cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
So we think you can learn: how student perceptions affect learning*

AbstractRecent experiences in rehearsals have led us to question how student dancers perceive the culture of rehearsal. We are interested in how the influence of shows like So You Think You Can Dance affects student expectations. How do students from competitive dance studio backgrounds approach learning in a rehearsal setting? Are there specific ways to ensure optimal learning in a rehearsal process? A qualitative evaluation is used for this research, utilizing interviews, and surveys to collect data from students enrolled in a ‘Rehearsal and Performance’ course at three separate institutions, to broaden the scope of the data collection. Our research outcomes will add to the current knowledge of the field, by analyzing the learning opportunities in a rehearsal culture and the intersection of student perceptions and experience.
The Role of Fatty Acids within Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Pools

Fatty acids have a considerable range of effects on the movements and storage of Ca2+ within cells. These actions are dependent on a variety of factors including concentration, acyl chain length, degree of saturation, the presence of the carboxyl moiety, and orientation of double bonds.1-6 Fatty acids, especially long-chain, unsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid and linoleic acid, are effective in modulating cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations, [Ca2+ i], through diverse mechanisms including activation of Ca2+ influx1-3 and alteration of Ca2+ efflux from Ca2+ stores.4-8 Conversely, Ca2+ sequestration is enhanced mostly by saturated fatty acids. Using isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, it was first reported that palmitic acid (C16:0) specifically promoted Ca2+ sequestration.9 This action of palmitate appeared to be similar to that of other Ca2+-complexing agents such as oxalate and phosphate used in earlier sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ transport studies10-12 which have continued to be in use in exploring the cytology of intracellular Ca2+ stores.13
An embedded fuzzy logic prediction cruise control system

A fuzzy logic based prediction algorithm is developed which predicts when a driver will use cruise control in their automobile. The fuzzy system reads vehicle speed, the smoothness of vehicle speed, the delta speed from the current speed limit and estimates likelihood of cruise control usage. Over 1700 km of real world driving data was recorded. This data was used to calibrate the membership functions and to validate the overall system design.
The Art of Lying in King David's Court: To John Pilch, who so often showed the way

While telling lies is only one form of deceptive discourse, all deceptions depend upon managing the message. That in turn suggests the possibility of a wide spectrum of potentially benign or harmfu...
Targeting metabotropic glutamate receptors for novel treatments of schizophrenia

Support for the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction hypothesis of schizophrenia has led to increasing focus on restoring proper glutamatergic signaling as an approach for treatment of this devastating disease. The ability of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors to modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission has thus attracted considerable attention for the development of novel antipsychotics. Consisting of eight subtypes classified into three groups based on sequence homology, signal transduction, and pharmacology, the mGlu receptors provide a wide range of targets to modulate NMDAR function as well as glutamate release. Recently, allosteric modulators of mGlu receptors have been developed that allow unprecedented selectivity among subtypes, not just groups, facilitating the investigation of the effects of subtype-specific modulation. In preclinical animal models, positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the group I mGlu receptor mGlu5 have efficacy across all three symptom domains of schizophrenia (positive, negative, and cognitive). The discovery and development of mGlu5 PAMs that display unique signal bias suggests that efficacy can be retained while avoiding the neurotoxic effects of earlier compounds. Interestingly, mGlu1 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) appear efficacious in positive symptom models of the disease but are still in early preclinical development. While selective group II mGlu receptor (mGlu2/3) agonists have reached clinical trials but were unsuccessful, specific mGlu2 or mGlu3 receptor targeting still hold great promise. Genetic studies implicated mGlu2 in the antipsychotic effects of group II agonists and mGlu2 PAMs have since entered into clinical trials. Additionally, mGlu3 appears to play an important role in cognition, may confer neuroprotective effects, and thus is a promising target to alleviate cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Although group III mGlu receptors (mGlu4/6/7/8) have attracted less attention, mGlu4 agonists and PAMs appear to have efficacy across all three symptoms domains in preclinical models. The recent discovery of heterodimers comprising mGlu2 and mGlu4 may explain the efficacy of mGlu4 selective compounds but this remains to be determined. Taken together, compounds targeting mGlu receptors, specifically subtype-selective allosteric modulators, provide a compelling alternative approach to fill the unmet clinical needs for patients with schizophrenia.
The role of estrogen G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) and sexual experience in sexual incentive motivation in male rats

Male rats exhibit reductions in sexual motivation following systemic administration of drugs that inhibit the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, which indicates that estrogen signaling plays a role in male rat sexual motivation. Given that estrogen G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) is expressed in brain areas that are important for male sexual behaviors and endocrine function, the primary aim of the current study was to examine the role that GPR30 plays in sexual motivation in both sexually naive and sexually experienced male rats. Following the final treatment with either a GPR30 antagonist (G-15) or vehicle control, male rats were placed into the center chamber of a larger three-chambered testing arena that was designed to assess sexual incentive motivation. A sexually receptive stimulus female rat and a stimulus male rat were individually confined to one of the two smaller chambers that were each separated by a perforated partition from the larger end chambers, which test rats had access to. Relative to vehicle treated rats, male rats treated with G-15 exhibited a reduction in the percentage of time spent in the vicinity of a sexually receptive female rat. Although G-15 reduced sexual incentive motivation independent of sexual experience, only sexually-naive rats treated with G-15 did not exhibit a preference for the sexually receptive stimulus female rat. Collectively, these results indicate that interference with estrogen signaling at GPR30 reduces sexual motivation and that the lack of preference for a sexually receptive female rat over a male rat following G-15 treatment is abrogated by previous sexual experience.
Anatomic and Molecular Imaging in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is characterized by a complex set of heterogeneous disease states. This review aims to describe how imaging has been studied within each specific state. As physicians transition into an era of precision medicine, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is proving to be a powerful tool leading the way for a paradigm shift in the diagnosis and management of localized prostate cancer. With further research and development, molecular imaging modalities will likely change the way we approach recurrent and metastatic disease. Given the range of possible oncological progression patterns, a thorough understanding of the underlying carcinogenesis, as it relates to imaging, is a requisite if we are to appropriately manage prostate cancer in future decades.
Crosstalk between stromal components and tumor cells of TNBC via secreted factors enhances tumor growth and metastasis.

// Kideok Jin 1 , Niranjan B. Pandey 1 and Aleksander S. Popel 1, 2 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 2 Department of Oncology and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Correspondence to: Kideok Jin, email: Kjin2@jhmi.edu Keywords: IL-8, TNBC, CXCR1/2, breast cancer, tumor microenvironment Received: February 17, 2017 Accepted: July 11, 2017 Published: July 21, 2017 ABSTRACT Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) as a metastatic disease is currently incurable. Reliable and reproducible methods for testing drugs against metastasis are not available. Stromal cells may play a critical role in tumor progression and metastasis. In this study, we determined that fibroblasts and macrophages secreted IL-8 upon induction by tumor cell-conditioned media (TCM) from MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Our data showed that the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells co-cultured with fibroblasts or macrophages was enhanced compared to the monoculture. Furthermore, TNBC cell migration, a key step in tumor metastasis, was promoted by conditioned media (CM) from TCM-induced fibroblasts or macrophages. Knockdown of the IL-8 receptor CXCR2 by CRISPR-Cas9 reduces MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and migration compared to wild type. In a mouse xenograft tumor model, the growth of MDA-MB-231-CXCR2 −/− tumor was significantly decreased compared to the growth of tumors from wild-type cells. In addition, the incidence of thoracic metastasis of MDA-MB-231-CXCR2 −/− tumors was reduced compared to wild type. We found that the auto- and paracrine loop exists between TNBC cells and stroma, which results in enhanced IL-8 secretion from the stromal components. Significantly, inhibition of the IL-8 signaling pathway by reparixin, an inhibitor of the IL-8 receptor, CXCR1/2, reduced MDA-MB-231 tumor growth and metastasis. Taken together, these findings implicate IL-8 signaling as a critical event in TNBC tumor growth and metastasis via crosstalk with stromal components.
Evidence-Based Interventions

Our everyday lives contain numerous examples of the pursuit of quick fixes and fad treatments lacking objective research to support their use. The Internet is saturated with anecdotal stories of effectiveness and other false claims, which make it challenging to separate legitimate treatment options from offerings by “snake oil salesmen.” Humans are not immune to their effects. This phenomenon is commonly found in resources for autism treatment and can have devastating effects on consumers and families. Thus, the purpose of this chapter is to describe different approaches to understanding phenomena (science, pseudoscience, and antiscience) and how to distinguish empirical evidence and evidence-based practice. A careful review of the criteria that constitute evidence-based practice is offered. The chapter also provides recommendations for practitioners to stay abreast of the scientific literature and presents a model for addressing implementation of unsubstantiated interventions. Helpful checklists and key questions for use in clinical practice accompany the chapter.
So Why is the Chemical Symbol for Tungsten "W"?

The tungsten mineral wolframite was known in the tin mines of the Saxony-Bohemia region long before the element itself was discovered. The origin of the word is assumed to be derived from the German words "wolf, meaning beast of prey, and "rham", meaning froth. "It eats up tin as a wolf eats up sheep". The writers of the period before 1781 had vague ideas as to the composition of the mineral that they had named. Tin miners called the mineral "mock-lead", an ore containing iron, arsenic, tin and a nonmetallic earth, or glassy earth containing iron and tin.
Sub-Airy Confocal Adaptive Optics Scanning Ophthalmoscopy.

Purpose To demonstrate the viability of improving transverse image resolution in reflectance scanning adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy using sub-Airy disk confocal detection. Methods The foveal cone mosaic was imaged in five human subjects free of known eye disease using two custom adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopes (AOSLOs) in reflectance with 7.75 and 4.30 mm pupil diameters. Confocal pinholes of 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 Airy disk diameters (ADDs) were used in a retinal conjugate plane before the light detector. Average cone photoreceptor intensity profile width and power spectrum were calculated for the resulting images. Detected energy using a model eye was recorded for each pinhole size. Results The cone photoreceptor mosaic is better resolved with decreasing confocal pinhole size, with the high spatial frequency content of the images enhanced in both the large- and small-pupil AOSLOs. The average cone intensity profile width was reduced by ∼15% with the use of a 0.5 ADD pinhole when compared to a 1.0 ADD, with an accompanying reduction in signal greater than a factor of four. Conclusions The use of sub-Airy disk confocal pinhole detection without increasing retinal light exposure results in a substantial improvement in image resolution at the cost of larger than predicted signal reduction. Translational relevance Improvement in transverse resolution using sub-Airy disk confocal detection is a practical and low-cost approach that is applicable to all point- and line-scanning ophthalmoscopes, including optical coherence tomographers.
Is Populism Necessarily Bad Economics

I distinguish between political and economic populism. Both are averse to agencies of restraint, or, equivalently, delegation to technocrats or external rules. In the economic domain, delegation to independent agencies (domestic or foreign) occurs in two different contexts: (i) in order to prevent the majority from harming itself in the future and (ii) in order to cement a redistribution arising from a temporary political advantage for the longer-term. Economic policy restraints that arise in the first case are desirable; those that arise in the second case are much less so.
Robotics in Nursing: A Bibliometric Analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the current evidence found in the nursing literature about robotics used to assist or augment nursing care. Methods A bibliometric analysis of published research focused on robotics in nursing care was conducted to analyze the trends of publications. A search of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature database was conducted. This analysis was used to determine the types and extent of robotic research presented in nursing and allied health literature, journals that publish robotic research, and the origins of the study. Findings Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria and spanned the years 2004 to 2016. The main disciplines represented by first authors in these 21 articles were medicine (n = 4, 9%), nursing (n = 4, 9%), and psychiatric medicine (n = 4, 9%). Nine countries were represented by the first author. The majority of the specific studies reported using qualitative research methods (n = 4, 19%) with reports of other research designs being used. Further analysis of subsequent citations found that 248 subsequent citations were generated from these articles. Conclusions The application of robots has been used beyond typical physical day-to-day processes as many definitions of robotics suggest. Eleven (52%) of the 21 articles described the use of robots with aged patients. In some cases, robots were used as companions for older adults, as opposed to replacing mechanical and repetitive motions. Clinical relevance Robotics are being used globally in nursing care areas. While a limited amount of research on this topic in nursing exists, this study of the literature offers reports of applications of robots within nursing care areas.
Central-Upwind Schemes for Boussinesq Paradigm Equations

We develop a new accurate and robust numerical method for the Boussinesq paradigm equation (BPE). To design the method we first introduce a change of variables, for which the BPE takes the form of a nonlinear wave equation with the global pressure, and rewrite the wave equation as a system of conservation laws with a global flux. We then apply a Godunov-type central-upwind scheme together with an efficient FFT-based elliptic solver to the resulting system. Making use of the new scheme, we investigate the propagation of one- and two-dimensional solitary waves of BPE and identify their solitonic behaviour.
Uncovering a critical period of synaptic imbalance during postnatal development of the rat visual cortex: role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Key points With daily electrophysiological recordings and neurochemical analysis, we uncovered a transient period of synaptic imbalance between enhanced inhibition and suppressed excitation in rat visual cortical neurons from the end of the fourth toward the end of the fifth postnatal weeks. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which normally enhances excitation and suppresses inhibition, was down-regulated during that time, suggesting that this may contribute to the inhibition/excitation imbalance. An agonist of the BDNF receptor tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) partially reversed the imbalance, whereas a TrkB antagonist accentuated the imbalance during the transient period. Monocular lid suture during the transient period is more detrimental to the function and neurochemical properties of visual cortical neurons than before or after this period. We regard the period of synaptic imbalance as the peak critical period of vulnerability, and its existence is necessary for neurons to transition from immaturity to a more mature state of functioning. Abstract The mammalian visual cortex is immature at birth and undergoes postnatal structural and functional adjustments. The exact timing of the vulnerable period in rodents remains unclear. The critical period is characterized by inhibitory GABAergic maturation reportedly dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, most of the studies were performed on experimental/transgenic animals, questioning the relationship in normal animals. The present study aimed to conduct in-depth analyses of the synaptic and neurochemical development of visual cortical neurons in normal and monocularly-deprived rats and to determine specific changes, if any, during the critical period. We found that (i) against a gradual increase in excitation and inhibition with age, a transient period of synaptic and neurochemical imbalance existed with suppressed excitation and enhanced inhibition at postnatal days 28 to 33/34; (ii) during this window, the expression of BDNF and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptors decreased, along with glutamatergic GluN1 and GluA1 receptors and the metabolic marker cytochrome oxidase, whereas that of GABAA Rα1 receptors continued to rise; (iii) monocular deprivation reduced both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity and neurochemicals mainly during this period; and (iv) in vivo TrkB agonist partially reversed the synaptic imbalance in normal and monocularly-deprived neurons during this time, whereas a TrkB antagonist accentuated the imbalance. Thus, our findings highlight a transitory period of synaptic imbalance with a negative relationship between BDNF and inhibitory GABA. This brief critical period may be necessary in transitioning from an immature to a more mature state of visual cortical functioning.
Three-Dimensional Full-Range Dual-Band Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Accelerated by Graphic Processing Unit

The authors present a graphic processing unit (GPU) accelerated three-dimensional (3-D) full-range dual-band Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) using a LabVIEW GPU program with GPU-adaptable algorithms. GPU can dramatically reduce the image processing time, but programing on GPU is more complex than that on central processing unit (CPU). This study implements GPU computing interfaced with LabVIEW, using a LabVIEW GPU analysis toolkit, which significantly reduces the programing complexity. The selected algorithms are suitable for GPU computing in multiband FD-OCT. The developed system overcomes the problem of long image processing time relative to data acquisition time in CPU. A 65-Hz frame rate is achieved for acquiring, processing, and displaying 2 × 450 × 800 full-range dual-band FD-OCT images. The high-speed processing made it possible to interactively display 3-D dual-band FD-OCT images in a real time, showing the potential application for improving multinctional OCT systems currently using complex algorithms.
Salt Diffusion Through Sodium Bentonite and Bentonite Polymer Composite

Sodium bentonite (NaB) commonly is used in engineered barriers due to the advantageous properties of the bentonite for waste containment, such as high swell, low hydraulic conductivity, and low diffusion coefficients. However, the sensitivity of NaB to chemical incompatibility has motivated development of enhanced bentonites, such as bentonite polymer composites (BPC), for improved chemical resistance and superior barrier performance. Although recent studies have indicated that BPC may maintain lower values of hydraulic conductivity (k) than NaB when exposed to solutions with high ionic strength and/or concentrations of multivalent species, data to compare diffusion performance remains limited, even though diffusion is a significant contaminant transport mechanism in clays for the reported values of \( k( < 10^{ - 9} {\text{m}}/{\text{s}}) \). Therefore, the goal of this study was to measure diffusion through BPC and NaB specimens using a series of dialysis-leaching tests and potassium chloride (KCl) solutions ranging in concentration from 0 to 200 mM. Apparent diffusion coefficients, Da, for chloride (Cl−) for the BPC increased from 1.1 × 10−12 m2/s to 1.1 × 10−9 m2/s as the average concentration of Cl− in the specimen (Cave) increased from 25 to 211 mM, These results were consistent with trends reported in a previous study based on the through-diffusion test method. The Da values for NaB increased from 3.3 × 10−12 m2/s to 1.4 × 10−9 m2/s as the Cave for Cl− increased from 5.6 to 177 mM, which was consistent with expectations based on diffuse double-layer theory. Similar values of Da were measured for chloride for both NaB and BPC, indicating equivalent diffusive performance of the two materials for strong monovalent solutions.
Dinosaur bone microstructure

What helps create the iridescent appearance in this image?Name the dark intertwining channels in this transverse limb bone cross-section.What soft tissue structures would predominantly be inside th...
A 50GB/S 1.6PJ/B RX Data-Path with Quarter-Rate 3-Tap Speculative DFE

A decision feedback equalization (DFE) technique suitable for high data-rate I/O link receivers is presented. The technique leverages quarter-rate data slicing to implement a fully speculative 3-tap DFE and uses clock forwarding to reach a speed of 50Gb/s. It corresponds to 20ps timing closure of the most critical path, which is the feedback of the first DFE tap. The RX data-path is implemented in 14nm FinFET CMOS SOI technology. At 0.9V supply the energy-efficiency is 1.6pJ/b when PRBS15 data transmitted at 50Gb/s across a channel with 32.5dB insertion loss are recovered with >30% horizontal margin (BER<10−12).
Complex Litigation: CAFA Jurisdiction

Commentary and analysis of special jurisdictional problems raised by provisions of the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005. CAFA created new federal diversity jurisdiction over class actions where the class members and defendants are citizens of different states, the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million, and there are at least 100 members in the class. This article addresses the particular issue that arises where a class action litigation is filed under CAFA, and the court either does not certify the proposed class action, or decertifies the class action. In these situations, may the federal court retain jurisdiction over portions of the case, or must the case be dismissed? The article examines the jurisdictional principles set forth in CAFA, 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d) and various federal court decisions that have reached conflicting decisions on the appropriate disposition of class actions that are not certified or decertified in the context of CAFA jurisdiction.
Optimal Timing of Policy Announcements in Dynamic Election Campaigns

We construct a dynamic model of election campaigns. In the model, opportunities for candidates to refine/clarify their policy positions are limited and arrive stochastically along the course of the campaign until the predetermined election date. We show that this simple friction leads to rich and subtle campaign dynamics. We first demonstrate these effects in a series of canonical static models of elections that we extend to dynamic settings, including models with valence and a multidimensional policy space. We then present general principles that underlie the results from those models. In particular, we establish that candidates spend a long time using ambiguous language during the election campaign in equilibrium.
P46 Can a Healthy School Celebrations Teacher Toolkit Change Classroom Food Options? The Food Hero Campaign Experience

Objective Test the Food Hero (FH) social marketing (SM) campaign, “Healthy School Celebrations Teacher Toolkit” (HSC), which is designed to increase healthy food choices offered in Oregon classrooms as part of Oregon State University Extension (OSU-E) SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education). Use of Theory or Research FH is an evidence-based SM campaign using benchmark criteria and social cognitive and diffusion of innovations theory. Target Audience Elementary school teachers (n = 68) in 13 schools with ≥50% United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) free/reduced meals participation during the 2018-19 school year. Program Description In 2016, OSU-E developed HSC to increase healthy food choices offered in classrooms outside the USDA's School Breakfast/Lunch programs. HSC provides numerous teacher resources including comprehensive training, cooking equipment/supplies, parent letters, suggested policy guidelines, recipes, buying guides, and ongoing local OSU-E support. Evaluation Methods Teachers attending an initial HSC training were asked to complete a post-HSC 1-page questionnaire at the end of the school year to assess their use of HSC including, recipe/s prepared, kit components most important for achieving healthy celebrations, how much HSC increased their confidence in preparing recipes with students, and their intention to use HSC the following year. Results Overall, 73% of the teachers used HSC during the school year (mean = 2.5 times; mean = 26 students/classroom; n ≥ 1,300 students). The recipes teachers used most often were smoothies (51%), especially FH Popeye Power and Peach Carrot smoothies, followed by FH Fruit Pizzas (28%); 91% reported increased confidence in conducting food preparation activities with students. Cooking equipment/supplies and policy guidelines were rated the most important HSC components. Finally, 77% reported they were very/extremely likely to use HSC the following school year. Conclusions The HSC is a successful strategy to promote healthy food choices in the classroom. HSC is available via open access through the online FH Community Toolkit.
The accuracy of distribution of non-ST elevation electrocardiographic changes in localising the culprit vessel in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction ST-segment elevation distribution on electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accurately localises the culprit vessel. However, the utility of the ECG changes in localising the coronary culprit territory in the setting of non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is not well established. Material and methods This study included patients presenting with NSTEMI, who had dynamic non-ST elevation ischaemic changes in one or more ECG leads and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a single vessel between October 2011 and November 2017 in a single university hospital institution. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the distribution of ECG changes in localising the culprit vessel were calculated. Results There was a total of 82 patients included in this study, who received PCI to the left anterior descending (LAD), right coronary artery (RCA), and left circumflex (LCX), in 43.9%, 24.4%, and 31.7%, respectively; 51% were male. In this cohort, sensitivity of ECG in localising single-culprit-vessel NSTEMI was 41.5%. The overall accuracy of ECG changes was 50.0%, 72.0%, and 70.0% in LAD, RCA, and LCX distribution, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 72.2% and 32.6% in LAD distribution, 20% and 88.7% in RCA distribution, and 15.4% and 82.1% in LCX distributions, respectively. Conclusions Ischaemic non-ST elevation ECG changes had modest accuracy in localising the culprit vessel in patients with PCI-treated NSTEMI. These changes were more sensitive in LAD distribution and more specific in RCA and LCX distributions.
Prediction of Hydroxymethylfurfural Yield in Glucose Conversion through Investigation of Lewis Acid and Organic Solvent Effects

Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is one of the important renewable platform compounds that can be obtained from biomass feedstocks through glucose conversion catalyzed by Bronsted and Lewis acids. Howev...
Asymptotic filtering theory for univariate ARCH models

This paper builds on this earlier work by deriving the asymptotic distribution of the measurement error. This allows us to approximate the measurement accuracy of ARCH conditional variance estimates and compare the efficiency achieved by different ARCH models. We are also able to characterize the relative importance of different kinds of misspecification; for example, we show that misspecifying conditional means adds only trivially (at least asymptotically) to measurement error, while other factors (for example, capturing the "leverage effect," accommodating thick tailed residuals, and correctly modelling the variability of the conditional variance process) are potentially much more important. Third, we are able to characterize a class of asymptotically optimal ARCH conditional variance estimates.
Dynamic Grasping for Object Picking Using Passive Zero-DOF End-Effectors

This letter presents a new grasping approach that utilizes object inertia for picking objects using end-effectors that have no actuated degrees of freedom. The end-effector provides two contacts at a fixed distance, not necessarily antipodal, on two opposing edges of a convex object. The object is dynamically swept off of a position at rest to a goal position at stable rest while maintaining stability throughout the motion by assuring accelerations and torques from the path provide stabilizing forces in the passive gripper. Since the end-effector lacks the ability to close on the object, and the same is only subjected to the force of gravity and the applied external acceleration and torque, no internal forces are applied to the object. Practical applications for this method include very low complexity, affordable end-effectors for pick-and-place applications, and also sensorless transferring of objects in human-robot interaction. Implementation and experimentation using a conventional manipulator with three passive gripper geometries with 11 different common household objects demonstrate usefulness of the proposed method.
All-Organic Storage Solids and Redox Shuttles for Redox-Targeting Flow Batteries

Large-scale integration of renewable energies into the electrical grid will remain limited until high-capacity storage systems are developed to modulate the intermittency of harvestable sources. Th...
Military Subsidization of Human Capital and Gender Stratification in the US Economy

In the United States, the military is the primary channel through which many are able to obtain supports traditionally provided by the welfare state, such as access to higher education, job trainin...
Location Data Reveals Disproportionate Disaster Impact Amongst the Poor: A Case Study of the 2017 Puebla Earthquake Using Mobilkit.

Location data obtained from smartphones is increasingly finding use cases in disaster risk management. Where traditionally, CDR has provided the predominant digital footprint for human mobility, GPS data now has immense potential in terms of improved spatiotemporal accuracy, volume, availability, and accessibility. GPS data has already proven invaluable in a range of pre- and post-disaster use cases, such as quantifying displacement, measuring rates of return and recovery, evaluating accessibility to critical resources, planning for resilience. Despite its popularity and potential, however, the use of GPS location data in DRM is still nascent, with several use cases yet to be explored. In this paper, we consider the 2017 Puebla Earthquake in Mexico to (i) validate and expand upon post-disaster analysis applications using GPS data, and (ii) illustrate the use of a new toolkit, Mobilkit, to facilitate scalable, replicable extensions of this work for a wide range of disasters, including earthquakes, typhoons, flooding, and beyond.
BK virus-specific T cells for immunotherapy of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: an open-label, single-cohort pilot study.

Summary Background Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare disease of the CNS caused by JC virus and occurring in immunosuppressed people, is typically fatal unless adaptive immunity is restored. JC virus is a member of the human polyomavirus family and is closely related to the BK virus. We hypothesised that use of partly HLA-matched donor-derived BK virus-specific T cells for immunotherapy in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy would be feasible and safe. Methods We did an open-label, single-cohort pilot study in patients (aged 18 years or older) with clinically definite progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and disease progression in the previous month at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center (Bethesda, MD, USA). Overlapping peptide libraries derived from large T antigen and major capsid protein VP1 of BK virus with high sequence homology to JC virus counterparts were used to generate polyomavirus-specific T cells cross-recognising JC virus antigens. Polyomavirus-specific T cells were manufactured from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of first-degree relative donors aged 18 years or older. These cells were administered to patients by intravenous infusion at 1 × 106 polyomavirus-specific T cells per kg, followed by up to two additional infusions at 2 × 106 polyomavirus-specific T cells per kg. The primary endpoints were feasibility (no manufacturing failure based on meeting release criteria, achieving adequate numbers of cell product for clinical use, and showing measurable antiviral activity) and safety in all patients. The safety monitoring period was 28 days after each infusion. Patients were followed up with serial MRI for up to 12 months after the final infusion. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02694783 . Findings Between April 7, 2016, and Oct 19, 2018, 26 patients were screened, of whom 12 were confirmed eligible and received treatment derived from 14 matched donors. All administered polyomavirus-specific T cells met the release criteria and recognised cognate antigens in vitro. 12 patients received at least one infusion, ten received at least two, and seven received a total of three infusions. The median on-study follow-up was 109·5 days (range 23–699). All infusions were tolerated well, and no serious treatment-related adverse events were observed. Seven patients survived progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy for longer than 1 year after the first infusion, whereas five died of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy within 3 months. Interpretation We showed that generation of polyomavirus-specific T cells from healthy related donors is feasible, and these cells can be safely used as an infusion for adoptive immunotherapy of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Although not powered to assess efficacy, our data provide additional support for this strategy as a potential life-saving therapy for some patients. Funding Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the NIH.
Autoimmune disease and epigenetics

Abstract Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are a group of immune system disorders with unknown etiology. It is believed that a complex interaction between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental risk factors contributes to the etiology of the most ADs. This chapter will provide an overview of epigenetic mechanisms linked to immune system dysfunction and autoreactivity in idiopathic AD. Because the environment plays such a critical role in the development of ADs, a major theme of this chapter is to highlight an example to provide an insight into the role of one environmental risk factor, trichloroethylene (TCE), in AD etiology. TCE is an industrial solvent and environmental contaminant shown to promote CD4+ T cell dysregulation and autoimmunity. Recent findings demonstrated that the TCE’s ability to promote autoimmune disease may be related to epigenetic alterations in CD4+ T cells. Identifying environmental factors that alter immune pathways has important implications for potential therapeutic interventions by normalizing immune responses in TCE-exposed individuals.
Midiendo El Impacto Del Capital Humano En El Crecimiento Económico De Corea Del Sur (Measuring the Impact of Human Capital on Economic Growth in South Korea)

Spanish Abstract: Este articulo busca medir el crecimiento de la productividad multifactorial o productividad de factor total (PFT) en Corea sin tener en cuenta las diferencias en la calidad en el factor trabajo. Por lo tanto, asumiendo que la teoria del crecimiento endogeno de Lucas es correcta, la medida de PFT estara sobreestimada e incluira el impacto del capital humano en el crecimiento economico. Por ello, regresando el crecimiento de la PFT contra medidas del capital humano se obtendran estimaciones del impacto del capital humano en el crecimiento economico de Corea. El principal resultado del estudio muestra que entre 1980 y 2004 la economia Coreana crecio a una tasa anual del 6.7% y la acumulacion de capital humano dio cuanta de 1.3 puntos porcentuales de dicha tasa.English Abstract: This paper attempts to measure total factor productivity (TFP) growth in Korea without taking into account quality differences in the labor factor. Therefore, assuming that Lucas theory of endogenous growth is correct, the TFP measure will be overstated and include the impact of human capital on economic growth. Hence, regressing the TFP growth against measures of human capital will estimate the impact of human capital on the economic growth of Korea. The main result of the study show that between 1980 and 2004 the Korean economy grew at an annual rate of 6.7% and human capital accumulation accounted for 1.3% points of that rate.
Recognition of a lipid antigen by CD1-restricted αβ+ T cells

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II molecules bind immunogenic peptides and present them to lymphocytes bearing the alpha beta T-cell antigen receptor (TCR). An analogous antigen-presenting function also has been proposed for the non-MHC-encoded CD1 molecules, a family of non-polymorphic, beta 2-microglobulin-associated glycoproteins expressed on most professional antigen-presenting cells. In support of this hypothesis, CD1 molecules are recognized by selected CD4-CD8- alpha beta or gamma delta TCR+ T-cell clones, and we have recently shown that CD1 molecules restrict the recognition of foreign microbial antigens by alpha beta TCR+ T cells. But the substantial structural divergence of CD1 from MHC class I and class II molecules, raises the possibility that the antigens presented by the CD1 system may differ fundamentally from those presented by MHC-encoded molecules. Here we report that a purified CD1b-restricted antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis presented to alpha beta TCR+ T cells is mycolic acid, a family of alpha-branched, beta-hydroxy, long-chain fatty acids found in mycobacteria. This example of non-protein microbial antigen recognition suggests that alpha beta TCR+ T cells recognize a broader range of antigens than previously appreciated and that at least one member of the CD1 family has evolved the ability to present lipid antigens.
Design with Operational Amplifiers and Analog Integrated Circuits

Franco's "Design with Operational Amplifiers and Analog Integrated Circuits, 3e" is intended for a design-oriented course in applications with operational amplifiers and analog ICs. It also serves as a comprehensive reference for practicing engineers. This new edition includes enhanced pedagogy (additional problems, more in-depth coverage of negative feedback, more effective layout), updated technology (current-feedback and folded-cascode amplifiers, and low-voltage amplifiers), and increased topical coverage (current-feedback amplifiers, switching regulators and phase-locked loops). Table of contents 1 Operational Amplifier Fundamentals 2 Circuits with Resistive Feedback 3 Active Filters: Part I 4 Active Filters: Part II 5 Static Op Amp Limitations 6 Dynamic Op Amp Limitations 7 Noise 8 Stability 9 Nonlinear Circuits 10 Signal Generators 11 Voltage References and Regulators 12 D-A and A-D Converters 13 Nonlinear Amplifiers and Phase-Locked Loops
Angular distribution of $J/\psi$ decays in dimuon channel in 800-GeV proton copper collisions

The anuglar distribution of $J/\psi$ decays in the $\mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ channel in 800 proton-copper collisions has been measured for $x_F$ > 0.25. The polarization parameter $\lambda$ is extracted in 1 GeV of $p_T$ and 0.1 of $x_F$ bins for two magnet configugrations with different acceptances. The data indicate that the $J/\psi$'s are produced with a slight transverse polarization at small $x_F$, which turns to longitudinal at $x_F$ > 0.6. No $p_T$ dependence of $\lambda$ is observed. Theoretical calculations are needed in order to interpret the measurements.
Measurement of gain on the 1.315-um transition of atomic iodine as produced from the NCl(a1-delta) + I(2P3/2) energy transfer reaction

A direct measurement of gain on the electronic I (2P3/2) - I*(2Pi/2) transition of atomic iodine at 1.315 jam using tunable diode laser is demonstrated. The population inversion results from the efficient energy transfer between NCI (alA) metastables and I (2P3/2) atoms. Ground state iodine atoms and NCI (a1 A) metastables are produced in a transverse subsonic flow device from the stepwise reaction of Cl atoms with HI followed by the reaction of Cl with azide (N3) radicals, respectively. Under current experimental conditions, a gain of 0.020%/cm is obtained and appears to be limited by reagent number density. A kinetic model was constructed to simulate the experimental gain profile using a mechanism consisting of fully coupled finite rate chemistry and 1-D fluid dynamics. Good agreement with experimental and theoretical calculations are obtained. Keywords: Gain, population inversion, atomic iodine, NCI (a*A) metastables, azides, energy transfer
A Professional Code of Ethics for Teacher Educators: A Proposal to Stimulate Discussion and Debate

Abstract Teacher education is one of the few professions without a professional code of ethics. The author proposes a code specifically designed for teacher educators. The proposal is intended to stimulate discussion with the eventual goal of adoption by teacher educators throughout the nation.
Reliability of pedometer-determined free-living physical activity data in college women.

This study examined stability and reliability of free-living physical activity assessed by pedometer in 69 young female college students (M age = 18.7 years, SD = 1.2, range: 18-25 years; body mass index = 23.2 kg/m2, SD = 0.6) for two complete weeks (Week 1 and Week 2) separated by 12 weeks. During Week 1, participants took an average of 8,880 steps/day, SD = 3,219, range: 1,858-19,480; during Week 2 9,088 steps/day, SD = 3,299, range 1,736-16,837; t (68) = -.568, p = .572. In both weeks, only Sunday differed significantly (repeated measures analysis of variance; Week 1: p < .0001; Week 2: p < .01) from all other days of the week. The computed intraclass correlation between weeks was moderate (.72). Group mean pedometer-determined physical activity was stable across 2 weeks separated by 12 weeks in this young, healthy sample of women. Individuals within these groups held their rank order to a moderate extent over time. These findings provide important evidence of the reliability of pedometer-determined p...
Tests for Juvenile Myasthenia Gravis: Comparative Diagnostic Yield and Prediction of Outcome

The clinical picture, family history, laboratory data, treatment modalities, and outcome in 27 juvenile myasthenics seen over a 25-year period are presented. Onset was after 10 years of age in the majority of patients. Half presented with ocular signs, the other half with generalized-onset myasthenia. Half of those with ocular-onset myasthenia progressed to generalized myasthenia. The female-to-male ratio was 3.5:1. Myasthenia gravis was reported in the mother of one patient. Ptosis was the most common presenting sign. It was unilateral at onset in 33% of patients and remained unilateral in 11%. Pharmacologic tests (neostigmine methylsulfate and edrophonium chloride) were positive in 92% of patients. Serology was positive in 63%, whereas repetitive nerve stimulation was positive in 33% when distal nerves were stimulated and in 66% when proximal and distal nerves were stimulated. Seropositivity tended to increase with generalization of the myasthenic process. No statistically significant difference in seropositivity was noted between males and females. Anti-striated muscle antibodies were detected in two patients, neither of whom had thymoma. The yield of repetitive stimulation increased with generalization of the myasthenic process and when proximal nerves were stimulated. No statistically significant difference was noted in the decremental response between seropositive and seronegative patients. The majority of ocular myasthenics were treated with pyridostigmine bromide monotherapy. With generalization of the myasthenic process, other modes of medical and surgical therapies were needed. All patients given corticosteroids ultimately underwent thymectomy. The mean age at presentation and the duration of symptoms at presentation were longer in thymectomized patients than in those without thymectomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fresh Water Iron-Manganese Nodules in Lake George, New York

Lake George, New York, is the site of a new discovery of iron-manganese nodules. These nodules occur at a water depth between 21 and 36 m along a stretch of lake extending for about 5 mi north and south of the Narrows, a constricted island-dotted area which separates the north and south Lake George basins. Nodules occur on or within the uppermost 5 cm of a varved glacial clay. Some areas are solidly floored with a carpet of nodules in areas where active currents keep the nodules exposed. The nodules form around nuclei which consist of clay and less commonly of spore capsules, detrital particles, or bark. By their shape we recognize three types of nodules: spherical, discoidal, and lumps. On X-ray examination all nodules show small goethite peaks; in one nodule the manganese mineral birnessite was identified. Manganese and part of the iron appears to be in X-ray amorphous ferromanganese compounds. The Lake George nodules are enriched in iron with respect to marine nodules but are lower in manganese. They have a higher trace element concentration than nodules from other known freshwater lake occurrences, but a lower concentration than marine nodules.