cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of an information monitoring and diagnostic system to improve building operations

This paper discusses a demonstration of a technology to address the problem that buildings do not perform as well as anticipated during design. We partnered with an innovative building operator to evaluate a prototype information monitoring and diagnostic system (IMDS). The IMDS consists of a set of high-quality sensors, data acquisition software and hardware, and data visualization software including a web-based remote access system, that can be used to identify control problems and equipment faults. The information system allowed the operators to make more effective use of the building control system and freeing up time to take care of other tenant needs. They report observing significant improvements in building comfort, potentially improving tenant health and productivity. The reduction in the labor costs to operate the building is about US$ 20,000 per year, which alone could pay for the information system in about 5 years. A control system retrofit based on findings from the information system is expected to reduce energy use by 20% over the next year, worth over US$ 30,000 per year in energy cost savings. The operators are recommending that similar technology be adopted in other buildings.
Predation by a Sharp-shinned Hawk on a Ground-nesting Bird, the White-throated Sparrow

Abstract Predation at the nest is the largest source of reproductive failure for many species of passerine birds, and so it is important that we understand the details surrounding such predation events. With the advent of small video and temperature recorders, nests can now be monitored remotely and predator identity can be assigned. Using remote data collection techniques, we report the unusual observation of a White-throated Sparrow nestling being taken by a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk. Normally, Sharp-shinned Hawks focus their efforts on fledgling birds; however, if they do take nestlings, they tend to be from arboreal-nesting species. Since the White-throated Sparrow is a ground-nesting passerine, we suspect that a combination of nest location, nest structure, vegetation structure within the territory, and age of the nestlings made this nest an ideal target for an opportunistic young Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Radiation from elliptical hybrid-mode waveguides

The condition for circularly polarised radiation fields from waveguide apertures is discussed. It is shown that ideal circular polarisation cannot be achieved in practice for elliptical hybrid-mode waveguides, neither for corrugated nor for partly filled dielectric (dielcore) waveguides. The crosspolar performance of the elliptical dielcore waveguide supporting the fundamental hybrid-mode is calculated accurately, confirming its good crosspolar performance which has been previously shown by experiments.
Potential Impact of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polymer Composite on Commercial Aircraft Performance and Economics

This study investigates the potential performance impact of incorporating carbon nanotube reinforced polymer (CNRP) composites in four present-day airframes. Flight profiles of current and notional 70% single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) by volume carbon nanotube reinforced polymer (CNRP) structured airframes are modeled through the utilization of Euro Control’s Base of Aircraft Data (BADA) and from traditional flight dynamics theory. Using this data, flights are constructed from takeoff to landing and fuel consumption is evaluated. Due to the decrease in structural mass from aluminum airframes to notional CNRP-structured airframes of 14.05% on average, observed results include consequential decrease in fuel consumption by an average of 09.8% and an increase in flight range by an average of 13.2%. Flight path data from the Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS) enables a correlation of fuel consumption savings to actual fuel savings for common flight paths for the aircraft types investigated in this study.
Simulation of stochastic micropopulation models-I. The SUMMERS simulation shell

A generic, abstract model and the simulation shell based on it, both called SUMMERS, are used as a framework for the implementation of stochastic micropopulation models; in these, each individual is followed separately while moving through a sequence of states. The shell supports groups of interacting members, individual characteristics and multiple simultaneous activities. Stochastic decisions may be made using Monte Carlo rules. Keywords control the simulations and the reports generated. A sensitivity analysis utility allows assessment of the dependency of outcomes on model features. Extensive use has been made of software engineering techniques. Specializations of SUMMERS are described in subsequent papers.
High-accuracy stereo depth maps using structured light

Progress in stereo algorithm performance is quickly outpacing the ability of existing stereo data sets to discriminate among the best-performing algorithms, motivating the need for more challenging scenes with accurate ground truth information. This paper describes a method for acquiring high-complexity stereo image pairs with pixel-accurate correspondence information using structured light. Unlike traditional range-sensing approaches, our method does not require the calibration of the light sources and yields registered disparity maps between all pairs of cameras and illumination projectors. We present new stereo data sets acquired with our method and demonstrate their suitability for stereo algorithm evaluation. Our results are available at http://www.middlebury.edu/stereo/.
Multivalued Logic Using a Novel Multichannel GaN MOS Structure

Bulk-Si CMOS technology has been consistently improving for over 40 years, following Moore's law, by gate length scaling. In this letter, we present a novel charge-based multistate transistor device on the AlGaN/GaN system which uses a given gate length but handles more than two states any time. This novel multichannel MOS device, having a higher processing capability than a binary transistor, is then used to implement multiple valued logic gates in a pull-down network scheme. In this letter, we use the results of a 2-D device simulation as proof of concept and propose architectures for the implementation of some basic quaternary logic gates.
Alaskan Husky encephalopathy - a canine neurodegenerative disorder resembling subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (Leigh syndrome).

The gross and histopathological findings in the brain and spinal cord of five Alaskan Husky dogs with a novel incapacitating and ultimately fatal familial and presumed hereditary neurodegenerative disorder are described. Four dogs presented with neurological deficits before the age of 1 year (7-11 months) and one animal at 2.5 years old. Clinical signs in all dogs were of acute onset and included ataxia, seizures, behavioral abnormalities, blindness, facial hypalgesia and difficulties in prehension of food. In animals allowed to survive, the disease was static but with frequent recurrences. Pathological findings were limited to the central nervous system. Grossly visible bilateral and symmetrical cavitated foci were consistently present in the thalamus with variable extension into the caudal brain stem. Microscopic lesions were more widespread and included foci of bilateral and symmetrical degeneration in the basal nuclei, midbrain, pons and medulla, as well as multifocal lesions at the base of sulci in the cerebral cortex and in the gray matter of cerebellar folia in the ventral vermis. Neuronal loss with concomitant neuronal sparing, spongiosis, vascular hypertrophy and hyperplasia, gliosis, cavitation and transient mixed inflammatory infiltration were the main histopathological findings. In addition, a population of reactive gemistocytic astrocytes with prominent cytoplasmic vacuolation was noted in the thalamus. Lesions of this nature in this distribution within the neuroaxis have not been reported in dogs. The neuropathological findings resemble Leigh's disease/subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy of man. Neuronal sparing in conjunction with apparently transient astrocytic vacuolation point to the possible pathogenetic role of astrocytes in the evolution of these lesions. An inherited metabolic derangement of unknown nature is postulated as the cause of this breed-specific disorder.
Optimization of integrated circuit design with respect to yield

In general, product design can be viewed as an optimization problem, where the objective is some measure of performance or life cycle cost. An important feature of integrated circuit fabrication that has no apparent analog in other industries is the need to consider the net yield of the fabrication process during the design phase of product development. This paper discusses the problem of optimal circuit design with respect to yield, which has become an important application for nonlinear optimization techniques.
Inferring Hidden Causal Structure

We used a new method to assess how people can infer unobserved causal structure from patterns of observed events. Participants were taught to draw causal graphs, and then shown a pattern of associations and interventions on a novel causal system. Given minimal training and no feedback, participants in Experiment 1 used causal graph notation to spontaneously draw structures containing one observed cause, one unobserved common cause, and two unobserved independent causes, depending on the pattern of associations and interventions they saw. We replicated these findings with less-informative training (Experiments 2 and 3) and a new apparatus (Experiment 3) to show that the pattern of data leads to hidden causal inferences across a range of prior constraints on causal knowledge.
Two CMOS gate arrays for the EPACT experiment

Two semicustom CMOS digital gate arrays are described which have been developed for the Energetic Particles: Acceleration, Composition, and Transport (EPACT) experiment. The first device, the event counter is 16*24-bit (EC1624), implements sixteen 24-bit ripple counters, and has flexible counting and readout options. The second device, the serial transmitter/receiver (SXR), is a multipersonality chip that can be used at either end of a serial, synchronous communications data link. It can be configured as a master in a central control unit, or as one of many slaves within remote assemblies. Together, a network of SXRs allows for commanding and verification of distributed control signals. Both gate arrays were radiation hardened and qualified for space flight use. The architecture of each chip is presented, and the benefits to the experiment summarized. >
Probing the role of homomeric and heteromeric receptor interactions in TGF-β signaling using small molecule dimerizers

Abstract Background: Transforming growth factor β (TGF- β ) arrests many cell types in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and upregulates plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). The type I (TGF- β RI) and II (TGF- β RII) TGF- β receptors mediate these and other effects of TGF- β on target cells. TGF- β initially binds to TGF- β RII and subsequently TGF- β RI is recruited to form a heteromeric complex. TGF- β RI phosphorylates the downstream effectors Smad2 and Smad3, leading to their translocation into the nucleus. Here, we explored the role of receptor oligomerization in TGF- β signaling. Results: We constructed fusion proteins containing receptor cytoplasmic tails linked to binding domains for small-molecule dimerizers. In COS-1 cells, recruitment of a soluble TGF- β RII tail to a myristoylated TGF- β RI tail promoted Smad2 nuclear translocation. In mink lung cells, homo-oligomerization of a myristoylated TGF- β RI tail in the presence of a myristoylated TGF- β RII tail activated the PAI-1 promoter. Oligomerization of an acidic mutant of the TGF- β RI tail in the absence of TGF- β RII activated the PAI-1 promoter and inhibited the growth of mink lung cells. Conclusions: Non-toxic, small molecules designed to oligomerize cytoplasmic tails of TGF- β receptors at the plasma membrane can activate TGF- β signaling. Although TGF- β normally signals through two receptors that are both necessary for signaling, in one small-molecule system, a dimerizer activates signaling through a single type of receptor that is sufficient to induce TGF- β signaling. These methods of activating TGF- β signaling could be extended to signaling pathways of other TGF- β superfamily members such as activin and the bone morphogenetic proteins.
PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION IN MIDLIFE ORPHANHOOD: AN EMPIRICAL PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY*

The present study explores the ways in which being orphaned at midlife leads to personal transformation. Empirical phenomenological methods were applied to in-depth interviews with four participants. Analysis of the explicit and implicit lived meanings of this experience yielded 74 themes organized into a general structural narrative. This narrative ranged from early experiences of providing care to the dying parent to an eventual reorganization of self. In crossing the generational line and assuming the role of elder, study participants developed an increased sense of purpose and meaning, transcendence of egoistic concern, a greater sense of interconnectedness to others, and deeper sensitivity and compassion. Further, the results provide evidence that an ongoing relationship to the deceased parent serves several vital psychological and developmental functions, and that actively “holding on” to the deceased parent drives many of the dynamics through which personal transformation is effected.
Fermion generations, masses and mixings in a 6D brane model

We study the motion of higher dimensional fermions in a nonsingular 6D brane background with an increasing warp factor. This background acts as a potential well trapping fermions and fields of other spins near a $3+1$ dimensional brane. By adjusting the shape of this potential well it is possible to obtain three normalizable zero-mass modes giving a possible higher dimensional solution to the fermion generation puzzle. The three different zero-mass modes correspond to the different angular momentum eigenvalues for rotations around the brane. This bulk angular momentum acts as the family or generation number. The three normalizable zero modes have different profiles with respect to the bulk, thus by coupling the higher dimensional fermion field to a higher dimensional scalar field it is possible to generate both a realistic mass hierarchy and realistic mixings between the different families.
Introducing Genre into Japanese-as-a-Foreign-Language: Toward a Genre-Specific Approach to Elementary/Intermediate Writing.

Despite the social turn in views of language and the increasing attention to an application of genre theory in teaching languages, the field of Japanese-as-a-Foreign-Language (JFL) has not yet found genre a valuable resource for approaching learners’ writing ability. Writing is still practiced as a psycholinguistic space to check learners’ understanding of grammar structures and kanji, and writing assignment prompts are often designed to fit into the corresponding grammatical units. Part I of this paper, by employing a functional linguistics-oriented genre theory, maps elementary/intermediate JFL grammatical units into register, which is the primary contextual parameters that construe social meanings, and illustrates the process of transferring grammatical resources into genre so that language instructors can make their own model texts and can approach their learners’ writing from a genre-specific perspective. Part II of this paper illustrates a practical implementation as the form of pedagogic report. It illustrates how the constructed model text was used in an actual JFL classroom and argues its potential for a curricular context. In essence, the present study intends to lay the groundwork for creating an applicable genre approach in a JFL curriculum that contextualizes elementary/intermediate learners’ writing as a way to represent their social views.
Abstract 62: Pim-1 Engineering of Human CPCs Increases Telomere Length from Aged Patients with Heart Failure

Rationale: Adoptive transfer of human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) can repair damaged myocardium and improve function in a pathologically challenged heart. Aging can exhaust hCPC pool and pose a challenge to effectively regenerating the damaged myocardium. There is a dire need to reverse the senescent phenotype of these hCPCs isolated from elderly patients to target large segment of population suffering from heart failure. Objective: Demonstrate that Pim-1 engineering of human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) isolated from elderly patients with heart failure can increase the telomere lengths, telomerase activity, population doubling and reverse their senescent phenotype. Methods and Results: hCPCs positive for the putative stem cell marker c-kit were isolated from heart biopsy samples from patients undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation. hCPCs isolated from patients aged 75-85 years (n=3) with heart failure demonstrate decreased population doubling time concomitant with decreased telomere lengths measured by in situ hybridization and telomerase activity measured by TRAP assay compared to patients aged 60-73 years (n=3). hCPCs were engineered to express Pim-1-GFP (hCPCeP), a fused GFP version of the kinase by using a lentivirus expression system. The cell cycling time measured by population doubling is increased after over expression of Pim-1 in hCPCs isolated from old patients. Pim-1 modification significantly increased telomere lengths and telomerase activity indicative of reversal of senescent characteristics of aged hCPCs. Conclusion: Ex vivo gene delivery of Pim-1 enhances telomere length, telomerase activity and decreases population-doubling time. Modification of aged hCPCs from elderly patients augments their ability to regenerate damaged myocardium, making stem cell engineering a viable option to address current limitations associated with senescent phenotype of aged hCPCs.
Naturally segregating loci exhibit epistasis for fitness.

The extent to which gene interaction or epistasis contributes to fitness variation within populations remains poorly understood, despite its importance to a myriad of evolutionary questions. Here, we report a multi-year field study estimating fitness of Mimulus guttatus genetic lines in which pairs of naturally segregating loci exist in an otherwise uniform background. An allele at QTL x5b—a locus originally mapped for its effect on flower size—positively affects survival if combined with one genotype at quantitative trait locus x10a (aa) but has negative effects when combined with the other genotypes (Aa and AA). The viability differences between genotypes parallel phenotypic differences for the time and node at which a plant flowers. Viability is negatively correlated with fecundity across genotypes, indicating antagonistic pleiotropy for fitness components. This trade-off reduces the genetic variance for total fitness relative to the individual fitness components and thus may serve to maintain variation. Additionally, we find that the effects of each locus and their interaction often vary with the environment.
Synthesis, structure, and magnetic studies of manganese-oxygen clusters of reduced coordination number, featuring an unchelated, 5-coordinate octanuclear manganese cluster with water-derived oxo ligands.

The synthesis of reduced coordination (less than 6), unchelated manganese oxygen cluster systems is described. Addition of phenols to Mn(NR2)2 (R = SiMe3) results in protolytic amide ligand replacement, and represents the primary entry into the described chemistry. Addition of PhOH to Mn(NR2)2 results in the formation of the heteroleptic dimer Mn2(μ-OPh)2(NR2)2(THF)2 (1). Usage of the sterically larger 2,6-diphenylphenol (Ph2C6H3OH) as the ligand source results in the formation of a 3-coordinate heteroleptic dimer without THF coordination, Mn2(μ-OC6H3Ph2)2(NR2)2 (2). Attempts to generate 2 in the presence of THF or Et2O resulted in isolation of monomeric Mn(OC6H3Ph2)2L2 (3, L = THF, Et2O). Use of the sterically intermediate 2,4,6-trimethylphenol (MesOH) resulted in formation of the linear trinuclear cluster Mn3(μ-OMes)4(NR2)2(THF)2 (4). Reaction of Mn(NR2)2 with PhOH in the presence of water, or reaction of 1 with water, results in the formation of a 5-coordinate, unchelated Mn–O cluster, Mn8(μ5-O)2(μ-OPh...
Abstract B67: In vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of cranberry proanthocyanidins against esophageal adenocarcinoma

This study investigated the cancer inhibitory potential of a proanthocyanidin rich cranberry extract utilizing a panel of authenticated human esophageal adenocarcinoma cell lines (EAC), a nude mouse xenograft model, and the rat esophagogastrodoudenal anastomosis (EGDA) model of EAC. PACs effects on cell morphology, global gene expression, phase of cell cycle, and cell death induction via apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis were evaluated. Methods included RapidDiff and MDC staining, Annexin/PI and BrdU staining with flow cytometric evaluation, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), protein evaluation utilizing standard Western blot techniques, and validation of global gene expression changes by real-time PCR. PAC treatment [50-100µg/ml] of EAC cancer cell lines resulted in significant increases in apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis. Differential cell death induction was noted based upon the cell lines resistance to a bile/acid cocktail mimicking acid exposure in humans as well as the status of the apoptotic and autophagic machinery of the select cell line. PACs cell death inducing capacity correlated with altered MAPKinase signaling as evidenced by activation of P-p38 and P-JNK and inhibition of P-ERK1/2. PAC treatment induced other proapoptotic markers including cleaved PARP, BAK1, BAX, and cytochrome C, but in a cell line dependent manner. Mild increases in Beclin-1 were noted following PAC treatment, as were significant increases in LC3II, a marker of autophagasome formation which occurs during autophagy induction. Results were confirmed by TEM and MDC staining. PAC induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M transition, increased the percent of cells in G1, caused an S-phase delay and increased P21 levels in all three cell lines. PAC administration significantly inhibited the growth of OE19 xenografts via modulation of cell cycle and MAPK signaling pathways. Oral gavage of PAC [250µg/mouse] six times a week to nude mice resulted in a 67% decrease in OE19 tumor volume, increased cytochrome C protein levels and decreased levels of P-ERK1/2, cyclin A, PCNA, and CD31 in PAC treated tumors compared to vehicle treated tumors. Lastly, a four week pilot study was performed to evaluate the safety of daily administration of PAC in the rodent EGDA model. PAC appeared well tolerated given the average daily dose of 450µg/rat/day as evidenced by normal body weight and food consumption, serology profiles and histopathology of the major organs. Further long-term studies are planned to more fully access the chemopreventive potential of PAC against esophageal adenocarcinoma and premalignancy utilizing the clinically relevant rat EGDA surgical model. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B67.
Engineering formation of multiple recombinant Eut protein nanocompartments in E. coli

Compartmentalization of designed metabolic pathways within protein based nanocompartments has the potential to increase reaction efficiency in multi-step biosynthetic reactions. We previously demonstrated proof-of-concept of this aim by targeting a functional enzyme to single cellular protein nanocompartments, which were formed upon recombinant expression of the Salmonella enterica LT2 ethanolamine utilization bacterial microcompartment shell proteins EutS or EutSMNLK in Escherichia coli. To optimize this system, increasing overall encapsulated enzyme reaction efficiency, factor(s) required for the production of more than one nanocompartment per cell must be identified. In this work we report that the cupin domain protein EutQ is required for assembly of more than one nanocompartment per cell. Overexpression of EutQ results in multiple nanocompartment assembly in our recombinant system. EutQ specifically interacts with the shell protein EutM in vitro via electrostatic interactions with the putative cytosolic face of EutM. These findings lead to the theory that EutQ could facilitate multiple nanocompartment biogenesis by serving as an assembly hub for shell proteins. This work offers insights into the biogenesis of Eut bacterial microcompartments, and also provides an improved platform for the production of protein based nanocompartments for targeted encapsulation of enzyme pathways.
A novel cold-sensitive mutant of ntla reveals temporal roles of brachyury in zebrafish.

Background With the exception of the head, the vertebrate embryonic body is formed progressively in an anterior-posterior direction, originating from a posteriorly located bipotential neural-mesodermal progenitor population. The T-box transcription factor Brachyury is expressed within the progenitors and is essential for the formation of the posterior mesoderm. A novel cold-sensitive mutant of Zebrafish Brachyury (ntla(cs) ) is described that allows exploration of the temporal role of this key factor. Results The ntla(cs) mutant is used to show that Ntla has an essential role during early gastrulation, but as gastrulation proceeds the importance of Ntla declines as Ntlb acquires a capacity to form the posterior mesoderm. Remarkably, ntla(cs) embryos held at the nonpermissive temperature just during the gastrula stages show recovery of normal levels of mesodermal gene expression, demonstrating the plasticity of the posterior progenitors. Conclusion ntla(cs) is a valuable tool for exploring the processes forming the posterior body since it allows temporally specific activation and inactivation of Brachyury function. It is used here to show the changing roles of Ntla during early development and the dynamics of the neuromesodermal progenitors. Developmental Dynamics 245:874-880, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Impact of Cluster Image on Store Image:A Shopping Risk Perception Theory Explanation

The image of a retail cluster may influence,or be transferred to,the image of individual stores within the cluster,and this may be explained by the framework of shopping risk theory.A 2×2 experiment was conducted by taking cluster image and store type as independent variables and store image and shopping risk as dependent variables.A sample of 89 undergraduates was divided at random into four treatment conditions.The findings suggested that the risk perception has different roles in the image transfer process,and it is a moderator variable in department store image transference,but a mediator variable in specialty store image transference.
Risk Analysis and Control of Fixed Total Price Contract in EPC Project of Transmission Line

EPC mode with fixed-price contract is widely used in transmission line project.In this mode,most of project risks are taken by general contractors,it is critical to successfully cope with these risks.According to the risk control theory,combined with the features of transmission line project and related management experience,this paper identified the risk factors which affect the contract price,analyzed some important risk factors and proposed the control measures.
Sarcomeres and Cardiac Growth: Tension in the Relationship.

Genetic mutations in the cardiomyocyte contractile apparatus cause aberrant cardiac growth categorized morphologically as hypertrophic or dilated. A recent study leverages an array of mutant mouse models to extrapolate a new integrated parameter: the myofilament ‘tension index', which predicts patterns of cardiac growth resulting from individual sarcomeric mutations. These findings may inform genotype-specific therapies.
Gastrointestinal bleeding due to blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome syndrome. A case diagnosed by angiography

A 75-year-old woman had had melena for 12 years. Many normal barium studies of the gastrointestinal tract, a negative surgical abdominal exploration, and the presence of a blue rubber bleb nevus on her right arm pointed to intestinal arteriovenous (A-V) malformations as a cause for her bleeding. Selective superior mesenteric angiography showed an A-V malformation in the distribution of the ileocolic artery. The lesion, which was in the terminal ileum, was resected, but she bled again 14 months after surgery. Routine barium studies of the gastrointestinal tract were again normal, suggesting that the patient may have another intestinal A-V malformation.
Exploring the association between maternal prenatal multivitamin use and early infant growth: The Healthy Start Study.

Background Prenatal multivitamin supplementation is recommended to improve offspring outcomes, but effects on early infant growth are unknown. Objectives We examined whether multivitamin supplementation in the year before delivery predicts offspring mass, body composition and early infant growth. Methods Multivitamin use was assessed longitudinally in 626 women from the Healthy Start Study. Offspring body size and composition was measured with air displacement plethysmography at birth ( Results Maternal multivitamin use was not related to offspring mass or body composition at birth, or rate of change in total or fat-free mass in the first 5 months. Multivitamin use was inversely associated with average monthly growth in offspring percent fat mass (β = -0.009, p = 0.049) between birth and postnatal exam. Offspring of non-users had a monthly increase in percent fat mass of 3.45%, while offspring at the top quartile of multivitamin users had a monthly increase in percent fat mass of 3.06%. This association was not modified by exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusions Increased multivitamin use in the pre-conception and prenatal periods was associated with a slower rate of growth in offspring percent fat mass in the first 5 months of life. This study provides further evidence that in utero nutrient exposures may affect offspring adiposity beyond birth.
Estimating resource preferences of a native bumblebee: the effects of availability and use-availability models on preference estimates.

Identifying resource preference is considered essential for developing targeted conservation plans but, for many species, questions remain about the best way to estimate preference. Resource preferences for bees are particularly difficult to determine as the resources they collect, nectar and pollen, are challenging to estimate availability and collection. Resources are traditionally measured at the flower or inflorescence level, but these measures of availability do not correspond to the resources actually used by bees. Additionally, it is unclear as to whether common models including availability are appropriate for bees which may target resources regardless of available quantities. Here we first compare two common hypotheses of resource use – the ‘random use hypothesis’ and the ‘linear preferences hypothesis’ – using three different measures of availability (pollen, flower and inflorescence) – to determine if one measure of availability was better for understanding bee pollen use. Next, the superior model using availability was compared to a novel model of bee pollen use the ‘target use hypothesis’. This model assumes that bees target some resources regardless of how much of each resource is available (but assuming resources are present at a site), and thus models preference without availability data. Of the models including availability, the linear preference model using inflorescence availability best explained the pollen use data. This suggests that bumblebee pollen use is non-random and that cues to identify and locate resources (i.e. display size and quantity) may be more important than the quantity of the resource available (i.e. pollen availability). Additionally, in most cases the target use model explained the data equal to or better than the other models suggesting bee resource use may be better modeled without measured availability data compared to linear models. These results could be important for expanding resource use analysis of bees that are difficult to quantify availability.
Molecular methods resolve the bacterial composition of natural marine biofilms on galvanically coupled stainless steel cathodes

Navy vessels consist of various metal alloys and biofilm accumulation at the metal surface is thought to play a role in influencing metal deterioration. To develop better strategies to monitor and control metallic biofilms, it is necessary to resolve the bacterial composition within the biofilm. This study aimed to determine if differences in electrochemical current could influence the composition of dominant bacteria in a metallic biofilm, and if so, determine the level of resolution using metagenomic amplicon sequencing. Current was generated by creating galvanic couples between cathodes made from stainless steel and anodes made from carbon steel, aluminum, or copper nickel and exposing them in the Delaware Bay. Stainless steel cathodes (SSCs) coupled to aluminum or carbon steel generated a higher mean current (0.39 mA) than that coupled to copper nickel (0.17 mA). Following 3 months of exposure, the bacterial composition of biofilms collected from the SSCs was determined and compared. Dominant bacterial taxa from the two higher current SSCs were different from that of the low-current SSC as determined by DGGE and verified by Illumina DNA-seq analysis. These results demonstrate that electrochemical current could influence the composition of dominant bacteria in metallic biofilms and that amplicon sequencing is sufficient to complement current methods used to study metallic biofilms in marine environments.
Natural off-stoichiometry causes carrier doping in half-Heusler filled tetrahedral structures

The half-Heusler filled tetrahedral structures (FTSs) are zinc-blende-like compounds, where an additional atom is filling its previously empty interstitial site. The FTSs having 18 valence electrons per formula unit are an emerging family of functional materials, whose intrinsic doping trends underlying a wide range of electronic functionalities are yet to be understood. Interestingly, even pristine compounds without any attempt at impurity/chemical doping exhibit intriguing trends in the free carriers they exhibit. Applying the first principles theory of doping to a few prototype compounds in the ${A}^{\mathrm{IV}}{B}^{\mathrm{X}}{C}^{\mathrm{IV}}$ and ${A}^{\mathrm{IV}}{B}^{\mathrm{IX}}{C}^{\mathrm{V}}$ groups, we describe the key ingredients controlling the materials' propensity for both intrinsic and extrinsic doping: (a) The spontaneous deviations from 1:1:1 stoichiometry reflect predictable thermodynamic stability of specific competing phases. (b) Bulk ABC compounds containing $3d$ elements in the $B$ position (ZrNiSn and ZrCoSb) are predicted to be naturally $3d$ rich. The $B=3d$ interstitials are the prevailing shallow donors, whereas the potential acceptors (e.g., Zr vacancy and Sn-on-Zr antisite) are ineffective electron killers, resulting in an overall uncompensated $n$-type character, even without any chemical doping. In these materials, the band edges are ``natural impurity bands'' due to non-Daltonian off-stoichiometry, such as $B$ interstitials, not intrinsic bulk controlled states as in a perfect crystal. (c) Bulk ABC compounds containing $5d$ elements in the $B$ position (ZrPtSn, ZrIrSb, and TaIrGe) are predicted to be naturally $C$ rich and $A$ poor. This promotes the hole-producing $C$-on-$A$ antisite defects rather than $B$-interstitial donors. The resultant $p$-type character (without chemical doping) therein is ``latent'' for $C=\mathrm{Sn}$ and Sb; however, as the $C$-on-$A$ hole-producing acceptors are rather deep and $p$ typeness is manifest only at high temperature or via impurity doping. In contrast, in TaIrGe $(B=\mathrm{Ir},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}5d)$, the prevailing hole-producing Ge-on-Ta antisite ($C$-on-$A$) is shallow, making it a real $p$-type compound. This general physical picture establishes the basic trends of carriers in this group of materials.
SUPPRESSIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DIFFERENT MLR LOCI

Abstract The DNA synthetic response of lymph node T cells to foreign M loci is inhibited by the presence of foreign H-2 loci on stimulator cells. The inhibition can be overcome by pulsing the responding cells with either cortisone or cycloheximide. Splenic T cells are not inhibited. In light of present knowledge of the H-2 locus and T cell subsets these data are interpreted as follows: Ly-2+, 3+ cells, activated by H-2D or H-2K determinants act as the suppressors and that the Ly-1+, 2+, 3+ splenic T cells either prevent the suppressive interaction or obscure it by making a strong positive response of their own.
HoloARt: Painting with Holograms in Mixed Reality

We propose HoloARt, a new media art that explores the use of holograms in mixed reality for creative self expression. We designed a system that allows the user to turn their physical environment into a canvas where digital holograms and physical objects co-exist in the real and virtual world. Users are able to virtually spray and splatter hologram paint on top of physical objects and surfaces as well as painting in the air by only using their hands. The content grows dynamically, following the natural movements of the user. The system is self-contained and does not require hand controllers nor positional tracking sensors on the space.
Resilient virtual network mapping against large-scale regional failures

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies enable a fast way of deploying network services by instant initialization of virtual network functions on standardized commodity hardware, and a flexible network control and management via dynamic reconfigurations over open protocols. In particular, virtual networks from distinct tenants can be provisioned on the same physical network infrastructure to share the computing and networking resources through a process called virtual network mapping, which can lead to an efficient utilization of the underlying physical resources while guaranteeing the service isolation and performance efficiency. In the process of provisioning virtual networks, it is critically important to ensure that the virtual network services are resilient and they have the capability to continue functioning well in case of various failures such as fiber cuts, natural disasters and malicious attacks. In this paper, we study the problem of resilient virtual network mapping against large-scale regional failures, which are more challenging than existing network survivability designs in terms of single node/link failures or shared risk link group failures. We propose a novel region-disjoint mapping (RDM) algorithm which can map the primary and backup virtual networks into nonoverlapping geographical areas to survive large-scale regional failures. More specifically, the RDM algorithm adopts (1) the backtracking techniques to ensure the disjointness of the primary and backup virtual networks, and (2) the Suurballe's algorithm to jointly optimize the mapping of primary and backup virtual networks in one-step. Simulation results show that the proposed RDM algorithm achieves much lower physical network resource consumption and blocking probability.
Palliative Care for Hospitalized Patients With Stroke: Results From the 2010 to 2012 National Inpatient Sample.

Background and Purpose—Substantial variability exists in the use of life-prolonging treatments for patients with stroke, especially near the end of life. This study explores patterns of palliative ...
Self-Regulation Strategy Development as an Instructional Approach for Motor Skill Acquisition

Physical educators must utilize effective strategies to teach motor skills that will enhance students' physically active lifestyle. This article explains how to incorporate self-regulation strategy development into the physical education setting and how students can benefit from such an approach.
Multibody graph transformations and analysis Part I: Tree topology systems

This two-part paper uses graph transformation methods to develop methods for partitioning, aggregating, and constraint embedding for multibody systems. This first part focuses on tree-topology systems and reviews the key notion of spatial kernel operator (SKO) models for such systems. It develops systematic and rigorous techniques for partitioning SKO models in terms of the SKO models of the component subsystems based on the path-induced property of the component subgraphs. It shows that the sparsity structure of key matrix operators and the mass matrix for the multibody system can be described using partitioning transformations. Subsequently, the notions of node contractions and subgraph aggregation and their role in coarsening graphs are discussed. It is shown that the tree property of a graph is preserved after subgraph aggregation if and only if the subgraph satisfies an aggregation condition. These graph theory ideas are used to develop SKO models for the aggregated tree multibody systems.
The Solvent-Jump Relaxation Method Using Stopped and Continuous Flow

The step perturbation through mixing is described for measuring relaxation times longer than 1 msec. Both transient and steady state detections are possible.
The Effects of Monetary Magnitude and Level of Aggregation on the Temporal Framing of Price

Existing research has shown that the “pennies-a-day” strategy of reframing a large aggregate expense as a small daily expense helps to reduce the perceived cost of a transaction (Nagle and Holden, 1995; Price, 1995; Gourville, 1998, 1999). This paper builds on this research and explores the robustness of the phenomenon across two dimensions – (1) the level of temporal aggregation and (2) the dollar magnitude of the transaction. First, we show that the effectiveness of a pennies-a-day strategy is not limited to per-day framing. Rather, we find a more general phenomenon in which a “less aggregate” expense is preferred to a “more aggregate” expense, such that if a per-day framing is preferred to a per-year framing, than a per-month framing also will be preferred to a per-year framing. Second, we show that this effectiveness reverses with the magnitude of the underlying expense, such that while a framing of “$1 per day” is preferred to one of “$365 per year,” a framing of “$4200 per year” is preferred to one of “$11.50 per day.”
Exploring Healthcare Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual College Students Using Community-Based Participatory Research: A Dissertation

Little is known about the healthcare experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) young adults (ages 18-24) and even less is known about LGB college students (ages 18-24). Helping LGB college students effectively access appropriate, sensitive healthcare has the potential to reduce negative long-term health consequences. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the healthcare experiences of LGB college students (ages 18-24) in the local college community using community-based participatory research (CBPR). Three online synchronous focus groups and one online individual interview were conducted with 19 LGB college students between January and February 2011. The focus groups were segmented into lesbian (n = 7), gay (n = 7), and female bisexual (n = 4) groups. One male bisexual was interviewed individually. The mean age of the sample was 20.7 years (SD = 1.2, range = 19-24). The sample was predominately White non-Hispanic (85%). Qualitative content analysis was used to describe the healthcare experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual college students in the local community. One overarching theme (not all the same), one main theme (comfort during the clinical encounter), three sub themes (personalizing the clinical encounter, deciding to disclose and social stigma, and seeking support of selfidentified sexual orientation) and one preliminary sub theme (perceived confidentiality) emerged from the analysis. One major action emerged from the analysis and supported the development of the social network site (on Facebook) entitled: College Alliance Towards Community Health (CATCH). The mission of CATCH is to provide LGB college students in the local community with a comfortable forum to learn about various healthcare concerns of lesbian, gay, and bisexual college students. Additional implications for nursing practice and implications for further research in the LGB college community are addressed.
Nanoplasmonics: Fundamentals and Applications

A review of nanoplasmonics is given. This includes fundamentals, nanolocalization of optical energy and hot spots, ultrafast nanoplasmonics and control of the spatiotemporal nanolocalization of optical fields, and quantum nanoplasmonics (spaser and gain plasmonics). This chapter reviews both fundamental theoretical ideas in nanoplasmonics and selected experimental developments. It is designed both for specialists in the field and general physics readership.
Evaluating class III antiarrhythmic agents as novel MYC targeting drugs in ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the utility of amiodarone and its derivative dronedarone as novel drug repositioning candidates in EOC and to determine the potential pathways targeted by these drugs. Methods Drug-predict bioinformatics platform was used to assess the utility of amiodarone as a novel drug-repurposing candidate in EOC. EOC cells were treated with amiodarone and dronedarone. Cell death was assessed by Annexin V staining. Cell viability and cell survival were assessed by MTT and clonogenics assays respectively. c-MYC and mTOR/Akt axis were evaluated as potential targets. Effect on autophagy was determined by autophagy flux flow cytometry. Results "DrugPredict" bioinformatics platform ranked Class III antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone within the top 3.9% of potential EOC drug repositioning candidates which was comparable to carboplatin ranking in the top 3.7%. Amiodarone and dronedarone were the only Class III antiarrhythmic drugs that decreased the cellular survival of both cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant primary EOC cells. Interestingly, both drugs induced degradation of c-MYC protein and decreased the expression of known transcriptional targets of c-MYC. Furthermore, stable overexpression of non-degradable c-MYC partially rescued the effects of amiodarone and dronedarone induced cell death. Dronedarone induced higher autophagy flux in EOC cells as compared to amiodarone with decreased phospho-AKT and phospho-4EBP1 protein expression, suggesting autophagy induction due to inhibition of AKT/mTOR axis with these drugs. Lastly, both drugs also inhibited the survival of EOC tumor-initiating cells (TICs). Conclusions We provide the first evidence of class III antiarrhythmic agents as novel c-MYC targeting drugs and autophagy inducers in EOC. Since c-MYC is amplified in >40% ovarian tumors, our results provide the basis for repositioning amiodarone and dronedarone as novel c-MYC targeting drugs in EOC with potential extension to other cancers.