cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Karmarkar's Algorithm and Its Place in Applied Mathematics

This note is about one corner of mathematics that is still recovering from 1984. A lot was predicted for that year, but I doubt that Orwell expected much of a revolution in linear programming. Nevertheless it happened--and he would have approved. The challenge to authority was very direct. Narendra Karmarkar of ATT we do not know which constraints are active, with xj = 0 at the solution, and which are inactive. To try all combinations would be impossible. The natural idea in a nonlinear problem (it is the inequal
Gamma-ray detectors for breast imaging

Breast cancer is the most common cancer of American women and is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women aged 15 - 54; however recent years have shown that early detection using x-ray mammography can lead to a high probability of cure. However, because of mammography's low positive predictive value, surgical or core biopsy is typically required for diagnosis. In addition, the low radiographic contrast of many nonpalpable breast masses, particularly among women with radiographically dense breasts, results in an overall rate of 10% to 25% for missed tumors. Nuclear imaging of the breast using single gamma emitters (scintimammography) such as 99mTc, or positron emitters such as F-18- fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) for positron emission tomography (PET), can provide information on functional or metabolic tumor activity that is complementary to the structural information of x-ray mammography, thereby potentially reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies and missed cancers. This paper summarizes recent data on the efficacy of scintimammography using conventional gamma cameras, and describes the development of dedicated detectors for gamma emission breast imaging. The detectors use new, high density crystal scintillators and large area position sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PSPMTs). Detector design, imaging requirements, and preliminary measured imaging performance are discussed.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Use of Experimental Design in Educational Evaluation.

Considerable controversy has existed concerning the utility of experimental design in educational evaluation. The polar positions are that experimental design has no utility in educational evaluation and that experimental design is the only valid evaluation strategy. This article examines these positions in terms of conceptualizations of evaluation according to the‘LCIPP Evaluation Model “and of experimental design according to the “true comparative experiment.” An alternative position including three main points is developed: (a) The methodology of educational evaluation includes much more than the methodology of experimental design; (b) Experimental design does have potential utility in the areas of input and product evaluation, but not within the areas of context and process evaluation; (c) The utility of experimental design can be increased by following a set of procedures that do not require the use of common criterion instruments and uniform decision rules for all students in an experiment; this allows judgment of a program in terms of the number of students for whom it was successful.
160-fsec XeCl excimer amplifier system

An amplifier system based on XeCl gain modules, which, generates bandwidth-limited, 160-fsec, 308-nm, 12-mJ pulses, is described. The UV seed pulses are derived from a colliding-pulse mode-locked laser system.
MO-C-AUD-01: The Emerging Role of Imaging as a Biomarker for Response

Radiologic images have been used for decades to gauge the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions. In the areas of oncology, cardiovascular disease, neurology, arthritis and osteoporosis, imaging plays a vital role in decision‐making regarding effectiveness of therapy for an individual patient. Increasingly, imaging also is being utilized during all phases of therapeutic drug development, resulting in speedier drug discovery and, in some instances, ensuring a drug's safety. There has been an “explosion” in use of biomarkers in drug discovery. Many imaging biomarkers are already commonly used, such as tumor size measured at CT to reflect tumor burden;T2 hyperintensity detected at brain MR imaging to reflect the burden of Multiple Sclerosis; and bone density determined on DEXA studies to assess for osteoporosis. One major benefit of imaging biomarkers is that the findings may be evaluated and quantified for changes over time. Newer imaging biomarkers are also playing a role in drug discovery, such as dynamic contrast‐enhanced MR imaging to assess for vascular flow to tumors; molecular imaging in the functional evaluation of cardiac, neurologic and oncologic processes; and CT in the evaluation of cystic fibrosis. The complexity in imaging biomarkers is increasing not only with the number of available imaging and post‐processing techniques, but perhaps even more importantly, with the number and diversity of relevant therapeutic options. Increasingly, it is becoming clear that a single imaging biomarker alone can be misleading, but is more robust when combined with other imaging or non‐imaging biomarkers. Educational Objectives: 1. Understand the role of imaging in monitoring response to therapy. 2. Understand the issues and clinical complications of imaging as a biomarker. Research sponsored by Astrazeneca Corporation.
Gene therapy for hypertension: antisense inhibition with adeno-associated viral vector delivery targeting angiotensin II type 1 receptor messenger ribonucleic acid

T goal of gene therapy for hypertension is to provide treatment that decreases blood pressure for much longer than can be achieved using a single dose of currently available pharmacologic agents and with an equivalent or improved side-effects profile. Although many risk factors for the development of hypertension have been identified, the exact pathophysiologic mechanisms remain largely undefined. Hypertension is known to be a multifactorial disorder that is likely to involve a wide array of genes. Candidate genes that make attractive targets for investigation of potential therapeutic intervention include those regulating vasoconstrictors, such as renin–angiotensin, adrenergic, endothelin, and neuropeptide Y genes, and those regulating vasodilators, including genes for kallikrein, atrial natriuretic peptide, nitric oxide (NO), and calcitonin gene-related peptide. We have performed several studies to assess the potential for gene therapy targeting the renin–angiotensin system.
Photochemical electron transfer reactions of 4-trichloromethyl-4-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ones

Abstract Ultraviolet irradiation of the title compounds in amine solvents results in transformation attributed to initial formation of radical ions by electron transfer, the quantum efficiency of reaction depending on the ionization potential of the amine.
Effect of dried California Mission figs on mineral status and food replacement.

Objective Figs are a rich source of several different minerals and fibres. We studied the effect of the consumption of dried California Mission figs on mineral and nutrient levels, as well as the effect of the addition of figs to a self-selected habitual diet on dietary patterns. Design A crossover randomized controlled trial study design in which participants with a mean of age of approximately 56 years were randomly assigned to eat either their usual diet for 5 weeks or to add dried California Mission figs (120 g/d) to their usual diet for 5 weeks, after which they crossed over to the other group for an additional 5 weeks. Six 24 h dietary recalls and four blood samples were obtained from each participant. Setting Loma Linda University School of Public Health, USA. Subjects A follow-up study using data collected from eighty-eight American males and females from September to December 2008. Results Diets reported in the 24 h dietary recall during the fig-supplemented diet period were significantly higher in Ca and K in the dietary and total phase (P value<0·05). Nevertheless, data on mineral levels in the body gathered by means of biochemical analyses from blood samples were nearly the same for both the figs-added and the participants’ standard diet. The estimated displacement suggests that eating figs resulted in the elimination of 4 % of desserts, 5 % of vegetables, 10 % of dairy products, 23 % of grain products and 168 % of beverages from other sources that participants would otherwise consume. Conclusions Based on 24 h dietary recalls, the daily consumption of figs may increase the intake of several different minerals. However, mineral levels in blood samples were not altered significantly.
Sensitivity of MRI of the spine compared with CT myelography in orthostatic headache with CSF leak

Objective: To investigate the sensitivity of MRI of the spine compared with CT myelography (CTM) in detecting CSF leaks. Methods: Between July 1998 and October 2010, 12 patients with orthostatic headache and a CTM-confirmed spinal CSF leak underwent an MRI of the spine with and without contrast. Using CTM as the gold standard, we retrospectively investigated the sensitivity of spinal MRI in detecting a CSF leak. Results: Eleven of 12 patients with a CSF leak documented by CTM also had extradural fluid collections on spinal MRI (sensitivity 91.7%). Six patients with extradural fluid collections on spinal MRI also had spinal dural enhancement. Conclusion: When compared with the gold standard of CTM, MRI of the spine appears to be a sensitive and less invasive imaging modality for detecting a spinal CSF leak, suggesting that MRI of the spine should be the imaging modality of first choice for the detection of spinal CSF leaks.
Focus Issue: Signals for Gene Expression

This Focus Issue of Science Signaling complements the Science Special Issue on Epigenetics (http://www.sciencemag.org/special/epigenetics/) with articles describing gene regulatory events. Highlights include signaling pathways that alter epigenetic patterning, transcriptional network organization, and posttranscriptional regulation of signaling molecules by microRNAs.
Set membership identification in digital signal processing

Set membership (SM) identification refers to a class of techniques for estimating parameters of linear systems or signal models under a priori information that constrains the solutions to certain sets. When data do not help refine these membership sets, the effort of updating the parameter estimates at those points can be avoided. An intuitive development is given, first in one dimension and then in the general case, of an SM algorithm based on least-squares estimation. Two useful versions of the method are described, one of which can be implemented on a systolic array processor. The relationship of the featured SM method to both historical and current developments is discussed. Application to real speech data illustrates the developments. >
Hindlimb unloading rodent model: technical aspects.

Since its inception at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center in the mid-1970s, many laboratories around the world have used the rat hindlimb unloading model to simulate weightlessness and to study various aspects of musculoskeletal loading. In this model, the hindlimbs of rodents are elevated to produce a 30 degrees head-down tilt, which results in a cephalad fluid shift and avoids weightbearing by the hindquarters. Although several reviews have described scientific results obtained with this model, this is the first review to focus on the technical aspects of hindlimb unloading. This review includes a history of the technique, a brief comparison with spaceflight data, technical details, extension of the model to mice, and other important technical considerations (e.g., housing, room temperature, unloading angle, the potential need for multiple control groups, age, body weight, the use of the forelimb tissues as internal controls, and when to remove animals from experiments). This paper is intended as a reference for researchers, reviewers of manuscripts, and institutional animal care and use committees. Over 800 references, related to the hindlimb unloading model, can be accessed via the electronic version of this article.
Understanding the Evolutionary Process of Grammatical Evolution Neural Networks for Feature Selection in Genetic Epidemiology

The identification of genetic factors/features that predict complex diseases is an important goal of human genetics. The commonality of gene-gene interactions in the underlying genetic architecture of common diseases presents a daunting analytical challenge. Previously, we introduced a grammatical evolution neural network (GENN) approach that has high power to detect such interactions in the absence of any marginal main effects. While the success of this method is encouraging, it elicits questions regarding the evolutionary process of the algorithm itself and the feasibility of scaling the method to account for the immense dimensionality of datasets with enormous numbers of features. When the features of interest show no main effects, how is GENN able to build correct models? How and when should evolutionary parameters be adjusted according to the scale of a particular dataset? In the current study, we monitor the performance of GENN during its evolutionary process using different population sizes and numbers of generations. We also compare the evolutionary characteristics of GENN to that of a random search neural network strategy to better understand the benefits provided by the evolutionary learning process - including advantages with respect to chromosome size and the representation of functional versus non-functional features within the models generated by the two approaches. Finally, we apply lessons from the characterization of GENN to analyses of datasets containing increasing numbers of features to demonstrate the scalability of the method
Predicting variability in nanoscale lithography processes

As lithography process nodes shrink to sub-wavelength levels generating acceptable layout patterns becomes a challenging problem. Traditionally, complex convolution based lithography simulations are used to estimate areas of high variability. These methods are slow and infeasible for large scale full chip analysis. This work proposes a solution to this problem by using machine learning techniques to identify layout areas that are more prone to variability. A novel target layout representation is proposed, and the latest support vector machine (SVM) algorithms are used to detect variability within standard cells and between cells in a simulated full chip layout.
Mutagenesis of the Bacterial RNA Polymerase Alpha Subunit for Improvement of Complex Phenotypes

Combinatorial or random methods for strain engineering have been extensively used for the improvement of multigenic phenotypes and other traits for which the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Although the preferred method has traditionally been mutagenesis and selection, our laboratory has successfully used mutant transcription factors, which direct the RNA polymerase (RNAP) during transcription, to engineer complex phenotypes in microbial cells. Here, we show that it is also possible to impart new phenotypes by altering the RNAP core enzyme itself, in particular through mutagenesis of the alpha subunit of the bacterial polymerase. We present the use of this tool for improving tolerance of Escherichia coli to butanol and other solvents and for increasing the titers of two commercially relevant products, L-tyrosine and hyaluronic acid. In addition, we explore the underlying physiological changes that give rise to the solvent-tolerant mutant.
Role of Ligand Reorganization and Conformational Restraints on the Binding Free Energies of DAPY Non-Nucleoside Inhibitors to HIV Reverse Transcriptase.

The results of computer simulations of the binding of etravirine (TMC125) and rilpivirine (TMC278) to HIV reverse transcriptase are reported. It is confirmed that consistent binding free energy estimates are obtained with or without the application of torsional restraints when the free energies of imposing the restraints are taken into account. The restraints have a smaller influence on the thermodynamics and apparent kinetics of binding of TMC125 compared to the more flexible TMC278 inhibitor. The concept of the reorganization free energy of binding is useful to understand and categorize these effects. Contrary to expectations, the use of conformational restraints did not consistently enhance convergence of binding free energy estimates due to suppression of binding/unbinding pathways and due to the influence of rotational degrees of freedom not directly controlled by the restraints. Physical insights concerning the thermodynamic driving forces for binding and the role of “jiggling” and “wiggling” motion of the ligands are discussed. Based on these insights we conclude that an ideal inhibitor, if chemically realizable, would possess the electrostatic charge distribution of TMC125, so as to form strong interactions with the receptor, and the larger and more flexible substituents of TMC278, so as to minimize reorganization free energy penalties and the effects of resistance mutations, suitably modified, as in TMC125, so as to disfavor the formation of non-binding competent extended conformations when free in solution.
Effect of Magnetic vs Sham-Magnetic Insoles on Nonspecific Foot Pain in the Workplace: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE To determine whether magnetic insoles are effective for relieving nonspecific subjective foot pain in the workplace, resulting in improved job satisfaction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of health care employees who experienced nonspecific foot pain for at least 30 days, which occurred more days than not, was conducted between February 2001 and January 2002 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Participants were asked to wear either magnetic or sham-magnetic cushioned insoles for at least 4 hours daily, 4 days per week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome variable was reported foot pain (by categorical response of change from baseline and by visual analog scale) at 4 and 8 weeks. Secondary outcome variables included graded intensity of pain experienced during various daily activities and the effect of insoles on job performance and enjoyment. RESULTS Among 89 enrolled participants, 6 either withdrew before wearing insoles or were noncompliant with follow-up questionnaires; 83 participants remained for full statistical analysis. Participants in both treatment groups reported improvements in foot pain during the study period. No significant differences in categorical response to pain or pain intensity were seen with use of magnetic vs sham-magnetic insoles. CONCLUSIONS The magnetic insoles used in this study by a heterogeneous population with chronic nonspecific foot pain were not clinically effective. Findings confirmed that nonspecific foot pain significantly interferes with some employees' ability to enjoy their jobs and that treatment of that pain improves job satisfaction.
Chemical sensing with switchable transport channels in graphene grain boundaries

Grain boundaries can markedly affect the electronic, thermal, mechanical and optical properties of a polycrystalline graphene. While in many applications the presence of grain boundaries in graphene is undesired, here we show that they have an ideal structure for the detection of chemical analytes. We observe that an isolated graphene grain boundary has ~300 times higher sensitivity to the adsorbed gas molecules than a single-crystalline graphene grain. Our electronic structure and transport modelling reveal that the ultra-sensitivity in grain boundaries is caused by a synergetic combination of gas molecules accumulation at the grain boundary, together with the existence of a sharp onset energy in the transmission spectrum of its conduction channels. The discovered sensing platform opens up new pathways for the design of nanometre-scale highly sensitive chemical detectors.
Experiments with an automated visual inspection system

Experiments were performed with the JPL automated visual inspection system that detects potential flaws in the exterior of the Space Station by comparing reference and comparison images. The imaging system consists of cameras, strobe lights, an image processor, and a simulated sunlight source. Two color CCD cameras with electronic shuttering (Toshiba IK-M41A) and two strobe lights (EGG to 100% intensity. Electronic shuttering with synchronized strobe lighting reduces false flaws considerably. As exposure shortens from 1/60 (fully open) to 1/1000 second, false flaws decrease 100-fold from 0.4% to 0.004%. The current registration algorithm corrects a very limited range of misregistration, correcting approximately 4 pixels of pure translational shifts over the inspection surface. A more robust image registration algorithm that can correct both translational and rotational shifts over 10 pixels misregistration would be highly desirable.
Theoretical study of the hydrophobic character of the dimerization of dexanabinol

An extensive theoretical study of the dimers of dexanabinol and related compounds has been performed at the ab initio Hartree–Fock (HF)/6-31G** and B3LYP/6-31G** levels. Theoretical calculations indicate that the most stable conformer of dexanabinol does not have intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The most stable dimer of dexanabinol forms intermolecular hydrogen bonds in which the phenol groups act as hydrogen bond donors and the allylic OH groups as acceptors is energetically more favored. The dimer results agree with previous PM3 results. In addition, the interaction of dexanabinol with two water molecules was studied. The effects of solvation were calculated with the Onsager model with full geometry optimization. The solvation results indicate that the most stable dimer of dexanabinol is affected little by solvation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Dual suppression of estrogenic and inflammatory activities for targeting of endometriosis

Estrogenic and inflammatory components play key roles in a broad range of diseases including endometriosis, a common estrogen-dependent gynecological disorder in which endometrial tissue creates inflammatory lesions at extrauterine sites, causing pelvic pain and reduced fertility. Current medical therapies focus primarily on reducing systemic levels of estrogens, but these are of limited effectiveness and have considerable side effects. We developed estrogen receptor (ER) ligands, chloroindazole (CLI) and oxabicycloheptene sulfonate (OBHS), which showed strong ER-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in a preclinical model of endometriosis that recapitulates the estrogen dependence and inflammatory responses of the disease in immunocompetent mice and in primary human endometriotic stromal cells in culture. Estrogen-dependent phenomena, including cell proliferation, cyst formation, vascularization, and lesion growth, were all arrested by CLI or OBHS, which prevented lesion expansion and also elicited regression of established lesions, suppressed inflammation, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis in the lesions, and interrupted crosstalk between lesion cells and infiltrating macrophages. Studies in ERα or ERβ knockout mice indicated that ERα is the major mediator of OBHS effectiveness and ERβ is dominant in CLI actions, implying involvement of both ERs in endometriosis. Neither ligand altered estrous cycling or fertility at doses that were effective for suppression of endometriosis. Hence, CLI and OBHS are able to restrain endometriosis by dual suppression of the estrogen-inflammatory axis. Our findings suggest that these compounds have the desired characteristics of preventive and therapeutic agents for clinical endometriosis and possibly other estrogen-driven and inflammation-promoted disorders.
Efficacy of myonuclear addition may explain differential myofiber growth among resistance-trained young and older men and women

Skeletal muscle stem (satellite) cells supporting growth/regeneration are thought to be activated and incorporated into growing myofibers by both endocrine and locally expressed autocrine/paracrine...
Characterization of the Onset of Menopause in the Rhesus Macaque

The objective of this study was to assess ovarian activity in a cohort of aged female rhesus macaques. Menstrual records for 26 rhesus macaques ages 20-29 yr were evaluated over a 1-yr period, and daily urinary estrone conjugate (E1C) and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (Hygeia [Hy]-PdG) levels were determined for 12 wk. Each animal was categorized as either pre-, peri-, or postmenopausal based on menstrual and hormonal data. Eleven animals (mean age 22.5 yr) were premenopausal, thirteen (mean age 24 yr) were perimenopausal, and two (mean age 29.5 yr) were postmenopausal. Hormone profiles for perimenopausal animals reveal prolonged follicular phases and/or a lack of patterned Hy-PdG dynamics. Breakthrough bleeding occurred in four of these perimenopausal animals. The postmenopausal animals were amenorrheic and exhibited low E1C levels (less than 10 ng/mg creatinine). The results of this study illustrate that the decline of ovarian function in female macaques during the third decade of life parallels the menstrual and hormonal events associated with the climacteric in women, and that menopause does occur in rhesus macaques.
The barotropic stability of the mean winds in the atmosphere

This paper considers the stability of a barotropic current on a beta earth. The motion is assumed to be horizontal, non-divergent and barotropic. The current is taken to be of the form U(y) = A sech 2 by + B . The perturbations are required to approach zero as y approaches ± ∞. We introduce the non-dimensional wave-number l and a parameter χ, which is a measure of the rotation effect. χ is inversely proportional to β. There are only two kinds of perturbations: symmetric disturbances (those with maximum amplitude at y = 0) and antisymmetric disturbances (those with zero amplitude at y = 0). We find the neutral curve in the (χ, l 2 )-plane for both types of disturbances. The rates of amplification in the immediate vicinity of the neutral curves are also found. It is seen that the beta effect, which is due to the earth's rotation, tends to stabilize the current. For the symmetric disturbances we find a band of unstable wavelengths when χ > 1/2; and for large χ the estimated curve of the maximum value of the imaginary part of the phase velocity is asymptotic to the lower branch of the neutral curve. The antisymmetric disturbances are more stable than the symmetric disturbances.
Seasonal Propagation of Sea Level along the Equator in the Atlantic

In the equatorial Atlantic the sea surface height (SSH) anomaly field is dominated by an annual signal propagating eastward. This signal has been previously interpreted in terms of propagating waves. In this article it is argued that this propagating signal is not a free equatorial Kelvin wave because the phase velocity observed is too small compared to first, second, or third baroclinic mode Kelvin waves, and is not the result of an equatorial forced wave because the zonal wind stress does not show a similar propagation. Rather, it is suggested that the eastward propagation in SSH is due to the sum of two independent modes of variability: one mainly driven by the wind stress curl off the equator, and the other driven by the zonal wind stress along the equator. These two modes are uncorrelated in time and space and therefore can be conveniently separated by an empirical orthogonal function analysis of the equatorial Atlantic sea surface height. The first mode explains 74% of the variance, is one-signed in longitude, and is interpreted as the variability of the warm water volume above the thermocline. The second mode explains 24% of the variance, consists of an east‐west tilt along the equator, and is driven by variations of the zonal equatorial wind stress.
Spatial Vibration Control of Thin Beams Using Multimode Modified Positive Position Feedback

Spatial multimode resonant vibration suppression using Modified Positive Position Feedback (MPPF) approach is presented in this paper. Spatial implementation of the MPPF controller considers vibration attenuation in the whole structure, rather than on a limited number of local control points. This approach utilizes spatial norm minimization of H2 and H∞, which considers vibration amplitude of all points on the structure in a model-based design. The designed controller is then evaluated using a clamped-clamped (c-c) and a cantilever beam as the test platforms. According to the numerical simulations and experimental results, spatial MPPF controller using both norm minimization techniques provides a high level of vibration suppression all over the structure, and for all active resonant modes. The MPPF-H∞ controlled system has a smoother response in the frequency domain, which is more preferable when the closed-loop system experiences a frequency sweep disturbance. At exact resonant frequency however, experimental results confirm a better suppression performance using the spatial MPPF-H2 method on different points of both beam structures.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Optimal Reliability Allocation with Discrete Cost-Reliability Data for Components

This paper addresses the optimal allocation of reliability among components that are to be assembled into a system. While it is a generally accepted notion that a component's cost is an increasing function of its reliability, most research to date adopts exponentially increasing, closed-form functions to relate cost and reliability. However, in practice such functions are often unknown or difficult to construct, and it is often more reasonable to describe cost-reliability relationships via discrete data sets. We consider such situations, where each component is available at several reliability levels with corresponding costs. The design optimization problem results in a nonlinear integer program. Because every system configuration has an equivalent representation as either a series connection of parallel subsystems or a parallel connection of series subsystems, we provide formulations, linear relaxations, and algorithms for these two.
Content Validity and Cognitive Tests: Response to Kehoe (), Ployhart (), and Sackett ()

The most important fact emerging from the combination of my article and the three commentaries is the consensus judgment that content validity is appropriate scientifically and professionally for use with tests of specific cognitive skills used in job performance. This is important because the 1978 Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures have typically been interpreted as not permitting such usage, and this is particularly the case in the interpretation given to the Guidelines by federal government enforcement agencies. Although the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Principles and the Standards do not prohibit such usage, many industrial–organizational psychologists believe that it is not professionally or scientifically appropriate to employ content validity methods with cognitive measures. The hope is that this series will convince them otherwise. On this point, all four authors in the series are in agreement. The major disagreement among us concerns whether specific cognitive skills used in content valid tests must be considered constructs or not. My position, and apparently that of Kehoe, is that they need not be so considered. I argue that constructs must be invoked only in the context of a substantive theory. Sackett and Ployhart, on the other hand, argue that all measures taken on people must be viewed as constructs, regardless of whether any theoretical propositions and assumptions are involved. In this response, I present reasons why this need not be the case.
Decidual luteotropin secretion and action: its role in pregnancy maintenance in the rat.

The decidual tissue is the result of proliferation, hypertrophy and differentiation of endometrial cells. Decidualization of the endometrial stroma accompanies implantation in several mammalian species. Man and other primate species exhibit this phenomenon, and several rodent species, of which the rat is a fine example, exhibit it to marked degree (De Feo, 1967). In humans, decidualization occurs normally with each menstrual cycle. In other species, including the rat, decidual tissue does not develop unless a stimulus is applied to a sensitized uterus. This stimulus may be either the contact of the blastocyst with the endometrium or artificial stimulation of the uterus (Lobel et al., 1965). The ability of the rat uterus to respond, however, depends on the completion of a basic hormonal sequence: exposure to progesterone for at least 48 h and to a minute amount of estrogen at the end of this period (Psychoyos, 1973; Glasser and McCormack, 1980). A state of peak uterine sensitivity then results 20–24 h following the completion of this sequence. In normal pregnancy and pseudopregnancy this occurs on day 5 (De Feo, 1967; Psychoyos, 1973), at which time the uterus is capable of responding to a variety of stimuli which elicit the decidual response. Stromal cells proliferate, hypertrophy and differentiate into decidual cells between the 5th and 11th day. Following this period, no evidence for further growth is seen. Regression of the decidual tissue begins on day 12 and necrotic changes are extensive by day 15.
Candidate proteasome inhibitors that prevent E6 mediated p53 degradation and selectively kill HPV+ cervical cancer cells

A211 Cervical cancer caused by the high-risk strains of Human papillomavirus (HPV) and levels of the tumor suppressor protein p53 were found to be unusually low due to the presence of E6 and E7 proteins encoded by the oncogenic HPV. Expression of Human papillomavirus E6 and E7 is necessary to maintain the transformed state of cervical cancer cells. The E6 promoted degradation of p53 involves the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and represents a major mechanism, by which virus transforms the host cells. The ability of E6 to target multiple cellular tumor suppressor proteins, notably p53 and several PDZ family numbers enforces the necessity for the development of potential therapeutic targets for the rapid proteolytic degradation. Initial studies with only licensed proteasome inhibitor, Bortezomib (Velcade/PS-341) indicated a therapeutic index in HPV transformed as compared to HPV negative cervical cancer lines, and immortalized or primary keratinocytes, suggesting the promise of this approach. Indeed, Bortezomib (1mg/kg, twice weekly) significantly retarded the growth of the HPV18-transformed HeLa cell xenograft. However, although Bortezomib restored the expression of wild type p53 in several cervical cancer cell lines, it had no effect upon expression of several important PDZ tumor suppressors, hDlg, hScribble, hMAGI family. Therefore, we began an effort to develop potent second generation proteasome inhibitors that prevent E6-mediated degradation of more of its target cellular proteins based on our previously published compound 3,5-bis-(4-boronic acid-benzylidene)-1-methyl-piperidin-4-one(AM114). Through a series of modifications of this family, including attachment of various peptides to target different proteolytic activities of the proteasome, we have explored the chemical space surrounding this compound to develop comprehensive structure activity relationships. The new lead compound, AMV-146 exhibits a Ki of ~2µM for in vitro killing of HeLa and CaSki cells (HPV18 and HPV16 transformed cells respectively). AMV-146 restored wild type p53 expression in HeLa, and HPV16-transformed SiHa and CaSki cells, but had no effect upon p53 expression in HPV-negative HT3 cells and the spontaneously immortalized keratinocyte line HaCaT. Two related compounds, KI-VI-58 and KI-VI-55 exhibit Ki of ~2µM and 2.5µM against both HeLa and CaSki cells.
The American in Mexican Literature

If we trace the development of the attitudes and opinions of American and Mexican authors regarding the nature of the people and the cultures of these two neighboring nations, we discover a striking difference. They start at opposite extremes, cross, and end up in each other's camp. The general attitude of the American authors, as has been amply documented by Cecil Robinson, is most antagonistic during the early and middle years of the nineteenth century; it mellows during the years between the centuries, and becomes sympathetic after the first World War, especially during the last few decades.' No American author today would use such derogatory remarks as were frequent in earlier writings such as the dime novels, which gave preference to the frontier conflict with the Hispanic people of the Southwest. But even writers of world stature such as Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, William Prescott, Walt Whitman, and Richard Henry Dana expressed negative opinions about Mexico and its people. Prescott, for example, considered the Mexican of his time to be a "degenerate descendant of the Aztecs."2 Whitman, in a perhaps unguarded moment, wrote: "What has miserable, inefficient Mexico, with her superstition, her burlesques upon freedom, her tyranny of the few over the manywhat has she to do with the great mission of peopling the New World with a noble race? Be it ours, to achieve that mission!"3 On the other hand, Mexican writers of the same period were surprisingly benevolent towards the Americans. When Prescott's History of the Conquest of Mexico appeared, it was immediately translated and published in Mexico City. As a matter of fact, two translations appeared one year after its original publication in English. One of the versions was published with a long commentary by the historian Jose Fernando Ramirez who, although conscious of Prescott's arrogant attitude towards the Mexico of his time, was moderate in his criticism. He commented:
Toward a risk management system for Chinese oil companies operating overseas

For Chinese oil companies,some of the major risks involved in operating overseas include law and policy changes in resource-rich nations,along with geopolitical,market and personnel security risks.With their long history of doing business overseas,international oil companies have considerable experience in handling risks.Most have developed risk alert and management systems for specific service units or for their entire chain of operations,often allowing them to take effective measures to avoid or disperse risks beforehand, and to efficiently handle any risks they do encounter.This keeps impact and losses at a minimum.Chinese oil companies operating overseas should put a priority on developing a risk- management culture,utilize the latest internal control and risk management software on the international market,build corporate risk management systems,step up training for multi- functional risk management teams,and strengthen oversight of their overseas portfolios.
Patient Satisfaction With Point-of-Care Laboratory Testing: Report of a Quality Improvement Program in an Ambulatory Practice of an Academic Medical Center

Background: Point-of-care laboratory testing (POCT) offers reduced turnaround time and may facilitate medical decision-making and improve clinical operations. However, there is very little published data concerning the impact of POCT …
Resistance to Wheat streak mosaic virus and Triticum mosaic virus in wheat lines carrying Wsm1 and Wsm3

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV) are important viruses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Great Plains of United States. In addition to agronomic practices to prevent damage from these viruses, temperature sensitive resistance genes Wsm1, Wsm2 and Wsm3, have been identified. However, threshold temperatures for Wsm1 and Wsm3 have not been clearly defined. To better understand these two resistance genes, wheat lines C.I.15092 (Wsm1), KS96HW10–3 (Wsm1), and KS12WGGRC59 (Wsm3) were evaluated for WSMV resistance at 27, 30, 33 and 35 °C and for TriMV resistance at 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and 35 °C. The results showed that only C.I.15092 remained resistant at 30 °C for both viruses. This line also tolerated TriMV at 33 and 35 °C with less sever symptom and lower infection rates. Wheat lines KS96HW10–3 and KS12WGGRC59 hold resistance to TriMV up to 21 °C. Molecular marker results suggested that the resistance in C.I.15092 is most probably conditioned by the resistance gene Wsm1 and additional gene(s) other than Wsm2 and Wsm3.
Franklin's Turn: Imperial Politics and the Coming of the American Revolution

ON JANUARY 29, 1774, Benjamin Franklin stood silently in the Privy Council chamber (popularly known as the Cockpit), representing a Massachusetts petition to oust its current governorand lieutenant governor, Thomas Hutchinson and Andrew Oliver.Spectators quickly filled all available seats in the chamber, leaving minimalstanding room. As Franklin noted, “there never was such an appearance of privy counsellors on any occasion, not less than thirty-five, besides an immense crowd of other auditors.” They came, Franklin stated, to see some “entertainment.” Alexander Wedderburn, solicitor general and counsel for Hutchinson and Oliver, gave the crowd their show by verbally attacking Franklin for over an hour. Amid a cheering, laughing, and clapping multitude, Wedderburn slammed his fist into a pillow situated on the table in front of him as he called Franklin a thief, an “incendiary,” and a man who “moves in a very inferior orbit.”
Wavelet Filter Design for Pavement Roughness Analysis

Control and characterization of pavement roughness is a major quality assurance requirement. With emerging technologies in real-time monitoring and increasingly stringent requirements to minimize localized roughness features, there is an opportunity to improve upon the traditional quarter-car QC algorithm used to qualify roughness. Current methods suffer from phase lag that mislocates roughness features and require relatively long profiles to achieve high accuracy. In this study, continuous and discrete wavelet bases were modified in the frequency domain to design 116 new QC-wavelet filters in the spatial domain that were used to analyze 30 road profiles. QC-wavelet filters were compared to the currently used finite difference algorithm and filtering in the frequency domain. QC-wavelet filters design based on a Daubechies and nonanalytic Morlet i.e., db21 and morl0 wavelets outperformed the other filters and algorithms in terms of characterizing overall profiles and accurately quantifying localized features. The major advantages of the new approach include accurately estimating the position and severity of localized feature, and accurately analyzing short profile segments i.e., <7.62 m.
Through a Glass, Clearly

The issue of sexual boundary violations in our profession is discussed from the vantage point of a faculty member. The major issues that require attention include creation of a safe and secure environment for candidates, dispelling denial, combating mystification, and metabolizing the strong feelings generated by such a breach. Addressing these issues assures a minimization of the possibility of enactment of the violation on an institutional level. It is only in doing so that we create the therapeutic holding environment for the teaching and learning of psychoanalysis to occur.
Hospital Variation in Rates of New Institutionalizations Within 6 Months of Discharge

Objectives Hospitalization in community-dwelling elderly is often accompanied by functional loss, increasing the risk for continued functional decline and future institutionalization. The primary objective of our study was to examine the hospital-level variation in rates of new institutionalizations among Medicare beneficiaries. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Hospitals and nursing homes. Participants Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries discharged from 4,469 hospitals in 2013 (N = 4,824,040). Measurements New institutionalization, defined as new long term care nursing home residence (not skilled nursing facility) of at least 90 days duration within 6 months of hospital discharge. Results The overall observed rate of new institutionalizations was 3.6% (N = 173,998). Older age, white race, Medicaid eligibility, longer hospitalization, and having a skilled nursing facility stay over the 6 months before hospitalization were associated with higher adjusted odds. Observed rates ranged from 0.9% to 5.9% across states. The variation in rates attributable to the hospital after adjusting for case-mix and state was 5.1%. Odds were higher for patients treated in smaller (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.27–1.45, ≤50 vs >500 beds), government owned (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.09–1.21 compared to for-profit), limited medical school affiliation (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.07–1.19 compared to major) hospitals and lower for patients treated in urban hospitals (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.76–0.82 compared to rural). Higher Summary Star ratings (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67–0.93, five vs one stars) and Overall Hospital Rating (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.57–0.67, ratings of 9–10 vs 0) were associated with lower odds of institutionalization. Conclusion Hospitalization may be a critical period for preventing future institutionalization among elderly patients. The variation in rates across hospitals and its association with hospital quality ratings suggest some of these institutionalizations are avoidable and may represent targets for care improvement.
Macro‐level diffusion of a methodological knowledge innovation: Research synthesis methods, 1972–2011

Use of research synthesis methods has contributed to changes in research practices. In disciplinary literatures, authors indicate motivations to use the methods include needs to (a) translate research-based knowledge to inform practice and policy decisions, and (b) integrate relatively large and diverse knowledge bases to increase the generality of results and yield novel insights or explanations. This review presents two histories of the diffusion of research synthesis methods: a narrative history based primarily in the health and social sciences; and a bibliometric overview across science broadly. Engagement with research synthesis was strongly correlated with evidence-based practice (EBP), and moderately with review prevalence. The social sciences were most diverse in terms of when research synthesis was adopted. Technology, physical sciences, and math appear to be relatively resistant though fields such as physics may be considered to have used similar methods long ago. Additional research is needed to assess the consequences of adoption within fields, including changes in how researchers engage with knowledge resources. This review demonstrates that particularistic histories of science and technology may be fruitfully augmented with informetrics to examine how disciplinary diffusion narratives coincide with patterns across science more broadly, thereby opening up disciplinary knowledge to inform future research.
Engineering Hydrogel Microenvironments to Recapitulate the Stem Cell Niche.

Stem cells are a powerful resource for many applications including regenerative medicine, patient-specific disease modeling, and toxicology screening. However, eliciting the desired behavior from stem cells, such as expansion in a naive state or differentiation into a particular mature lineage, remains challenging. Drawing inspiration from the native stem cell niche, hydrogel platforms have been developed to regulate stem cell fate by controlling microenvironmental parameters including matrix mechanics, degradability, cell-adhesive ligand presentation, local microstructure, and cell-cell interactions. We survey techniques for modulating hydrogel properties and review the effects of microenvironmental parameters on maintaining stemness and controlling differentiation for a variety of stem cell types. Looking forward, we envision future hydrogel designs spanning a spectrum of complexity, ranging from simple, fully defined materials for industrial expansion of stem cells to complex, biomimetic systems for organotypic cell culture models.