cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Architecting a Persistent and Reliable Configuration Management System

Streamlined configuration management plays a significant role in modern, complex distributed systems. Via mechanisms that promote consistency, repeatability, and transparency, configuration management systems (CMSes) address complexity and aim to increase the efficiency of administrative procedures, including deployment and failure recovery scenarios. Considering the importance of minimizing disruptions in these systems, we design an architecture that increases persistency and reliability of infrastructure management. We present our architecture in the context of hybrid, cluster-cloud environments and describe our highly available implementation that builds upon the open source CMS called Chef and infrastructure-as-a-service cloud resources from Amazon Web Services. We demonstrate how we enabled a smooth transition from the pre-existing single-server configuration to the proposed highly available management system. We summarize our experience with managing a 20-node Linux cluster using this implementation. Our analysis of utilization and cost of necessary cloud resources indicates that the designed system is a low-cost alternative to acquiring additional physical hardware for hardening cluster management. We also highlight the prototype's security and manageability features that are suitable for larger, production-ready deployments.
Scanning electron microscopic observations on cell surface changes during aggregation of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract The surface of single cells of Dictyostelium discoideum during growth and aggregation has been observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Our results show a series of morphological changes associated with the transition from growth to development which appear to be cellcontact dependent. In addition, from results using Concanavalin A as a biochemical probe, we conclude that the mannose-containing surface glycoproteins are accessible during growth, but become inaccessible during aggregation.
The application of computer systems to research in experimental social psychology

The application of a laboratory computer system to research in experimental social psychology is discussed. An experiment designed to study the nonverbal communication patterns in humans is discussed with special emphasis on the automation of data collecting and data scoring procedures through the utilization of programs written for an Apple II computer system.
A Fast Algorithm to Predict Cell Trajectories in Microdevices Using Dielectrophoresis

Prediction of accurate trajectories of biological particles is necessary for efficient design of microdevices for dielectrophoretic manipulation. Due to simplicity, a point-based method is generally used to simulate particle trajectory, but a point-based method provides significant distortion from the actual path when particle size is comparable to the device characteristic dimension. This article reports an efficient numerical model which can overcome these drawbacks of a point-based method and can be used for accurate predictions of particle trajectory. This model is formulated on a distributed Lagrange multiplier based fictitious domain (FD) approach for flow field and motion of particles, and the multi-domain method for electric potential. In this study, the dielectric forces are calculated from the Maxwell stress tensor. The accuracy of the proposed methods are validated separately with two test problems: terminal velocity of a particle in a stationary fluid while it is pulled with a constant force, ...
Tamoxifen improves hippocampally-mediated learning after cholinergic blockade similar to estrogen in older women

AKer both 3 month treatments of TMX or placebo, subjects completed a 5 drug challenge days throughout a )me span of 2 weeks, at least 48 hours apart. For each par)cipant, the drug sequence was randomized. Drugs administered during challenge days were: • Scopolamine (SCOP) is a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist that was intravenously administered at a dose of 2.5μg/kg and 5.0μg/kg body weight. • Mecamylamine (MECA) is a nico)nic cholinergic antagonist with oral doses of of 10 mg and 20 mg. • Matching placebos
The European Court and the national courts: A statistical analysis of preliminary references, 1961-95

ABSTRACT The article presents comprehensive data on Article 177 (EEC) activity. The data, never before collected and analyzed, are coded by date, member state of origin, referring court, legal subject matter of the reference, and other categories, which permit us to construct a dynamic, multidimensional picture of the litigation of EC law across the Community. Using this data, we assess a range of approaches to European legal integration. The evidence corroborates transaction-based theories of integration, and broadly supports approaches that emphasize the transformative impact of the Court's doctrines of supremacy and direct effect. We found less support for recent critiques of the judicial empowerment' thesis developed by Weiler and others.
Experimental Determination of Effectiveness of an Individual Information-Centered Approach in Recovering Step-Count Missing Data

Missing values are a common phenomenon in physical activity research, which has a negative impact on the quality of the data collected. The purpose of this study was to determine empirically the effectiveness of an individual information-centered (II-centered) approach in recovering step-count missing values by comparing the performance of the II-centered approach with the traditional group information-centered approach. Using pedometers, the step counts of 117 participants were measured for 21 consecutive days. A semisimulation approach was used to create a missing data set and several conditions of weekdays, weekend days, or both, were compared under each approach. Two accuracy indexes, Root Mean Square Difference and Mean Signed Difference, were used to determine the effectiveness of the recovery methods, and paired t tests were used to examine the mean differences between the original and the replacement values. The II-centered approach produced a more accurate recovery method. The impact of the findi...
Simplifying the complexity of cell signaling in medicine and the life sciences: Radicals and electrochemistry

There have been various comments on the complexity of cell signaling and the need for simplification. Recently, new mechanics was proposed by Hlavacek and Faeder as a means of achieving this goal. Some of the important tenets include: (1) phosphorylation of nearby phosphorylation sites is likely to be cooperative and (2) many phosphorylation sites regulate the binding activities of protein interaction domains. Also, phosphorylation sites within a protein can be lumped together into a single effective domain. Recently, reports have appeared that provide a simplified base for cell signaling involving electrochemistry (electrostatics and electron transfer) and radical species. In the electrostatic approach, a vital role is played by anions of phosphate and sulfate, as well as cations of metals and bioactive organic cations, such as acetylcholine, GABA and amino acid zwitterions, in addition to protein ions. The theoretical base can also be applied to receptor-ligand chemistry. The hypothetical framework can complement the new mechanics approach by providing an underlying rationale based on electrochemistry and radicals.
Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Causing Subdivided Left Atrium: Diagnosis, Embryological Implications, and Surgical Management

A 3-month-old infant is described in whom a persistent left superior vena cava impinged on the posterior wall of the left atrium, producing a subdivided left atrium with left-to-right shunting and congestive heart failure. To our knowledge, this anomaly has not previously been reported. The preoperative diagnosis, surgical management, and embryological implications are discussed.
Boundary transition of a piezolaminated beam with large feedback voltages

Distributed control of a cantilever beam using a fully distributed piezoelectric layer has been a classical problem for years. In general, the equivalent actuation is introduced at the free end of the cantilever beam, and the control action is equivalent to an (electric) counteracting moment. The control effect is proportional to the feedback voltage, if the system is considered linear. If the feedback voltage is continuously increased, what would happen to the cantilever beam was not investigated. In this study, nonlinear control effects and boundary transition of the cantilever beam with large feedback voltages are studied. Analytical solutions are compared with finite element simulations.
Black and immigrant labor force participation in America

Abstract Model minority theory frequently ascribes blame for the socioeconomic condition of African Americans to their own lack of positive work-related attitudes. Data from the 1990 Census of Population are used to assess the relative work situation of three major Black groups in America–African Americans, African, and Caribbean immigrants. The findings are not supportive of the hypothesis that African Americans are less motivated to work relative to their Black immigrant counterparts. Rather, a key finding is that the employment status of Black natives and immigrants is a function of the income or money available to individuals. Once Blacks are employed, there are no differences in work intensity between African Americans and their African and Caribbean immigrant counterparts.
Spectral Analysis of the Central Nervous System Effects of the Relaxation Response Elicited by Autogenic Training

Abstract This study examined the effects of the relaxation response, elicited by autogenic training, on central nervous system (CNS) activity. We used computerized spectral analysis of EEG activity as a dependent measure. After baseline EEG data were obtained for all subjects, the experimental group practiced standard autogenic exercises for 15 experimental sessions with home practice. The control subjects received the same number of sessions under identical conditions, except that they listened to a pleasant radio show without home practice. Subjects were then post tested to assess the acute and chronic effects of autogenic training and the relaxation response on CNS activity. The results indicated significant acute effects differences between groups; the experimental group showed greater increases in theta and greater decreases in alpha percent total power. The results suggest that the relaxation response elicited by autogenic training produces significant acute changes in EEG activity and a characteris...
Atmospheric Predictability of Seasonal, Annual, and Decadal Climate Means and the Role of the ENSO Cycle: A Model Study

Abstract The characteristics of extratropical low-frequency variability are examined using a comprehensive atmospheric general circulation model. A large experiment consisting of 13 45-yr-long integrations forced by prescribed sea surface temperature (SST) variations is analyzed. The predictability of timescales of seasonal to decadal averages is evaluated. The variability of a climate mean contains not only climate signal arising from external boundary forcing but also climate noise due to the internal dynamics of the climate system, resulting in various levels of predictability that are dependent on the forcing boundary conditions and averaging timescales. The focus of this study deviates from the classic predictability study of Lorenz, which is essentially initial condition sensitive. This study can be considered to be a model counterpart of Madden’s “potential” predictability study. The tropical SST anomalies impact more on the predictability over the Pacific/North America sector than the Atlantic/Eur...
Validation of a prediction rule for the identification of children with intra-abdominal injuries after blunt torso trauma.

Study objective We validate the accuracy of a previously derived clinical prediction rule for the identification of children with intra-abdominal injuries after blunt torso trauma. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study of children with blunt torso trauma who were evaluated for intra-abdominal injury with abdominal computed tomography (CT), diagnostic laparoscopy, or laparotomy at a Level I trauma center during a 3-year period to validate a previously derived prediction rule. The emergency physician providing care documented history and physical examination findings on a standardized data collection form before knowledge of the results of diagnostic imaging. The clinical prediction rule being evaluated included 6 "high-risk" variables, the presence of any of which indicated that the child was not at low risk for intra-abdominal injury: low age-adjusted systolic blood pressure, abdominal tenderness, femur fracture, increased liver enzyme levels (serum aspartate aminotransferase concentration >200 U/L or serum alanine aminotransferase concentration >125 U/L), microscopic hematuria (urinalysis >5 RBCs/high powered field), or an initial hematocrit level less than 30%. Results One thousand three hundred twenty-four children with blunt torso trauma were enrolled, and 1,119 (85%) patients had the variables in the decision rule documented by the emergency physician and therefore made up the study sample. The prediction rule had the following test characteristics: sensitivity=149 of 157, 94.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 90.2% to 97.7%) and specificity=357 of 962, 37.1% (95% CI 34.0 to 40.3%). Three hundred sixty-five patients tested negative for the rule; thus, strict application would have resulted in a 33% reduction in abdominal CT scanning. Of the 8 patients with intra-abdominal injury not identified by the prediction rule, 1 underwent a laparotomy. This patient had a serosal tear and a mesenteric hematoma at laparotomy, neither of which required specific surgical intervention. Conclusion A clinical prediction rule consisting of 6 variables, easily available to clinicians in the ED, identifies most but not all children with intra-abdominal injury. Application of the prediction rule to this sample would have reduced the number of unnecessary abdominal CT scans performed but would have failed to identify 1 child undergoing (a nontherapeutic) laparotomy. Thus, further refinement of this prediction rule in a large, multicenter cohort is necessary before widespread implementation.
Radiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel steels

Abstract The problem of radiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel steels is considered within the framework of new NRL concepts of fracture analysis and in reference to the primary variables, steel composition, neutron exposure, and exposure temperature.
Mechanism of Interaction Between Lung Surfactant Protein-D and Influenza A Virus Hemagglutinin

Lung collectin surfactant proteins are pulmonary host defense proteins that contribute to innate, front-line defense against influenza A virus (IAV) and other inhaled pathogens. Collectins recognize viral glycans on the globular head of hemagglutinin (HA) on the IAV surface and initiate events leading to pathogen neutralization. Thus, effective pulmonary host defense requires fast recognition of IAV HA by collectins. In order to assist development of new approaches to collectin-based antiviral therapeutics, we investigated the mechanism underlying SP-D recognition of IAV HA using molecular dynamics simulations. Comparing the binding affinities of SP-Ds of human and swine on different IAV HA proteins, we showed that swine's SP-D has a higher binding affinity towards the glycans of HA proteins. In addition, starting from crystalized protein structures from X-ray diffraction experiments, our simulations identified the most stable docking configuration of the SP-D-HA complex, revealing how composition and location of glycans affect binding of SP-D to HA.
NEUROBEHAVIORAL EVIDENCE FOR THE “NEAR‐MISS” EFFECT IN PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLERS

The purpose of this translational study was twofold: (1) to contrast behavioral and brain activity between pathological and nonpathological gamblers, and (2) to examine differences as a function of the outcome of the spin of a slot machine, focusing predominately on the “Near-Miss”—when two reels stop on the same symbol, and that symbol is just above or below the payoff line on the third reel. Twenty-two participants (11 nonpathological; 11 pathological) completed the study by rating the closeness of various outcomes of slot machine displays (wins, losses, and near-misses) to a win. No behavioral differences were observed between groups of participants, however, differences in brain activity were found in the left midbrain, near the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (SN / VTA). Near-miss outcomes uniquely activated brain regions associated with wins for the pathological gamblers and regions associated with losses for the nonpathological gamblers. Thus, near-miss outcomes on slot machines may contain both functional and neurological properties of wins for pathological gamblers. Such a translational approach to the study of gambling behavior may be considered an example that gives life to B. F. Skinner's conceptualization of the physiologist of the future.
Health status and health-related quality of life in congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major public health concern today with a high mortality rate. The major purpose of this study was to examine the health status and healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) of men and women with a diagnosis of CHF. A cross-sectional exploratory design was used. Specific study aims were to determine (a) whether there were differences in self-reported health status and HRQOL of men and women with CHF, (b) whether the variables of age, race/ethnicity, living status, number of comorbidities, perceived general health status, and perceived symptom management differ by gender, and (c) whether gender, age, race, number of comorbidities, living status, perceived general health status, perceived symptom management perceived physical health status, and perceived mental health status predict HRQOL. A non-probability convenience sample of 113 participants, who met the criteria for participation, were recruited from two cardiac clinics. There were no significant differences among gender categories on the variables of health status and HRQOL. Independent samples ttest showed no significant differences in age, total number of comorbidities, perceived general health status, and perceived symptoms management by gender. Chi-square test results revealed that gender and living status were independent, as were gender and race/ethnicity. Hierarchical regression analysis showed all predictors for each hypothesized dependent variable in the model contributed to the outcome. Perceived symptoms management was a direct predictor of functional status, and its prediction of the mental health component of functional status represented the model's highest relationship. The model's only nonsignificant path was from comorbidities to HRQOL. The variables of perceived general health status, physical health status, mental health status, and perceived symptom management contributed to the HRQOL outcome when age, but not comorbidities, was the exogenous variable. Using kappa, agreement regarding functional status was only 44% between patients and their healthcare providers, adjusted to 37% for chance agreement. The understanding gained from this stu<ty will provide guidance in planning future education and interventions for CHf patients.
THE RATE OF REMOVAL OF SUNLIGHT‐INDUCED PYRIMIDINE DIMERS FROM THE DNA OF CULTURED HUMAN DIPLOID FIBROBLASTS

The rate of excision of sunlight-induced pyrimidine dimers in DNA of exposed human cells was determined. Two normal excision repair-proficient human diploid fibroblast strains (WS-1 and KD) and a repair-deficient strain (XP12BE, group A) maintained in a nondividing state were exposed to summer noon-time sunlight for times (5 and 20 min) that induced numbers of dimers equivalent to far UV (254 nm) exposures of 1 and 4 J/m2. Pyrimidine dimers were quantified in extracted DNA using a U V-endonuclease-alkaline sedimentation assay. The excision rates of these dimers were similar to those observed for the excision of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers. No sunlight-induced inhibition or stimulation of DNA repair was observed in either strain at these low exposures.
Technical note: validation of a model for online classification of US Select beef carcasses for longissimus tenderness using visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.

The present experiment was conducted to provide a validation of a previously developed model for online classification of US Select carcasses for LM tenderness based on visible and near-infrared (VIS- NIR) spectroscopy and to determine if the accuracy of VISNIR-based tenderness classification could be en- hanced by making measurements after postmortem ag- ing. Spectroscopy was conducted online, during carcass grading, at a large-scale commercial fed beef-processing facility, and the strip loin was obtained from the left side of US Select carcasses (n = 467). Slice shear force (SSF) was measured on fresh steaks at 2 and 14 d post- mortem. Online VISNIR tenderness classes differed in mean SSF values at both 2 d (29.4 vs. 33.6 kg) and 14 d (18.0 vs. 21.2 kg) postmortem (P < 10 −7 ). Online VIS- NIR tenderness classes differed in both the percentage of carcasses with LM SSF values greater than 40 kg at 2 d postmortem (5.1 vs. 21.0%; P < 10 −6 ) and the per- centage of carcasses with LM SSF values greater than 25 kg at 14 d postmortem (6.8 vs. 23.2%; P < 10 −5 ). Whereas 15.0% of the carcasses sampled for this ex- periment had LM SSF values greater than 25 kg at 14 d postmortem, only 6.8% of the carcasses classified as tender by VISNIR had LM SSF values greater than 25 kg. All the carcasses sampled that had LM SSF values greater than 35 kg at 14 d postmortem were accurately classified as tough by VISNIR. Before measurement of SSF on d 14, VISNIR spectroscopy was conducted on the SSF steak. Tenderness classes based on d 14 VIS- NIR spectra differed both in mean SSF value at 14 d postmortem (17.7 vs. 21.6 kg; P < 10 −11 ) and the percentage of carcasses with LM SSF values greater than 25 kg at 14 d postmortem (7.3 vs. 22.7%; P < 10 −5 ). These data support our previous work showing that VISNIR spectroscopy can be used to classify US Select carcasses noninvasively for LM tenderness, and the results establish that this technology could also be applied to aged US Select strip loins. This technology would allow packing companies and other segments of the beef marketing chain to identify US Select carcasses or strip loins that excel in LM tenderness for use in branded beef programs.
Nuclear and mitochondrial signalling Akts in cardiomyocytes

Biological actions resulting from phosphoinositide synthesis trigger multiple downstream signalling cascades by recruiting proteins with pleckstrin homology domains, including phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 and protein kinase B (also known as Akt). Retrospectively, more attention has been focused on the plasma membrane-associated interactions of these molecules and resulting cytoplasmic target activation. The complex biological activities exerted by Akt activation suggest, however, that more subtle and complex subcellular control mechanisms are involved. This review examines the regulation of Akt activity from the perspective of subcellular compartmentalization and focuses specifically upon the actions of Akt activation downstream from phosphoinositide synthesis that influence cell biology by altering nuclear signalling leading to Pim-1 kinase induction as well as hexokinase phosphorylation that, together with Akt, serves to preserve mitochondrial integrity.
Parametrically amplified room temperature 4.3–4.7 μm gain-switched Fe:ZnSe laser

Parametric amplification of a 4.3-4.7 mum microchip gain-switched Fe:ZnSe laser radiation is reported. As an amplifier medium, we have used a 2.92-mum-pumped OPA based on ZGP crystal. The single-pass amplification factor of 2 was achieved.
LONG-TERM ADJUSTMENT ISSUES IN PATIENTS WITH EXSTROPHY

AbstractPurpose: We explored the psychological adjustment of children with bladder or cloacal exstrophy.Materials and Methods: We assessed 29 subjects with a mean age plus or minus standard deviation of 7.8 ± 3.97 years using age appropriate standard psychological instruments. Psychological adjustment scores in the exstrophy group were compared to the norms of the various instruments. Subjects were divided into dichotomous groups according to several medical and demographic factors. For each factor the differences between the means of the 2 groups on the outcome variables were calculated using a t test.Results: Children with exstrophy perceived their appearance more positively than the norm. Older children performed more poorly than younger children in adaptive behavior, specifically in skills related to functioning in school. Children who achieved continence after age 4 years were more likely to have problems with acting out behavior. There were no differences in adjustment in boys versus girls, bladder ...
Use of Online Health Information Resources by American Indians and Alaska Natives

According to the Office of Minority Health, an estimated 4.9 million people living in the United States consider themselves American Indian or Alaska Native, either alone or in combination with one or more races/ethnicities. American Indians or Alaska Natives comprise a racial/ethnic group experiencing serious health disparities, with little if any improvement in health outcomes over the past several decades. This study was designed to explore use of the Internet as a health information source among American Indians in the Central Plains region of the United States. The authors recruited 998 Natives in the region from May 2008 to December 2009 at powwows, health fairs, focus groups, career fairs and conferences, and other social and cultural events, and asked them to complete a self-administered survey. Although compared with data from the general population, American Indians or Alaska Natives in this sample may seem to be more frequent Internet users, their use of modern wireless devices is limited, and their use of the Internet to access health information is lower in comparison with the adult U.S. population. Natives living in the Central Plains region face generational differences in general and health-related use of the Internet. Inadequate availability of culturally appropriate health information websites may drive American Indians or Alaska Natives toward search engines and general information websites.
High quality lip-sync animation for 3D photo-realistic talking head

We propose a new 3D photo-realistic talking head with high quality, lip-sync animation. It extends our prior high-quality 2D photo-realistic talking head to 3D. An a/v recording of a person speaking a set of prompted sentences with good phonetic coverage for ∼20-minutes is first made. We then use a 2D-to-3D reconstruction algorithm to automatically adapt a general 3D head mesh model to the person. In training, super feature vectors consisting of 3D geometry, texture and speech are augmented together to train a statistical, multi-streamed, Hidden Markov Model (HMM). The HMM is then used to synthesize both the trajectories of head motion animation and the corresponding dynamics of texture. The resultant 3D talking head animation can be controlled by the model predicted geometric trajectory while the articulator movements, e.g., lips, are rendered with dynamic 2D texture image sequences. Head motions and facial expression can also be separately controlled by manipulating corresponding parameters. In a real-time demonstration, the life-like 3D talking head can take any input text, convert it into speech and render lip-synced speech animation photo-realistically.
A partial shrinkage model for selective laser sintering of a two-component metal powder layer

A partial shrinkage model for selective laser sintering of a metal powder mixture that contains two kinds of metal powders with significantly different melting points is developed. Laser-induced melting accompanied by partial shrinkage, liquid metal flow driven by capillary and gravitational forces, and resolidification of the metal powder layer are modeled using a temperature transforming model. The effect of volume fraction of the gas in the sintered region on the sintering process is investigated.
INVOLVEMENT OF CALMODULIN AND CALMODULIN KINASE II IN TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA-INDUCED SURVIVAL OF BONE MARROW DERIVED MACROPHAGES

We previously showed that survival signaling in TNFα-treated, human THP1-derived macrophages (TDMs) has an obligatory requirement for constitutive Ca(2+) influx through a mechanism involving calmodulin/calmodulin kinase II (CAM/CAMKII). We also demonstrated that such requirement also applies to the protective actions of TNFα in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and that TRPC3 channels mediate constitutive Ca(2+) influx. Using a pharmacological approach we here examined if in BMDMs, similarly to TDMs, TNFα-induced survival signaling also involves CAM/CAMKII. In BMDMs, TNFα induced rapid activation of the survival pathways NFκB, AKT and p38MAPK. All these routes were activated in a PI3K-dependent fashion. Activation of AKT and NFκB, but not that of p38MAPK, was abrogated by the CAM inhibitor W7, while KN-62, a CAMKII inhibitor, prevented activation of AKT and p38MAPK but not that of NFκB. Inhibition of CAM or CAMKII completely prevented the protective actions of TNFα. Our observations indicate that in BMDMs CAM and CAMKII have differential contributions to the components of TNFα-dependent survival signaling and underscore a complex interplay among canonical survival routes. These findings set a signaling framework to understand how constitutive Ca(2+) influx couples to macrophage survival in BMDMs.
Integration of Knowledge Organization Systems into Digital Library Architectures: Position Paper for 13th ASIST SIGICR Workshop, Reconceptualizing Classification Research

Digital library (DL) research and development has concentrated primarily on collections and on the services to build and access them (Arms, 2000). To some extent, there has also been a focus on users and uses and on how well digital library constructions satisfy them (Borgman, 2000). A class of DL components has been missing from this development. This class we call knowledge organization system (KOS) resources and by this we mean the set of familiar and evolving systems that organize and define the terminology and notations we use to represent and organize concepts and real world objects. Just as DL collections and services can be modeled in general frameworks that support the building of library architectures, it is also possible to integrate the variety of KOSs into the DL context and to extend DL architectures to include them in the development and use of collections and services. Treating KOS resources as tightly integrated components ofDL architectures raises new research and development issues for the DL and the classification research communities.
Cross-System Transfer of Machine Learned and Knowledge Engineered Models of Gaming the System

Replicable research on the behavior known as gaming the system, in which students try to succeed by exploiting the functionalities of a learning environment instead of learning the material, has shown it is negatively correlated with learning outcomes. As such, many have developed models that can automatically detect gaming behaviors, towards deploying them in online learning environments. Both machine learning and knowledge engineering approaches have been used to create models for a variety of software systems, but the development of these models is often quite time consuming. In this paper, we investigate how well different kinds of models generalize across learning environments, specifically studying how effectively four gaming models previously created for the Cognitive Tutor Algebra tutoring system function when applied to data from two alternate learning environments: the scatterplot lesson of Cognitive Tutor Middle School and ASSISTments. Our results suggest that the similarity between the systems our model are transferred between and the nature of the approach used to create the model impact transfer to new systems.
Thermal management strategies for high power semiconductor pump lasers

Semiconductor pump lasers are an important component in Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers and Raman amplifiers. Thermal management has become one of the major obstacles of pump laser development. Understanding of the thermal behavior of high power laser packages is crucial to the thermal design and optimization of pump lasers. In this paper, we report on the thermal characteristics of a high power pump laser and discuss the issues associated with heat dissipation. The thermal management of high power pump laser modules mainly consists of three aspects. One is the thermal resistance reduction which reduces bulk temperature rise in the laser diode chip. The second is facet temperature control and the third is the thermoelectric cooler (TEC) coefficient of performance improvement. In this paper, the approaches to reduce thermal resistance and facet temperature at the chip level and package level will be reviewed and the thermal design and optimization of the package assembly to improve the TEC coefficient of performance will be discussed.
Three Residues Make an Evolutionary Switch for Folding and RNA-Destabilizing Activity in the TTP Family of Proteins.

Tristetraprolin (TTP) binds to mRNA transcripts to promote their degradation. The TTP protein family in humans includes two other proteins, TIS11b and TIS11d. All three proteins contain a highly homologous RNA binding domain (RBD) that consists of two CCCH zinc fingers (ZFs). Both ZFs are folded in the absence of RNA in TIS11d and TIS11b. In TTP, however, only ZF1 adopts a stable fold. The focus of this study is to understand the origin and biological significance of the structural differences of the RBD. We identified three residues that affect the affinity for the structural Zn2+ and determine the folding of ZF2 in the absence of RNA. We observed that the mRNA destabilizing activity of TTP was increased when the partially disordered RBD of TTP was replaced with the fully structured RBD of TIS11d, indicating that differences in the folded state of the RBD affect the activity of the proteins in the cell.
Education and Biodiversity

This article reflects a view from the science education and scientific communities of what all high school graduates would know and understand about biodiversity. This is a statement of learning goals and does not necessarily represent the actual understandings that an average student would attain through study of science through grade 12 in the typical American high school.
Randomized trial of a physical activity intervention in women with metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND Exercise interventions improve fitness, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with early-stage breast cancer, but to the authors' knowledge there are few data regarding the feasibility or potential benefits of exercise in women with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS Individuals with metastatic breast cancer were randomized 1:1 to a 16-week moderate-intensity exercise intervention or wait-list control group. Intervention goals included 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. The baseline and 16-week evaluations included a modified Bruce Ramp treadmill test, 7-day Physical Activity Recall interview, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ C-30) questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 101 participants were randomized (48 to the intervention group and 53 to the control group). The median age of the participants was 49 years, the median time since the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer was 1.1 years, and approximately 42% of participants were undergoing chemotherapy at the time of enrollment. Study attrition was higher in the intervention arm (14 participants vs 8 participants; P = .15). Women randomized to the exercise intervention experienced a nonsignificant increase with regard to minutes of weekly exercise (62.4 minutes vs 46.0 minutes; P = .17) and physical functioning (EORTC QLQ C30: 4.79 vs 0.93 [P = .23] and Bruce Ramp Treadmill test: 0.61 minutes vs 0.37 minutes [P = .35]) compared with control participants. CONCLUSIONS Participation in an exercise intervention did not appear to result in significant improvements in physical functioning in a heterogeneous group of women living with advanced breast cancer. Given the significant benefits of exercise in women with early-stage breast cancer, more work is needed to explore alternative interventions to determine whether exercise could help women with metastatic disease live more fully with fewer symptoms from disease and treatment. Cancer 2016;122:1169–77. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Abstract T P3: The Impact of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients Over 80 Years of Age

Many physicians debate the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but most agree that to establish the true benefit there needs to be improved patient selection. The elderly are the fastest growing age group in the USA and present a growing population of AIS patients. The benefit of MT for these patients may be greatly reduced due to diminishing neuroplasticity and a larger number of medical co-morbidities at the time of intervention. The paucity of data on this intervention in the elderly limits the physician’s ability to adequately counsel patients and their families regarding any potential benefit from this emergent intervention. To address this knowledge gap, our objective was to examine clinical and economic outcomes after MT in the AIS population from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2008-2010). Our hypothesis was that patients > 80 years of age would fare worse at discharge in comparison to their younger counterpart. Independent samples t-tests and chi-squared tes...
Pumping Due to Unbiased Local Wall Oscillations

An approximate solution was used in the investigation of the flow generated by unbiased local wall oscillations. It was shown that such oscillations can pump fluid and maintain constant head. The conditions under which the arrangement of piston and conduit can pump were determined. The average flow rate generated and the maximum head that this arrangement can sustain have been obtained.
Simulated environments with animated agents: effects on visual attention, emotion, performance, and perception

This research assessed how emotive animated agents in a simulation-based training affect the performance outcomes and perceptions of the individuals interacting in real time with the training application. A total of 56 participants consented to complete the study. The material for this investigation included a nursing simulation in which participants interacted with three animated agents. The results of this investigation indicated that both experienced and novice participants focused more visual attention time on the body of the animated agent than the other defined areas of interest in the simulated environment. The results also indicated that novice participants conveyed more neutral facial expressions during the interaction with the animated agents than experience participants. The results of the simulation performance scores indicated that novice participants achieved higher simulation performance scores on the simulation task than experienced participants. Lastly, the results of the agent persona instrument showed that experienced and novice participants perceived the animated agents as facilitators of learning, credible, human-like and engaging.
An evaluation of the use of infrared heating for contouring 30% short carbon-fibre-reinforced PEEK

The ability to contour reinforced composites at specific points would allow these low modulus, high strength materials to be utilized in a wide variety of new applications. Contourable materials of this type would be especially suitable for orthopaedic applications such as internal fixation of fractures where plate removal due to stress shielding and bone resorption are major concerns. To this end, the high-temperature contourability of 30% short carbon-fibre-reinforced PEEK was investigated. The use of infrared radiation to heat this material to temperatures suitable for contouring was developed and refined into a protocol for heating and bending 12.4×6.4 mm injection-moulded flexural testing bars. To evaluate the heating, contouring and cooling effects of this processing on the material's mechanical and physical properties, five specimen groups were tested: control, extended heat only, cyclical heat only, repeated contouring, and repeated contouring-quenched. Each group's flexural properties, fracture toughness, post-contouring matrix crystallinity and extent of fibre-matrix wetout were monitored. The two heat only groups showed no significant changes in any properties compared to control. For the contoured groups, the quenched subgroup showed a minimal 0–9% decrease in all categories. The non-quenched group showed only a 0–6% change. The resilience of short carbon-fibre-reinforced, PEEK after severe thermo-mechanical cycling is convincing evidence of this material's suitability for structural applications, especially in which contourability and fast processing are required. This study demonstrates the thermoductility of CFR PEEK.
Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity

The number of older racial and ethnic minority individuals in the United States is increasing and will continue to grow well into the 21st century. Given this demographic shift, it is imperative that the understanding of the experiences and needs of racial and ethnic minority older adults be considered within the context of culture. Older adults' cultural perspective—which may include socioeconomic status, particular views about physical and mental illness, the role of family, and spiritual or religious beliefs—may influence their perceptions of and reactions to the use of support services, the caregiving–care recipient roles, and other aspects of the aging experience. Consideration of the cultural context can assist healthcare professionals in understanding diverse health behavior patterns as well as health and service needs in order to provide culturally competent care. Keywords: cultural difference; cultural diversity; ethnicity; race
Modeling the Detection of Early-Evolving Melanoma Symptoms: Role of Cancer Information and Delay Discounting

Young adults became familiar with sample images showing the presence and absence of melanoma symptoms, and on each of a series of subsequent test days rated whether a single lesion image had changed from the asymptomatic sample. In general, as symptom severity of the test lesions increased, participants became increasingly likely to report change, with no global differences apparent for groups distinguished by whether they encountered symptom evolution sooner versus later or whether they had or had not encountered cancer information similar to that used in melanoma patient education. Within groups there was considerable variability in individual detection behavior, and this variability correlated with a measure of delay discounting such that less impulsive individuals tended to detect smaller stimulus changes. Signal detection analysis revealed a general bias against reporting stimulus change, with more impulsive individuals showing more pronounced bias. In placing melanoma symptom detection behavior within an impulsivity framework, the present study suggests that a single approach to patient education may not be equally appropriate for all individuals.
A multi-institutional comparison of perioperative outcomes of robotic and open pancreaticoduodenectomy

Objectives:Limited data exist comparing robotic and open approaches to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We performed a multicenter comparison of perioperative outcomes of robotic PD (RPD) and open PD (OPD).Methods:Perioperative data for patients who underwent postlearning curve PD at 8 centers (8/2011–
Dewey, Derrida, and the genetic derivation of différance

My article is a rejoinder to Gert Biesta’s, ‘“This is My Truth, Tell Me Yours”. Deconstructive pragmatism as a philosophy of education.’ Biesta attempts to place Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction in...
Restoration of immune and renal function in aged females by re-establishment of active ovarian function

Proper immune functioning is necessary to maximize reproductive success. In addition, age-associated uremia in women is often associated with hypothalamic--pituitary-gonadal dysfunction. In the present experiments, we tested immune and renal function to determine if exposure of postreproductive mice to young, reproductively cycling ovaries would influence non-reproductive physiological functions. Control female CBA/J mice were evaluated at 6, 13 and 16 months of age. Additional mice received new (60-day-old) ovaries at 12 months of age and were evaluated at 16 months of age. Consequently, 6-month-old control mice and 16-month-old recipient mice both possessed 6-month-old ovaries and were reproductively cycling. A significant age-related decline in immune function (T-cell subset analysis) was found in 16-month-old mice, but was improved 64% by ovarian transplantation. Renal function (blood urea nitrogen:creatinine ratio) was also decreased with aging, but ovarian transplantation restored function to levels found in 6-month-old mice. In summary, we have shown that immune and renal function, which are negatively influenced by aging, can be positively influenced or restored by re-establishment of active ovarian function in aged female mice. These findings provide a strong incentive for further investigation of the positive influence of young ovaries on restoration of health in postreproductive females.
Discrimination and Other Education Barriers, School Connectedness, and Thoughts of Dropping Out Among Latina/o Students:

We test two models in which Latina/o students’ school connectedness partially mediates the relationship between barriers (discrimination experiences at school and other educational barriers, respec...
THE RECEDING HORIZON OF DEMOCRACY

When I began work on Toward Democracy more than twenty years ago, I planned to write a short book explaining how and why ideas about self-government developed in European and American thought from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present. Teaching courses and writing articles on republican, liberal, and democratic ideas, I found thinkers reflecting again and again on searing experiences of fratricidal violence, and as a result the theme of civil war became more prominent in my understanding of democracy. Had my analysis begun in the eighteenth century, I would have missed—as US historians often do—the shaping force of the devastating sixteenth-century wars of religion, the murderous mid-seventeenth-century English Civil War, and the less violent but no less crucial English revolution of 1688. Attempts to establish non-monarchical regimes, or even to modify monarchies to include elements of popular participation, foundered for multiple reasons, but among them were recollections of the carnage that ordinary people repeatedly inflicted on other ordinary people. Misgivings about democracy did not only arise from cultural conservatism or reverence for hierarchy. They also were forged in irrepressible memories of savagery.
Addressing Impact of Counseling Research: A Comparative Study of Counseling and Psychology Journals

Counseling researchers, who often work for institutions that place significant value on journal impact factor (JIF), are faced with the choice to publish their manuscripts in professional counseling journals or those of other professions that might have higher JIFs. Publication and journal impact factor data for 6 American Counseling Association journals and 58 American Psychological Association journals were examined. Although both groups compared on issues per year and rejection rates, counseling journals averaged fewer articles per year and lower average impact factor. Implications and recommendations for increasing impact of counseling research publications are discussed.