cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusing-Horizon Model Predictive Control

We analyze a time-coarsening strategy for model predictive control (MPC) that we call diffusing-horizon MPC. This strategy seeks to overcome the computational challenges associated with optimal control problems that span multiple timescales. The coarsening approach uses a time discretization grid that becomes exponentially more sparse as one moves forward in time. This design is motivated by a recently established property of optimal control problems that is known as exponential decay of sensitivity. This property states that the impact of a parametric perturbation at a future time decays exponentially as one moves backward in time. We establish conditions under which this property holds for a constrained MPC formulation with linear dynamics and costs. Moreover, we show that the proposed coarsening scheme can be cast as a parametric perturbation of the MPC problem and thus the exponential decay condition holds. We use a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning plant case study with real data to demonstrate the proposed approach. Specifically, we show that computational times can be reduced by two orders of magnitude while increasing the closed-loop cost by only 3%.
Identification, Referral, and Services for Individuals With Serious Mental Illness Across Multiple Jails

Identification of serious mental illness (SMI) among those entering jail is the first step in diversion or appropriate services in jail. Although best practices guidelines for identifying SMI exist...
Validating Feedback Control to Meet Stiffness Requirements in Additive Manufacturing

This brief discusses the possibility of making an object that precisely meets global structural requirements using additive manufacturing and feedback control. Experimental validation is presented by printing a cantilever beam with a prescribed stiffness requirement. The printing process is formalized as a model-based finite-horizon discrete control problem, where the control variables are the widths of the successive layers. Sensing is performed by making in situ intermediate stiffness measurements on the partially built part. The hypothesis that feedback control is effective in enabling the 3-D-printed beam to meet precise stiffness requirements is validated experimentally.
Association of provider advice and gestational weight gain in twin pregnancies: a cross-sectional electronic survey

Little is known about patient-provider communication on gestational weight gain among women pregnant with twins, a growing population at high risk for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. We examined if women’s report of provider advice on gestational weight gain was consistent with the Institute of Medicine (IOM) weight gain guidelines for twin pregnancies, and the association of provider advice on weight gain with women’s weight gain during their twin pregnancy. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 276 women who delivered twins and received prenatal care in the United States. The 2009 IOM provisional weight gain guidelines for twin pregnancies defined whether provider advice on weight gain and women’s weight gain were below, within, or above guidelines. Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between provider advice on weight gain with women’s weight gain, after adjustment for maternal age, gestational age at delivery, education, parity, twin type, use of assisted reproductive technologies and pre-pregnancy BMI category. Approximately 30% of women described provider advice on weight gain below the IOM guidelines, 60% within, and 10% above guidelines. Compared to women who reported weight gain advice within guidelines, women who reported advice below guidelines or who reported no advice were 7.1 (95% CI: 3.2, 16.0) and 2.7 (95% CI: 1.3, 5.6) times more likely to gain less than recommended, respectively. Women who reported provider advice above guidelines were 4.6 (95% CI: 1.5, 14.2) times more likely to exceed guidelines. Provider advice on gestational weight gain may be an important predictor of women’s weight gain during twin pregnancies, highlighting the critical need for accurate provider counseling to optimize health outcomes.
Impact of COVID-19 on Public Research Recruitment

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created a major challenge for clinical trials recruitment as early attention was focused on matters of public health and clinical care, and research--outside of COVID-19-- essentially shut down. Rally with Partners (rally.partners.org), an Internet-based portal for clinical research volunteer recruitment, continued to support studies that continued their recruitment during this period and additionally, implemented several measures to support COVID-19 research. In this paper, we summarize our experiences and preliminary results.
Modeling Synergistic Fuel Cell Membrane Degradation with Mitigating Effects of Cerium

During operation, polymer-electrolyte fuel cells undergo mechanical and chemical degradation, which behave synergistically and lead to accelerated membrane deterioration over time. This study builds upon previous modeling work on mechanical degradation, as described by a pinhole in the membrane, and chemical degradation mitigation by using cerium. By combining these two models, analysis can be carried out on the coupled degradation methods and how the mitigation effects of cerium disrupt the degradation cycle. The model results show how the presence of a pinhole in the membrane changes the distribution of cerium in the cell and modifies chemical degradation rates. In addition, the model shows how cerium affects the rate of pinhole growth by slowing down the rate of change in mechanical properties due to chemical degradation. Finally, the model shows how cerium modifies the mechanical and chemical degradation rates of the membrane under humidity- and voltage-cycling conditions.
Chemical Delivery Systems

One of the most sought after yet elusive goals of the medicinal chemist is the development of site-or organ-targeted drug delivery systems. The realization of Ehrlich’s “magic bullet” would be a boon to therapeutic intervention in many disease states. The reason for this, of course, is selectivity. If a systemically or orally administered agent concentrates in its pathophysiologically relevant site, not only would the efficiency of the drug be enhanced but also the toxicity of the material may well be mitigated. This latter point is a consequence of attenuating non-target site drug levels. Lowering the toxicity of a drug is of equal importance to enhancing potency in terms of optimizing the therapeutic index, i.e., the ratio of the median effective and toxic doses.
A Distributed Scalar Field Mapping Strategy for Mobile Robots

This paper proposes a distributed field mapping algorithm that drives a team of robots to explore and learn an unknown scalar field. The algorithm is based on a bio-inspired approach known as Speeding-Up and Slowing-Down (SUSD) for distributed source seeking problems. Our algorithm leverages a Gaussian Process model to predict field values as robots explore. By comparing Gaussian Process predictions with measurements of the field, agents search along the gradient of the model error while simultaneously improving the Gaussian Process model. We provide a proof of convergence to the gradient direction and demonstrate our approach in simulation and experiments using 2D wheeled robots and 2D flying autonomous miniature blimps.
Hexagonal Run-Length Zero Capacity Region, Part II: Automated Proofs

The zero capacity region for hexagonal (d, k) run-length constraints is known for many, but not all, d and k. The pairs (d, k) for which it has been unproven whether the capacity is zero or positive consist of: (i) k = d+2 when d ≥ 2; (ii) k = d + 3 when d ≥ 1; (iii) k = d + 4 when either d = 4 or d is odd and d ≥ 3; and (iv) k = d+5 when d = 4. Here, we prove the capacity is zero in case (i) when 2 ≤ d ≤ 9, in case (ii) when 3 ≤ d ≤ 11, and in case (iii) when d ∈ {4, 5, 7, 9}. We also prove the capacity is positive in case (ii) when d ∈ {1, 2}, in case (iii) when d = 3, and in case (iv). The zero capacities for k = d + 4 are the first and only known cases equal to zero when k -d > 3. All of our results are obtained by developing three algorithms that automatically and rigorously assist in proving either the zero or positive capacity results by efficiently searching large numbers of configurations. The proofs involve either upper bounding the number of paths through certain large directed graphs, finding forbidden strings, or building distinct tileable square labelings. Some of the proofs examine over 20 billion cases using a supercomputer. In Part I of this two-part series, it is proven that the capacity is zero for all of case (i), and for case (ii) whenever d ≥ 7. Thus, the only remaining unknown cases are now when k = d+4, for any odd d ≥ 11.
Partners: serendipity in arbovirus research.

A review of 60 years of research on mosquito-borne arboviruses in the Western U.S.A. revealed a number of instances when serendipity influenced the development of new concepts or novel approaches to solve ecological or epidemiological problems. Eight such events were selected as examples. The need for effective mosquito traps to collect live mosquitoes to be tested for virus infection posed design problems and also led to the use of CO 2 (dry ice) as a mosquito attractant. This research also led to identification of Culex tarsalis as a primary target for vector control programs in the western U.S.A. Attendance at a movie led to development of fluorescent dusts to mark mosquitoes for studies of their numbers, life tables and movements. Knowledge of vector-virus associations was used to influence state legislative action to provide funding for vector control and further discovery of vector-virus associations. Derivation of the term Arbovirus started as laboratory jargon and evolved into being the classification for over 500 vector-borne viruses. Sociobiological changes resulting from the use of television and air conditioning fortuitously decreased exposure of California residents to vector attack. These two changes were introduced into households in California in the early 1950s. The prime time when C. tarsalis, the primary vector of encephalitis, bites people is around sundown which also is primetime for television watching. These sociological changes are a valuable adjunct to vector control programs.
Project RESTART: Preparing Nontraditional Adult Teacher Education Candidates to Become Special Education Teachers

In North Carolina, where the state must hire 10,000 teachers every year just to fill existing classrooms, highly qualified special education teachers are included in the top three areas of greatest teacher shortage, behind math and science. Such needs, which include an increase in teachers from ethnic minorities, challenge teacher educators to seek innovative methods for recruitment and retention of pools of nontraditional teacher candidates (Artiles, Trent, & Palmer, 2004; Boe, Cook, Bobbitt, & Terhanian, 1998).
The Legal Semiotic Modus Operandi: Squares

The word semiotics comes from the Greek seme for ‘sign’, so that semiotics should be understood as “the science of signs”, which always comes with parallels like symbols, meanings or significations. Modern literature shows a rich use of the term, as do social sciences and since almost a century also law. Anglo-Saxon legal theory emphasizes implicitly that any founding norm is in essence a semiotic power, but that power is not recognized as such in legal practice: practitioners suggest that ‘facts are as they are’ and that the world of facts ‘is not made by lawyers, who only have to judge what is unfolding before their eyes’. So, lawyers do not to cultivate awareness about the multiplicity of meanings inherent to the legal job. Also legal theory does not display semiotic sensitivity: concepts such as meaning, sign and signification remain subordinated to rules and/or principles. Such insights show that legal education (on both sides of the Atlantic) needs to be completed with knowledge and understanding of semiotics in law and legal discourse. Roberta Kevelson contributed to this development. Lawyers are unaware of the semiotic impact of their thoughts and profession, as law students as well as Moliere’s figure Mr Jourdain confirm.
Systems analysis of gene ontology and biological pathways involved in post-myocardial infarction responses

Pathway analysis has been widely used to gain insight into essential mechanisms of the response to myocardial infarction (MI). Currently, there exist multiple pathway databases that organize molecular datasets and manually curate pathway maps for biological interpretation at varying forms of organization. However, inconsistencies among different databases in pathway descriptions, frequently due to conflicting results in the literature, can generate incorrect interpretations. Furthermore, although pathway analysis software provides detailed images of interactions among molecules, it does not exhibit how pathways interact with one another or with other biological processes under specific conditions. We propose a novel method to standardize descriptions of enriched pathways for a set of genes/proteins using Gene Ontology terms. We used this method to examine the relationships among pathways and biological processes for a set of condition-specific genes/proteins, represented as a functional biological pathway-process network. We applied this algorithm to a set of 613 MI-specific proteins we previously identified. A total of 96 pathways from Biocarta, KEGG, and Reactome, and 448 Gene Ontology Biological Processes were enriched with these 613 proteins. The pathways were represented as Boolean functions of biological processes, delivering an interactive scheme to organize enriched information with an emphasis on involvement of biological processes in pathways. We extracted a network focusing on MI to demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) protein, positive regulation of collagen metabolic process, coagulation, and positive/negative regulation of blood coagulation have immediate impacts on the MI response. Our method organized biological processes and pathways in an unbiased approach to provide an intuitive way to identify biological properties of pathways under specific conditions. Pathways from different databases have similar descriptions yet diverse biological processes, indicating variation in their ability to share similar functional characteristics. The coverages of pathways can be expanded with the incorporation of more biological processes, predicting involvement of protein members in pathways. Further, detailed analyses of the functional biological pathway-process network will allow researchers and scientists to explore critical routes in biological systems in the progression of disease.
Hypnosis and Suggestion

Hypnosis has been defined as a procedure in which a person designated as a hypnotist gives suggestions to a person designated as a subject, client, or patient for changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Keywords: hypnosis; suggestion; hypnotic suggestibility; altered state
Changes in plasma membrane structure associated with malignant transformation in human urinary bladder epithelium.

Integral membrane proteins are visualized as intramembrane particles (IMP; also called membrane-associated particles) at the cleaved surfaces of freeze-fractured plasma membranes. Topographical distributions of the IMP of urothelial cell membranes in normal human bladder and for a small series of low-grade noninvasive transitional cell carcinomas and invasive transtional cell carcinomas are shown to be significantly different. Using several statistical methods that test IMP topography via a vis the random (Poisson) hypothesis, it is demonstrated that IMP are mildly aggregated in plasma membranes of normal human urothelial cells and that, in noninvasive carcinomas, IMP aggregation is increased. In invasive transitional cell carcinomas, IMP are statistically nonaggregated and are in a random distribution in the plane of the membrane. IMP numerical densities are also altered in the course of neoplastic transformation. IMP are significantly increased in number in plasma membranes in human noninvasive transitional cell carcinomas but are similar to control values in invasive tumors. Loss of IMP and changes in IMP topography may be related to tumor invasiveness or they may represent an epiphenomenon.
Optimizing the Electronic Properties of Carbon Nanotubes using Amphoteric Doping

Present day semiconductor devices are rapidly approaching their physical limits, prompting an increasing number of researchers across multiple disciplines to attempt devising innovative ways for decreasing the size and increasing the performance of critical features in microelectronic circuits. One possible route is based on the idea of using molecules and molecular structures as functional electronic devices. Carbon nanotubes may provide one of the best materials for molecular electronic devices as they present a flexible and well structured architecture. However, practical realizations of new nanotube-based electronic devices hinge on a number of outstanding problems, such as the capability of achieving large-scale air-stable and controlled doping. Amphoteric doping by encapsulating suitable organic molecules inside of nanotubes may hold tremendous promise in this respect. In order to investigate and optimize the electronic transport properties in carbon nanotubes doped with organic molecules we have performed large-scale quantum electronic structure calculations coupled with a Green's function formulation for determining the conductance. By implementing this hybrid computational approach for examination of the electronic properties of molecular-based structures, an efficient and accurate procedure has been demonstrated for studying the effects of amphoteric doping of carbon nanotubes. With this method, a computational framework for the optimal design ofmore » nanotube based electronic devices is becoming routinely accessible. Results from our calculations suggest that the electronic structure of a carbon nanotube can be easily manipulated by encapsulating appropriate organic molecules leading to charge transfer processes that induce efficient n- and p-type doping of the carbon nanotube. Even though a molecule may cause n- or p-doping, we have found it to generally have minor effects on the transport properties of the nanotube as compared to a pristine tube.« less
RuleBase: Model Checking at IBM

RuleBase is a symbolic model checking tool, developed by the IBM Haifa Research Laboratory. It is the result of four years of experience in practical formal verification of hardware which, we believe, has been a key factor in bringing the tool to its current level of maturity. Our experience shows that after a short training period, designers can operate the tool independently and achieve impressive results. We present the tool and summarize our development and usage experience, focusing on some work done during 1996.
Eddy Current Determination of Semiconductor Liquid-Solid Interface Location and Shape

The vertical Bridgman method is a widely used technique for the growth of semiconductor single crystals from the melt [1–5]. In this method, a vertical multizone furnace is used to establish an optimized axial temperature gradient through which is translated an ampoule containing the liquid semiconductor. As the lower tip of the ampoule enters the furnace cold zone, single crystal solid is nucleated and a liquid-solid interface propagates upward through the ampoule. Today, the yield and quality of material grown by this technique is maximized by empirically optimizing the temperature gradient and the axial translation rate for each material system. Essentially, this involves repeated experimentation until a satisfactory material can be grown. Once obtained, temperature set points within the furnace, and furnace translation rate schedules are fixed from run to run.
Probabilistic Methods for Financial and Marketing Informatics

Bayesian Networks are a form of probabilistic graphical models and they are used for modeling knowledge in many application areas, from medicine to image processing. They are particularly useful for business applications, ans * Unique coverage of probabilistic reasoning topics applied to business problems, including marketing, banking, operations management, and finance. * Shares insights about when and why probabilistic methods can and cannot be used effectively; * Complete review of Bayesian networks and probabilistic methods for those IT professionals new to informatics.
SIRT1 in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus: A Nutrient Sensor Input Into the Internal Timekeeper

There was a time when talking about clocks, rhythms, and timing of meals led to glazed eyes from colleagues in the field of diabetes and obesity (“diabesity”). The main focus at the turn of this century was on using newly developed molecular techniques to interrogate form and function of neural circuits linked to the control of appetite and metabolism. The problem of obesity and the metabolic conditions associated with nutrient excess facing most nations was, and likely still is by most, primarily viewed as a failure to coordinate energy consumption and energy expenditure (“energy homeostasis”). However, the publication in Science in 2005 of an obese phenotype in mice carrying the Δ19 mutation in the Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput (Clock) gene was important for bringing what is essentially an old idea back into the consciousness of those interested in how weight and metabolic health are maintained (1).
Structural modification of stringed instruments

Two degree of freedom structural models have been used for some time to model the low-frequency behaviour of stringed instruments. Developing a closed form method of predicting the effects of structural modification can extend the utility of these models. Analytical sensitivities can readily be developed for this purpose. This approach is described in detail and demonstrated through example problems. In particular, the effect of structural modification on the coupled air-structural modes is captured.
Estimation of Wind-Driven Rain Intrusion through Building Envelope Defects and Breaches during Tropical Cyclones

AbstractWind-driven rain (WDR) intrusion through building envelope defects and breaches is a major source of damage to building interior components and contents during hurricane landfall. The extent of total building interior damage (damage to building interior components, utility, and contents) is a function of the total volume of WDR intrusion which in turn is dependent on the size of openings, wind speed, and rain intensity. Currently, the volume of rainwater intrusion through a given opening on a building facade is estimated using a semiempirical model with use of parametric information based on engineering judgment. This paper presents a test-based WDR intrusion model which uses values of parameters developed through testing of building models under simulated WDR conditions. The model estimates the total volume of rainwater intrusion through an opening as a summation of WDR volume attributable to direct impinging raindrops and surface runoff rainwater from the undamaged envelope area. Test-based WDR ...
A Fast Model for Pressure Profile in Rough EHL Line Contacts

A fast calculation model for the pressure distribution in EHL line contacts between rough surfaces is presented. Comparison between the results obtained from the model calculation and numerical simulation shows that, under heavily loaded conditions, the present model gives very accurate predictions of the pressure distribution for both deterministic and random transverse surface roughness. Since the model is based on the superposition of pressure fluctuations, the applications of this model are restricted to heavily loaded contacts
CNS penetration of the opioid glycopeptide MMP-2200: a microdialysis study.

Abstract Endogenous opioid peptides enkephalin and dynorphin are major co-transmitters of striatofugal pathways of the basal ganglia. They are involved in the genesis of levodopa-induced dyskinesia and in the modulation of direct and indirect striatal output pathways that are disrupted in Parkinson's disease. One pharmacologic approach is to develop synthetic glycopeptides closely resembling endogenous peptides to restore their normal functions. Glycosylation promotes penetration of the blood–brain barrier. We investigated CNS penetration of the opioid glycopeptide MMP-2200, a mixed δ/μ-agonist based on leu-enkephalin, as measured by in vivo microdialysis and subsequent mass spectrometric analysis in awake, freely moving rats. The glycopeptide (10 mg/kg) reaches the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) rapidly after systemic ( i.p. ) administration and is stably detectable for the duration of the experiment (80 min). The detected level at the end of the experiment (around 250 pM) is about 10-fold higher than the level of the endogenous leu-enkephalin, measured simultaneously. This is one of the first studies to directly prove that glycosylation of an endogenous opioid peptide leads to excellent blood–brain barrier penetration after systemic injection, and explains robust behavioral effects seen in previous studies by measuring how much glycopeptide reaches the target structure, in this case the DLS.
Internet security : a case study of firewall selection

The Internet itself was not designed with security in mind. It was originally designed for research purposes, with open access to willing and able participants. Only recently, with the influx of thousands, if not millions, of users, have the stakes been raised and very serious security concerns brought to light. Following an overview of the threats of Internet‐based electronic commerce, this paper discusses two Internet firewall architectures and seven Internet access control technologies. A case study of how a small company, SunCom Int’l Corporation (SIC), selected its Internet firewall is presented. Finally, this paper concludes with a summary and the future of the Internet firewall.
Realizability-Preserving Transformations for Digital and Analog Filters

Abstract The theoretical basis for the design of analog and digital filters by prototype and transformation is studied. Necessary and sufficient conditions are developed for a transformation to preserve realizibility as well as the frequency response. The attendant structural properties of such transformations are developed and compared with the reactance transformations of classical analog filter theory. The superiority of direct analog-to-digital transformation to the Constantinides approach is proven.
Ontogenetic study of the miwh gene in mice.

Ontogenetic and adult behavioral tests were conducted on an extreme non-agouti strain of mice carrying the Miwh mutation. Except for startle response, no significant differences were seen in any aspect of the preweaning reflex and neuromuscular tests. The lack of startle response seen in Miwh/Miwh and Miwh/+ mice can be attributed to abnormalities found in the inner ear of these genotypes. Among adult mice, significant differences were found in the open field and visual cliff tests.
On estimation and testing arising from order restricted balanced mixed model

The randomized complete block design is one of the most widely used experimental designs to systematically control the variability arising from known nuisance sources. The balanced mixed effects model is usually appropriate for such an experiment when the blocks used in the experiment are randomly chosen. In applications with k increasing or decreasing treatment levels, there is sometimes prior knowledge about the ordering of the treatment effects. The most commonly seen orderings include simple ordering, simple tree ordering and umbrella orderings with known or unknown peaks. A natural question is how to incorporate the prior ordering information in estimating the parameters in a balanced mixed effects model so that the estimated treatment effects are consistent with the prior information and the estimated variances of the block effects and experiment errors are nonnegative. In this paper we derive the maximum likelihood estimators of the parameters in a balanced mixed model subject to any partial ordering of the treatment effects, which includes the usual maximum likelihood estimators as a special case. An example is provided to illustrate the results.
Movement rules for juvenile steelhead: dynamic linking of movement behaviour to habitat and density

We incorporated explanatory factors including stream habitat type and fish density into individual-based models with dynamic connections among adjacent habitat units to infer dispersal behaviour of juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss in a Great Lakes watershed. We used mark–recapture data and an inverse modelling approach to estimate daily probability of steelhead moving out of a habitat unit, P(move), according to four competing models. The models used included (i) a null model where all fish had equal movement probability; (ii) a habitat-dependent model where P(move) depended on the habitat type; (iii) a density-dependent model of P(move); and (iv) a model where P(move) depended on both density and habitat type. The habitat-dependent model provided the most parsimonious fit to the observed data according to Akaike's information criteria (AICc). In the null model, P(move) averaged 0.70, whereas P(move) averaged 0.75 in pools, 0.68 in riffles and 0.73 in runs in the habitat-dependent model.
Evidence that frozen/thawed ram spermatozoa show accelerated capacitation in vitro as assessed by chlortetracycline assay

Abstract We have compared the time-course of in vitro capacitation, as assessed by chlortetracycline (CTC) binding pattern, in membrane-intact fresh and frozen/thawed ram spermatozoa. Samples were filtered through Sephadex G-10 for the enrichment in motile/viable spermatozoa, and combined staining was carried out using Hoechst 33258 for membrane integrity and CTC for capacitation stage. Freezing and thawing did not alter the CTC distribution pattern of membrane-intact spermatozoa. On the other hand, after incubation under capacitating conditions (i.e., 3 washings in PBS/BSA and 2-h incubation in modified synthetic oviductal fluid), the CTC pattern from frozen-thawed intact spermatozoa significantly differed from the corresponding fresh controls, as evidenced by an increase in the percentage of Form I (noncapacitated) and Form III (capacitated) spermatozoa. In addition, after incubation, frozen/thawed samples showed an enhanced ability to undergo acrosomal exocytosis in response to the calcium ionophore A23187 in comparison with that of incubated fresh spermatozoa. These results suggest that freezing and thawing of ram spermatozoa provoke structural and/or functional alterations that result in an increased proneness to capacitation and acrosome reaction, a fact to be kept in mind for the timing of both in vivo and in vitro fertilizing procedures.
A new class of automatic equalizers

A new class of automatic equalizers with very fast convergence is discussed in this paper. This fast convergence is accomplished by means of an iterative procedure which successively makes higher-order approximations on the desired equalizer function. The iterative procedure can be conveniently realized in the form of transversal filter stages in casqde. For a given distortion D < 1, the residual distortion at the equalizer output after n iterations can be reduced to no more than D2 in the noise-free cases. When this approach is applied to the feed-forward part of a recursive structure, the front distortion (due to precursors) can be reduced in a similar fashion without unduly increasing the overall distortion. The resulting distortion, mainly in the rear end, can then be cancelled out via feedback paths. Other topics treated include certain generalizations, the truncation error due to limited length in cascaded equalizer sections, and the effect of noise. Several numerical examples are also presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Models of Christian Leadership in Youth Ministry

Abstract This article addresses four models of leadership that Christian communities may want to adopt to help them assess and articulate a more vibrant and dynamic youth ministry. In particular, this article will demonstrate that authentic Christian leadership for youth ministry is much more than teaching young people about pastoral skills, but requires a lifestyle that empowers adolescents to become responsible and genuine leaders in their schools, churches, neighborhoods, and communities.
Patterns of Antibiotic Exposure and Clinical Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 4-year Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND Antimicrobial treatment is known to cause short- and long-term changes in the composition of normal human microbiota. The relationship between antibiotic use and overall clinical behavior in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been explored. We aim to prospectively characterize patterns of antibiotic use and clinical IBD activity in a large IBD cohort. METHODS Prospective observational study from a longitudinal IBD natural history registry between 2009 and 2012. Antibiotic prescriptions were identified and categorized using electronic medical record data. Cumulative rates over the 4-year study period were compared. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, health care utilization, and treatment data of the patients with IBD were collected and analyzed. Quality of life was measured by Short IBD Questionnaire data. Primary outcomes were markers of disease activity including Short IBD Questionnaire scores, C-reactive protein levels, health care utilization, and medication use. RESULTS Seven hundred eighteen patients followed over 4 years were included (47.6% male; mean age, 46.7 ± 15.2 yr), 59.9% had Crohn's disease, whereas 38.6% had ulcerative colitis. Most patients (66.3%) were exposed to antibiotics during the study period. Antibiotic-exposed patients were more likely to have Crohn's disease (63% versus 53.7%; P = 0.05), require narcotics (43.7% versus 14.9%; P < 0.0001), receive antidepressants (43.1% versus 18.6%; P < 0.001), prednisone (52.7% versus 31%; P < 0.0001), or biological therapy (52% versus 36.5%; P < 0.0001). Antibiotic-exposed patients had a lower mean Short IBD Questionnaire (50.2 ± 11.5 versus 56.4 ± 9.5; P < 0.0001), higher rates of C-reactive protein elevation (49.2% versus 31.8%; P < 0.0001), and higher health care utilization compared with nonantibiotic-exposed patients. CONCLUSIONS The majority of patients with IBD receive antibiotic treatment, and these individuals demonstrate a more severe clinical course.
Musculoskeletal scapular correlates of plantigrade and acrobatic positional activities in Papio cynocephalus anubis and Macaca fascicularis

This study investigates several musculoskeletal scapular correlates of quadrupedal behavior in predominantly plantigrade, Papio cynocephalus anubis and acrobatic, less plantigrade, Macaca fascicularis. Positional behaviors differ in these two primates reflecting the amount of time spent emphasizing one or the other of these captive behavioral regimes. Stresses associated with particular patterns of behavior result in different scapular morphologies. Papio exhibits a significantly broader scapula with a more dorsoventrally curved blade accompanying an enlarged teres major muscle. The supraspinous fossa is wider in Papio, while the infraspinous/teres major attachment is wider in Macaca. Angular measurements reflect the breadth dimension of the various fossae. These results utilize two species of primates to extend a methodology developed in previous studies and to suggest that a predictable interdependence occurs between scapular dimensions and certain behavioral activities.
Understanding sensemaking/sensegiving in transformational change processes from the bottom up

Government agencies, foundations, business and industry, and other important higher education stakeholders continue to invest in important and deep changes they think are necessary for the vitality and health of higher education particularly interdisciplinary teaching and research. But we know little about how transformational changes happen, particularly bottom up approaches required for altering the teaching/learning environment. This article reports on one of the few studies of transformational change describing case study research of 28 institutions attempting to fundamentally shift toward interdisciplinary work. The results identify the key role of sensemaking and sensegiving and build on earlier research showing how these processes change from mobilization to the implementation of change.
Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of inactivated trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine administered with a needle-free disposable-syringe jet injector.

Abstract Background Jet injectors (JIs) avoid safety drawbacks of needle–syringe (N–S) while generating similar immune responses. A new generation of disposable-syringe jet injectors (DSJIs) overcomes the cross-contamination risk of multi-use-nozzle devices used in 20th-century campaigns. In the first study in humans, the newly-US-licensed LectraJet® model M3 RA DSJI was compared to N–S. Methods Sixty healthy adults received one 0.5 mL intramuscular dose of the 2009–2010 seasonal, trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) in randomized, double-masked fashion by either DSJI (n = 30) or N–S (n = 30). Adverse reactions were monitored for 90 days after injection, and serologic responses assayed by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) at days 28 and 90. Results There were no related serious adverse events (SAEs), nor differing rates of unsolicited AEs between DSJI and N–S. Solicited erythema and induration occurred more often after DSJI, but were transient and well-tolerated; a trend was noted for fewer systemic reactions by DSJI. Pre-vaccination HI geometric mean titers (GMT) increased by 28 days for H1N1, H3N2, and B antigens by 13-, 14-, and 8-fold via DSJI, and by 7-, 10-, and 7-fold for N–S, respectively. No trending differences in GMT, seroconversion, or seroprotection were noted; sample sizes precluded non-inferiority assessment. Conclusions DSJI delivery of TIV is well-tolerated and immunogenic.
Regulation of Mucous Cell Metaplasia in Bronchial Asthma

Mucous cell metaplasia (MCM), defined by the appearance of mucous cells in airways where mucous cells were not present, is a consistent pathologic characteristic in the peripheral airways of bronchial asthma. Under mild inflammatory conditions MCM occurs as a result of pre-existing airway epithelial cells (AECs) starting to express mucin genes and differentiating into mucous cells. Under extensive inflammatory responses, AECs proliferate, and the development of MCM involves the differentiation of pre-existing and proliferating cells into mucous cells. Epithelial cell numbers per mm basal lamina are increased by approximately 30%. IL-13 is the central cytokine that is responsible for MCM in asthma through GABA-R- and STAT6-mediated mechanisms involving the calcium-activated chloride channel CLCA. IL-13 is also responsible for the proliferation of AECs by causing cells to produce TGFalpha that acts on the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. Normally, resolution of MCM involves two distinct mechanisms. 1) Some of the metaplastic mucous cells stop the synthesis of mucus and dedifferentiate into Clara or serous cells to reconstitute the epithelium. 2) When proliferation of epithelial cells had occurred, approximately 30% of metaplastic cells are eliminated during the resolution process. Thus, a safe approach to reducing IL-13-induced MCM would involve blocking mucous synthesis and storage, blocking secretion of stored mucus, and eliminating hyperplastic mucous cells. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of each of these processes is necessary for developing effective therapies for reducing mucous hypersecretion in asthma and leading to a repaired epithelium.
The Apparent-Time Construct and stable variation: Final /z/ devoicing in northwestern Indiana1

As real-time language data becomes increasingly available for sociolinguistic research, a growing number of studies are benefitting from it in order to study language changes in progress, some of which even explicitly seek to scrutinize the Apparent-Time Construct itself. Vanishingly few real-time studies, however, have focused specifically on stable sociolinguistic variables, leaving an important gap in our understanding of the Apparent-Time Construct's abilities to model real-time facts. In an effort to address this gap, the present study analyzes a presumably stable sociolinguistic variable – final /z/ devoicing – in extreme northwestern Indiana through real and apparent time. A series of Varbrul analyses indicate that this variable is, indeed, stable throughout the 20 years of real time covered by the data and that its stability is successfully modeled in apparent time. Additionally, similarities in /z/ devoicing between this community and some other communities where it has also been studied are identified and discussed.
Multiple mating by females is not dependent on body size in the salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus

Male mate choice for particular "classes" of females may be devalued if chosen females are more likely to mate with multiple partners (thus precipitating sperm competition). Larger females carry greater numbers of eggs available for fertilization in the plethodontid salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus, and are chosen by males in simultaneous mate-choice tests. We found no difference in mating frequency between 12 large females and 12 smaller females across 576 male-female encounters. Given limited published data on patterns of sperm utilization in this salamander, we conclude that male choice of more fecund partners may be advantageous even in the face of multiple mating by females and resultant sperm competition. Studies of natural populations of salamanders are required to confirm this conclusion.
A Dynamic Multi-Zone Partitioning Scheme for Solving Detailed Chemical Kinetics in Reactive Flow Computations

A dynamic multi-zone (DMZ) partitioning scheme is proposed for enhancing the computational efficiency associated with solving detailed chemistry in reactive flow calculations. The DMZ scheme employs a novel and highly flexible evolutionary data clustering algorithm to partition a group of computational cells into zones for solving the chemistry source terms at each hydrodynamic time step. The algorithm dynamically determines the optimal number of zones for each time step of the calculation based on the thermochemical conditions in the cells and user-specified dispersion thresholds. After solving the chemistry equations on zonal level, the DMZ scheme maps the updated solution back to the cells while preserving the initial parameter stratification. The DMZ scheme is implemented into a KIVA3V-CHEMKIN code and benchmarked against fully resolved (non-partitioned) calculations using direct-injection compression-ignition engine cases. The benchmarking results show that the DMZ scheme accurately reproduces the pr...
Statins and their role in acute pancreatitis: Case report and literature review

Statin induced pancreatitis has historically been considered a diagnosis of exclusion, with literature references typically in the form of case reports and observational studies. Recently, larger studies have challenged the correlations made by earlier case reports, and instead demonstrate a mild protective effect in statin users. We present a case report of likely statin induced pancreatitis in a 58-year-old male (which we have attributed to drug-drug interaction with resulting inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes) and have reviewed the apparent dichotomy in the available literature.
Ionic conduction and liquid flow in wet wool

Abstract An apparatus is described for measuring the hydraulic permeability, electric conductance, and electroosmosis of wool plugs in equilibrium with aqueous salt solutions. Permeability and conductance data are discussed for different fiber orientations: random in fabric plugs and parallel with the external field in yarn plugs. The fiber packing in the plugs was very stable except at high pH and low ionic strength. Under the latter conditions a slow but continuous consolidation of the fibers into a denser packing was observed. The relative fiber mobility necessary for this consolidation is perhaps due to deflocculation (peptization) of the fibrous network. Wool behaves like a mixed ion exchanger. The fibers are permeable to small ions. The bulk conductance of wool fibers is much larger than the surface conductance. The fiber conductance is a function of pH and shows a minimum around pH = 5.5. Moreover, the fiber conductance is anisotropic. It is larger in the direction of the fiber axis than it is across the fiber. The mobility of small ions inside the wool fiber was less than 1% of the ion mobility in water. The increase of the ion mobility inside the fiber parallels the increase in fiber swelling toward higher pH.
Characterization of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit Cγ expressed and purified from sf9 cells

Abstract The Cγ and Cα subunits of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) contain 350 amino acids that are highly homologous (83% amino acid sequence), with 91% homology within the catalytic domain (a.a. 40–300). Unlike Cγ, the Cα subunit has been readily purified and characterized as a recombinant protein in vitro, in intact cells, and in vivo. This report describes for the first time the expression, purification, and characterization of Cγ. The expression of active Cγ was eukaryote-specific, from mammalian and insect cells, but not bacteria. Active recombinant Cγ was optimally expressed and purified to homogeneity from Sf9 cells with a 273-fold increase in specific activity and a 21% recovery after sequential CM-Sepharose and Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. The specific activity of pure Cγ was 0.31 and 0.81 U/mg with kemptide and histone as substrates, respectively. Physical characterization showed Cγ had a lower apparent molecular weight and Stokes radii than Cα, suggesting differences in tertiary structures. Steady-state kinetics demonstrated that like Cα and Cβ, Cγ phosphorylates substrates requiring basic amino acids at P − 3 and P − 2. However, Cγ generally exhibited a lower K m and V max than Cα for peptide substrates tested. Cγ also exhibited a distinct pseudosubstrate specificity showing inhibition by homogeneous preparations of RIα and RIIα-subunits, but not by pure recombinant protein kinase inhibitors PKIα and PKIβ, PKA-specific inhibitors. These studies suggest that Cγ and Cα exhibit differences in structure and function in vitro, supporting the hypothesis that functionally different C-subunit isozymes could diversify and/or fine-tune cAMP signal transduction downstream of PKA activation.
Fallacies of Interest-Free Deficit Financing

Origin of the proposals, 438. — I. Cyclical depression: Wright's arguments, 440; bank costs and bank profits, 443; proposals for service charges, 445; interest on deposits, 446; the problem of credit control, 447; redundancy of banking facilities, 449; taxation as an instrument of control, 451; special issues of interest-bearing bonds, 453. — II. Secular stagnation: two possible assumptions, 455; effect on consumption, 456. — III. War economy, 457. — IV. Conclusions, 458.