet for 8 weeks, and then some animals were taken off the alcohol diet and placed on the control diet for 1 week. Sepsis was induced in control-fed, alcohol-fed or withdrawal animals by the administration of Escherichia coli into the dorsal subcutaneous space. Nonseptic animals received sterile saline in this space. The following day animals were anesthetized, and the hearts were removed and studied as isolated working hearts. Hearts removed from septic and alcohol septic animals showed severe depression of cardiac contractile performance. Hearts from the withdrawal group, however, were less compromised by sepsis and showed only a few signs of cardiac dysfunction. Withdrawal from alcohol for 1 week thus resulted in protection of the heart from sepsis-induced cardiac depression.
ChairMouse: leveraging natural chair rotation for cursor navigation on large, high-resolution displays

Large, high-resolution displays lead to more spatially based approaches. In such environments, the cursor (and hence the physical mouse) is the primary means of interaction. However, usability issues occur when standard mouse interaction is applied to workstations with large size and high pixel density. Previous studies show users navigate physically when interacting with information on large displays by rotating their chair. ChairMouse captures this natural chair movement and translates it into large-scale cursor movement while still maintaining standard mouse usage for local cursor movement. ChairMouse supports both active and passive use, reducing tedious mouse interactions by leveraging physical chair action.