cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the reliability of statistical body surface potential map classification

The maximal distance between samples taken from the same multivariate distributions was studied experimentally as a function of the sample size and dimensionality using body surface potential map (BSPM) data from normal subjects. Experimental findings show that for a given sample size, the involvement of too many parameters (dimensionality) results in an unreliable conditional cumulative probability density (CCPD) estimate. Consequently, the diagnostic performance during classification can be significantly lower than anticipated on the basis of an inadequate training set. For a given sample size, there is an optimal dimensionality, below which representation accuracy and above which the CCPD estimation reliability are heavily compromised. >
Institutions and development: the primacy of microanalysis

In recent years, there have been major advances in the empirical analysis of the link between institutions and development. However, a number of methodological problems – both theoretical and empirical – remain unresolved and have been well articulated by Ha-Joon Chang in his article ‘Institutions and Economic Development: Theory, Policy and History’. These problems raise valid concerns about the policy relevance of the evidence arising from the studies. A more reliable approach to study the link between institutions and development and overcome the inherent problems of cross-country empirical analysis is to direct focus to microeconomic analysis of institutions. Such an approach avoids ideologically driven normative judgments about the superiority of particular institutional arrangements and also offers a more credible and tractable avenue to investigate institutional change.
Advertising.com mobile optimization

The number of mobile-connected devices has been growing at a tremendous rate in recent years. These increasingly powerful tablets and smartphones are portable and personal, giving advertisers the potential to reach consumers on a one-on-one basis with personalized advertisements based on location, recent behaviors, and much more. A substantial difference between mobile media usage and mobile advertising spending suggests a significant growth opportunity in the mobile advertising market. Our work involves improving the decision-making technology used by Advertising.com, a large online advertising network, as it attempts to increase its presence in the mobile advertising market. We examined the factors that differentiate mobile consumers in order to target them more effectively, and drive the direction of Advertising.com's future mobile optimization technology development. Data was available to us from Advertising.com's back-end database, as well as in its front-end campaign reporting system. To investigate this data and determine the most valuable mobile variables, we performed data analysis utilizing tools including Microsoft Excel, R, SQL, and Minitab. We also leveraged Advertising.com's existing decision algorithm, AdLearn, as well as looked to existing mobile advertising studies. Our analyses indicate several factors are influential in the effectiveness of mobile advertisements including hour of day, day of week and device type. We found that mobile campaigns perform best during the morning hours and late at night in terms of both impressions and conversions. Also, we found that weekends have statistically superior conversion rates.
The HIV Protease Inhibitor Indinavir Decreases Insulin- and Contraction-Stimulated Glucose Transport in Skeletal Muscle

In many patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treated with HIV protease inhibitors, a complication develops that resembles abdominal obesity syndrome, with insulin resistance and glucose intolerance that, in some cases, progresses to diabetes. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that indinavir, an HIV-protease inhibitor, directly induces insulin resistance of glucose transport in skeletal muscle. Rat epitrochlearis muscles were incubated with a maximally effective insulin concentration (12 nmol/l) and 0, 1, 5, 20, or 40 micromol/l indinavir for 4 h. In control muscles, insulin increased 3-O-[(3)H]methyl-D-glucose (3MG) transport from 0.15 +/- 0.03 to 1.10 +/- 0.05 micromol. ml(-)(1). 10 min(-)(1). Incubation of muscles with 5 micromol/l indinavir reduced the insulin-stimulated increase in 3MG transport by 40%, whereas 20 micromol/l indinavir reduced the insulin-stimulated increase in 3MG transport by 58%. Indinavir induced a similar reduction in maximally insulin-stimulated 3MG transport in the soleus muscle. The increase in glucose transport activity induced by stimulating epitrochlearis muscles to contract was also markedly reduced by indinavir. The insulin-stimulated increase in cell-surface GLUT4, assessed using the 2-N-4-(1-azi-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)benzoyl-1,3-bis-[2-(3)H] (D-mannose-4-yloxy)-2-propylamine exofacial photolabeling technique, was reduced by approximately 70% in the presence of 20 micromol/l indinavir. Insulin stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity and phosphorylation of protein kinase B were not decreased by indinavir. These results provide evidence that indinavir inhibits the translocation or intrinsic activity of GLUT4 rather than insulin signaling.
A Quantitative Approach to Measure Quality-Based Competitiveness of an Organization

The operations strategy literature has identified four primary dimensions on which a firm competes with another. These are: price, quality, flexibility, and delivery dependability. Of these, quality is perhaps the most critical dimension in terms of the influence a competitive dimension exercises on the competitiveness of a firm. In this paper, we propose a quantitative measure--Quality-Competitiveness Index (QCI)--to determine the degree to which a firm's quality practices and policies are instrumental in improving its competitiveness. The QCI can be effectively employed for benchmarking among competing firms. More importantly, however, the process involved in the determination of a QCI is itself an educative one. It brings weaknesses and strengths of a company with respect to its quality practices and policies to the surfaces with pinpoint accuracy and can, therefore, be usefully employed to improve its quality competitiveness in an effective manner.
Dialogic Argumentation as a Vehicle for Developing Young Adolescents’ Thinking

Argumentive reasoning skills are featured in the new K–12 Common Standards (Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2010), yet with little said about their nature or how to instill them. Distinguishing reasoning skills from writing skills, we report on a multiyear intervention that used electronically conducted dialogues on social issues as the medium to develop argumentive reasoning skills in two cohorts of young adolescents. Intervention groups demonstrated transfer of the dialogic activity to two individual essays on new topics; argument quality for these groups exceeded that of comparison groups who participated in an intervention involving the more face-valid activity of extensive essay writing practice, along with whole-class discussion. The intervention group also demonstrated greater awareness of the relevance of evidence to argument. The dialogic method thus appears to be a viable one for developing cognitive skills that the comparison-group data show do not routinely develop during this age period.
GluR5 kainate receptor mediated synaptic transmission in rat basolateral amygdala in vitro

A non-NMDA and non-AMPA receptor mediated excitatory synaptic response was identified in intracellularly recorded basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons in an in vitro slice preparation. Synaptic potentials were evoked by stimulation of either the external capsule (EC) or basal amygdala (BA). NMDA and GABAA receptors were blocked by inclusion of 100 μM (±)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid and 10 μM bicuculline in the perfusion solution. The AMPA receptor-selective allosteric antagonists GYKI 52466 (50 μM) and GYKI 53655 (50 μM) partially suppressed depolarizing synaptic responses evoked by single shock EC stimulation, but fully blocked synaptic responses evoked by BA stimulation. In recordings carried out in the presence of the AMPA receptor antagonists, EC stimulation with pulse trains (5–8 pulses at 50–100 Hz) evoked a large increase in the amplitude of synaptic responses. The AMPA receptor-independent component of the train-induced synaptic response had a null potential near 0 mV. Such AMPA receptor-independent, train-evoked synaptic responses were largely blocked by the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (20 μM; 85±4%). In addition, the responses were blocked by the GluR5-selective kainate receptor antagonist LY293558 (10 μM; 95±2%). These results indicate that a component of the EC (but not the BA) synaptic response is mediated by kainate receptors containing the GluR5 subunit.
Identification of a Novel Retrovirus Expressed in Rat Sertoli Cells and Granulosa Cells

Differential display reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR) was used to identify a novel retrovirus, designated SC1, that is expressed at high levels in rat granulosa cells and prepubertal Sertoli cells. The initial DDRT-PCR screen was performed using RNA from cultured prepubertal rat Sertoli cell, liver, and brain samples. SC1 was detected in the prepubertal rat Sertoli cell samples but not in those from liver and brain. SC1 cDNA was 6 kilobases in length and contained regions encoding for the gag, pol, and env retroviral proteins. Northern blot analysis failed to detect expression of the SC1 gene in total RNA isolated from adult brain, heart, spleen, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, prostate, and epididymis. Similarly, Northern blot analysis of testes from rats at various ages of development showed that high-level expression of the SC1 gene was limited to prepubertal testis samples. In situ hybridization analysis localized the SC1 mRNA to the seminiferous tubules of prepubertal testes and at a much lower level in Sertoli cells of adult testes. Northern blot analysis of total RNA isolated from Sertoli cells from 20-, 27-, and 35-day-old rat Sertoli cells and type A spermatogonia, pachytene spermatocytes, and round spermatids showed expression of the SC1 gene to be restricted to 20- and 27-day-old Sertoli cells, with no expression detected in germ cells. Furthermore, Northern blot analysis also showed expression of the SC1 gene in rat ovaries, and the level of expression was affected during eCG/hCG-induced ovulation. Expression of SC1 mRNA was localized by in situ hybridization of eCG-treated ovaries to the granulosa cell layer in developing follicles. Southern blot analysis showed SC1 to be endogenous in the rat and absent in mouse and human cell genomes. Transient transfection assays using the SC1 promoter region showed high promoter activity in MSC-1 and cultured prepubertal rat Sertoli cells, and no activity in 3T3 or MCF-7 cell lines.
Duplication Mechanism and Disruptions in Flanking Regions Influence the Fate of Mammalian Gene Duplicates

Here we identify duplicated genes in five mammalian genomes and classify these duplicates based on the mechanisms by which they were generated. Retrotransposition accounts for at least half of all predicted duplicate genes in these genomes, with tandem and interspersed duplicates comprising the other half. Estimation of the evolutionary rates in each class revealed greater rate asymmetry between retrotransposed and interspersed segmental duplicate pairs than between tandem duplicates, suggesting that retrotransposed and interspersed segmental duplicates are diverging more quickly. In an attempt to understand the basis of this asymmetry we identified disruption of flanking DNA as an indicator of new duplicate fate. Loss of synteny accelerates the asymmetry of divergence of DNA-mediated duplicates duplicates. These findings suggest that the differential evolution of duplicate genes may be significantly influenced by changes in local genome architecture and synteny.
A framework for outcome-level evaluation of in-service training of health care workers

In-service training is a key strategic approach to addressing the severe shortage of health care workers in many countries. However, there is a lack of evidence linking these health care worker trainings to improved health outcomes. In response, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief’s Human Resources for Health Technical Working Group initiated a project to develop an outcome-focused training evaluation framework. This paper presents the methods and results of that project. A general inductive methodology was used for the conceptualization and development of the framework. Fifteen key informant interviews were conducted to explore contextual factors, perceived needs, barriers and facilitators affecting the evaluation of training outcomes. In addition, a thematic analysis of 70 published articles reporting health care worker training outcomes identified key themes and categories. These were integrated, synthesized and compared to several existing training evaluation models. This formed an overall typology which was used to draft a new framework. Finally, the framework was refined and validated through an iterative process of feedback, pilot testing and revision. The inductive process resulted in identification of themes and categories, as well as relationships among several levels and types of outcomes. The resulting framework includes nine distinct types of outcomes that can be evaluated, which are organized within three nested levels: individual, organizational and health system/population. The outcome types are: (1) individual knowledge, attitudes and skills; (2) individual performance; (3) individual patient health; (4) organizational systems; (5) organizational performance; (6) organizational-level patient health; (7) health systems; (8) population-level performance; and (9) population-level health. The framework also addresses contextual factors which may influence the outcomes of training, as well as the ability of evaluators to determine training outcomes. In addition, a group of user-friendly resources, the Training Evaluation Framework and Tools (TEFT) were created to help evaluators and stakeholders understand and apply the framework. Feedback from pilot users suggests that using the framework and accompanying tools may support outcome evaluation planning. Further assessment will assist in strengthening guidelines and tools for operationalization.
Changes in proopiomelanocortin primary transcript levels in the anterior pituitary accompany increased adrenocorticotropin secretion during the diurnal surge

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene transcription in the anterior pituitary varies during stress and glucocorticoid feedback. These changes appear to parallel alterations in peptide release. The diurnal rhythm of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis also involves the periodic excursion of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) levels in plasma, but it is not clear whether the diurnal release is accompanied by changes at the transcriptional level. In the present study, we have initially characterized the heteronuclear species of POMC (hnPOMC) RNA found in the anterior pituitary by a Northern blot analysis and subsequently used this method to quantitate relative changes in the levels of heteronuclear transcript during diurnal stimulation. Two species of RNA migrating at 6.0 kb and 4.1 kb were found in the nuclear fraction of the anterior pituitary. Successive probing by various POMC cRNAs indicated that the 6.0 kb fragment was the primary transcript and the 4.1 kb fragment corresponded to the intron A-containing processing intermediate of POMC. The nuclear species were quantitated after acute swim stress and during the diurnal ACTH secretion. Acute swim increased plasma ACTH levels by 243% after 30 min. This was paralleled by a 214% increase in the primary transcript RNA levels. Endogenous circadian stimulation in the evening produced a smaller rise of plasma ACTH (79%), and was accompanied by a 34% increase in POMC hnRNA levels. Nuclear processing intermediate (4.1 kb) and the mRNA levels did not vary during the evening. These results suggest that the diurnal mechanism transiently increases ACTH release as well as POMC gene transcription in the anterior pituitary. Release and transcription appear to be tightly coupled during circadian activation as well as during stress.
Dilemmas in planning English/vernacular relations in post‐colonial communities

In the context of globalization and post-modern discourses, the debate about the relative status of local and dominant languages poses serious policy problems for post-colonial communities. Critics of minority language rights (MLR) generally point out that engineering a language shift on behalf of a vernacular language ^ motivated by the preservationist interests, collective rights and sentimental associations of an ethnic group ^ is futile, as the economic and social mobilities of individuals are bound to work against this enterprise. Proponents of MLR have gone to the other extreme of essentializing the linguistic identity of minority communities, generalizing their language attitudes, and treating local language rights as non-negotiable. This article addresses this debate in the context of the attempts to promote Tamil by the military leadership in the North and East of Sri Lanka. The paper brings together data gathered in sociolinguistic studies for four years in the Jaffna society in order to understand the reception of the language policy in everyday life. The leadership recognizes that language policy is a symbolic statement for political purposes and tolerates certain inconsistencies in policy and practice. While the community assures itself of ethnic pride and linguistic autonomy with the stated policies, it negotiates divergent interests in the gaps between the policy/practice divide. Scholars should recognize the agency of subaltern communities to negotiate language politics in creative and critical ways that transcend the limited constructs formulated to either cynically sweep aside or unduly romanticize language rights.
Adolescents’ multiple, recurrent subjective health complaints: investigating associations with emotional/behavioural difficulties in a cross-sectional, school-based study

Adolescence has been documented as the peak age of onset for mental health perturbations, clinical disorders and unsubstantiated health complaints. The present study attempted to investigate associations between multiple, recurrent subjective health complaints (SHC) with emotional/behavioural difficulties, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scale (SDQ), among Greek adolescents. Questionnaires were administered in a large, nation-wide, random, school-based sample of Greek adolescents, aged 12–18 years. Data from 1170 participants were analyzed. Adolescents with multiple, recurrent SHC were compared in terms of their emotional/behavioural difficulties to their peers with lower levels of health complaints. SDQ scales were separately investigated for their associations with multiple, recurrent SHC, after adjustment for gender, age and socioeconomic status (ses). Further analysis included multiple logistic regression models with multiple, recurrent SHC as the dependent variable and gender, age, ses and SDQ Total difficulties score as independent factors. Potential gender and age interactions were also explored. Almost half of the study participants reported multiple, recurrent SHC. Adolescents with multiple, recurrent SHC had higher scores on all SDQ scales, except from the Prosocial behavior scale, compared to their peers with lower levels of health complaints. Emotional Symptoms, Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity/Inattention and Peer Problems were associated with greater likelihood of having multiple, recurrent SHC, after adjustment for gender, age and ses. The multiple logistic regression models revealed that older adolescents and girls, as well as those with increased Total difficulties score had an increased risk for multiple, recurrent SHC reporting. No significant interaction between SDQ scales and gender or age was found. Our study highlights the magnitude of psychological burden among adolescents experiencing multiple, recurrent SHC. Professionals in school and clinical settings should be cautious for impaired emotional/behavioural functioning when assessing adolescents with multiple, recurrent SHC, so as early identification of at-risk individuals and timely, appropriate referrals are facilitated.
Initiation of Signal Transduction through the T Cell Receptor Requires the Multivalent Engagement of Peptide/MHC Ligands

While much is known about intracellular signaling events in T cells when T cell receptors (TCRs) are engaged, the mechanism by which signaling is initiated is unclear. We have constructed defined oligomers of soluble antigen-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, the natural ligands for the TCR. Using these to stimulate specific T cells in vitro, we find that agonist peptide/MHC ligands are nonstimulatory as monomers and minimally stimulatory as dimers. Similarly, a partial-agonist ligand is very weakly active as a tetramer. In contrast, trimeric or tetrameric agonist ligands that engage multiple TCRs for a sustained duration are potent stimuli. Ligand-driven formation of TCR clusters seems required for effective activation and helps to explain the specificity and sensitivity of T cells.
Cardiac tissue engineering: cell seeding, cultivation parameters, and tissue construct characterization.

Cardiac tissue engineering has been motivated by the need to create functional tissue equivalents for scientific studies and cardiac tissue repair. We previously demonstrated that contractile cardiac cell-polymer constructs can be cultivated using isolated cells, 3-dimensional scaffolds, and bioreactors. In the present work, we examined the effects of (1) cell source (neonatal rat or embryonic chick), (2) initial cell seeding density, (3) cell seeding vessel, and (4) tissue culture vessel on the structure and composition of engineered cardiac muscle. Constructs seeded under well-mixed conditions with rat heart cells at a high initial density ((6-8) x 10(6) cells/polymer scaffold) maintained structural integrity and contained macroscopic contractile areas (approximately 20 mm(2)). Seeding in rotating vessels (laminar flow) rather than mixed flasks (turbulent flow) resulted in 23% higher seeding efficiency and 20% less cell damage as assessed by medium lactate dehydrogenase levels (p < 0.05). Advantages of culturing constructs under mixed rather than static conditions included the maintenance of metabolic parameters in physiological ranges, 2-4 times higher construct cellularity (p &le 0.0001), more aerobic cell metabolism, and a more physiological, elongated cell shape. Cultivations in rotating bioreactors, in which flow patterns are laminar and dynamic, yielded constructs with a more active, aerobic metabolism as compared to constructs cultured in mixed or static flasks. After 1-2 weeks of cultivation, tissue constructs expressed cardiac specific proteins and ultrastructural features and had approximately 2-6 times lower cellularity (p < 0.05) but similar metabolic activity per unit cell when compared to native cardiac tissue.
Aldehydes as inhibitors of papain.

Abstract Aldehydes, structurally related to the acyl portion of substrates, are extremely potent competitive inhibitors of papain. At pH 5.5 and 25°, approximately 1 mole of acetyl-l-phenylalanylaminoacetaldehyde is bound per mole of papain, with Ki = 4.6 x 10-8 m. Aldehydes protect the enzyme against inactivation by N-ethylmaleimide, and are presumed to form unusually stable thiohemiacetals which resemble "tetrahedral" intermediates in substrate hydrolysis.
II.—Association between sessile colonial hydroids and fishes

Resume 1. 1. There is a symbiosis between Sertularia operculata and Squalus acanthias, and between Seralia lendigera and Hippocampus ramulosus—there being but a single case reported for each pair of organisms. It is probable that these associations are entirely accidental. 2. 2. Of Stylactis minoi and Minous inermis, no fewer than twenty-nine specimens of the fish (presumably all ever taken) wherever found—and they have been taken from five widely distant stations on both coasts of India, and from Japan—were infested with the hydroid. Furthermore, so far as known, this particular hydroid has never been found save on this particular fish (inermis). These facts would seem to indicate that this is a purposive or obligate symbiosis. 3. 3. About one hundred specimens of Hypsagonus quadricornis were taken in Puget Sound. Thirty-seven of these were preserved, and ten of them were found to be sparsely covered with Perigonimus pugetensis. Other specimens of the fish taken outside Puget Sound and in Behring Sea all...
Satellite SAR Remote Sensing of Great Lakes Ice Cover, Part 1. Ice Backscatter Signatures at C Band

For remote sensing of Great Lakes ice cover, a field experiment campaign was conducted in the 1997 winter season across the Straits of Mackinac and Lake Superior. The campaign was coordinated in two expeditions on two different United States Coast Guard icebreaker vessels, the Biscayne Bay in February and the Mackinaw in March. Aboard these icebreakers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory C-band polarimetric scatterometer was used to measure backscatter signatures of various ice types and open water at incidence angles from 0° to 60°. The radar measurements include incidence angles and polarizations of spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) on ERS, RADARSAT, and Envisat satellites. The radar data together with in situ measurements form a signature library that can be used to interpret SAR data for ice classification and mapping. Results are presented for backscatter signatures of Great Lakes ice types from thin lake ice to thick brash ice with different snow-cover and surface conditions. The signature library indicates that several ice types can be identified with multi-polarization SAR data; however, single-polarization data can result in misclassification of ice and open water at different ranges of incidence angle and wind conditions. For incidence angles larger than 30°, thick brash ice, the most difficult for icebreaking operations and the most hazardous for ship navigation, can be uniquely identified by co-polarized backscatter for all wind conditions below the gale force.
Piloting Virtual Surgical Patient Cases with 3rd-year medical students during the surgery rotation

Abstract Background Surgical education programs are increasingly challenged to make medical students' learning experiences in their surgery rotation meaningful while making the most of limited faculty resources and maximizing patient safety. Simulations and virtual environments are potential resources for providing meaningful clinical learning experiences. Methods Ninety-eight 3rd-year medical students used the Virtual Surgical Patient Cases software as a part of their surgery clerkship. We used a mixed-methods approach to data collection and analyses to investigate how students and faculty engaged with cases as teaching and learning tools. Results Students improved their clinical reasoning skills significantly at each case attempt, but made some errors consistently across attempts. Faculty used the information provided about students' decisions during the cases to guide their teaching during case discussions. Conclusions Including more cases in the surgical clerkship could allow students additional practice with making diagnoses and facilitate an interactive role in discussing cases with faculty.
Recent development of antenna-coupled thermocouples

Antenna-coupled nanothermocouples (ACNTCs) for infrared detection have been developed over the past few years. These devices are based on the wave nature of the IR radiation; the antenna receives the electromagnetic radiation, and the radiation-induced antenna-currents are rectified by a nanoscale thermocouple. We characterize the frequency-dependent response and the relative Seebeck coefficients of single-metal and bi-metal nanoscale thermocouples. Polarization-dependent measurements of ACNTCs are also demonstrated.
Roundtable on Eastern Traditions

The following is a roundtable discussion, where contributors to the panel on "eastern religious traditions" respond to each others work.
Odd Cycle Zero Forcing Parameters and the Minimum Rank of Graph Blowups

The minimum rank problem for a simple graph G and a given field F is to determine the smallest possible rank among symmetric matrices over F whose i, j-entry, i â j, is nonzero whenever i is adjacent to j, and zero otherwise; the diagonal entries can be any element in F. In contrast, loop graphs \mathscr{G} go one step further to restrict the diagonal i, i-entries as nonzero whenever i has a loop, and zero otherwise. When char F â 2, the odd cycle zero forcing number and the enhanced odd cycle zero forcing number are introduced as bounds for loop graphs and simple graphs, respectively. A relation between loop graphs and simple graphs through graph blowups is developed, so that the minimum rank problem of some families of simple graphs can be reduced to that of much smaller loop graphs.
A unique lineage gives rise to the meibomian gland.

Purpose To identify the lineage that contributes to the morphogenesis of the meibomian gland.
KLF4 Is Essential for Induction of Cellular Identity Change and Acinar-to-Ductal Reprogramming during Early Pancreatic Carcinogenesis

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of tumor initiation has significant impact on early cancer detection and intervention. To define the role of KLF4 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) initiation, we used molecular biological analyses and mouse models of klf4 gain- and loss-of-function and mutant Kras. KLF4 is upregulated in and required for acinar-to-ductal metaplasia. Klf4 ablation drastically attenuates the formation of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia induced by mutant Kras(G12D), whereas upregulation of KLF4 does the opposite. Mutant KRAS and cellular injuries induce KLF4 expression, and ectopic expression of KLF4 in acinar cells reduces acinar lineage- and induces ductal lineage-related marker expression. These results demonstrate that KLF4 induces ductal identity in PanIN initiation and may be a potential target for prevention of PDA initiation.
Impact of a Paper vs Virtual Simulated Patient Case on Student-Perceived Confidence and Engagement.

Objective. To evaluate online case simulation vs a paper case on student confidence and engagement.Design. Students enrolled in a pharmacotherapy laboratory course completed a patient case scenario as a component of an osteoarthritis laboratory module. Two laboratory sections used a paper case (n=53); three sections used an online virtual case simulation (n=81). Student module performance was assessed through a submitted subjective objective assessment plan (SOAP) note. Students completed pre/post surveys to measure self-perceived confidence in providing medication management. The simulation group completed postmodule questions related to realism and engagement of the online virtual case simulation. Group assessments were performed using chi-square and Mann Whitney tests.Assessment. A significant increase in all 13 confidence items was seen in both student groups following completion of the laboratory module. The simulation group had an increased change of confidence compared to the paper group in assessi...
Real-time In-situ Seismic Imaging: Overview and Case Study

Real-time In-situ Seismic Imaging (RISI) is a breakthrough technology for monitoring and mapping the subsurface geophysical structures and dynamics in realtime. Instead of collecting data to a central place for post-processing, the distributed seismic data processing and computing are performed in-situ, delivering an evolving 3D image in real-time for visualization. As a paradigm-shifting approach, the RISI system is plug-nplay, scalable, self-adaptive and fault-tolerant. We have created multiple in-situ distributed seismic imaging algorithms including tomography and migration, and validated them using synthetic and field seismic data sets. This paper presents a case study of travel-time seismic tomography. The RISI prototype system has been implemented, and can be extended as a general field instrumentation platform, to incorporate new geophysical data processing and computing algorithms.
A Residual Based Variational Method for Reducing Dispersion Error in Finite Element Methods

A difficulty of the standard Galerkin finite element method has been the ability to accurately resolve oscillating wave solutions at higher frequencies. Many alternative methods have been developed including high-order methods, stabilized Galerkin methods, multi-scale variational methods, and other wave-based discretization methods. In this work, consistent residuals, both in the form of least-squares and gradient least-squares are linearly combined and added to the Galerkin variational Helmholtz equation to form a new generalized Galerkin least-squares method (GGLS). By allowing the stabilization parameters to vary spatially within each element, we are able to select optimal parameters which reduce dispersion error for all wave directions from second-order to fourth-order in nondimensional wavenumber; a substantial improvement over standard Galerkin elements. Furthermore, the stabilization parameters are frequency independent, and thus can be used for both time-harmonic solutions to the Helmholtz equation as well as direct time-integration of the wave equation, and eigenfrequency/eigenmodes analysis. Since the variational framework preserves consistency, high-order accuracy is maintained in the presence of source terms. In the case of homogeneous source terms, we show that our consistent variational framework is equivalent to integrating the underlying stiffness and mass matrices with optimally selected numerical quadrature rules. Optimal GGLS stabilization parameters and equivalent quadrature rules are determined for several element types including: bilinear quadrilateral, linear triangle, and linear tetrahedral elements. Numerical examples on unstructured meshes validate the expected high-order accuracy.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Transmission of Applied Pressure Through Tissues: Interstitial Fluid Pressure, Solid Tissue Pressure, and Total Tissue Pressure

Materials and methodsInterstitial fluid pressure (Pif) of the dog was measured from capsules implanted in subcutaneous tissue of the upper and lower hindleg 4 to 8 weeks prior to use. (The capsules were a disk-shaped hollow (6 mm x 9 mm i.d.) porous polyethylene matrix (Bolab, Inc.) with an average pore size of 65 μm.) Total tissue pressure (Ptot) was measured either with small flaccid balloons inserted subcutane-ously or, more frequently, by the needle method for measuring total tissue pressure (see (3) for a discussion of these methods).Pressure transmission was examined in two different preparations. With the first, the intact hindleg of the pentobarbital anesthetized dog was placed up to the hip in a water filled plethysmograph and Pif and Ptot measured while applying positive or negative pressure to the leg. With the second preparation, the hindlimb was totally isolated from the dog and artificially perfused with whole blood as described elsewhere (4). The isolated hindlimb was then placed entirely i...
Establishment of colonial variants of brucellae in vivo.

Summary1. Colonial variants of Br. suis and Br. abortus established themselves at certain times in the tissues of guinea pigs inoculated with smooth cultures. 2. Colonial variants of Br. abortus were recovered from the fluids of aborted bovine fetuses but not from milk of the aborting cows.
Fractured: Cracks in the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Structure

ABSTRACTThe acquisition of energy resources is a necessity to power the nation, fuel its economy, and support its people. The introduction of hydraulic fracturing has created an energy boom in North America, revolutionizing the supply and demand of energy for the country. This article explores the fundamentals of the hydraulic fracturing process, the economic benefits, and the corresponding environmental impact of the practice. Furthermore, the article discusses the regulation of fracking on a local and federal level and offers a practical, balanced approach to limit the adverse environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing while retaining its economic advantages.
Action Learning in Leadership for Change: Partnership, Pedagogy, and Projects for Responsible Management Development

A number of years ago several sociology and management faculty at Boston College came together to develop a joint executive education program with two main objectives: to promote social responsibility in business and to employ an action-learning pedagogy appropriate to adult, work-based learning. The integration of these two objectives occurred primarily through major projects undertaken by participants within their employing organizations. These projects had to define (when necessary), develop, and implement business practices that optimized both conventional economic returns and social returns for at least one of the sponsoring organization’s many stakeholders: employees, customers, suppliers, neighbors, or the environment. The program was initially called Leadership for the Common Good and later re-named Leadership for Change (LC).
Design of Contact Electrodes for Semiconductor Nanowire Solar Energy Harvesting Devices

Transparent, low-resistive contacts are critical for efficient solar energy harvesting devices. It is important to reconsider the material choices and electrode design as devices move from 2D films to 1D nanostructures. In this paper, we study the effectiveness of indium tin oxide (ITO) and metals, such as Ag and Cu, as contacts in 2D and 1D systems. Although ITO has been studied extensively and developed into an effective transparent contact for 2D devices, our results show that effectiveness does not translate to 1D systems. Particularly with consideration of resistance requirement, nanowires with metal shells as contacts enable better absorption within the semiconductor as compared to ITO. Furthermore, there is a strong dependence of contact performance on the semiconductor band gap and diameter of nanowires. We found that metal contacts outperform ITO for nanowire devices, regardless of the sheet resistance constraint, in the regime of diameters less than 100 nm and band-gaps greater than 1 eV. These ...
Data Needs of Social Service Agencies: A Case Study of Fort Worth, Texas

There is increasing need for social service agencies and organizations to allocate resources and to plan based on objective needs assessment. This requires greater access and use of data sources. The dual objectives of this paper are to describe and analyze the increased need for data use by social welfare agencies and to present the findings of a data needs assessment study of such organizations in Fort Worth, Texas. The results of this study were used in the planning and development of a series of free data use and data use-applications workshops for social service agency representatives and in the writing of a detailed Resource Manual for agency data users.
Effects of Color Pattern Arrangement and Size of Color Mass on Butterfly Visitation in Zinnia elegans

The popular literature abounds with design suggestions for creating successful butterfly gardens. In many of these sources of information, the implication is made that greater numbers of butterflies will be attracted to gardens having large masses of single, or similar, color flowers than to those having either several colors mixed together in an area, or those with single colors planted in narrow rows. In this study we used a variety of color forms of Zinnia elegans N. J. von Jacquin ‘Peter Pan’ to examine these two aspects of butterfly gardening. We found that changing the design of plots from blocks to rows to random placement of colors had no effect on butterfly visitation. We also found that increasing the size of single color plots resulted in increased numbers of butterflies visiting those plots.
Core self-evaluations and local-employment sentiment across economic conditions

Confidence about the economy is an important predictor of future economic growth. This study measured an aspect of consumer confidence by collecting people’s responses to questions about the econom...
Experimental study of the dispersion beneath liquid sprayers in the intersection area of jets on a horizontal plate

The present paper is an experimental investigation of the hydrodynamic behaviour of two identical sprayers on a horizontal fixed plate, especially on the dispersion of water in the intersection area of jets. The aim of this work is to optimize heat transfer intensity by studying the dispersion of water droplets; we demonstrate experimentally that the fluid dispersion in the intersection jet area is different than the dispersion obtained by summation of both jets for different hydraulic atomizers. Different hydrodynamic parameters were used with different variations as following; the water pressure (AP) from 0.05 to 0.3 MPa, the distance between sprayer and surface of plate (H) from 385 to 450 mm and the nozzles spacing (L) was calculated to maintain the overlapping diameter (Dovelap) of jets on plate between 180 and 220 mm. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.23.6.17243
Mitochondria–lysosome contacts regulate mitochondrial fission via RAB7 GTP hydrolysis

Formation of inter-organelle contacts between mitochondria and lysosomes, regulated by lysosomal RAB7 GTP hydrolysis, allows for bidirectional regulation of mitochondrial and lysosomal dynamics.
Convergence of Minimal Submanifolds to a Singular Variety

A sequence of minimal hypersurfaces M h is considered, whose varifold limit V is not a density-one smooth hypersurface. Six geometrical problems are outlined, with the idea of studying asymptotic behavior as h → ∞ in terms of additional structures on V. Variational limits for the Dirichlet integral are presented in some detail; the examples involve homogenization of manifolds.
Femoral Fracture in Primary Soft-Tissue Sarcoma of the Thigh and Groin Treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy: Observed versus Expected Risk

This study was designed to compare the observed risk of femoral fracture in primary soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) of the thigh/groin treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to expected risk calculated using the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) nomogram. Expected femoral fracture risk was calculated by using the PMH nomogram. Cumulative risk of fracture was estimated by using Kaplan–Meier statistics. Prognostic factors were assessed with univariate and multivariate analysis using Cox’s stepwise regression. Between February 2002 and December 2010, 92 consecutive eligible patients were assessed. Median follow-up was 73 months (106 months in surviving patients). IMRT was delivered preoperatively (50 Gy) in 13 (14%) patients and postoperatively in 79 (86%) patients (median dose, 63 Gy; range, 59.4–66.6 Gy). The observed crude risk of fractures was 6.5% compared with 25.6% expected risk from the nomogram; the cumulative risk of fracture using IMRT at 5 years was 6.7% (95% CI 2.8–16.0%). The median time to fracture was 23 months (range, 6.9–88.6). Significant predictors of fracture on univariate analysis were age ≥ 60 years (p = 0.03), tumor location in the anterior thigh (p = 0.008), and periosteal stripping to > 20 cm (p 20 cm retained significance (p = 0.04 and p = 0.009, respectively). In this study, the cumulative risk of femur fracture in patients treated with IMRT (6.7%) is less than the expected risk using the PMH nomogram (25.6%). Established predictors of femur fracture, such as gender, tumor size, and dose of RT, seem to have less impact on fracture risk when using IMRT.
Instructional Supervision in Special Education: Strategies for Rural Programs:

Instructional supervision in special education is a critical function of administrative units. However, providing instructional leadership in rural areas can be problematic due to low numbers of ch...
Physical models and predictions for Recurring Slope Lineae formed by wet and dry processes.

Abstract The observation of low albedo, elongated and transient features lengthening downhill on Mars has attracted wide interest because of the possible role of aqueous fluids in their formation. These recurring gravity-driven processes, called Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL), remain mysterious in that, although the influence of local climate conditions has been established, their nature (dry versus wet) and the mechanisms that govern their growth and fading are debated. We present three different physical models for the growth of RSL, the first two are wet-based models with different aqueous fluid evaporation models and the last is based on dry granular theory. We discuss the prediction of each model with regards to the growth and fading of RSL and their morphology. We finally discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these models in light of what we currently observe on Mars. We find that both wet and dry RSL scenario face challenges, mostly regarding aspects of mass balance. However, water-based scenarios provide a consistent framework to reconcile the different sets of morphological observations made on RSL.
What Should Clinicians Do to Engage the Public About Gene Editing

Genome editing holds tremendous promise for preventing, ameliorating, or even curing disease, but a thorough discussion of its bioethical and social implications is necessary to protect humankind against harm, a central tenet of the original Hippocratic Oath. It is therefore essential that medical students, physicians, and all health care workers have a working understanding of what gene editing entails, the controversy surrounding its use, and its far-reaching clinical and ethical implications.
A Failed Epidural Followed by a Failed Spinal (Part 2)

A 32-year-old diabetic woman, G2P1, receives a labor epidural at L3-4 which causes an intense block in her groins, legs, and perineum, but does not ascend above that level. The patient had given a history of spinal surgery at T9-L1 and had a scar on her back consistent with that level (L-1). The resident and the attending had used pre-procedural ultrasound on this patient and had determined that both the L2-3 and L3-4 interspaces had normal sonographic anatomy (L-2). The attending suggests that they repeat the block at L2-3, but as a combined spinal-epidural anesthetic (CSE), so that some local anesthetic (LA) and fentanyl is injected directly into the CSF, thereby bypassing a possible obstruction to local anesthetic spread within the epidural space. The resident is preparing to perform this procedure under the attending’s supervision, when the fetus begins to have late decelerations as contractions become more frequent.
Assessing corneal biomechanics without external excitation: heartbeat optical coherence elastography (Conference Presentation)

Quantifying the biomechanical properties of the cornea is required for accurate assessment of tissue health. In this work, we evaluate cornea biomechanical properties during intraocular pressure fluctuation. This method results in a more physiologically relevant assessment of tissue mechanics, and thus diverges from typical elastography techniques that use externally induced deformation. Optical coherence elastography is used to detect displacements in the cornea as IOP is cycled during the heartbeat. The axial strains within the cornea are calculated from these displacements, so that dynamic changes in stiffness can be determined. The results indicate a gradient in axial strain within the cornea.