cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rhythm-related changes in pituitary-adrenal function in depression ☆

We measured plasma ACTH and cortisol at 20-min intervals for 24 h in depressed patients and healthy control subjects. The data were analyzed by the PULSAR program to quantitate the number of hormone pulses, their amplitude, length, maximum and interval. We found that in both healthy and depressed subjects the circadian pattern of pituitary-adrenal activity is the result of significant time-related changes in pulse amplitude with no change in pulse frequency. Depressed patients who had an abnormal response to dexamethasone also had changes in pituitary-adrenal rhythm in the unmedicated state. These included ACTH and cortisol pulses whose amplitude, maximum and duration were greater than in the controls as well as a phase advance in the cortisol circadian rhythm. Some of those features were shared by patients who responded normally to dexamethasone suggesting that rhythm-related indices of pituitary-adrenal function may be a more sensitive index of disturbed pituitary adrenal regulation than the Dexamethasone Suppression Test.
Michael Jackson, Television, and Post-Op Disasters:

This article analyzes Martin Bashir's television documentary Living with Michael Jackson in light of U.S. national preoccupations with the fixity and, conversely, the indeterminacy of racial, sexua...
Polynomial-complexity noncoherent symbol-by-symbol detection with application to adaptive iterative decoding of turbo-like codes

The problem of generating symbol-by-symbol soft decision metrics (SbSSDMs) in the presence of unknown channel parameters is considered. The motivation for this work lies in its application to iterative decoding of high-performance turbo-like codes, transmitted over channels that introduce unknown parameters in addition to Gaussian noise. Traditional methods for the exact evaluation of SbSSDMs involve exponential complexity in the sequence length. A class of problems is identified for which the SbSSDMs can be exactly evaluated with only polynomial complexity with respect to the sequence length. Utilizing the close connection between symbol-by-symbol and sequence detection, it is also shown that for the aforementioned class of problems, detection of an uncoded data sequence in the presence of unknown parameters can be performed with polynomial complexity. The applicability of this technique is demonstrated by considering the problem of iterative detection of low-density parity-check codes in the presence of unknown and time-varying carrier-phase offset. Finally, based on the proposed exact schemes, an ultra-fast approximate algorithm for performing joint iterative decoding and phase estimation is derived that is well suited for hardware implementation.
Exposure to the World Trade Center Disaster and 9/11-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Household Disaster Preparedness.

OBJECTIVE: In a population with prior exposure to the World Trade Center disaster, this study sought to determine the subsequent level of preparedness for a new disaster and how preparedness varied with population characteristics that are both disaster-related and non-disaster-related. METHODS: The sample included 4496 World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees who completed the Wave 3 (2011-2012) and Hurricane Sandy (2013) surveys. Participants were considered prepared if they reported possessing at least 7 of 8 standard preparedness items. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between preparedness and demographic and medical factors, 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessed at Wave 3, 9/11 exposure, and social support. RESULTS: Over one-third (37.5%) of participants were prepared with 18.8% possessing all 8 items. The item most often missing was an evacuation plan (69.8%). Higher levels of social support were associated with being prepared. High levels of 9/11 exposure were associated with being prepared in both the PTSD and non-PTSD subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that prior 9/11 exposure favorably impacted Hurricane Sandy preparedness. Future preparedness messaging should target people with low social support networks. Communications should include information on evacuation zones and where to find information about how to evacuate. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;0:1-9). Language: en
Prioritizing research to reduce youth suicide and suicidal behavior.

The goal of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention is to reduce suicide and suicide attempts in the U.S. by 40% in the next decade. In this paper, a public health approach is applied to suicide prevention to illustrate how reductions in youth suicide and suicidal behavior might be achieved by prioritizing research in two areas: (1) increasing access to primary care–based behavioral health interventions for depressed youth and (2) improving continuity of care for youth who present to emergency departments after a suicide attempt. Finally, some scientific, clinical, and methodologic breakthroughs needed to achieve rapid, substantial, and sustained reductions in youth suicide and suicidal behavior are discussed.
Breath therapy for chronic low back pain

Summary Hands-on mind-body techniques claim to help patients with low back pain (LBP) by focusing on body-awareness. Their efficacy has been studied only in a few controlled research studies of limited rigor. A randomized controlled clinical pilot trial of Breath Therapy (BT) was conducted to determine whether patients with cLBP would benefit from an approach primarily focusing on body-awareness. BT is a Western mind-body therapy developed in Germany that integrates body-awareness, breathing, meditation, and movement. Thirty-six patients seeking primary medical care for chronic LBP of at least 3 months duration were randomly assigned either to receive BT or PT at an academic medical center. Main outcome measures at baseline, 6–8 weeks, and 6 months were pain, function, and overall health. Balance as a potential surrogate for proprioception and body-awareness was measured at the beginning and end of treatment. Patients suffering from cLBP improved clinically with BT. Changes in standard self-reported LBP measures of pain and disability were comparable to changes measured following high-quality, extended PT. The full details of the study are published elsewhere [ Mehling, W.E., et al., 2005 . Randomized, controlled trial of breath therapy for patients with chronic LBP. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 11 (4), 44–52].
Polyphosphazene Toughened PMR-type Thermosets:

Two new polyphosphazenes, poly(4-maleimidophenoxy/phenoxy)phosphazene and poly(4-phthalimidophenoxy/phenoxy)phosphazene, were prepared and used to toughen a PMR polyimide designated LaRCTMRP46. These toughened polyimides were evaluated as thin films with a 0–40 wt% range of polyphosphazene to polyimide. The structure–property relationships of these inorganic/organic polymeric matrices were studied and evaluated in terms of fracture toughness, thermo-oxidative stability, and thermal, mechanical, and tensile properties. The hybrid systems revealed an increase in fracture toughness up to 20 wt% polyphosphazene load without any substantial loss in tensile properties. With 5 wt% poly(4-phthalimidophenoxy/phenoxy)phosphazene loading, the fracture toughness of the semi-interpenetrating network was increased by 124%. When 10 wt% poly(4- maleimidophenoxy/phenoxy)phosphazene loading was used, the fracture toughness of the grafted copolymer was improved by 217%. In addition, substantial enhancement in thermo-oxidati...
Engineering of novel tamavidin 2 muteins with lowered isoelectric points and lowered non-specific binding properties

The avidin–biotin interaction is widely employed as a universal tool in numerous biotechnological applications. In avidin–biotin technology, non-specific binding to biological macromolecules is a hindrance. The major origin of this non-specific binding is the electrical charge of the surface of biotin-binding proteins. Tamavidin 2, a fungal avidin-like protein that binds biotin with an extremely high affinity, can be produced as a soluble recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. The isoelectric point of tamavidin 2 is 7.4–7.5, lower than avidin (10.0), and slightly higher than that of streptavidin (6.0–7.5). Here, we genetically engineered charge mutants of tamavidin 2 to reduce non-specific binding. By substituting an acidic residue (glutamic acid) for basic residues (arginine and lysine), we constructed three mutant proteins (muteins) and confirmed their high-level production in soluble form in E. coli, as well as that of tamavidin 2. We then tested these proteins for non-specific binding to salmon sperm DNA, glycoproteins (integrin and fibronectin), and IgG from human sera. The muteins showed lower non-specific binding than tamavidin 2 to these macromolecules. In particular, one mutein, tamavidin-R104EK141E, which had the lowest isoelectric point (5.8–6.2) among avidin, streptavidin and tamavidin 2, displayed the lowest non-specific binding. The affinity of this mutein to biotin was high, comparable with that of tamavidin 2. These findings indicate that tamavidin-R104EK141E has the potential to serve as a robust tool in the numerous applications of biotin-binding proteins.
COSAR: commitment-oriented “sense and respond” system for microelectronic manufacturing

Microelectronic manufacturing deals with the efficient coordination of manufacturing processes and owning enterprises along a value chain to provide microelectronic products to customers. Microelectronic manufacturing is an important subject of the supply chain management because of the vital role of the microelectronics industry in the global economy. The systems for microelectronic manufacturing processes are usually linear, rigid, and produce solutions that are far from optimal. This paper presents a commitment-oriented “sense and respond” system, called COSAR, for microelectronic manufacturing. COSAR enables the development of adaptive and configurable manufacturing systems. The concept of commitment is explained in this paper. Furthermore, the concept of “chain of commitments” has been extended to “network of commitments.” Functionality of COSAR can have vertical, horizontal, or mesh decomposition. The foundation, architecture and implementation status of COSAR are discussed.
Cultural eutrophication in the Choptank and Patuxent estuaries of Chesapeake Bay

The Choptank and Patuxent tributaries of Chesapeake Bay have become eutrophic over the last 50‐100 years. Systematic monitoring of nutrient inputs began in ;1970, and there have been 2‐5-fold increases in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs during 1970‐2004 due to sewage discharges, fertilizer applications, atmospheric deposition, and changes in land use. Hydrochemical modeling and land-use yield coefficients suggest that current input rates are 4‐20 times higher for N and P than under forested conditions existing 350 yr ago. Sewage is a major cause of increased nutrients in the Patuxent; agricultural inputs dominate in the Choptank. These loading increases have caused three major water-quality problems: (1) increased nutrients, phytoplankton, and turbidity; (2) decreased submerged grasses due to higher turbidity and epiphyton shading; and (3) bottom-water hypoxia due to respiration of excess organic matter. Oxygen in the Patuxent is consistently , 3m g L 21 in bottom waters in summer, whereas oxygen in Choptank bottom waters has been decreasing for the last 20 yr and is now approaching 3 mg L 21 in wet years. The low N : P of sewage inputs to the Patuxent results in an N-limited, P-saturated system, whereas the Choptank is primarily limited by N, but with P limitation of phytoplankton during spring river flows. Insufficient action has been taken to improve the water and habitat quality of these estuaries, although reduced eutrophication in dry years suggests that both estuaries will respond to significant decreases in nutrients.
Cases of Ebola virus disease predicted to rise from hundreds to thousands per week unless control measures improve

Commentary on : WHO Ebola Response Team. Ebola virus disease in West Africa—the first 9 months of the epidemic and forward projections. N Engl J Med 2014;371:1481–95.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] With the largest outbreak of EVD raging in West Africa, more than 23 000 cases have been reported.1 The case numbers are certainly underestimates and it is likely that tens of thousands of people have died. It is important that we gain a … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DN%2BEngl%2BJ%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D371%26rft.spage%253D1481%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa1411100%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F25244186%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa1411100&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=25244186&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F18%2F4%2F107.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000342994700005&link_type=ISI
Vocal tract function in birdsong production: experimental manipulation of beak movements.

Kinematic analyses have demonstrated that the extent to which a songbird’s beak is open when singing correlates with the acoustic frequencies of the sounds produced, suggesting that beak movements function to modulate the acoustic properties of the vocal tract during song production. If motions of the beak are necessary for normal song production, then disrupting the ability of a bird to perform these movements should alter the acoustic properties of its song. We tested this prediction by comparing songs produced normally by whitethroated sparrows and swamp sparrows with songs produced when the beak was temporarily immobilized. We also observed how temporarily loading the beak of canaries with extra mass affected vocal tract movements and song production. Disruption of vocal tract movements resulted in the predicted frequencydependent amplitude changes in the songs of both white-throated sparrows and swamp sparrows. Canaries with mass added to their beak sang with their beak open more widely than normal and produced notes with greater harmonic content than those without weights. Both manipulations resulted in acoustic changes consistent with a model in which beak motions affect vocal tract resonances, thus supporting the hypothesis that dynamic vocal tract motions and post-production modulation of sound are necessary features of normal song production.
A general simulator for VLSI lithography and etching processes: Part I&#8212;Application to projection lithography

A simulator is described which produces line-edge profiles at various key stages in integrated circuit processing. Optical models are included for contact and projection lithography. The effects of multiple wavelengths, defocus, and partially coherent sources may be simulated in projection lithography. The positive resist model of Dill is used with the string development model of Jewett to obtain resist line-edge profiles. The string model is generalized to surface reaction rate limited etching of any layer. The application of the simulator to projection lithography is illustrated with a number of examples including monochromatic and multiwavelength exposure, the effect of a post-exposure anneal, plasma descum, and defocus.
Unloaded slider vibrations excited by air flow between slider and rotating disk

The authors investigate a severe flexure vibration which was observed in a previous dynamic load-unload experiment. The flexure vibration appears in both pitch and roll measurements. The frequency of this vibration is about 400 Hz, regardless of the disk rotation speed, and its amplitude becomes relatively large when the initial slider-disk spacing is between 50-100 mu m. In order to understand the mechanism of this flexure vibration, the authors investigate the motion of a slider with an emphasis on the flexure dynamics. They use a laser Doppler vibrometer to measure the slider's motion at various distances from the rotating disk, and compare the results with a finite-element calculation. It is found that the first mode of flexure vibration is a pure roll motion, and its amplitude is usually smaller than those of the second and third modes. The second mode is a diagonal motion that is closer to roll and the third mode is a pitch motion. >
Predicting Node Failure in High Performance Computing Systems from Failure and Usage Logs

In this paper, we apply data mining classification schemes to predict failures in a high performance computer system. Failure and Usage data logs collected on supercomputing clusters at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) were used to extract instances of failure information. For each failure instance, past and future failure information is accumulated -- time of usage, system idle time, time of unavailability, time since last failure, time to next failure. We performed two separate analyses, with and without classifying the failures based on their root cause. Based on this data, we applied some popular decision tree classifiers to predict if a failure would occur within 1 hour. Our experiments show that our prediction system predicts failures with a high-degree of precision up to 73% and recall of about 80%. We also observed that employing the usage data along with the failure data has improved the accuracy of prediction.
Interactions of Bacteroides fragilis and phagocytes: studies with whole organisms, purified capsular polysaccharide and clindamycin-treated bacteria

Bacteroides fragilis plays a key role in the pathogenesis of anaerobic infections and is often found mixed with aerobic organisms. We explored the interactions of this organism with phagocytes in an attempt to discern additional information about its virulence factors. We confirm an earlier report that killing of aerobic organisms by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) is decreased in the presence of high numbers of Bact. fragilis but this effect could also be demonstrated with Bact. distasonis or Staphylococcus aureus. Our data support the concept that this phenomenon may be due to competition for opsonins. Virulence of Bact. fragilis has been associated with a polysaccharide capsule. We were unable to demonstrate any deleterious effect of the purified capsular polysaccharide of Bact. fragilis on phagocytosis, killing, or chemotaxis by PMN. We were not able to demonstrate any effect of subinhibitory levels of clindamycin on the interactions of neutrophils and Bact. fragilis.
Academic Advising for the Liberal Arts and Sciences

David Shein - Associate Vice President & Dean of Studies, Bard College. Address: Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000. E-mail: shein@bard.eduIn this article, I provide an overview of academic advising in the United States, articulate a definition of academic advising for the liberal arts and sciences, and defend three theses about the role of academic advising in promoting the sorts of critical thinking and civic engagement that makes the liberal arts and sciences an important catalyst for social and political change. First, I argue that academic advising is essential to the effective implementation of a liberal arts and sciences education and so, even if it were not a part of the concept of the liberal arts and sciences, it is essential to the realization of that concept. Second, I argue that advising is a part of the concept of a liberal arts and sciences education because of the role it plays in student-centered pedagogy, which is a cornerstone of the liberal arts and sciences. Finally, I argue that student-centered pedagogy is not limited to the classroom context, that it includes extraand co-curricular life, and so our account of liberal arts and sciences education needs to be expanded. These three theses constitute a series of increasingly robust challenges to the model of liberal arts and sciences education developed by Jonathan Becker in “Liberal Arts and Sciences Education: Responding to the Challenges of the XXIst Century” and, for educators who have been trained in the Humboltian/European tradition, provide some practical lessons in the development and implementation of that model.DOI: 10.17323/1814-9545-2015-4-132-146
Effects of the granule composition on the compaction behavior of deformable dry granules

Calibration of the Drucker Prager Cap (DPC) model parameters provides a means for a deeper understanding of the impact of granule composition on the compaction properties of dry granules independent of their solid fraction. In this study, monodisperse granules of mixtures of microcrystalline cellulose and mannitol (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% mannitol) prepared as small cylindrical compacts with well-defined size, shape and solid fraction (0.58) were used as model dry granules. DPC parameters–namely, cohesion, internal friction angle, cap eccentricity, and hydrostatic yield strength of materials–were determined from the diametrical and uniaxial compression, and in-die compaction tests. Elastic properties such as Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio were also determined from the in-die compaction test. Higher level of mannitol in granules required a lower compression pressure to obtain a low solid fraction tablet but higher compression pressure to obtain a high solid fraction tablets. Properties such as cohesion and diametrical tensile strength go through a maximum as the mannitol level increases in the binary granules, and clearly do not follow a simple linear mixing rule. At an industrially-relevant tablet solid fraction of 0.88, granules with 75% mannitol exhibited the highest cohesion, and produced the strongest tablet. Other properties either approximately follow the linear mixing rule (e.g., hydrostatic yield strength, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio) where limited interactions between the constituents are present, or not sensitive to the composition (e.g., internal angle of friction). In general, the compaction behavior of granules of a multicomponent system may not be precisely estimated from the properties of individual components, simply by using the linear mixing rule.
A MELUS Interview: Pietro Di Donato

Pietro Di Donato was twelve years old when his Italian immigrantfather was killed in a construction accident on Good Friday in 1923. As the oldest boy, Di Donato took his father's trowel and began supporting his seven brothers and sisters. Not until he became unemployed and went on relief did he have the leisure to study, read, and write about his experiences. The resulting Christ in Concrete, published in 193 9, became an instant success. In 1960 he wrote the introduction to that work, Three Circles of Light, followed by Immigrant Saint, a life of Mother Cabrini; and The Penitent, a life of the man who killed Saint Maria Goretti. Currently Di Donato is finishing a work entitled The Gospels. Christ in Concrete was reprinted by Macmillan in 1985, and Immigrant Saint is due to be republished soon. The following interview is from a series of meetings with Di Donato and his wife Helen, which took place January 12, February 12, and June 8, 1985, at his home on Strong's Neck, Long Island.
On the Use of a Fractal Equivalent Circuit Model to Predict the Geotechnical Properties of Soils

Frequency dependent electrical measurements of soils contains useful information about their texture and structure that can be linked to their geotechnical and transport properties. We perform frequency dependent electrical measurements on twenty-nine natural soils with wide variability in physical and textural properties in a laboratory environment at a constant stress level in the frequency range 0.01Hz -10 kHz. The engineering and hydraulic properties of these soils, that is, the hydraulic conductivity, void ratio, fines content, intergranular void ratio and the dry density are also measured. The electrical behavior of the soils were modeled with an equivalent circuit model described by six circuit parameters. Relationships between the circuit parameters and the soil properties
Co-Operative Caching in Dynamic Shared Spectrum Networks

This paper considers co-operation between primary and secondary users in shared spectrum radio networks via caching. We first consider a network with one channel shared between a single macro (primary) base station and multiple micro (secondary) base stations. Secondary base stations can cache some primary files and thereby satisfy content requests generated from nearby primary users. For this co-operative scenario, we develop two caching and scheduling policies under which the set of primary and secondary request generation rates that can be supported increases from the case without cooperation. The first of these algorithms, fixed primary caching policy (FPCP), provides more gain in the set of supportable request generation rates. However under this algorithm primary packet transmissions from secondary base stations have the same priority of access as secondary packets and thus might suffer in terms of delay. In the second algorithm, variable primary caching policy (VPCP), primary packet transmissions from the secondary base stations have higher priority of access than that of secondary packets. We find that the set of request generation rate vectors for which all queues in the network are stable under each of these algorithms is greater than that under any non-cooperative algorithm. We conduct extensive simulations to compare the performance of both algorithms against that of an optimal nonco-operative algorithm. Finally, we extend the analysis to a network with multiple channels.
ESR Study of Cu(II) in Polyacrylamide Networks

Surface interactions between water and polymer networks have a profound effect on the water structure. The properties of water in these, and other, heterogeneous systems are sensitive to the size of the network pores and have been described by the two-phase model which assumes partition of the water between the “bulk” and the “bound” water phases1,2. Evidence for this partition has been obtained in numerous proton NMR studies3–6 and also in ESR studies of paramagnetic probes in zeolites7, silica gels8 and in water containing polymers9.
Reaching Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education Through Culturally Responsive Teaching

This article considers how developing an understanding of the beliefs, values, norms, and ways of thinking and learning of students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE) is central to effective instruction for this population. Because these students are different from other English language learners (ELLs), teachers must develop the ability to suspend judgment by building deep cultural knowledge of SLIFE. This can then inform curriculum and pedagogical practices that best support SLIFE in their transition and adaption to formal education. Following a review of culturally responsive teaching as outlined by Gay (2000; 2002; 2010), I continue with an examination of the Intercultural Communication Framework (DeCapua and Marshall, 2011; Marshall, 1994) intended to develop teachers' understanding of cultural factors influencing students' ways of thinking and learning. The article concludes with an exploration of a culturally responsive instructional model, the Mutually Adaptive Learning Paradigm (DeCapua and Marshall 2011; 2013), designed to better serve SLIFE.
Current Situation and Prospects of Automatic Electrical Energy Meter Reading Technology

Automatic meter reading technology is the important technical means of modern power marketing,the research of communication mode is the focus of its development.This paper briefly describes the technology background of automatic electrical energy meter reading and its system composition.Current situation and future direction of research and development of this technology are discussed on the basis of analyzing the communication methods of the system and choosing between these methods.
Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a discussion on some bacterial and mycotic diseases of nonhuman primates. Bacteria are presented in the general order of gram-positive, gram-negative, and acid-fast organisms. Some of the genera of bacteria discussed in the chapter include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Listeria, Erysipelothrix, Clostridium, Neisseria, Branhamella, Escherichia, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Klebsiella, Bordetella, Pasteurella, Francisella, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, and Campylobacter . Dermatophytosis or ringworm in nonhuman primates is caused by organisms of the genera Microsporum and Trichophyton. This condition occurs rarely in nonhuman primates. Dermatophytes invade the horny layer of the skin and hair and produce a mild inflammatory response and hyperkeratosis. Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes produce arthrospores arranged on the outside of the hair shaft. Dermatophytes invade the anagen hairs and grow down the follicle toward the layer of mitotic activity. The chapter concludes with a discussion of several systemic yeast infections and systemic hyphal infections that are diagnosed in nonhuman primates.
Regioselective Amine–Borane Cyclization: Towards the Synthesis of 1,2‐BN‐3‐Cyclohexene by Copper‐Assisted Triazole/Gold Catalysis

The combination of triazole/gold (TA-Au) and Cu(OTf)2 is identified as the optimal catalytic system for promoting intramolecular hydroboration for the synthesis of a six-membered cyclic amine–borane. Excellent yields (up to 95 %) and regioselectivities (5-exo vs. 6-endo) were achieved through catalyst control and sequential dilution. Good functional-group tolerance was attained, thus allowing the preparation of highly functionalized cyclic amine–borane substrates, which could not be achieved using other methods. Deuterium-labeling studies support the involvement of a hydride addition to a gold-activated alkyne with subsequent C−B bond formation.
Phosphors help switch on xenon

A phosphor material that emits almost twice as many photons as it absorbs has been discovered by researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands (R Wegh et al. 1999 Science 283 663). The discovery may lead to a new generation of highly efficient fluorescent lights and plasma displays that are also environmentally safe.
Measurement Invariance and Differential Item Functioning in Latent Class Analysis With Stepwise Multiple Indicator Multiple Cause Modeling

The use of latent class analysis, and finite mixture modeling more generally, has become almost commonplace in social and health science domains. Typically, research aims in mixture model applicati...
Engaging Leadership: Understanding 'Other Duties as Assigned'

All employees have at least a small percentage of their responsibilities listed as 'Other Duties as Assigned' or a similar open ended phrase. However, leaders engage in more of this type of activity. While 'Other Duties as Assigned' can result in the opportunity to develop leadership skills, repeated engagement on these extracurricular endeavors can pose professional pitfalls and hazards. This column explores different aspects of this open ended aspect of performance.
Analyzing willingness to improve the resilience of New York City's transportation system

Abstract Hurricane Sandy revealed the higher-risk vulnerability to natural hazards of civil infrastructure systems in coastal megacities such as New York. Traditional sources of funding for both recovering from disasters and preventing future damages are not only limited, but also do not account for benefit transfers of the externalities induced by the provision of resilient infrastructure. In principle, property owners should be willing to pay (WTP) an amount equal to the perceived benefit, if this positive externality is internalized by them following some pricing mechanism. In this paper, we analyze the willingness of residents to financially support improvements in the resilience to extreme events of the transportation system in New York City. Choice microdata was collected for over 1500 residents of the metropolitan NYC area. Several logit-type models were estimated and the preferred model was a discrete-continuous heterogeneity mixture that allows for the derivation of flexible distributions of willingness to pay. Using hypothetical scenarios of recovery, the annual willingness to pay for individuals who missed work ands self identify as politically liberal ranges from $120 to $775, whereas for those individuals that were not directly affected the range is $15-$50.
Bladder fibrosis during outlet obstruction is triggered through the NLRP3 inflammasome and the production of IL-1β

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) triggers inflammation in the bladder through the NLRP3 inflammasome. BOO also activates fibrosis, which is largely responsible for the decompensation of the bladder in the chronic state. Because fibrosis can be driven by inflammation, we have explored a role for NLRP3 (and IL-1β produced by NLRP3) in the activation and progression of BOO-induced fibrosis. Female rats were divided into five groups: 1) control, 2) sham, 3) BOO + vehicle, 4) BOO + the NLRP3 inhibitor glyburide, or 5) BOO + the IL-1β receptor antagonist anakinra. Fibrosis was assessed by Masson's trichrome stain, collagen secretion via Sirius Red, and protein localization by immunofluorescence. BOO increased collagen production in the bladder, which was blocked by glyburide and anakinra, clearly implicating the NLRP3/IL-1β pathway in fibrosis. The collagen was primarily found in the lamina propria and the smooth muscle, while IL-1 receptor 1 and prolyl 4-hydroylase (an enzyme involved in the intracellular modification of collagen) both localized to the urothelium and the smooth muscle. Lysyl oxidase, the enzyme involved in the final extracellular assembly of mature collagen fibrils, was found to some extent in the lamina propria where its expression was greatly enhanced during BOO. In vitro studies demonstrated isolated urothelial cells from BOO rats secreted substantially more collagen than controls, and collagen expression in control cultures could be directly stimulated by IL-1β. In summary, NLRP3-derived-IL-1β triggers fibrosis during BOO, most likely through an autocrine loop in which IL-1β acts on urothelia to drive collagen production.
The outlook today for the breeder reactor

This paper provides a general understanding of where the breeder stands today. After tracing briefly the history of the breeder, it outlines the status of the breeder reactor, both internationally and in the U.S. It summarizes the main points that have come to light in the many years of experience that have now accumulated in operating prototype breeder power plants from the early sixties onward. Based on this experience, and the related R and D programs, it puts breeder development prospects in terms of the advantages of the breeder that are now certain, and the problems that still remain. In listing the major remaining technical problem areas the paper briefly describes the U.S. programs for their resolution. It then goes on to describe the main essentially non-technical issues that are currently slowing breeder development. It finishes with a discussion of the outlook for the breeder reactor today.
An endogenous DNA adduct as a prognostic biomarker for hepatocarcinogenesis and its prevention by Theaphenon E in mice

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, mainly because of its poor prognosis. A valid mechanism-based prognostic biomarker is urgently needed. γ-hydroxy-1,N2-propanodeoxyguanosine (γ-OHPdG) is an endogenously formed mutagenic DNA adduct derived from lipid peroxidation (LPO). We examined the relationship of γ-OHPdG with hepatocarcinogenesis in two animal models and its potential role as a prognostic biomarker for recurrence in HCC patients. Bioassays were conducted in the Xeroderma pigmentosum group A knockout mice (Xpa-/-), and the diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-injected mice, both prone to HCC development. γ-OHPdG levels in the livers of these animals were determined. The effects of antioxidant treatments on γ-OHPdG and hepatocarcinogenesis were examined. Using two independent sets of HCC specimens from patients, we examined the relationship between γ-OHPdG and survival or recurrence-free survival. γ-OHPdG levels in liver DNA showed an age-dependent increase and consistently correlated with HCC development in all three animal models. Theaphenon E treatment significantly decreased γ-OHPdG levels in the liver DNA of Xpa-/- mice, and remarkably reduced HCC incidence in these mice to 14% from 100% in the controls. It also effectively inhibited HCC development in the DEN-injected mice. Using clinical samples from two groups of patients, our study revealed that higher levels of γ-OHPdG are strongly associated with low survival (p < 0.0001) and low recurrence-free survival (p = 0.007), respectively. Conclusion: These results support γ-OHPdG as a mechanism-based biologically relevant biomarker for predicting the risk of HCC and its recurrence. Genetic and epigenetic alterations in oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes are crucial for carcinogenesis (1, 2). Somatic mutations may arise from DNA lesions that are not repaired. During lifetime, human genome will host a wide-spectrum of mutagenic DNA lesions, induced by chemical carcinogens, viruses, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. This is believed to be the case for human liver as it is a major detoxifying organ that is exposed to a large number of risk factors (3-5). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Long term outcomes of severe combined immunodeficiency: therapy implications

Newborn screening has led to a better understanding of the prevalence of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) overall and in terms of specific genotypes. Survival has improved following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) with the best outcomes seen following use of a matched sibling donor. However, questions remain regarding the optimal alternative donor source, appropriate use of conditioning and the impact of these decisions on immune reconstitution and other late morbidities. Areas covered: The currently available literature reporting late effects after HCT for SCID and use of alternative therapies including enzyme replacement, alternative donors and gene therapy are reviewed. A literature search was performed on Pubmed and ClinicalTrials.gov using key words 'Severe Combined Immunodeficiency', 'SCID', 'hematopoietic stem cell transplant', 'conditioning', 'gene therapy', 'SCID newborn screening', 'TREC' and 'late effects'. Expert commentary: Newborn screening has dramatically changed the clinical presentation of newborn SCID. While the majority of patients with SCID survive HCT, data regarding late effects in these patients is limited and additional studies focused on genotype specific late effects are needed. Prospective studies aimed at minimizing the use of alkylating agents and reducing late effects beyond survival are needed. Gene therapy is being developed and will likely become a more commonly used treatment that will require separate consideration of survival and late effects.
The low-light reduction in the quantum yield of photosynthesis: potential errors and biases when calculating the maximum quantum yield.

Photosynthesis-irradiance (P-E) curves are widely used to describe photosynthetic efficiency and potential. Contemporary models assume maximal photosynthetic quantum yield (φ) at low irradiances. But P-E observations made with both oxygen evolution and carbon uptake techniques show that this is not always the case. Using new and published data in conjunction with modeling exercises, we demonstrate that regardless of the mechanism there can be reductions in φ at low irradiances that are not readily observable using conventional P-E analyses. We also show that analytical errors, such as inaccurate estimation of dark oxygen consumption or carbon uptake, can markedly affect the structure of φ-E curves with negligible effect on P-E curve structure. Whether from respiration `corrections' or other mechanisms, these deviations in φ at low light levels from the maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis (φmax) can lead to significant errors (> 50%) in the estimation of the linear portion of the P-E curve and ultimately φmax. Non-linear models of P-E, such as the rectangular hyperbola, quadratic, exponential and hyperbolic tangent that are commonly used to estimate the initial slope (α) of the P-E curve assume that φ is maximal at low light levels and therefore can err in the estimation of φmax when φ is reduced at low light levels. Using a diverse data set of 622 P-E curves with a total of 7623 points, we show that although model skills are high (r2 = 0.96 ± 0.05, 0.97 ± 0.04, 0.97 ± 0.04 and 0.97 ± 0.04, respectively), a large fraction of the model-predicted φmax differ by greater than 10% from true φmax values (91%, 50%, 82% and 46%, respectively). Data from these observations and modeling exercises lead us to suggest that φmax be determined by directly estimating the true maximum of a φ-E curve rather than using the more conventional methodology employing the initial slope of the P-E curve.
On the Westerness of Deliberation Research

This essay suggests that the issue of culture is vital to advance deliberation theories and practices. After discussing whether deliberative democracy is a Western-specific or universal concept, it argues that current deliberation research is heavily immersed in Western cultural and methodological standards. An empirical portion also suggests that the positive effects of deliberation were greater for Western participants as opposed to non-Western participants. It argues that deliberation theories and research should be expanded so that they can include more cultural sensibilities.
MACROMOLECULAR DIVISION: THE EFFECT OF MOLECULAR ORIENTATION ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYSTYRENE

Oriented sheets of two commercial homopolystyrenes differing in molecular weight, rheological and glass transition temperature properties have been prepared by sheet extrusion and drawing.
Metastatic Disease, Myeloma, and Lymphoma Affecting the Hip

The three most common causes for bony lesions in patients over 40 years of age are metastatic disease, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma. Oftentimes, these conditions have a predilection for the hip region. The authors present the incidence, characteristics, and treatment of metastatic disease, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma affecting the hip joint to help clinicians accurately diagnose and manage these conditions. They also present the senior author's technique of cemented long stem hemiarthroplasty for treating these conditions when they affect the proximal femur.
Assessment of utilization and downtime of a commercial level multi-pass corn stover harvesting systems

With commercial scale cellulosic ethanol in the formative stages of building large-scale feedstock supply chains there is a requirement for biomass harvesting equipment to be capable of increasing the densification of agricultural residue. The current technologies in use are large square balers, which were not specifically designed for the harvesting of agricultural residues such as corn stover. With the growing demand for corn stover harvesting, the equipment needs to be improved and refined to overcome the challenges that corn stover harvesting presents, while meeting and exceeding industry standards for custom harvesting. The harvest capacity of this equipment set is greatly decreased in corn stover biomass harvesting because of increases in maintenance and downtime caused by the harsh operating conditions. The objective of this research was to discover correlations between harvesting equipment’s downtime and productivity. Results of this work analyzed a comprehensive corn stover harvesting data set from an 8000-acre commercial corn stover harvest. The outcome of this research will benefit both the cellulosic processers, as well as the growers and custom harvesters of agricultural biomass
Technology’s Black Mirror: Seeing, Machines, and Culture

Anthropomorphic language is constantly deployed in discussions of technology more generally and very specifically in discussions of artificial intelligence. Such language can obscure both what the technology actually does and what the challenges are to using it. Facial Recognition and autonomous vehicles both rely on a form of computer vision—not the same but related forms. This article seeks to deconstruct what is going on in these two technologies to give readers an ability to think critically about them as these are technologies that will have broad social impacts and which are potentially dangerous to health and well-being. They will involve exercise of power by inscrutable algorithmic authority and it is important to think more deeply about them so that we can build a world we want to live in.
Interaction analysis under misspecification of main effects: Some common mistakes and simple solutions

The statistical practice of modeling interaction with two linear main effects and a product term is ubiquitous in the statistical and epidemiological literature. Most data modelers are aware that the misspecification of main effects can potentially cause severe type I error inflation in tests for interactions, leading to spurious detection of interactions. However, modeling practice has not changed. In this article, we focus on the specific situation where the main effects in the model are misspecified as linear terms and characterize its impact on common tests for statistical interaction. We then propose some simple alternatives that fix the issue of potential type I error inflation in testing interaction due to main effect misspecification. We show that when using the sandwich variance estimator for a linear regression model with a quantitative outcome and two independent factors, both the Wald and score tests asymptotically maintain the correct type I error rate. However, if the independence assumption does not hold or the outcome is binary, using the sandwich estimator does not fix the problem. We further demonstrate that flexibly modeling the main effect under a generalized additive model can largely reduce or often remove bias in the estimates and maintain the correct type I error rate for both quantitative and binary outcomes regardless of the independence assumption. We show, under the independence assumption and for a continuous outcome, overfitting and flexibly modeling the main effects does not lead to power loss asymptotically relative to a correctly specified main effect model. Our simulation study further demonstrates the empirical fact that using flexible models for the main effects does not result in a significant loss of power for testing interaction in general. Our results provide an improved understanding of the strengths and limitations for tests of interaction in the presence of main effect misspecification. Using data from a large biobank study "The Michigan Genomics Initiative", we present two examples of interaction analysis in support of our results.