cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability Analysis of Long Multi-Segment Earth Slopes

A three-dimensional stochastic model, proposed earlier for single-segment earth slopes having statistically homogeneous cross-sectional properties, is extended to multi-segment cases. For the two-segment model it is shown how the probability of a local failure, centered at a point near the segment boundary, rises or falls in function of various adjacent-segment properties such as their mean safety factors. The method also enables evaluation of the “system reliability” for multi-segmented long linear slopes. The case study for the two-segment case indicates that singleand multi-segment models may be expected to yield significantly different system reliabilities. The proposed multi-segment model is suitable for use in risk assessment and management of this class of civil infrastructure systems, and for extension to the case when there are external load conditions such as earthquake induced shaking.
Abstract 2170: Genomic profiling and pathway significances of natural killer cell lymphoma (NKL): Implication for NK lymphomagenesis and genomic targeting therapeutics

Natural killer cell lymphoma (NKL) is a highly aggressive form of lymphoid malignancy (Suzuki et al. BLOOD 2009). We hypothesized that the comparison of differentially expressed genes of NKL vs normal NK cells would be a rational approach for enhancing our understanding of NK lymphomagenesis and lead to the discovery of genomic markers and potential therapeutic targets. Isolated RNA from highly enriched peripheral blood NK cells (CD3-, CD56+; PBNK) and human IL2-independent NKL cell line (NK-92MI) were subjected to microarray studies using Affymetrix U133A_2. Gene data were subjected to Agilent GeneSpring analyses. Welch test were used to perform statistical analysis and fold change of 2F) and 1558 genes that were downregulated (>2F) in NKL vs PB NKs. The pathway mapping studies identified 22 pathways (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2170.
I Said No: The Impact of Voicing Non-Consent on Women’s Perceptions of and Responses to Rape:

The current study explored the impact of voicing non-consent in relation to rape. Aims of the study included determining (a) the prevalence of voicing non-consent, (b) the relationship of voicing non-consent to verbal and physical resistance, and (c) whether voicing non-consent predicts distress and rape acknowledgment. Out of 262 college women who experienced rape, 81% voiced non-consent. Voicing non-consent was related to verbal and physical resistance, but was distinct in prevalence and prediction of distress. Voicing non-consent was associated with trauma-related symptoms in multivariate models. Women who voiced non-consent were more likely to acknowledge their experience as rape or sexual assault. Implications are discussed.
Folie simultanée in monozygotic twins.

Objectif : L'objectif de cet article est de presenter un rapport de cas de folie simultanee chez des jumeaux monozygotes. On rend aussi compte de la documentation sur la «folie a deux» chez les jumeaux ainsi que des resultats cliniques courants. Methode : Presentation de cas et examen de la documentation. Resultats : Les observations cliniques de jumeaux monozygotes souffrant de folie simultanee suggerent que le delire tend a progresser avec le temps, et que chaque jumeau accroit la folie du second. Conclusions : Le concept de la «resonance» du delire entre les personnes affectees peut expliquer la progression rapide et l'escalade de ces delires.
Therapy of chronic myelogenous leukaemia withy interferons

Therapy of Philadelphia positive chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML Ph1) with alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) resulted in a high frequency of haematological remissions. Effective suppression of the malignant Ph1 clone and concomitant partial or complete restoration of normal haemopoiesis is reproducibly noted in a proportion (30%-50%) of the patients. This and the low incidence of blast crisis underscore the profound effect this therapy has on the disease. Marked heterogeneity in the response to IFN-alpha was noted as well, and sensitivity or resistance to interferon was phenotypically indistinguishable. Studies of the IFN-resistant disease failed to disclose alteration in IFN receptors or in IFN-inducible genes and are suggestive, therefore, of a limited alteration in IFN-induced intracellular pathways.
It's The Students, Stupid: How Perceptions of Student Reporting Impact Cheating:

While universities nationwide continue to revamp policies, increase penalties, and work harder to detect cheating, large numbers of students continue to admit to cheating. This paper examines stude...
Tidal rhythmites in the southern Bouse Formation as evidence for post-Miocene uplift of the lower Colorado River corridor

Uncertainty over depositional paleoenvironments of the upper Miocene to lower Pliocene Bouse Formation obscures our understanding of the timing and magnitude of regional uplift as well as the conditions and processes that were active during integration and early evolution of the Colorado River (western United States). This paper presents new sedimentologic and quantitative evidence for a strong tidal influence on deposition of the basal carbonate member of the southern Bouse Formation. Lithofacies with tidal sedimentary structures include lime mudstone with reed and grass imprints; heterolithic facies with horizontal, flaser, wavy, and lenticular bedding; and cross-bedded grainstone with sigmoidal bundles, reactivation surfaces, and complex bedding. Systematic alternation of relatively thick and thin layers records a predominantly semidiurnal mixed-tidal depositional environment, and Fourier analysis highlights the cyclic, non-random nature of layer-thickness trends. These observations provide evidence that the southern Bouse Formation accumulated in a pre–Colorado River tide-dominated marine setting at the north end of the Gulf of California. Deposition at sea level requires ∼330 m of uplift in the lower Colorado River and western Colorado Plateau region during the past ∼5.0 m.y.
Lubrication with magnesium stearate increases tablet brittleness

Abstract Tablet brittleness index (TBI) quantifies tablet fracture behavior, which strongly correlates with tablet porosity and tensile strength. The goal of this work was to quantify the influence of lubrication on tablet brittleness. Magnesium stearate was used as a lubricant. Several common tablet excipients, i.e., starch, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrate (DCPA), and a binary mixture between lactose and MCC were studied. Tablet tensile strength (σ) and TBI at zero porosity (σ0 and TBI0) were obtained from nonlinear regression of data of all powders to evaluate the relationship between brittleness and bonding strength of pore-free tablets. The results show that lubrication by magnesium stearate led to decrease in σ0 and increase in TBI0. The effect was more profound for both a longer blending time and a higher amount of magnesium stearate. In addition, the TBI of the binary mixture was successfully predicted from the fitted parameters of lactose and MCC using the power mixing rule. Such effects of lubrication on tablet brittleness should be considered during formulation development to avoid unexpected quality issues.
Median of Maxima Estimate (MOME) receivers for robust adaptive signal detection

The Median of Maxima Estimate (MOME) receiver is a distribution-free Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) receiver used to detect signal bursts against a time-varying, non-Gaussian background. Receiver configuration requires selecting four parameters that determine detection performance and adaptation rate. A semi-analytic method of determining the false alarm rate is proposed. This procedure avoids time consuming simulations to find the false alarm rate when comparing receiver configurations. It also significantly reduces the parameter search space for finding detection probability. An example worked using this technique shows that good detector performance and rapid adaptation are both available with properly selected detector parameters.
A gardener's experience of document work at a historic landscape site

Research in document work has tended to take a sociocultural perspective. Recent interest in document experience invites the consideration of document work from the perspective of an individual's lived experience. This paper reports on a holistic, single-case study of how the head gardener at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, a historic landscape site in Philadelphia, experiences the document work involved in developing a comprehensive garden plan. A hermeneutic analysis of the data reveals how the underlying foundational values of authenticity, education and reducing ambiguity support the process of document work in this case, which involves summoning diverse knowledge, channeling the master and stepping back. This process is punctuated by organizational and historical challenges. These findings suggest that the theoretical framework of foundation-process-challenges may be used to study the lived experience of document work in other cases. Further ramifications are discussed for practice in gardening and historical document work.
A data-driven identification of morphological features influencing the fill factor and efficiency of organic photovoltaic devices

Abstract The performance of organic solar cells is strongly dependent on the morphology of the bulk heterojunction active layer. There has been intense efforts to identify and quantify morphological traits that correlate with various stages of the photo physics. While it is generally accepted that donor domain size affects exciton dissociation efficiency and connectivity affects charge collection, identifying morphology trait(s) that correlate with fill factor and total efficiency have remained elusive. In this work, we utilize correlation analysis on a large set of two dimensional bulk heterojunction morphologies to identify traits that are correlated with fill factor and efficiency. A large dataset of bulk heterojunction morphologies using a phase-field model of phase separation was first created. A comprehensive suite of morphology descriptors were evaluated for each of these morphologies using a recently developed graph based approach. Following this, a morphology aware excitonic-drift-diffusion based device model was used to compute current-voltage curves, fill factors, efficiencies as well as spatial distributions of exciton generation, dissociation, and charge collection for each of the morphologies. We find that (for a given material system with a specified HOMO-LUMO gap, and assuming perfect contact with electrodes) device efficiency primarily depends on the short circuit current, and has almost no dependence on the fill factor. Interestingly, we find that the fill factor is largely insensitive to many of the investigated descriptors. It is only weakly dependent on the contact area mismatch – the difference between the fraction of anode in direct contact with donor and the fraction of cathode in direct contact with acceptor. The fill factor is maximized when this quantity is nearly balanced. Since morphologies with a higher fraction of the electrodes in contact with the desirable material show higher short circuit current, we conclude that designing morphologies for a high short circuit current will necessarily lead to reasonably high fill factors.
Thermal impact of migrating birds’ wing color on their flight performance: Possibility of new generation of biologically inspired drones

Abstract The thermal impact of the birds’ color on their flight performance are investigated. In most of the large migrating birds, the top of their wings is black. Considering this natural phenomenon in the migrating birds, such as albatross, a thermal analysis of the boundary layer of their wings is performed during the year depending on the solar insulation. It is shown that the temperature difference between the bright and dark colored top wing surface is around 10 °C. The dark color on the top of the wing increases the temperature of the boundary layer over the wing which consequently reduces the skin drag force over the wing. This reduction in the drag force can be considered as one of the effective factors for long endurance of these migrating birds. This research should lead to improved designs of the drones by applying the inspired colors which can help drones increase their endurance.
Peace building with the body: resonance and reflexivity in Colombia’s Legion del Afecto

Youth in Medellin, Colombia have been recognized as potential peacebuilders through initiatives for urban peace and non-violence, including the initiative Legion del Afecto. This paper explores the...
Deletion of Type 2 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Decreases Sensitivity to Cocaine Reward in Rats

Cocaine users show reduced expression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR2), but it is not clear whether this is a predisposing trait for addiction or a consequence of drug exposure. In this study, we found that a nonsense mutation at the mGluR2 gene decreased mGluR2 expression and altered the seeking and taking of cocaine. mGluR2 mutant rats show reduced sensitivity to cocaine reward, requiring more cocaine to reach satiation when it was freely available and ceasing their drug-seeking behavior sooner than controls when the response requirement was increased. mGluR2 mutant rats also show a lower propensity to relapse after a period of cocaine abstinence, an effect associated with reduced cocaine-induced dopamine and glutamate overflow in the nucleus accumbens. These findings suggest that mGluR2 polymorphisms or reduced availability of mGluR2 might be risk factors for the initial development of cocaine use but could actually protect against addiction by reducing sensitivity to cocaine reward.
Surface grinding of CFRP composites using rotary ultrasonic machining: a comparison of workpiece machining orientations

The carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites have superior properties of high modulus-to-weight ratio, high strength-to-weight ratio, good durability, high corrosion resistance, and low thermal expansion coefficient. These properties make them attractive in many different applications, such as aerospace, medical, transportation, and sporting goods. However, CFRP’s properties of anisotropy, inhomogeneity, and abrasive properties of carbon fibers in CFRP composites generate many problems, including high cutting forces, high torque, delamination, high tool wear, decomposition of matrix material, etc., in traditional grinding processes. Surface grinding of CFRP composites using rotary ultrasonic machining (RUM) is used to decrease these problems. However, there is no investigation on effects of workpiece machining orientations in such a process. This investigation, for the first time, studies effects of workpiece machining orientations and machining variables (including tool rotation speed, feedrate, and ultrasonic power) on output variables (including both cutting force in feeding direction and cutting force in axial direction, torque, and surface roughness). The results show that lower cutting forces and torque are generated by using 90° workpiece machining orientation and lower surface roughness is produced by using 0° workpiece machining orientation. The results are discussed and analyzed, and they will fill in the research gaps in RUM surface grinding of CFRP composites.
Predictors of Failure to Rescue After Esophagectomy

Background Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as death after a major complication, is a metric increasingly being used to assess quality of care. Risk factors associated with FTR after esophagectomy have not been previously studied. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients who underwent esophagectomy with gastric conduit between 2010 and 2014. Patients with at least one major postoperative complication were grouped according to inhospital mortality (FTR group) and survival to discharge (SUR group). A stepwise logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of FTR. Results A total of 1,730 patients comprised the study group, with 102 (5.9%) in the FTR group and 1,628 (94.1%) in the SUR group. The FTR patients were older (69.0 versus 64.0 years, p Conclusions Nearly 6% of patients who have a major complication after esophagectomy do not survive to discharge. Age greater than 75 years, black race, American Society of Anesthesiologists class 4 or 5, and complications related to major infection or organ failure predict FTR. Further research is necessary to investigate how these factors affect survival after complications in order to improve rescue efforts.
Strengthening Ministry Teams: Facilitating Unity and Cohesiveness:

The use of teams is common in churches and ministry organizations. This article examines one aspect of team development: the nature of and facilitation of unity within a team. By reviewing both the...
Joint Mobility and Heterogeneity for Connected k-Coverage in Sparsely Deployed Wireless Sensor Nets

The monitoring quality of a phenomenon depends on the sensing coverage provided by the sensors. Several applications require sensing k-coverage, where each point in the field is covered by at least k sensors. In this paper, we propose a generalized and optimized protocol for sensingk-coverage in sparsely deployed wireless sensor networks, called k-SCHEMES, using heterogeneous and mobile sensors. First, we characterize sensing k-coverage using heterogeneous sensors based on Helly’s Theorem. Second, we propose an energy-efficient protocol to achieve on-demand sensing k-coverage of a region of interest in the field based on sensor group mobility. Third, we suggest two data gathering protocols on top of connected k-covered configurations for sparse and mobile heterogeneous wireless sensor networks. We corroborate our analysis with several simulation results.
The definition of rural area as a primary solution of its adequate development

The realistic approach to the rural development requires primarily a consensual definition of a rural area. The selection of tools to be applied and measures to be taken to influence rural areas as well as the setting up the institutional framework would be difficult without defining the object of interest. The adequate definition of rural areas is therefore one of essential prerequisites for the effective resource allocation within the rural development policy.
Doppler Echocardiographic Assessment of Fetal Cardiac Failure

A large number of clinical conditions have been found that may lead to intrauterine cardiac failure. Pulsed and color Doppler techniques have improved our knowledge of fetal cardiovascular response to structural and functional heart diseases. Key features of developing fetal hear failure that may be seen include:
A new approach for calibrating safety performance functions.

Abstract Safety performance functions (SPFs) are statistical regression models used for estimating crash counts by roadway facility classification. They are required for identifying high crash risk locations, assessing the effectiveness of safety countermeasures and comparing road designs in terms of safety. Roadway agencies may opt to develop local SPFs or adopt them from elsewhere such as the national Highway Safety Manual (HSM), provided by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The HSM offers a simple technique to calibrate its SPFs to conditions of specific jurisdictions. A more recent calibration technique, also known as the calibration function, is similar to that of the HSM. In this research, we develop SPFs of total crashes for rural divided multilane highway segments in four states. The states are Florida, Ohio, California and Washington. We also calibrate each SPF to each state using the HSM calibration method and the calibration function. Furthermore, we propose the use of the K nearest neighbor data mining method for calibrating SPFs. According to the goodness of fit (GOF) results, our proposed calibration method performs better than the other two methods.
Physical modeling of the feedbacks between a patch of flexible Reed Canarygrass ( Phalaris arundinacea ), wake hydraulics, and downstream deposition

Reed Canarygrass (RCG) is an aggressive invader in aquatic ecosystems that swiftly modifies the environment, resulting in biodiversity loss and reduced flood conveyance. However, because so little research has been conducted on RCG along riverbanks and islands, the mechanism by which it so rapidly colonizes rivers is not well understood. This study examined how colonization of RCG, via the expansion of an individual patch through wake deposition, may be driven by differences in flow depths. A set of mobile-bed experiments were conducted in a physical model to examine the influence of submergence depth on wake characteristics and deposition around a mid-channel, emergent patch of flexible RCG. At low submergence (31%) depths, low wake velocities promoted streamlined deposition behind the patch that is associated with longitudinal patch expansion. At deeper submergence (75%) depths, the introduction of vertical shear over a portion of deflected stems produced less overall deposition dispersed across the channel. Thus, it was found that, as submergence increased, positive feedbacks for longitudinal expansion of patches decreased. These results indicate that, from a management perspective, targeting removal of RCG patches at shallower submergence depths, and/or modifying the hydroperiod for deeper submergence of the plant, is likely to be more effective than targeting plants subjected to deeper flows.
HIV and the liver

Work during the past two decades has highlighted how HIV contributes to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, leading to changes in the timing of antiretroviral therapy initiation and to improved diagnosis and management of liver disease in patients with HIV. As this population ages, clinician vigilance with early detection of emerging liver disease will be critical.
Full Physics Simulation Study of Guardrail Radar-Returns for 77 GHz Automotive Radar Systems

Radar is one of the primary active safety sensors for advanced driver assistance systems. Autonomous vehicles will heavily rely on the ability of automotive radar systems to accurately identify crucial targets while filtering out false targets. Road guardrails present a unique corner case challenge to automotive radar sensors due to their large radar cross section (RCS) that can lead to false targets alerts. This paper presents a full physics, full-scale electromagnetic simulation-based study on the radar returns of road guardrails. Results from this paper demonstrate how guardrails can obfuscate crucial targets, such as pedestrians and nearby stationary vehicles. A novel guardrail system for high-pedestrian density areas is proposed. Further RCS reduction of this design is achieved through a proposed diffraction mitigation technique. Simulations using this proposed guardrail system predict over 25-dB reduction in guardrail RCS. Results from this paper show that guardrails with low RCS improve the visibility of adjacent stationary targets, and thus have the potential to reduce accidents and possibly save lives.
The orthopedic literature 2011.

1. Pain management Wakai A, O'Sullivan R, McCabe A. Intra-articular lignocaine versus intravenous analgesia with or without sedation for manual reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(4):CD004919. Cheok CY, Mohamad JA, Ahmad TS. Pain relief for reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocations: a prospective randomized study comparing intravenous sedation with intra-articular lidocaine. J Orthop Trauma. 2011;25:5–10.
Enclave-based privacy-preserving localization: poster

In cooperative spectrum sensing, multiple sensors work together to perform tasks such as localizing a target transmitter. However, the exchange of spectrum measurements leads to exposure of the physical location of participating sensors. Furthermore, in some cases, the sensitive characteristics of all participants can be revealed through the compromise of any one sensor. Accordingly, without guarantees about how data will be handled, there is little reason for such devices to work together. In this work, we protect the location of sensors cooperating in spectrum sensing by processing measurements within attestable containers, or enclaves. We use the enclave as a building block for new privacy-preserving particle filter protocols. We instantiate this enclave using Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) and investigate how the inclusion of enclaves impacts sensor privacy, carefully enumerating the different threats present in centralized and decentralized architectures. We show that enclave-based particle filter protocols incur minimal overhead (adding 16 milliseconds of processing to the measurement processing function versus unprotected computation), whereas cryptographically-based approaches suffer from multiple orders of magnitude greater costs. Our work demonstrates that enclaves can be effectively deployed in a decentralized architecture while dramatically improving current data handling techniques.
Single-molecule correlated chemical probing reveals large-scale structural communication in the ribosome and the mechanism of the antibiotic spectinomycin in living cells

The ribosome moves between distinct structural states and is organized into multiple functional domains. Here, we examined hundreds of occurrences of pairwise through-space communication between nucleotides in the ribosome small subunit RNA using RNA interaction groups analyzed by mutational profiling (RING-MaP) single-molecule correlated chemical probing in bacterial cells. RING-MaP revealed four structural communities in the small subunit RNA, each distinct from the organization defined by the RNA secondary structure. The head domain contains 2 structural communities: the outer-head contains the pivot for head swiveling, and an inner-head community is structurally integrated with helix 44 and spans the entire ribosome intersubunit interface. In-cell binding by the antibiotic spectinomycin (Spc) barely perturbs its local binding pocket as revealed by the per-nucleotide chemical probing signal. In contrast, Spc binding overstabilizes long-range RNA–RNA contacts that extend 95 A across the ribosome that connect the pivot for head swiveling with the axis of intersubunit rotation. The two major motions of the small subunit—head swiveling and intersubunit rotation—are thus coordinated via long-range RNA structural communication, which is specifically modulated by Spc. Single-molecule correlated chemical probing reveals trans-domain structural communication and rationalizes the profound functional effects of binding by a low–molecular-mass antibiotic to the megadalton ribosome.
Thrombin-Induced Decidual Colony-Stimulating Factor-2 Promotes Abruption-Related Preterm Birth by Weakening Fetal Membranes.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and thrombin generation by decidual cell–expressed tissue factor often accompany abruptions. Underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that thrombin-induced colony-stimulating factor-2 (CSF-2) in decidual cells triggers paracrine signaling via its receptor (CSF2R) in trophoblasts, promoting fetal membrane weakening and abruption-associated PPROM. Decidua basalis sections from term (n = 10), idiopathic preterm birth (PTB; n = 8), and abruption-complicated pregnancies (n = 8) were immunostained for CSF-2. Real-time quantitative PCR measured CSF2 and CSF2R mRNA levels. Term decidual cell (TDC) monolayers were treated with 10−8 mol/L estradiol ± 10−7 mol/L medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) ± 1 IU/mL thrombin pretreatment for 4 hours, washed, and then incubated in control medium with estradiol ± MPA. TDC-derived conditioned media supernatant effects on fetal membrane weakening were analyzed. Immunostaining localized CSF-2 primarily to decidual cell cytoplasm and cytotrophoblast cell membranes. CSF-2 immunoreactivity was higher in abruption-complicated or idiopathic PTB specimens versus normal term specimens (P
On the critical value of the coupling constant in exterior elliptic problems

We consider exterior elliptic problems with coefficients stabilizing at infinity and study the critical value βcr of the coupling constant (the coefficient at the potential) that separates operator...
A multidisciplinary approach to decreasing length of stay in acute care surgery patients

Aim To decrease hospital length of stay in acute care surgery patients. Design An observational cohort quality improvement project at a single tertiary referral centre. Methods A multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, case managers, and physical and occupational therapists was created to identify patients at risk for prolonged length of stay and implement weekly multidisciplinary rounding, with a systematic method of tracking progress in real time. The main outcome measure was hospital length of stay. The observed/expected ratios for length of stay 2 years before (2012-2014) and after (2014-2016) the intervention were compared. Results A total of 6,120 patients was analysed. Early identification and action on barriers to discharge created a significant decrease in risk-adjusted acute care surgery patient days per year (96 days) with limited added cost (1-2 hr per week). Patients discharged to home with or without services benefited most. Conclusion Decreasing length of stay in acute care surgery patients is possible without adding a significant burden to healthcare providers. Impact We describe a comprehensive, multidisciplinary initiative to decrease the length of stay of acute care surgery patients. Institutions can use existing resources in a sustainable manner to create a significant decrease in patient days per year with limited added cost. REGISTRATION: https://osf.io/zfc3t.
Graph Vertex Sampling with Arbitrary Graph Signal Hilbert Spaces

Graph vertex sampling set selection aims at selecting a set of vertices of a graph such that the space of graph signals that can be reconstructed exactly from those samples alone is maximal. In this context, we propose to extend sampling set selection based on spectral proxies to arbitrary Hilbert spaces of graph signals. Enabling arbitrary inner product of graph signals allows then to better account for vertex importance on the graph for a sampling adapted to the application. We first state how the change of inner product impacts sampling set selection and reconstruction, and then apply it in the context of geometric graphs to highlight how choosing an alternative inner product matrix can help sampling set selection and reconstruction.
Mathematical Model of Mouse Ventricular Myocytes Overexpressing Adenylyl Cyclase Type 5

A compartmentalized mathematical model of transgenic (TG) mouse ventricular myocytes overexpressing adenylyl cyclase type 5 was developed. The model describes well β1- and β2-adrenergic signaling systems consisting of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors (β1-ARs and β2-ARs), stimulatory and inhibitory G proteins (Gs and Gi), adenylyl cyclases types 4–7 (AC4–7), phosphodiesterases type 2–4 (PDE2–4), protein kinase A (PKA), protein phosphatases type 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A), G-protein receptor kinase type 2 (GRK2), heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor (PKI), and the inhibitor-1 (I-1). We found that the overexpression of AC5 resulted in an increased basal cAMP production, leading to an increased activation of PKA, prolongation of the action potential, and increased [Ca2+]i transient. Simulation results suggest blunted response of TG ventricular cells to the stimulation of β-adrenergic signaling system with isoproterenol comparing to wild type (WT) cells. Simulations of spontaneous Ca2+ release showed larger magnitudes of DADs in TG as compared to WT mice. Modeling data were compared to the experimental data obtained from TG mice overexpressing AC5 as well as to the simulations obtained with the mathematical model for WT mice.
Clinical Use of the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics TBI-Mil Expanded Battery in Evaluating Concussion Recovery: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction This retrospective study evaluated the use of the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM4) Expanded battery in a clinical setting to determine if the resolution of physiological symptoms, in the absence of neurocognitive assessment, was sufficient data in the return-to-duty (RTD) determination. Materials and methods In this study, 508 U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen were diagnosed with concussion and prescribed a standard treatment protocol. As directed by the protocol, they were evaluated and tracked by medical providers until determined to have normal balance and to be asymptomatic at rest and with exertion. Upon the resolution of these physiological symptoms, the midshipmen were referred for neurocognitive (ANAM4) testing. When results indicated a return to neurocognitive baseline, a RTD determination was made. Results The analysis of data in this study indicated that RTD determinations based solely on the resolution of physiological symptoms would have resulted in 25.1% of the sample being returned to duty before neurocognitive recovery. Additional analysis of the ANAM4 reliable change index (RCI) data for each of the concussed patients revealed a pattern of scores that correlated with an expected length of recovery. Individuals with at least one RCI greater than or equal to -1.64 returned to neurocognitive baseline in 8.92 days, whereas individuals with 2 or more RCIs greater than or equal to -1.25 (but less than -1.64) returned to baseline in 5.78 days, and those with a difference in measured reaction times that were greater or equal to -1.25 returned to baseline in 3.20 days. Furthermore, findings indicated that female service members required additional time for the resolution of physical symptoms as compared to their male counterparts. The mean number of days from injury to being deemed symptoms free in males was approximately 14, as compared to females who were deemed symptom free in 21 days. This difference is statistically significant. Conclusions Findings of this investigation revealed three specific outcomes. First, a computerized neurocognitive assessment instrument should be used as an adjunct measure in evaluating the resolution of physiological symptoms following a concussive injury. Second, results revealed that based on the RCIs of postinjury ANAM4 assessments, it is possible to estimate the remaining recovery time needed for a return to neurocognitive baseline. Third, results of this analysis revealed that gender appears to be a factor in time between concussive injury and resolution of symptoms.
The roles of comorbidity and trauma exposure and its timing in shaping HPA axis patterns in depression

Abstract Background Much work has documented hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis abnormalities in major depressive disorder (MDD), but inconsistencies leave this system’s role in the illness unclear. Comparisons across studies are complicated by variation in co-morbidity (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-PTSD, anxiety disorders), exposure to trauma, and timing of trauma (child vs. adult). Here, we examined the impact of these factors on HPA axis profiles in depression. Methods We recruited 5 groups of participants: MDD (n = 14), comorbid MDD + PTSD following adulthood trauma (MDD + PTSD-Adult; n = 12), comorbid MDD + PTSD following childhood trauma (MDD + PTSD-Child; n = 18), comorbid MDD + social anxiety disorder (MDD + SAD; n = 12), and non-depressed control participants who were sex and age matched to patients (combined total n = 36). HPA axis function was assessed using three challenges: stress reactivity via the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), feedback sensitivity via a dexamethasone suppression test (DST), and central drive via a metyrapone challenge (MET). We compared hormonal responses between patient groups and their respective non-depressed controls. Results MDD + PTSD-Child showed low cortisol levels at baseline, and reduced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels at baseline and throughout the TSST. MDD-only, MDD + PTSD-Adult, and MDD + SAD did not differ from non-depressed controls in HPA axis responses to the TSST. Controlling for childhood trauma severity, the reduced baseline levels in MDD + PTSD-Child were no longer significant and significantly reduced baseline cortisol levels emerged for MDD + PTSD-Adult. No diagnostic group effects were detected with DST and MET. Childhood maltreatment subtypes were associated with unique HPA axis responses to TSST and MET. Conclusion Comorbidity and trauma exposure, as well as their timing and type, contribute to inconsistencies in the depression literature and must be included in efforts to clarify the role of the HPA axis in MDD.
Higher order calibrated estimator in two-stage sampling

In this paper, we consider a situation when the population variances of the auxiliary variable in the first stage units selected in a sample are known in addition to the known population means of t...
Forced Migration and the Failure of Governance

In recent years, the conversation about Africa has largely centered on six issues: The idea that a new Africa is emerging due largely to positive economic data and the increase in western-style democracies. Also garnering attention is the Sino-Africa relations which seem to be confounding western capitals. And while globalization has been good in many respects, it has enabled corporations to dictate to, in some instances, usurp state power and sovereignty. Fourth, because of the nature of colonialism and the way independence was granted, neocolonialism seems to be the norm on the continent. The fifth observable phenomenon is the parade of weak leaders, a rapacious elite, and weak institutions – the combination of which have led to the asphyxiations of economic and political opportunities and the inability of states to deal with catastrophes, excesses, and conflicts. These have in turn have led to the sixth factor: the forced movement of Africans within and outside of the continent.
Doctoral Degree Attainment From Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program Alumni: An Explanatory Embedded Case Study:

Due to structural inequity, White students, those whose parents attained a university degree, and those from upper/middle class households are more likely to attain a doctoral degree. One federal p...
Paraeducator-Delivered Interventions for Students with Extensive Support Needs in Inclusive School Settings: A Systematic Review:

Schools have continued to rely on paraeducators to assist special education teachers and other professionals in the provision of special education and related services. Although paraeducators often...
Immediate Ultrasound Calibration with Three Poses and Minimal Image Processing

This paper introduces a novel method for ultrasound (US) probe calibration based on closed-form formulation and using minimal US imaging allowing for an immediate result. Prior to calibration, a position sensor is used to track each image in 3D space while the US image is used to determine target location within the image. The calibration procedure uses these two pieces of information to determine the transformation (translation, rotation, and scaling) of the scan plane with respect to the position sensor. We utilize a closed form solution from two motions of the US probe relying on optical digitization with a calibrated pointer to replace with a great extent the traditional segmentation of points/planes in US images. The tracked pointer appeared to introduce significantly less error than the resolution of the US image caused in earlier approaches. Our method also uses significantly fewer US images and requires only minimal image segmentation, or none with a special probe attachment.
The Abuse of Students Enrolled in Hper Classes

(1972). The Abuse of Students Enrolled in Hper Classes. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 43, No. 8, pp. 26-26.
Theory of Spacecraft Doppler Tracking

We present a review of the spacecraft Doppler tracking technique used in broad band searches for gravitational waves in the millihertz frequency band.
A Fully Integrated Micro‐Magnetometer/Microspacecraft for Multipoint Measurements: the Free‐Flyer Magnetometer

In the decades since the advent of in situ plasma measurements on board spacecraft, the instrumentation has grown bigger, heavier, and more complex as our understanding of space plasmas improves and our appetite for more information increases...There has thus been a recent interest in the miniaturization of both spacecraft and the instrument payload... This paper describes the results and status of an ongoing design study to understand the problems and trade space of fully integrating an instrument into a micro-spacecraft.
Blooms of surf-zone diatoms along the coast of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington: IX. Factors controlling the seasonal cycle of nitrate in the surf at Copalis Beach (1971 through 1975)

Abstract Nitrate depletion in the upper water layers beyond the breaker zone at Copalis Beach, Washington, takes place in April of each year due to spring phytoplankton blooms. In 1974, Thalassiosira pacifica was the species responsible for almost all of the nitrate depletion over a considerable ocean area beyond the region of the breakers. This same nitrate-depleted water was also characteristic of the surf zone in April of each year (1971 through 1975). Between mid-April and mid-October, reintroduction of nitrate into the surf region depends on encroachment of upwelled oceanic deep water high in nitrate; in 1971, when there was only weak upwelling, nitrate in the surf remained depleted over an extended period (6 months). Upwelling can be masked by the presence of freshwater discharge from rivers and streams (as in 1971, 1972 and 1974). In the summer of 1973, when the rate of river discharge was at an all-time record low, nitrate concentrations in surf samples were higher than in any of the other summers during our study period. Cell concentrations of both surf diatom species were reduced in summer; Asterionella socialis disappeared completely in mid or late summer, and Chaetoceros armatum showed symptoms of physiological stress. The annual cycles of abundance of each species seemed to be repeated in more or less the same fashion from year to year, in spite of the very different patterns observed in nitrate concentrations from summer to summer. This points to the importance of ammonia as an alternate nitrogen source for surf diatoms, particularly during summer months.
Tacrine sinusoidal uptake and biliary excretion in sandwich-cultured primary rat hepatocytes.

PURPOSE. The knowledge of hepatic disposition kinetics of tacrine, a first cholinesterase inhibitor was approved by FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), would help to understand its hepatotoxicity, its therapeutic effect, and improve the management of patients with AD. The current study aims to characterize tacrine hepatic transport kinetics and study the role of organic cation transporters (OCTs), P- glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP2) in tacrine sinusoidal uptake and biliary excretion. METHODS. Modulation of tacrine hepatic uptake and efflux, biliary excretion index (BEI%), were performed in sandwich-cultured primary rat hepatocytes (SCHs) using transporters inhibitors. Conformation of the integrity of SCHs model was established by capturing images with light-contrast and fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS. Tacrine uptake in SCHs was carrier-mediated process and saturable with apparent Km of 31.5±9.6 µM and Vmax of 908±72 pmol/min/mg protein. Tetraethyl ammonium (TEA), cimetidine and verapamil significantly reduced tacrine uptake with more pronounced effect observed with verapamil which caused 3-fold reduction in tacrine uptake, indicating role for OCTs. Tacrine has a biliary excretion in SCHs with maximum BEI% value of 22.9±1.9% at 10 min of incubation. Addition of MK571 and valspodar decreased the BEI% of tacrine by 40 and 60% suggesting roles for canalicular MRP2 and P-gp, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. Our results show that in addition to metabolism, tacrine hepatic disposition is carrier-mediated process mediated by sinusoidal OCTs, and canalicular MRP2 and P-gp.
Probing Matter at the Lowest Densities

Between galaxies, matter densities are very low. This tenuous intergalactic matter can only be detected indirectly in the absorption spectra of bright sources such as quasars. In his Perspective, Miralda-EscudA© charts recent progress in elucidating the properties of intergalactic matter through time. He highlights the report by Kriss et al., who have used the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) to chart the absorption spectrum of singly ionized helium, one of the two important species in these studies, at unprecedented resolution.
Insulin sensitivity and intake of vitamins E and C in African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white men and women: the Insulin Resistance and Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS)

Elevated fasting insulin concentrations and insulin resistance have been associated with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), obesity, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Vitamin E supplementation in persons with and without NIDDM may be related to greater insulin sensitivity (SI). The cross-sectional associations of the intake of vitamins E and C with SI and insulin concentrations were evaluated among African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white men and women with a wide spectrum of glucose tolerance included in the Insulin Resistance and Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) (n = 1151). Insulin sensitivity was measured by minimal model analysis of a 12-sample, insulin-modified, frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Nutrient intake (including vitamin supplement use) was assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire modified to include foods consumed by the three ethnic groups. Linear-regression models were used, including rank of SI and the log of fasting insulin as the outcome variables. Pearson correlation coefficients for vitamins E and C in relation to rank SI were r = 0.07 (P = 0.01) and r = 0.07 (P = 0.02), respectively. After adjustment for total energy and BMI these associations were no longer statistically significant and did not differ between ethnic groups. Results were similar when vitamins E and C were combined in categories of low and high antioxidant intake. Models replicated with log of fasting insulin as the outcome variable also did not produce significant associations with vitamins E or C. Thus, these cross-sectional analyses do not support the hypothesis of improved SI with increased intake of vitamins E and C.
A novel integration of on-sensor wavelet compression for a CMOS imager

A novel integration of image compression and sensing is proposed to enhance the performance of a CMOS image sensor. By integrating a compression function onto the sensor focal plane, the image signal to be read out can be significantly reduced and consequently the pixel rate can be increased. This can be applied to overcome the communication bottleneck for high-resolution image sensing and high frame-rate image sensing or for power- and bandwidth-constrained devices such as cell phones. A modified Haar wavelet transform is implemented as the compression scheme. A simple but efficient computation design is developed to implement the transform on-chip.