cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The C–C Chemokine MCP-1 Differentially Modulates the Avidity of β1 and β2 Integrins on T Lymphocytes

The ability of chemokines, particularly MCP-1, to induce integrin-dependent binding of T lymphocytes to endothelial adhesion molecules or extracellular matrix (ECM) components was examined. MCP-1 induced significant adhesion to fibronectin (FN) and to endothelial-secreted ECM but not to purified ICAM-1 or VCAM-1, or to activated endothelium. The MCP-1-induced binding of T lymphocytes to FN was rapid, dose dependent, and resulted from activation of both VLA-4 and VLA-5. Like MCP-1, the chemokines RANTES and MIP-1 beta induced T lymphocyte binding to FN, but not to ICAM-1. We suggest therefore, that these T lymphocyte chemokines may be most important, not in initiating integrin-dependent firm adhesion of T lymphocytes to the vascular wall, but rather, in subsequent adhesive interactions during migration into tissue.
Policy Watch: Antitrust Goes to College

It may have come as a shock to many economists, especially those in academia, to learn that the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has been investigating alleged price fixing and information exchange of financial aid among 23 prestigious east coast colleges and universities. These schools include the "Ivy overlap group"—MIT, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale—and the "Pentagonal/Sisters group"—Amherst, Barnard, Bowdoin, Bryn Mawr, Colby, Mount Holyoke, Middlebury, Smith, Trinity, Tufts, Vassar, Wesleyan, and Williams. We have no specific knowledge concerning the possible validity of these allegations or expertise about their legality. Rather, in this article, we wish to present the potential applicability of current antitrust doctrines to colleges and their conduct and the possible defenses that they might raise to justify their actions.
Uncovering Survival Abilities in Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused

The author combines the strengths perspective in social work with the resiliency literature in developmental psychopathology as guidelines for uncovering the survival strengths of children who have been sexually abused. Their survival abilities are often submerged beneath pain and discomfort and are difficult to elicit if the practitioner does not view their protective strategies as strengths. The essential elements of the strengths perspective and the resiliency literature are presented to reveal creative ways to work with children who have been sexually abused.
Multiple Regulatory Roles of a Novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae Protein, Encoded by YOL002c, in Lipid and Phosphate Metabolism

The yeast open reading frame YOL002c encodes a putative membrane protein. This protein is evolutionarily conserved across species, including humans, although the function of each of these proteins remains unknown. YOL002c is highly expressed in yeast cells that are grown in the presence of saturated fatty acids such as myristate. Furthermore, cells in which the YOL002c gene is disrupted grow poorly on this carbon source. These mutant cells are also resistant to the polyene antibiotic, nystatin. Gene chip analysis on yol002cΔ cells revealed that a variety of genes encoding proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism and in the phosphate signaling pathway are induced in this mutant strain. In addition, our studies demonstrated that in the disruption strain acid phosphatase activity is expressed constitutively, and the cells accumulate polyphosphate to much higher levels than wild-type cells. A homologous human protein is able to partially rescue these defects in phosphate metabolism. We propose that YOL002c encodes a Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein that plays a key role in metabolic pathways that regulate lipid and phosphate metabolism.
The effect of cannabis use and gender on the visual steady state evoked potential.

Abstract Objective Cannabis use often induces subjective distortions of perception. However, little work has been done examining the electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates of early sensory processing in cannabis users. The present study therefore examined visual function in cannabis users as assessed via the steady state visual evoked potential. (SSVEP). Methods SSVEPs were examined in current cannabis users (n=17; 59% male; mean age=23.2 (S.D.=5.3)) and drug-naive controls (n=16; 38% male; mean age=21.3 (S.D.=3.1)) to periodic photic stimulation presented at 18 and 25 Hz. The visual SSVEP was quantified via spectral power and the phase-locking factor (PLF) at each frequency of stimulation. The transient N160 event-related potential (ERP) was also evaluated at stimulus onset. Results The results showed that for both frequencies, female subjects in general displayed larger visual SSVEPs. A significant gender X group interaction also occurred at 18 Hz of stimulation, and age of onset of cannabis use positively correlated with 18 Hz spectral power values. Finally, the transient N160 component was shown to be reduced in cannabis users, regardless of gender. Conclusions The present study was the first to demonstrate altered visual SSVEPs in cannabis users, and extends previous research demonstrating increased steady state responses in female subjects. While decreased SSVEPs provide initial evidence of altered oscillatory properties in primary visual circuits, reduction of the transient N160 component suggests disruption of later-stage visual processing in cannabis users. Significance These data provide evidence of cannabinoid modulation of sensory/perceptual function in the visual system, and indicates that cannabis use may affect the oscillatory properties of sensory cortical circuits.
Impacts of Macroeconomic Policies on Output in the Czech Republic: An Application of Romer's ISMP-IA Model

Extending Romer’s IS-MP-IA model to include foreign trade and exchange rates and applying the GARCH method, the study came to the conclusion that real gross domestic product is negatively associated with the inflation rate, exchange rate depreciation, and the foreign interest rate and positively affected by government deficit spending and world output. Therefore, inflation targeting is an appropriate monetary policy, and the depreciation of the koruna would be harmful to the Czech economy even though it would help the export sector.
Using Blackboard and Skype for Mentoring Beginning Teachers.

Abstract The purpose of this article is to examine the nature of the Blackboard and Skype-based electronic mentoring system for beginning teachers. The Quality Teachers for Quality Students project developed an electronic mentoring system between beginning teachers and experienced teachers to support beginning teachers' instructional and classroom management skills with regard to the unique needs of English language learners (ELLs) in Southern California. The data analysis indicated that the combination of using Blackboard and Skype tools was beneficial to beginning teachers' effective teaching of ELLs.
Honey bee success predicted by landscape composition in Ohio, USA

Foraging honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) can routinely travel as far as several kilometers from their hive in the process of collecting nectar and pollen from floral patches within the surrounding landscape. Since the availability of floral resources at the landscape scale is a function of landscape composition, apiculturists have long recognized that landscape composition is a critical determinant of honey bee colony success. Nevertheless, very few studies present quantitative data relating colony success metrics to local landscape composition. We employed a beekeeper survey in conjunction with GIS-based landscape analysis to model colony success as a function of landscape composition in the State of Ohio, USA, a region characterized by intensive cropland, urban development, deciduous forest, and grassland. We found that colony food accumulation and wax production were positively related to cropland and negatively related to forest and grassland, a pattern that may be driven by the abundance of dandelion and clovers in agricultural areas compared to forest or mature grassland. Colony food accumulation was also negatively correlated with urban land cover in sites dominated by urban and agricultural land use, which does not support the popular opinion that the urban environment is more favorable to honey bees than cropland.
Quantitative design and evaluation of enhancement/thresholding edge detectors

Quantitative design and performance evaluation techniques are developed for the enhancement/thresholding class of image edge detectors. The design techniques are based on statistical detection theory and deterministic pattern-recognition classification procedures. The performance evaluation methods developed include: a)deterministic measurement of the edge gradient amplitude; b)comparison of the probabilities of correct and false edge detection; and c) figure of merit computation. The design techniques developed are used to optimally design a variety of small and large mask edge detectors. Theoretical and experimental comparisons of edge detectors are presented.
Influence of photoperiod, laboratory caging and aging on plasma lipid response to an atherogenic diet among F1B hamsters.

The effects and interactions of photoperiod, animal caging, aging and diet on plasma lipid levels in male FIB hamsters were examined in the current study. Sixteen young and sixteen old animals were housed on e or four per cage. Eight young animals from each housing group were placed in an animal room with either 12/12 h (PT-12) or 10/14h (PT-10) light/dark cycle while the sixteen old animals were maintained under a PT-12 light cycle. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were determined in all animals after a 2-week period of acclimation on chow diet and following 4-week intervention on atherogenic diet. Baseline total cholesterol (TC) levels were 131 ± 25 mg/ dl and 142 ± 39 mg/dl for young and old animals, respectively, while baseline triglyceride (Tg) levels were 202 ± 48 mg/dl and 160 ± 37 mg/dl respectively for the same animals. Following 4-weeks on an atherogenic diet, single-caged PT 12 animals had elevated but significantly lower TC levels than group-caged animals (161 ± 30mg/dl and 2...
Elderly studies of anemia (ESAs) needed

Anemia is a common problem in elderly patients. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) reported that the incidence of anemia steadily increases after age 50. Anemia is found in 10% and 11% ofwomen andmen respectively who were older than age 65, and in 20% of individuals≥85 years. In this sameseries, the causes of anemia inpatients over 65 years were equally attributed to nutritional deficiency, anemia of inflammation, and “unexplained” causes. Anemia in the geriatric population has unique significance because it is an independent predictor ofmorbidity,mortality, and frailty. Consistently an inverse relationship between the number of co-morbid medical conditions and anemia is observed. The anemia associated with malignancy is complex and multifactorial. It may be caused by blood loss, marrow infiltration, erythrophagocytosis, or inflammation. The treatment of anemia in geriatric oncology patients is likely to be evenmore complex. In younger patients with cancer, the impetus to correct anemia has largely been driven by a desire to improve patients' quality of life. Using the FACT to assess fatigue in a mixed population of cancer patients, Cella demonstrated an inverse association between the level of hemoglobin and the selfreporting of fatigue. In elderly patients the imperative to correct anemia is further driven by the physiologic consequences of low oxygen carrying capacity on already compromised cardiac, pulmonary, and renal reserves. Either transfusion of red blood cells or the administration of erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) has been used to correct anemia in individuals with cancer. The tenuous fluid and electrolyte balance experienced by elderly patients make transfusion a somewhat less desirable approach.
Modeling of Structures Subjected to Wind Waves

The difficulties inherent in the direct determination of loads on off-shore structures which are exposed simultaneously to wind and waves make it desirable to test a model of the structure in the laboratory. It is shown herein that scaling of the structure and the loads due to waves is possible by using waves which are generated by blowing air over the surface of a laboratory channel, and by choosing a model material with an appropriate modulus of elasticity. Fully developed wind generated waves are found to be determined in magnitude, frequency, and spectral shape by Froude number scaling. The structural response obeys Cauchy number similarity, which is interpreted as implying equality of the ratios of peak frequency of the spectrum to natural frequency of the structure. The wave modeling aspects of the method are illustrated with an example. Some consideration is also given to dynamic wind load modeling and to the question whether simultaneous modeling of both the wave and the wind forces is possible in a laboratory. In principle, this appears feasible, but for sufficiently large scale models, fetch lengths may be required which are larger than typical laboratory channels.
Medical Therapy of HCC

Systemic chemotherapies have been evaluated for many years, with minimal responses and little survival advantage. Regional chemotherapy produces high response rates and two randomized trials also showed survival advantage, using cisplatin or doxorubicin, each plus embolization. 90Yttrium also looks promising now. The combination of TACE or 90Yttrium with the anti-angiogenics and cell cycle inhibitors is beginning to be explored.
Hysteroscopic Procedures in 257 Patients

Two hundred and fifty-seven hysteroscopic examinations were performed on patients who complained primarily of infertility and abnormal uterine bleeding. Organic intrauterine lesions were identified, and correlations were made with preoperative hysterograms and the tissue obtained for pathologic evaluation. The technique proved of special value for the location and resection of intrauterine adhesions and the identification and removal of misplaced intrauterine devices. Failure to observe the cavity adequately and to complete the examination occurred in 20 (8%) of the patients. The most serious complication, uterine perforation, occurred in five instances but did not require additional treatment.
Abstract 173: Modulation of the Metabolic Effects of Leptin by the Brain Renin-Angiotensin System

Genetic deletion or delivery of antagonists of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) directly to the brain abolishes both renal and adipose sympathetic nervous activity (SNA) responses to leptin, suggesting a cross-talk between these central cardiovascular / metabolic control systems. To further explore this mechanism of cross-talk, we examined the sensitivity of metabolic responses in mice with transgenic hyperactivity of the brain RAS (“sRA” mice) to acute leptin treatment. sRA mice, previously shown to exhibit hypertension, polydipsia, and elevated SNA and resting metabolic rate, exhibit brain-specific RAS hyperactivity through neuronal expression of human renin via the synapsin promoter and expression of human angiotensinogen via its own promoter. When housed at standard room temperature (23°C), twice-daily leptin injections (1 mg/kg, i.p., 3 hrs into light phase and 2 hrs preceding dark phase of a 12:12-hr cycle) caused significant and similar reductions in body mass (control -0.76±0.13, n=5 male; sRA -0.65±0.09 g/d, n=5 male, P=0.46) and food intake (-1.43±0.69 vs -1.99±0.27 kcal/d, P=0.63) in littermate control and sRA mice. When housed at thermoneutrality (30°C) in an OxyMax (Columbus Instruments) CLAMS apparatus, leptin injections had minimal effects on total daily food intake in control mice (from 7.4±0.6 at baseline to 8.1±0.5 kcal/d with leptin, n=4 male + 4 female, P=0.29), but reduced food intake in sRA mice (from 8.3±0.7 to 6.0±0.4 kcal/d, n=4 male + 4 female, P=0.003). sRA mice were more sensitive to leptin’s suppressive effect on physical activity (control from 998±148 to 655±90, P=0.10; sRA from 1232±304 to 588±41 counts/d, P=0.005). Unexpectedly, leptin had a suppressive effect upon metabolic rate in sRA mice (control from 16.4±1.3 to 16.8±0.9, P=0.44; sRA from 20.2±1.1 to 17.5±0.9 kcal/kg lean/hr, P
Report of the Independent Expert on the Question of Human Rights and Extreme Poverty. Note by the Secretary-General. Social Protection System and the Financial and Economic Crisis.

The present report addresses the impact of the current global financial crisis on people living in extreme poverty and the enjoyment of their human rights. It stresses that the crisis offers an opportunity to move beyond the restructuring of the global financial and monetary systems and to place people at the centre of policy measures by enhancing social protection systems from a human rights-based approach. The report describes how human rights standards provide a normative framework for the adoption of social protection measures and provide guidance for their design, implementation and evaluation. Beyond reaffirming political will to rescue economies, the report urges the international community to take action and mobilize support in order to ensure that those who continue to suffer the most acute consequences of economic crises are protected and supported through the adoption and strengthening of social protection systems.
Nonlinear Dynamics and Ionic Mechanisms of Excitation Patterns in Models of the Cardiac Myocyte

Ventricular arrhythmias are spatial phenomena which result from one or more activation fronts travelling at a given time across the cardiac muscle. Two basic mechanisms have been postulated for the genesis and/or perpetuation of such depolarization wavefronts: (i) the activity of local pacemakers, referred to as ectopic foci [23, 24]; and (ii) the formation of reentrant circuits, whereby the wavefront circles around an electrically excitable ventricular pathway [24]. Both mechanisms require that individual excitable cells involved in the arrhythmias be able to sustain high frequency pacing, and both mechanisms demand a description of the phase-locking behaviour of such cells when subjected to external driving.
J.L. Tellkampf: German Legal Scientist in the U.S. (1838-1847) in an Age of Reform

This is one of two articles on J.L. Tellkampf, a legal scholar who already in 1841 in an important series of articles in the America Jurist pointed the way to a modern American legal system as one where codifying and systematizing would lead common law.Supported by Justice Joseph Story, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and famous naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, he was a professor at Columbia College and at Union College. His research into prison discipline paralleled that of Alexis de Tocqueville. He was a founder of what is now the Correctional Association of New York. Francis Lieber found him a rival. In New York Tellkampf worked with “Young Americans” such as the codifiers of the New York Revised Statutes and David Dudley Field. He knew the poet Poe and other lead Young Americans. He supported reform and criticized past practice.Before coming to the U.S. in 1838, Tellkampf was a young supporter of modern constitutionalism in Germany and a colleague of the Brothers Grimm at the University of Gottingen. Upon his return to Germany he was a member of the Frankfurt Parliament of 1848 and of its all important constitutional committee and an advocate of American practices.The article “J.L. Tellkampf: German Legal Scientist in the U.S. 1838-1847 in an Age of Reform” is about Tellkampf’s life in the United States and the mixed reception he received here in his pursuit of legal scholarship. The article “The First Humboldtian Research Trip into the Polis: J.L. Tellkampf in the United States 1838-1847”: is about his research into legal methods, codification, currency backing and prison discipline.
Increased oxidative stress in pemphigus vulgaris is related to disease activity and HLA-association

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare blistering skin disorder characterized by the disadhesion of keratinocytes due to autoantibody attack against epidermal targets including desmoglein (Dsg) 3, Dsg 1 and possibly other adhesion and non-adhesion molecules. The mechanisms leading to immune-mediated pathology in PV are multifactorial and not fully understood. Recently, oxidative stress (antioxidant/oxidant disequilibrium) has been proposed as a contributory mechanism of autoimmune skin diseases, including PV. In this study, we directly assessed oxidative stress via measurement of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) using ELISA in 47 PV patients, 25 healthy controls and 18 bullous pemphigoid (BP) patients. We also performed microarray gene expression analysis on a separate set of 21 PV patients and 10 healthy controls to evaluate transcriptional dysregulation in oxidative stress-related pathways. Our data indicate that there is a significant reduction in TAC levels in PV patients compared with healthy controls, as well as BP patients. Furthermore, PV patients with active disease have significantly lower TAC levels than PV patients in remission. We also find that HLA allele status has a significant influence on oxidative stress. These findings are corroborated by microarray analysis showing differentially expressed genes involved in oxidative stress between the aforementioned groups. Collectively, our findings provide support for a role of oxidative stress in PV. Whether increased oxidative stress leads to disease manifestation and/or activity, or if disease activity leads to increased oxidative stress remains unknown. Future longitudinal studies may help to further elucidate the relationship between PV and oxidative stress.
Research on Titanium Wire Rope for Marine Use

Titanium and its alloys have favorably high strength, good fatigue life, and excellent corrosion resistance. Also, they are lightweight and nonmagnetic. Because of these attractive properties, the Navy had several titanium wire ropes fabricated for testing purposes. The first one about 10 yr ago, the last one about 5 yr ago. These wire ropes were tensile and fatigue tested by several Navy laboratories. On the basis of fatigue test performance, however, they all were deemed unacceptable for their intended use. In this paper, the titanium wire ropes and their tests are briefly described. In addition, the test results are summarized and examined in terms of the problems that plague any future development of a marine titanium wire rope. One such problem concerns the inherently poor resistance of titanium alloys to wear and galling in the presence of high-abrasion-causing loads. Another concerns the use of good quality titanium wire to fabricate rope.
Delayed Diagnosis of Tuberculous Arthritis of the Knee in an Air Force Service Member: Case Report and Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (TB) is a common disease worldwide affecting more than 2 billion people, including latent, pulmonary, and extrapulmonary TB. The presentation of disseminated TB is variable and dependent on the organs affected. Therefore, making the diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment can be delayed. We present a case of disseminated TB in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome on hydroxychloroquine monotherapy without traditional risk factors.
“The Google of Healthcare”: enabling the privatization of genetic bio/databanking

Abstract Purpose 23andMe is back on the market as the first direct-to-consumer genetic testing company that “includes reports that meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards….” But, whereas its front-end product is selling individual genetic tests online, its back-end business model is amassing one of the largest privately owned genetic databases in the world. What is the effect, however, of the private control of bio/databases on genetic epidemiology and public health research? Methods The recent federal government notices of proposed rulemaking for: (1) revisions to regulations governing human subjects research and (2) whether certain direct-to-consumer genetic tests should require premarket FDA review, were reviewed and related to the 23andMe product, business model, and consumer agreements. Results FDA regulatory action so far has focused on the return of consumer test reports but it should also consider the broader misuse of data and information not otherwise protected by human subjects research regulations. Conclusions As the federal government revises its decades-old human subjects research structure, the Executive Office of the President (EOP) should consider a cohesive approach to regulating private genetic bio/databanks. This strategy should allow the FDA and other agencies to play a role in expanding current regulatory coverage.
The Economics of Satellite Communications

In 1965, Intelsat began commercial service with a single Atlantic satellite having a capacity of 240 voice circuits — enough to accommodate 240 telephone conversations, or one television transmission, simultaneously. It charged $32,000 for a one year lease for one-half of the capacity required for a two-way telephone conversation. Twenty years later, the same capacity could be leased for $4,680. In 1987, Intelsat was using fifth generation satellites capable of carrying 15,000 telephone conversations, and was preparing for the 1989 launch of Intelsat VI spacecraft capable of accommodating 30,000 such conversations and three television transmissions at the same time. A similar record of more recent vintage has been achieved by other commercial applications of satellite technology, notably in the domestic communications and remote sensing systems of the US and certain other countries and regions.
ON STABILIZING ILL-POSED PROBLEMS AGAINST ERRORS IN GEOMETRY AND MODELING

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on ill-posed problems in partial differential equations. Typically, solutions of ill-posed problems, unless they are appropriately constrained, will not depend continuously on any quantities that are subject to error in the modeling of the problem, and it is never clear a priori that a constraint that will bring about continuous dependence under one type of perturbation will also guarantee continuous dependence under another. For instance, a constraint set restriction that implies continuous dependence on the Cauchy data will not necessarily insure continuous dependence on coefficients. Two major sources of error have been largely ignored in the literature: (1) errors in geometry and (2) errors in modeling. The latter errors are in general more difficult to deal with than the more commonly treated errors in Cauchy data. In fact, it is the inability to adequately regularize against such errors that casts doubt on the entire study of ill-posed problems in partial differential equations as an accurate predictor of what will occur in the physical situation being modeled. Under errors in geometry, there are obvious errors in spatial geometry, but there are types of errors that might result from the fact that not all of the data is measured precisely at time to but rather over some interval of time. The chapter presents some examples of both types of perturbations of geometry.
In Defense of Musical Representation: Music, Representation and the Hybrid Arts

The importance of Marx Wartofsky’s contribution to our understanding of visual representation hardly needs advertisement on the pages of the present volume, being well known to all his admirers. It is in the spirit of that work, although not, obviously, as a direct contribution to it, that I offer, for this happy occasion, some brief remarks on the problem of musical representation.
High Performance Prussian Blue Cathode for Nonaqueous Ca-ion Intercalation Battery

Abstract Potassium iron hexacyanoferrate, or Prussian blue (PB), is investigated as a cathode material for nonaqueous divalent calcium ion batteries. PB is an attractive prospect due to its high specific capacity, nontoxicity, low cost, and simple synthesis. Charge/discharge performances are examined at current densities of 23 mAg−1, 45 mAg−1, 90 mAg−1, and 125 mAg−1 that produced reversible specific capacities ranging from 150 mAhg−1 (at 23 mAg−1 current density) to over 120 mAhg−1 (at 125 mAg−1 current density). These are the highest storage capacities to date for a divalent calcium ion cathode over extended period of charge/discharge cycling and are comparable in performance to monovalent intercalating ions.
The Measure of Maximal Entropy

Chapter 4 is devoted to the study of periodic points and the measure of maximal entropy for an expanding Thurston map. In Sect. 4.1, we investigate the fixed points, periodic points, and preperiodic points of the expanding Thurston maps. In particular, we study the location of periodic points and establish a formula for the number of fixed points of each expanding Thurston map (Theorem 4.1). In Sect. 4.2, we prove a number of equidistribution results for periodic points and iterated preimages with respect to the measure of maximal entropy using the exact combinatorial information we obtained in Sect. 4.1. In Sect. 4.3, we show that for each expanding Thurston map f with its measure of maximal entropy \(\mu _f\), the measure-preserving dynamical system \((S^2, f,\mu _f)\) is a factor, in the category of measure-preserving dynamical systems, of the measure-preserving dynamical system of the left-shift operator on the one-sided infinite sequences of \(\deg f\) symbols together with its measure of maximal entropy.
XPro: A Cross-End Processing Architecture for Data Analytics in Wearables

Wearable computing systems have spurred many opportunities to continuously monitor human bodies with sensors worn on or implanted in the body. These emerging platforms have started to revolutionize many fields, including healthcare and wellness applications, particularly when integrated with intelligent analytic capabilities. However, a significant challenge that computer architects are facing is how to embed sophisticated analytic capabilities in wearable computers in an energy-efficient way while not compromising system performance. In this paper, we present XPro, a novel cross-end analytic engine architecture for wearable computing systems. The proposed cross-end architecture is able to realize a generic classification design across wearable sensors and a data aggregator with high energy-efficiency. To facilitate the practical use of XPro, we also develop an Automatic XPro Generator that formally generates XPro instances according to specific design constraints. As a proof of concept, we study the design and implementation of XPro with six different health applications. Evaluation results show that, compared with state-of-the-art methods, XPro can increase the battery life of the sensor node by 1.6-2.4X while at the same time reducing system delay by 15.6-60.8% for wearable computing systems.
Discrete Event Control Methods: A Review

Abstract Programmable logic controllers or more generally microprocessor/computer based controllers have played a significant role in advancing industrial automation. A majority of them are designed and implemented with relay ladder logic (RLL) programming. Recently new methods are emerging with the objectives to handle large industrial automation projects and improve understandability, flexibility, and maintainability of the resulting design. This paper overviews and evaluates these approaches through a level control process example. Among them are: direct implementation of RLL, logic diagrams, timing/sequence diagrams, state diagrams, Petri nets, and sequential function charts. Their major advantages and disadvantages are indicated.
Influence of Geographic Affiliation on Student Performance in Online Geology and Meteorology Courses

ABSTRACT The online learning environment can add substantial advantages to learning such as continuous access to material and the ability to foster learning through additional visual supplemental materials, but it can also add further challenges that may not be as evident when teaching traditional, face-to-face courses. An individual's place affiliation may impact learning outcomes in geographically-dependent science content-specific science courses such as geoscience courses. This study focused on challenges associated with teaching and assessing geographically-dependent content in online master's level geology and meteorology courses. Students in these courses were asked to identify their home regions prior to the start of the master's program. When assessments for both courses were analyzed using a repeated-measures test, meteorology courses revealed significant differences between students' home regions for multiple assessments.
Effect of end-border condition on small-plot yield of cucumber

Twelve or 14 cultivars and breeding lines (collectively referred to as lines hereafter) of pickling and fresh-market cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) were evaluated in 1.5 m long plots. The plots were harvested once when the check lines reached the 10% oversized fruit stage, and total, marketable, and early (oversized) number of fruits per plot was counted. The plots were planted with or without 1.5 m long end-borders to determine whether end-borders can be eliminated in small-plot trials where seed numbers and field space are limiting. Yield in unbordered plots was inflated 5 to 21% over bordered plots, but there was generally no significant effect in the analysis of variance for line x end-border condition. Therefore, end-borders are not needed when comparing different lines.
Mortality among teenagers aged 12-19 years: United States, 1999-2006.

Deaths to teenagers 12-19 years comprise a small fraction of the total deaths occurring each year in the United States. From 1999 to 2006 less than 1 percent (0.68 percent)--or 131,000 deaths--occurred to teenagers 12-19 years. This represents an average of 16,375 deaths per year for this group. Teenage mortality is an important public health issue because the majority of deaths among teenagers are caused by external causes of injury such as accidents, homicide, and suicide. These causes of death are, by definition, preventable. Language: en
Evidence-Based Reporting: A Method to Optimize Prostate MRI Communications With Referring Physicians

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to develop an evidence-based method to optimize prostate MRI reports that would improve communication between urologists and radiologists. MATERIALS AND MET...
Cognitive Systems as Explanatory Artificial Intelligence

This paper argues for a revival of a mentalist approach to modeling human intelligence. The fields of artificial intelligence and natural language processing have over the past two decades been dominated by empirical approaches based on analogical reasoning, distributional semantics, machine learning and what is today called Big Data. This has led to a variety of gradual technological advances. True advances, however, are predicated on developing and testing explanatory theories of human behavior. This latter activity must include accounts of “directly unobservable” phenomena, such as human beliefs, emotions, intentions, plans and biases. This task is addressed by the field of cognitive systems. It is extraordinarily complex but unavoidable if the goal is success in modeling complex—and not entirely rational—human behavior.
Future Directions for Commitment Research

As evidenced by this volume, research on commitment has expanded in numerous directions, contributing substantially to our understanding of how and why interpersonal ties are made, maintained, and broken. Through these efforts, scholars interested in interpersonal processes have begun to answer long-standing questions about the stability and fragility of human social connections and by so doing have provided people with many tools with which they might improve, repair, and understand their relationships with others. In order to maintain this progress, however, it is essential that researchers recognize which questions remain to be answered and which areas of prior scholarship should be reexamined. In view of this need, the goal of the present chapter is to provide an outline for future efforts that might further strengthen the empirical and theoretical bases of scholarship on commitment and extend its reach into the broader realm of interpersonal dynamics.
Identification of traits and functional connectivity-based neuropsychotypes of chronic pain

Psychological and personality factors, socioeconomic status, and brain properties all contribute to chronic pain but have essentially been studied independently. Here, we administered a broad battery of questionnaires to patients with chronic back pain (CBP). Clustering and network analyses revealed four orthogonal dimensions accounting for 60% of the variance, and defining chronic pain traits. Two of these traits, Pain-trait and Emote-trait, were related to back pain characteristics and could be predicted from distinct distributed functional networks in a cross-validation procedure, identifying neurotraits. These neurotraits were relatively stable in time and segregated CBP patients into subtypes showing distinct traits, pain affect, pain qualities, and socioeconomic status (neuropsychotypes). The results unravel the trait space of chronic pain leading to reliable categorization of patients into distinct types. The approach provides metrics aiming at unifying the psychology and the neurophysiology of chronic pain across diverse clinical conditions, and promotes prognostics and individualized therapeutics.
Does perioperative oxandrolone improve nutritional status in patients with cachexia related to head and neck carcinoma

Background Cancer cachexia affects up to over 50% of advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. To date, the potential utility of anabolic steroids in perioperative cachectic HNC patients has not been determined. Methods Retrospective review of pre- and post-oxandrolone administration prealbumin levels in 18 perioperative HNC patients between October 2007 and October 2014 at a tertiary academic medical center. Results The median pretreatment prealbumin was 88.5 mg/L. The median post-treatment prealbumin was 227 mg/L. The median interval improvement of the prealbumin level was 131.5 mg/L. The median differences between the pretreatment and post-treatment prealbumin levels were found to be statistically significant (P < .001). Subjective improvement in wound healing was also observed. Conclusions Perioperative administration of oxandrolone resulted in objective improvements in prealbumin levels and subjective improvements in surgical wounds. Oxandrolone administered 10 mg twice daily (BID) for 10 days may be a useful adjunct in the perioperative care of nutritionally deficient HNC patients who are at risk for or have demonstrated impaired wound healing. Level of Evidence 3.
What Areas of Study Abroad Research Need More Attention

This chapter compiles the areas of needed research in the field of study abroad as indicated by scholars in the field. These areas are listed repeatedly in publications as areas of further study reflecting the growth of participation in study abroad. Also present are suggestions to advance the research agenda by taking into consideration external variables such as pedagogical courses and interventions. The chapter concludes with an overall summary as well as questions for reflection and suggestions for further reading.
Return on Investment from Simulation-Based Mastery Learning

This chapter presents a business case for simulation-based mastery learning (SBML). SBML projects in medical education often yield downstream return on investment (ROI) which can be calculated using the Phillips ROI model. The Phillips ROI model first involves performing a business alignment needs assessment, determining the cost of an identified problem, and assessing how SBML can be a solution. Subsequently, the ROI model evaluates both inputs (cost) and outputs (outcomes) to ensure that institutions receive maximum effect from improvement initiatives. The chapter has four sections: (a) description of the Phillips ROI methodology, (b) an example of use of the ROI model with SBML, (c) additional examples of ROI, and (d) stakeholder engagement: convincing the C-suite. The chapter concludes with a brief coda.
A fast algorithm for computing a matrix transform used to detect trends in noisy data

Abstract A recently discovered universal rank-based matrix method to extract trends from noisy time series is described in Ierley and Kostinski (2019) but the formula for the output matrix elements, implemented there as an open-access supplement MATLAB computer code, is O ( N 4 ) , with N the matrix dimension. This can become prohibitively large for time series with hundreds of sample points or more. Based on recurrence relations, here we derive a much faster O ( N 2 ) algorithm and provide code implementations in MATLAB and in open-source JULIA. In some cases one has the output matrix and needs to solve an inverse problem to obtain the input matrix. A fast algorithm and code for this companion problem, also based on the recurrence relations, are given. Finally, in the narrower, but common, domains of (i) trend detection and (ii) parameter estimation of a linear trend, users require, not the individual matrix elements, but simply their accumulated mean value. For this latter case we provide a yet faster O ( N ) heuristic approximation that relies on a series of rank one matrices. These algorithms are illustrated on a time series of high energy cosmic rays with N > 4 × 1 0 4 . Program summary Program Title: Pfromdata, QofP, mbasisandcoeffs, nonzerop, Qavgapprox, PofQ, mexact, CodeTesting CPC Library link to program files: http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/mkcxrky9jc.1 Licensing provisions: MIT Programming language: MATLAB and Julia Nature of problem: An order-rank data matrix and its transform to a stable form are used repeatedly to detect and/or extract trends from noisy data. An efficient yet accurate calculation of the matrix transform is therefore required. Solution method: We introduce and apply an analytic recursion relation, which speeds up the execution of the matrix transform from O ( N 4 ) arithmetic operations to O ( N 2 ) . Since this matrix transform is called often during optimization, our improvement allows for far shorter optimization times, for a given sample size. For example, a transform whose time is extrapolated to an unrealistic 75 days on a Dell personal laptop computer with a 2.2 GHz quad-core AMD processor running 32 bit MATLAB version R2015b on 64 bit Windows 10 ( N = 5000 ), now takes a fraction of a second. References [1] Universal Rank-Order Transform to Extract Signals from Noisy Data, Glenn Ierley and Alex Kostinski, Phys. Rev. X 9 031039 (2019).
Signals in the Soil: Subsurface Sensing

In this chapter, novel subsurface soil sensing approaches are presented for monitoring and real-time decision support system applications. The methods, materials, and operational feasibility aspects of soil sensors are explored. The soil sensing techniques covered in this chapter include aerial sensing, in-situ, proximal sensing, and remote sensing. The underlying mechanism used for sensing is also examined as well. The sensor selection and calibration techniques are described in detail. The chapter concludes with discussion of soil sensing challenges.
Estimation Risk in Covariance

This paper investigates the estimation risk in covariance. It is known that covariance can be estimated accurately under the i.i.d. normality assumption. However, time varying volatility and non-normality of asset returns can lead to imprecise covariance estimates, which can incur economic loss to a mean variance investor. Applying the Fama French 3 factor model to 25 size, BE/ME sorted portfolios from 1963 to 2001, the loss from the covariance estimation error is 1.45% per annum, which is as large as the estimation risk in the expected return.
An RCE-based Associative Memory with Application to Human Face Recognition

Many models of neural network-based associative memory have been proposed and studied. However, most of these models do not have a rejection mechanism and hence are not practical for many real-world associative memory problems. For example, in human face recognition, we are given a database of face images and the identity of each image. Given an input image, the task is to associate when appropriate the image with the corresponding name of the person in the database. However, the input image may be that of a stranger. In this case, the system should reject the input. In this paper, we propose a practical associative memory model that has a rejection mechanism. The structure of the model is based on the restricted Coulomb energy (RCE) network. The capacity of the proposed memory is desibed by two measures: the ability of the system to correctly identify known individuals, and the ability of the system to reject individuals who are not in the database. Experimental results are given which show how the performance of the system varies as the size of the database increases up to 1000 individuals.
Reckoning With Ourselves: A Critical Analysis of White Women’s Socialization and School Psychology

The future of school psychology requires us to examine present challenges, our capacity to address them, and how we might better prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. This piece raises the questio...
Data-Driven Railway Crosstie Support Condition Prediction Using Deep Residual Neural Network: Algorithm and Application:

Ballasted track substructure is designed and constructed to provide uniform crosstie support and serve the functions of drainage and load distribution over trackbed. Poor and nonuniform support con...
Developing in vitro models of human ductal carcinoma in situ from primary tissue explants

Because there are currently no reliable predictors for progression of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive disease, nearly all patients receive comprehensive therapy, leading to over-treatment in many cases. Few in vitro models for studying DCIS progression have been developed. We report here the successful culture and expansion of primary DCIS from surgical specimens using a conditional reprogramming protocol. Patients with percutaneous core-needle biopsy demonstrating DCIS were enrolled in a tissue banking protocol after informed consent was received. Fresh tissue was taken from lumpectomy or mastectomy specimens, mechanically and enzymatically dissociated, cultured in medium conditioned by irradiated mouse fibroblasts and supplemented with rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, and characterized by immunocytochemistry. Out of 33 DCIS cases, 58% (19) were expanded for up to 2 months in culture, and 42% (14) were frozen immediately after mechanical dissociation for future growth. The cultures are almost exclusively composed of cytokeratin 8- and EpCAM-positive luminal and cytokeratin 14-, cytokeratin 5-, and p63-positive basal mammary epithelial cells, suggesting maintenance of heterogeneity in vitro. Furthermore, as assessed by luminal and basal marker expression, these cells retain their cellular identities both in the "conditionally reprogrammed" proliferative state and after conditioned media and ROCK inhibitor withdrawal. When grown to 100 % confluency, the cultures organize into luminal and basal layers as well as luminal compartments surrounded by basal cells. Primary cultures of DCIS derived directly from patient tissues can be generated and may serve as in vitro models for the study of DCIS.