cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parallel, quantitative measurement of protein binding to a 120-element double-stranded DNA array in real time using surface plasmon resonance microscopy.

Quantitative, real-time measurement of kinetics of sequence-specific binding of DNA-binding proteins to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) immobilized in a 10 × 12 array on a planar gold surface is demonstrated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy. This binding of the yeast transcription factor Gal4 to a 120-spot dsDNA array made with alternating 200-μm spots of its dsDNA operator sequence and an unrelated DNA sequence proves that this method could be used to simultaneously monitor the kinetics of binding of proteins to 120 different dsDNA sequences with a sensitivity to ∼0.5 pg (<2 × 107 molecules) of bound protein in each array spot at a time resolution of 1 s. The method is label free and also allows absolute quantitative determination of the binding stoichiometry (i.e., the number of proteins bound per dsDNA) at each time. The dsDNA array was fabricated using a robotic microspotting system to deliver nanoliter droplets of biotinylated dsDNA solutions onto a streptavidin linker layer immobilized w...
Ontology versioning in an ontology management framework

Ontologies have become ubiquitous in information systems. They constitute the semantic Web's backbone, facilitate e-commerce, and serve such diverse application fields as bioinformatics and medicine. As ontology development becomes increasingly widespread and collaborative, developers are creating ontologies using different tools and different languages. These ontologies cover unrelated or overlapping domains at different levels of detail and granularity. A uniform framework, which we present here, helps users manage multiple ontologies by leveraging data and algorithms developed for one tool in another. For example, by using an algorithm we developed for structural evaluation of ontology versions, this framework lets developers compare different ontologies and map similarities and differences among them. Multiple-ontology management includes these tasks: maintain ontology libraries, import and reuse ontologies, translate ontologies from one formalism to another, support ontology versioning, specify transformation rules between different ontologies and version, merge ontologies, align and map between ontologies, extract an ontology's self-contained parts, support inference across multiple ontologies, support query across multiple ontologies.
SU‐F‐BRA‐11: Dynamic Modulated Brachytherapy (DMBT): Concept, Design, and Application

Purpose: To build, from grounds up, a novel dynamic modulated brachytherapy (DMBT) system for treating intracavitary tumors, such as rectal, breast, and vaginal cancers. The key component of the innovation is in enabling “dynamic” modulation (i.e., Ir‐192 source is highly collimated and dynamically moved during delivery) to create an unparalleled dose conformality compared with the currently available commercial systems/applicators. We show that our proposed prototype system (both soft‐ and hard‐ware) is extremely efficient in maximizing target volume coverage while minimizing dose to healthy tissues. Methods: Our system uses a 1.9‐cm diameter tungsten‐shield, with density of 18.5g/cc, to create a highly collimated Ir‐192 source radiation profiles. Various window openings in the shield have been simulated with the MCNP code for planning. The code itself was validated against TG43 parameters. The shield is controlled by an in‐house built, computer‐controlled, robotic arm which allows for 360° rotations and 1‐D translational motions. An in‐house coded planning system with the simulated annealing algorithm was used to design optimal plans on ideal rectal anatomies and patient cases. The optimal DMBT plans were then compared with the state‐of‐the‐art commercial Intracavitary Mold Applicator (ICMA)‐based plans. Results: The various simulations encompassing target sizes up to 5‐cm longitudinal and radial directions, with circumferential volumes from 45‐degree to 360‐degree were simulated. Results consistently show that the DMBT system yields broader shoulder past prescription dose in target DVH initially and drops off quicker at higher doses, compared with ICMA, which reflects better dose conformality. More spectacularly, however, up to 50% decrease in normal tissuedose across all dose range were observed. This will translate into clinically observable reduction in acute/late toxicities. Conclusions: Our preliminary results show that DMBT offers exceptional degrees of dynamics for achieving unparalleled dose conformality in brachytherapy. Further research is needed to validate our work in various clinical sites.
Antagonist-occupied human progesterone B-receptors activate transcription without binding to progesterone response elements and are dominantly inhibited by A-receptors.

When antagonist-occupied steroid receptors have agonist-like effects, the clinical consequences are grave. We present evidence that human progesterone B-receptors (hPRB) when occupied by progesterone antagonists, inappropriately activate transcription by an unusual mechanism that does not require the canonical progesterone response element (PRE). In HeLa cells cotransfected with a PRE-tk-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter and a hPRB expression vector, strong transcription is seen not only when receptors are activated by the agonist R5020, but also in the presence of the three antiprogestins, RU486, ZK112993, and ZK98299. Human PRB occupied by ZK98299 do not bind to a PRE, suggesting that the transcriptional stimulation is independent of DNA binding. Indeed, a tk-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase promoter-reporter lacking the PRE loses transcriptional activation by the agonist, but retains transactivation by the three antagonists. The PRE-independent antagonist-induced transcription requires that h...
Effervescent Atomization of Viscoelastic Liquids: Experiment and Modeling

The effervescent atomization of viscoelastic liquids is reported. A total of 23 fluids, formulated from a 60 wt % glycerine/40 wt % water solvent to which were added varying concentrations (0.001-0.5 wt %) of poly(ethylene oxide) polymers whose molecular weights ranged from 12,000 to 900,000, were sprayed through a conventional effervescent atomizer. Mean drop sizes were measured using a forward light scattering instrument. The drop size (D 32 ) data show the expected decrease with an increase in air-liquid ratio by mass (ALR), the expected increase with an increase in polymer concentration, plus an increase with an increase in polymer molecular weight for most cases. However, no significant change in D 32 was observed for polymer solutions whose molecular weights ranged from 12,000 to 35,000, suggesting the presence of a critical molecular weight below which spray performance is unaltered. This argues for two different factors controlling drop size: Polymer molecular weight is most influential at the highest polymer concentrations while polymer concentration is most influential at the lowest polymer concentrations. Analysis of the spray formation process was carried out using a ligament formation model previously developed for the effervescent atomization of Newtonian liquids coupled with a linear stability model for the breakup of viscoelastic liquid jets. The jet breakup model assumes that an unrelaxed axial tension exists within the fluid. A comparison of model predictions and experimental data indicates that the model predicts the observed dependencies of mean drop size on ALR, polymer concentration, and polymer molecular weight. Quantitative agreement is within 10-50% of experimental values in all cases. Finally, a shortcoming of the model is noted and a means of avoiding this limitation reported.
Text similarity: an alternative way to search MEDLINE

Motivation: The most widely used literature search techniques, such as those offered by NCBI's PubMed system, require significant effort on the part of the searcher, and inexperienced searchers do not use these systems as effectively as experienced users. Improved literature search engines can save researchers time and effort by making it easier to locate the most important and relevant literature. Results: We have created and optimized a new, hybrid search system for Medline that takes natural text as input and then delivers results with high precision and recall. The combination of a fast, low-sensitivity weighted keyword-based first pass algorithm to cast a wide net to gather an initial set of literature, followed by a unique sentence-alignment based similarity algorithm to rank order those results was developed that is sensitive, fast and easy to use. Several text similarity search algorithms, both standard and novel, were implemented and tested in order to determine which obtained the best results in information retrieval exercises. Availability: Literature searching algorithms are implemented in a system called eTBLAST, freely accessible over the web at http://invention.swmed.edu. A variety of other derivative systems and visualization tools provides the user with an enhanced experience and additional capabilities. Contact: Harold.Garner@UTSouthwestern.edu
Coding schemes for integrated transport and storage reliability

IP storage area networks are based on bulk data transfer over a binary erasure channel and associated bulk data storage in end systems, which are also subjected to erasures. The paper motivates a possibility of an integrated approach to transport and data storage reliability in storage area networks (SAN) which reduces the protocol processing complexities. The integrated transport/storage reliability is sought through the novel Ying-Yang code and the convolution code with new decoding techniques.
A goal fulfilled: time to pass the gavel.

For many years, I have had the opportunity to be involved with the National Kidney Foundation Council on Renal Nutrition (CRN) at the national level wearing many hats. I started as a Regional Representative in 1999 thinking that it would be the extent of my participation and little did I know where that would eventually lead. During the 10 years that I have been active at the national level, I have had the opportunity to meet many people and have made numerous friends. My own professional development has been enhanced by these friendships and with the experiences gained by working with the CRN. I wish to thank everyone for their ongoing professional support. My first message in the Journal of Renal Nutrition as CRNChair focused on the importance of mentoring, a topic I feel strongly about. For 20 years, I have been involved in educating dietetic interns in the area of renal nutrition. Professional growth is important for both the teacher and the student. To give back to your profession and to others who are up and coming in the field is a gift. You will growmore than you can realize and your profession will growwith you! Over the past 2 years, I have had the opportunity to meet many inspiring renal dietitians across the country who, despite having many demands on their time, are also involved in various forms of mentoring. I applaud these dietitians and encourage your continued
New paspalinine derivatives with antiinsectan activity from the sclerotia of Aspergillus nomius

Abstract 14-Hydroxypaspalinine ( 3 ) and 14-(N,N-Dimethyl-L-valyloxy)paspaline ( 4 ) have been isolated from the sclerotia of Aspergillus nomius , and identified by analysis of 2D NMR data. Both compounds cause ca . 90% reduction in weight gain in assays against the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea at the 100 ppm (dry weight) dietary level. Paspaline causes no effect at this concentration.
General Analytical Framework for Design of Flexible Reinforced Earth Structures

Current design methods divide reinforced earth structures into walls and slopes by using an arbitrary face inclination of 70° as the boundary. The required maximum strength of reinforcement computed for reinforced walls are significantly higher than that computed for reinforced slopes even if the inclination is practically the same. Presented is a general analytical framework for design of flexible reinforced earth structures regardless of the slope face inclination. In fact, the framework is consistent for any structural geometry and any applicable slope stability analysis although, for demonstration purposes, the simple Culmann formulation is utilized for simple geometry with zero batter. Using an adequate slope stability formulation, the required tensile resistance of reinforcement for a given layout is calculated so as to produce the same prescribed factor of safety anywhere within the reinforced zone. That is, using the design shear strength of the soil, the required reinforcement resistance along each layer is computed to fully mobilize this shear strength for all possible slip surfaces. That is, a baseline solution is produced for an ideal long-term strength of reinforcement at any location. Consequently, the required strength of the connection between each reinforcement layer and the facing unit can also be determined. This connection strength, however, assumes small facing units with negligibly small shear and moment resistance. Parametric study is conducted to demonstrate the reasonableness of the presented framework. It is shown that the required tensile resistance and connection strength depend on factors such as: reinforcement length; intermediate reinforcement; percent coverage; and quality of fill. When compared with the current AASHTO design for walls, the required maximum long-term strength of the reinforcement as well as the required connection strength in the proposed approach are substantially smaller.
JPL cryocooler development and test program: A 10-year overview

In the 1988 timeframe increasing numbers of proposed space-instrument programs within NASA and the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) were in need of high-reliability, long-life, low-vibration space cryocoolers. To ensure the success of its emerging cryogenic instrument commitments, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) implemented a focused multi-year cryocooler program. Over the past 10 years the JPL cryocooler program has included the procurement/development of pulse tube cryocoolers for the AIRS, TES and IMAS JPL/NASA instruments, performed extensive characterization testing of 22 industry-developed cryocoolers, developed and flight-tested a wide variety of cryocooler integration technologies, and developed sorption cryocoolers for use at 10 to 25 K. An overview of the ten years of progress is presented together with a thorough bibliography of published documents describing the work.
Photorefractivity in doped nonlinear organic polymers

This paper describes the properties of a new class of materials exhibiting the photorefractive effect, doped nonlinear organic polymers. Photorefraction (at 647.1 nm) was established by a combination of hologram erasability, correlation with photoconductivity and electro-optic response, and enhancement by external fields in numerous samples (178 to 533 micrometers thick) of two nonlinear epoxy materials doped with hole transport agents based on p- diethylaminobenzaldehyde-diphenyl hydrazone (DEH). Diffraction efficiencies up to 0.1% were observed at bias fields near 100 kV/cm. A useful property of these materials is that poling of the nonlinear chromophores is partially reversible, permitting partial control of the grating readout independent of the space-charge field formed. The polarization anisotropy of grating readout is consistent with the photorefractive mechanism. Two-beam coupling measurements of both absorption and index gratings show (1) the absorption gratings are approximately 10 times smaller than the index gratings, and (2) the phase shift of the index grating is near 90 degree(s), which cannot occur via photochromism, heating, or any other process except photorefractivity.
In vitro production of metabolism-enhancing phytoecdysteroids from Ajuga turkestanica

In order to develop a sustainable source of metabolism-enhancing phytoecdysteroids, cell suspension and hairy root cultures were established from shoot cultures of wild-harvested Ajuga turkestanica, a medicinal plant indigenous to Uzbekistan. Precursors of phytoecdysteroids (acetate, mevalonic acid cholesterol) or methyl jasmonate (an elicitor) were added to subculture media to increase phytoecdysteroid accumulation. In cell suspension cultures, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) content increased 3- or 2-fold with the addition of 125 or 250 μM methyl jasmonate, respectively, compared to unelicited cultures. Precursor addition, however, did not provoke phytoecdysteroid accumulation. In hairy root cultures, addition of sodium acetate, mevalonic acid, and methyl jasmonate, but not cholesterol, increased phytoecdysteroid content compared to unelicited cultures. Hairy root cultures treated with 150 mg l−1 sodium acetate, or 15 or 150 mg l−1 mevalonic acid, increased 20E content approximately 2-fold to 19.9, 20.4 or 21.7 μg mg−1, respectively, compared to control (10.5 μg mg−1). Older hairy root cultures, extracted after the seventh subculture cycle, also showed increases in 20E content (24.8 μg mg−1), turkesterone (0.9 μg mg−1) and cyasterone (8.1 μg mg−1) compared to control cultures maintained for a shorter duration of four subculture cycles. Doses of 10 or 20 μg ml−1 hairy root extract increased protein synthesis by 25.7% or 31.1%, respectively, in a C2C12 mouse skeletal cell line. These results suggest that sustainable production of metabolically active phytoecdysteroid can be achieved through hairy root culture systems.
Why Do Street-Smart People Do Stupid Things Online?

The systems we worry about securing include the people who use them. In everyday offline life, an average person's "security policy" consists of a few simple, intuitive rules. We believe that the majority of users continuously employ risk analysis heuristics to plan both their online and offline actions; the overwhelming problem of online security is that this analysis, in the online case, is based primarily on entirely wrong assumptions, intuitively derived from incorrect interpretation of GUI elements and processes. We propose a core user interface design principle for the designers to follow when considering and building trust-decision-related user interface features.
Wi-Fi assistance to SUPL-based Assisted-GPS simulators for indoor positioning

The Global Positioning System (GPS) has been the most popular choice for positioning in open-sky environments, but its difficulty in dealing with signal blockage from buildings, trees and the like has limited its operation in urban environments, underground and especially indoors. Recent advancements in location technology have led to the development of Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technology that can operate satisfactorily in many challenging environments using aiding information. As technology testing is a major development component, this paper describes a low cost approach to augment conventional GPS simulators with A-GPS testing support. The A-GPS support is provided using the concept of Wi-Fi positioning technology and IP address location. The communication between the simulator and the receiver is in accordance with the Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) protocol. Currently only high-end simulators support testing of A-GPS receivers as it involves assistance generation and delivery to the receivers in addition to GPS signal generation.
Fetal load and the evolution of lumbar lordosis in bipedal hominins

As predicted by Darwin, bipedal posture and locomotion are key distinguishing features of the earliest known hominins. Hominin axial skeletons show many derived adaptations for bipedalism, including an elongated lumbar region, both in the number of vertebrae and their lengths, as well as a marked posterior concavity of wedged lumbar vertebrae, known as a lordosis. The lordosis stabilizes the upper body over the lower limbs in bipeds by positioning the trunk's centre of mass (COM) above the hips. However, bipedalism poses a unique challenge to pregnant females because the changing body shape and the extra mass associated with pregnancy shift the trunk's COM anterior to the hips. Here we show that human females have evolved a derived curvature and reinforcement of the lumbar vertebrae to compensate for this bipedal obstetric load. Similarly dimorphic morphologies in fossil vertebrae of Australopithecus suggest that this adaptation to fetal load preceded the evolution of Homo.
IP Security (IPSec)

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction IPSec Architecture and Components Benefits and Applications of IPSec Conclusions References ]]>
Release of alfalfa, Medicago sativa, pollen cytoplasm in the gut of the honey bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

The mechanism and process of pollen digestion by honey bee, Apis mellifera L., were studied by histological observations on the digestive tracts of adult workers that were hand-fed with suspensions of alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., pollen. Pollen grains showed no visible morphological or chemical changes as they entered the anterior region of the midgut from the crop ca. 30 min after pollen feeding. As the pollen bolus progressed into the middle region of the midgut, ca. 1 h after feeding, pollen grains began to show initial swelling and cytoplasmic protrusion at the thin and weakened germination pores. During the next 2 h, as the pollen progressed through distal regions of the midgut, pollen cytoplasm was observed to extrude gradually from the broken germination pores, and nutrients became available for enzymic digestion and absorption. Empty pollen and fragments of pollen wall were observed in the rectum 15 h after feeding. Our present observations provide histological and histochemical evidence demonstrating that alfalfa pollen must undergo initial chemical changes in the pollen wall. Then it can respond to the changes of osmotic pressure in the gut, swell subsequently at the germination pores, and finally, cytoplasm can be extruded through the germination pores and released into the gut lumen.
Equine Vision and Optics

Vision is a marvelous sense, critical to the well-being and functional use of horses. Anatomic, optical, and visual acuity generalities are presented. The constituents of unsoundness due to equine ocular disease are discussed, and recommendations are made.
Application of Domestic Governor System for Giant Unit in Xiaowan Hydropower Plant

The characteristic and spot application of the governor system for 700 MW unit in Xiaowan hydropower plant are introduced. The equipment prototype,characteristic of electrical control cabinet and mechanical operating cabinet and performance of hydraulic control device of the governor system are described. The spot debugging situation is depicted,including experimental record and relative data. The test results show that all the performance index of the governor system absolutely satisfies National Standard. It is suitable for the control of the giant hydroelectric units. This can offer a reference for native production of governor system for hydropower generating units.
Isoconversional Kinetics of Polymers: The Decade Past

This article surveys the decade of progress accomplished in the application of isoconversional methods to thermally stimulated processes in polymers. The processes of interest include: crystallization and melting of polymers, gelation of polymer solutions and gel melting, denaturation (unfolding) of proteins, glass transition, polymerization and crosslinking (curing), and thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation. Special attention is paid to the kinetics of polymeric nanomaterials. The article discusses basic principles for understanding the variations in the activation energy and emphasizes the possibility of using models for linking such variations to the parameters of individual kinetic steps. It is stressed that many kinetic effects are not linked to a change in the activation energy alone and may arise from changes in the preexponential factor and reaction model. Also noted is that some isoconversional methods are inapplicable to processes taking place on cooling and cannot be used to study such processes as the melt crystallization.
Varieties of capitalism in light of the euro crisis

ABSTRACTThis article examines the implications of the euro crisis for theories of political economy associated with ‘varieties of capitalism’, considering how those theories help explain the origins of the crisis and how developments during it mandate revisions in such theories. Efforts to understand the crisis have extended these theories in four directions. They have inspired an emerging literature on growth models that integrates the demand side of the economy into theories once oriented to its supply side. They have led to more intensive investigation of the political economies of East Central Europe and Southern Europe. The crisis has drawn attention to the international dimensions of varieties of capitalism and to problems of adjustment, injecting an element of dynamism into varieties of capitalism analyses and underlining that adjustment is a political as well as an economic problem.
Systematic review of bladder cancer outcomes in patients with spina bifida

Summary Background In patients with congenital bladder anomalies, bladder augmentation is used as a last resort to reduce intravesical pressure, but concerns about malignant transformation in augmented patients were first raised in the 1980s. The best evidence to date indicates that augmentation does not appear to increase the risk of bladder cancer in spina bifida patients. To date, oncologic outcomes from patients with spina bifida with and without augmentation have only been available in small case reports. Objective To systematically evaluate factors in myelomeningocele patients with bladder cancer, including bladder augmentation, that contribute to overall survival (OS). Study Design A systematic review using PubMed was conducted by cross referencing terms ‘myelomeningocele,’ ‘cystoplasty,’ ‘bladder cancer’ and respective synonyms according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Inclusion criteria were studies with patients with an underlying diagnosis of myelomeningocele and bladder cancer with data on age, stage, and mortality status. Studies were excluded for spinal cord injury, history of tuberculosis or schistosomiasis, or prior ureterosigmoidostomy. Results Fifty-two patients were identified from 28 studies with a median age at bladder cancer diagnosis of 41 years (range 13–73); 37 (71%) presented with stage III or IV bladder cancer. Overall survival at 1 year and 2 years was 48.5% and 31.5%, respectively. Overall survival was different between those with and without augmentation (P = 0.009) by log-rank analysis. No between-group differences in OS were seen based on age, management with indwelling catheter, diversion with ileal conduit or being on a surveillance program. Only stage remained a significant predictor of OS on multivariate analysis (HR 2.011, 95% CI 1.063–3.804, P = 0.032). Secondary analysis was performed after removing patients with gastric augmentation (n = 8), and no difference in OS was seen between patients with (n = 8) and without augmentation (n = 36, P = 0.112). Of augmented patients, latency to development of bladder cancer was variable (Summary Figure). Discussion Bladder cancer is a deadly diagnosis in patients with congenital bladder anomalies like spina bifida, and while overall prevalence of the two conditions occurring together is low, bladder cancer will go on to affect 2–4% of spina bifida patients. The present study examined overall survival, and further characterized outcomes in these patients. Presence of a bladder augment did not appear to worsen overall survival. Conclusions Patients with myelomeningocele who developed bladder cancer had aggressive disease. Augmentation did not worsen OS, based on cases reported in the literature. Risk of bladder cancer should be discussed with all myelomeningocele patients. Download : Download high-res image (101KB) Download : Download full-size image Summary Fig . Histogram of latency to development of bladder cancer in patients that had previously undergone augmentation (n = 16).
Modeling the behavior of load bearing concrete walls under fire exposure

Abstract A generic three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) based numerical model is presented for predicting thermo-mechanical behavior of load bearing reinforced concrete (RC) walls exposed to fire. The proposed model is capable of accounting for critical parameters governing fire resistance of RC walls including wall slenderness ratio, support restrains, and temperature dependent properties of reinforcement and concrete. The model is validated by comparing predicted thermal and structural response parameters with the experimental data on three full scale load bearing RC walls tested under fire exposure. The comparisons show good correlation between model predictions and measured data, indicating that the proposed model can predict the thermo-mechanical behavior of RC walls from pre-loading to collapse stage under fire exposure. The validated model can be applied to undertake parametric studies aimed at quantifying critical factors governing fire performance of load bearing RC walls under fire.
Specifying a Wikipedia-Centric Explanatory Model for Online Group Evolution and Structural Differentiation

In the previous chapter, we set up the broader sociological underpinnings of our argument. This chapter will focus on the more immediate and tangible mechanisms that shape the emergence and evolution of social media groups, such as those that build Wikipedia. Our theoretical argument will devote particular attention to the role played by contributing elites in organizing and sustaining collaborative activity.
Survey on the Applicability of Textual Notations for the Unified Modeling Language

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is the most commonly used software description language. Today, textual notations for UML aim for a compact representation that is suitable for developers. Many textual notations exist but their applicability in engineering teams varies because a standardized textual notation is missing. Evaluating notations in order to find a suitable one is cumbersome and guidelines found in surveys do not report on applicability. This survey identifies textual notations for UML that can be used instead of or in combination with graphical notations, e.g. by collaborating teams or in different contexts. Additionally, it rates the notation’s applicability with respect to UML coverage, user editing experience, and applicability focused on engineering teams. Our results facilitate the otherwise unclear selection of a notation tailored for specific scenarios and enables trade-off decisions. We identified and characterized 21 known notations and 12 notations that were not covered in previous surveys. We used 20 categories to characterize the notations. Our findings show that a single notation does not cover more than 3 UML diagram types (mean 2.6), supports all surveyed state of the art editing features (only one notation supports all), and fits into existing tool chains.
Integrating Social Science Research to Advance Sustainability Education

The development and evaluation of the instructional module, Southeastern Forests and Climate Change, provided a platform to conduct social science research that has the capacity to improve sustainability education and our ability to achieve target outcomes. In addition to conveying information about climate change and forest management to secondary science students, the module was designed to empower learners to take action and build skills in systems thinking. We applied Hope Theory in the design of the 14 activities and measured hope among high school students who participated in the evaluation of the activities. Activities helped learners understand how others are working on climate issues, how forest owners adapt management protocols, and how individuals can contribute to solutions—all of which help nurture hopefulness and efficacy. We also focused on developing systems thinking skills by providing opportunities for students to learn and practice common systems tools, such as causal loop diagrams. High school students (n = 924) from 24 schools in the southeastern United States completed pre-and post-activity surveys that assessed knowledge, hope, and systems thinking skills. Data suggest that there was a significant increase in hope concerning climate change, and a significant increase in systems thinking skills after some activities. Knowledge of forest management, carbon cycle, the role of forests in mitigating climate change, life cycle assessment, and product externalities also significantly increased. In this article, we describe the principles used to design the activities, the results, and the implications of this social science research.
Atropine versus Cyclopentolate Cycloplegic Refractions in School Age Myopia

Reductions in myopic refraction have been observed during atropine treatment of school age myopes. To determine if this is the true decrease in myopia or simply more profound cycloplegia from chron...
The use of a discrimination-training procedure to teach mand variability to children with autism

We investigated the effects of a script-fading and discrimination-training procedure on mand variability in preschoolers with autism. Participants were taught to vary their vocal mands in the presence of written scripts, a green placemat, and a lag schedule of reinforcement. They were also taught to engage in repetitive mands in the presence of the same written scripts and a red placemat. When the scripts were removed, all 3 participants continued to engage in varied manding in the presence of the green placemat and lag schedule, and they continued to engage in repetitive manding in the presence of the red placemat. When the lag schedule was also removed, 2 of the 3 participants continued to engage in varied responding in the presence of the green placemat and repetitive responding in the presence of the red placemat. Finally, all 3 participants demonstrated generalization and maintenance of mand variability during snack sessions with their peers.
Protective factors do not moderate risk for past-year suicide attempts conferred by recent NSSI.

Abstract Background NSSI is a robust predictor of suicide attempts but little is known about what factors may serve protective functions in this relationship. Methods This study used a subsample of 828 young adults with past year NSSI. Participants were recruited from two universities to complete an on-line survey that included assessments of past year NSSI frequency and total NSSI methods used (versatility), past year suicide attempts, life satisfaction, subjective happiness, and resilience. Results Bootstrapping logistic regression models were used to test the protective factors as moderators between NSSI frequency, versatility and past year suicide attempts. Greater NSSI versatility and past year frequency were significantly associated with greater likelihood of past year suicide attempts in all models. Life satisfaction and subjective happiness were associated with decreased likelihood of past year suicide attempts in all models. Resilience was not associated with past year suicide attempts, and all moderation analyses were non-significant. Limitations Our sample had limited heterogeneity, focused on a college-age population with lower severity relative to clinical samples, and all data were collected on-line. Conclusions NSSI emerged as a robust predictor of recent suicide attempts as the strength of the relationship did not change in the presence of protective factors. Our results highlight the strong relationship between NSSI and suicide attempts that occur within the same time frame (past year in this study), and the need for future research to identify factors that do serve protective functions between NSSI and suicide attempts.
Relationship of abuse by religious authorities to depression, religiosity, and child physical abuse history in a college sample.

Objective Discussion of sexual abuse by religious authorities has been plagued by allegations of false memories and misreports, often attributed to media attention. An analysis of a historical archive with information on abuse by religious and other authority figures and coexisting psychopathology is extremely useful to the current debate on outcomes of sexual abuse. Method The present study utilizes a database from the late 1970s that contains data on physical abuse and sexual abuse by various perpetrator types as well as on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and religiosity in a college population sample. Results Students alleging sexual abuse by religious authorities were as symptomatic (depressed and anxious) as students abused by parents and were more symptomatic than controls. Further, those abused by religious authorities showed greater variance in religiosity and a greater likelihood of breaking ties with their religious communities. Students self-labeling as physically abused by parents were more at risk for sexual abuse by religious authorities. Conclusions Religious authorities often play complex roles in social and family life. These complexities then may produce parallel complexities in the patterns of symptoms. The intensity of the trauma from abuse by religious authorities may make it more difficult to study, treat, and recover from sexual abuse. Additional research is needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
A generalized framework for designing topological interlocking configurations

A topological interlocking configuration is an arrangement of pieces shaped in such a way that the motion of any piece is blocked by its neighbors. A variety of interlocking configurations have bee...
Investigating the Impact of Group Size on Non-Programming Exercises in CS Education Courses

Computer science (CS) courses are taught with increasing emphasis on group work and with non-programming exercises facilitating peer-based learning, computational thinking, and problem solving. However, relatively little work has been done to investigate the interaction of group work and non-programming exercises because collaborative, non-programming work is usually open-ended and requires analysis of unstructured, natural language responses. In this paper, we consider collaborative, non-programming work consisting of online wiki text from 236 groups in nine different CS1 and higher-level courses at a large Midwestern university. Our investigation uses analysis tools with natural language processing (NLP) and statistical analysis components. First, NLP uses IBM Watson Personality Insights to automatically convert students' collaborative wiki text into a Big Five model. This model is useful as a quality metric on group work since Big Five factors such as Openness and Conscientiousness are strongly related to both academic performance and learning. Then, statistical analysis generates regression models on group size and each Big Five trait that make up the factors. Our results show that increasing group size has a significant impact on collaborative, non-programming work in CS1 courses, but not for such work in higher-level courses. Furthermore, increasing group size can have either a positive or negative impact on the Big Five traits. These findings imply the feasibility of using such tools to automatically assess the quality of non-programming group exercises and offer evidence for effective group sizes.
Geographic, hydrological, and climatic significance of rock glaciers in the Great Basin, USA

We present the first comprehensive inventory and analysis of rock glaciers in the hydrographic Great Basin (GB), United States, documenting 842 features (mean 9.9 ha; range 0.1–201 ha) across thirty-two mountain ranges. These encompassed 8° latitude (from 36.5°N to 44.3°N) and 11° longitude (from −110.7°W to −121.4°W), and composed 83.1 km2, or 1.1 percent, of the cumulative area above the lowest rock glacier elevation. Forty-five percent of the features were mapped as intact (containing ice) and occurred across sixteen mountain ranges. Rock glaciers conservatively contained cumulative water volume of 0.8924 km3. We also mapped 237 persistent ice fields from thirteen GB ranges. Ice-field water equivalent was 0.0653 km3; rock glaciers contributed 93 percent of the total water volume (rock glacier:icefield ratio, 14:1). Rock glaciers occurred on northerly aspects at high elevations (mean, 3,196 m) and had a mean annual air temperature of 1.7°C (range, 1.3–3.3°C). Contributions of water from rock-glacier springs and groundwater have not been included in GB hydrologic assessments, nor have rock glaciers been evaluated for their roles in supporting cold-adapted aquatic fauna and promoting vegetation communities and habitat for alpine terrestrial species. Rock glaciers provide hydrologic and ecologic refugia previously unrecognized in the GB with respect to warming future climates.
False Confessions: An Experimental Study of the Innocence Problem

The innocence problem, which occurs when an innocent person is falsely accused or convicted of a crime, is impossible to study with empirical data, because “true” innocence and guilt are unobservable in the “real world.” In this study, we replicate the criminal justice system in the laboratory with real salient crimes and subjects acting in the roles of defendants, prosecutors, and jurors in order to study the innocence problem. In a controlled environment, we identify individuals who are falsely or accurately accused of a crime and track them through the plea-bargaining system. This allows us to explore how being falsely accused of a crime affects plea bargaining decisions. We find evidence for a substantial innocence problem, reflected by a high willingness of truly innocent defendants to accept plea bargains. However, they do so at a lower rate than the truly guilty suggesting preferences for truth telling, an irrelevant factor in most economic theory. We also find evidence that individual preferences over uncertainty influence plea decisions, as predicted by economic theory. Overall, we find that loss aversion has a significant positive influence on plea decisions and that the reduced propensity of the truly innocent to accept plea bargains is driven by an interaction between their preferences to avoid lying and their preferences over uncertainty.
Two-Person Multi-strategy Games

Much of what has been developed in previous chapters holds for games with more players and/or pure strategies. Rather than carrying out fairly obvious extensions, we identify attributes that differ from \(2\times 2\) games. This includes explaining why certain \(2\times 2\) assertions collapse with more strategies, differences in \(\mathcal G^B\) features, a mystery associated with the Ultimatum game, and the Nash structure of \(k_1\times k_2\) games (including possible hiding places for NME).
A Novel Tool to Evaluate the Accuracy of Predicting Survival and Guiding Lung Transplantation in Cystic Fibrosis.

Background Effective transplantation recommendations in cystic fibrosis (CF) require accurate survival predictions, so that high-risk patients may be prioritized for transplantation. In practice, decisions about transplantation are made dynamically, using routinely updated assessments. We present a novel tool for evaluating risk prediction models that, unlike traditional methods, captures classification accuracy in identifying high-risk patients in a dynamic fashion. Methods Predicted risk is used as a score to rank incident deaths versus patients who survive, with the goal of ranking the deaths higher. The mean rank across deaths at a given time measures time-specific predictive accuracy; when assessed over time, it reflects time-varying accuracy. Results Applying this approach to CF Registry data on patients followed from 1993-2011, we show that traditional methods do not capture the performance of models used dynamically in the clinical setting. Previously proposed multivariate risk scores perform no better than forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percentage of predicted normal (FEV1%) alone. Despite its value for survival prediction, FEV1% has a low sensitivity of 45% over time (for fixed specificity of 95%), leaving room for improvement in prediction. Finally, prediction accuracy with annually-updated FEV1% shows minor differences compared to FEV1% updated every 2 years, which may have clinical implications regarding the optimal frequency of updating clinical information. Conclusions It is imperative to continue to develop models that accurately predict survival in CF. Our proposed approach can serve as the basis for evaluating the predictive ability of these models by better accounting for their dynamic clinical use.
Banks on the Brink: Global Capital, Securities Markets, and the Political Roots of Financial Crises

This innovative analysis investigates a complex issue of tremendous economic and political importance: what makes some countries vulnerable to banking crises, while others emerge unscathed? Banks on the Brink explains why some countries are more vulnerable to banking crises than others. Copelovitch and Singer highlight the effects of two variables in combination: foreign capital inflows and the relative prominence of securities markets in the domestic financial system. Foreign capital is the fuel for banks' potentially dangerous behavior, and banks are more likely to take on excessive risks when operating in a financial system with large securities markets. The book analyzes over thirty years of data and provides historical case studies of two key countries, Canada and Germany, each of which explores how political decisions in the 19th and early-20th centuries continue to affect financial stability today. The analyses in this book have crucial policy implications, identifying potential regulations and policies that can work to protect banking systems against future crises.
Space Object Data Association Using Spatial Pattern Recognition Approaches

Identification of known space objects is a critical step in maintaining accurate catalogs for space situational awareness activities. With increasing numbers of objects in orbit, optical measurements of space objects become more populated with detections, stressing the algorithms used to track and identify these objects. Traditional algorithms used for identifying space objects, such as elliptical gating, suffer from ambiguous or incorrect classifications as gates tend to overlap in dense detection environments. An algorithm is developed that couples elliptical gating with a star pattern recognition algorithm called the planar triangle method to overcome the difficulties found in spatially dense observations. Unlike star catalogs, cataloged resident space objects often contain considerable uncertainty, further challenging the identification of objects in a cluttered field-of-view. The proposed approach leverages uncertainties of the catalog as well as the optical measurement sensor uncertainty to support the space object identification. Simulation results using the gating-assisted planar triangle method show a significant improvement in robust identification of space objects as compared to traditional elliptical gating methods when faced with highly cluttered observations.
Physician-Assisted Death in the United States – 1 January 2020

As of January of this year, 10 US jurisdictions have approved physician-assisted death or suicide (Oregon, 2006; Washington, 2009; Montana, 2011; Vermont, 2013; Colorado and California, 2016; the D...